Skipton-based Bultaco rider James Moorhouse made a surprise appearance at Red Rose Classic MCC's penultimate championship trial and Moorhouse, who rode in this year's Scottish Six Days Trial, made short work of some tough sections at Copy Pit, near Cliviger, Burnley, and cleaned the entire route.
Red Rose, who cater for pre-65's and drum-braked, air-cooled twinshocks in Lancashire, switched venues from Auto Transmissions in Todmorden to Copy Pit, the mixture of grassy hills, streams and rocks proving popular with the all the competitors. Despite freezing conditions, the trial attracted almost sixty riders, with clerks-of-the-course Adrian Thompson and Robin Morten laying out a tricky four-lap, ten section course that encompassed most of the hazards encountered in the sport.
Section one typified the day, with an S-shaped climb up a slippery hillside that went from dug-out rocks to grass that afforded zero grip for almost all the riders. Even club chairman Neil Rushton, who was observing the section, had difficulty defying gravity and staying upright with his clipboard! But Moorhouse made it look easy with a seemingly-effortless run up the hill to clean the section, and that set the tone for the rest of the day, He went on to win the Twinshock class, with Mick Clarke, on another Bultaco, finishing runner-up with eight marks. Ludvig Granby's Fantic rounded off the top three also on eight.
Class A went to John Gornall on his beautiful Norton, dropping 14 marks to second-placed Tim Baker's Ariel on 50.
Gary Mitchell (Ariel) and Ian Johnston (Triumph) had class Ae to themselves after David Wear retired his Royal Enfield, with Mitchell edging out Johnston by just four marks.
Pete Clibburn was in fine form on his Triumph Tiger Cub, one dab on section 8 spoiling an otherwise-faultless run to win class C, ahead of Andrew Scott (Cub) on 7, and Dave Ingram (BSA) on 9.
Two marks on sections one and six was enough for Les Humphries to win class Ce on his Cub, three clear of the DOT of Maurice Brayford.
Two veterans - Eric Atkinson and his James - had class D to themselves, while Paul Whittaker's two dabs were good for the class win in Te.
Peter Rhodes (Montesa) finished second ahead of Phil Holey's ex-works Honda TLR.
The club would like to thank the clerks-of-the course, the landowner, and the observers. The final Red Rose championship trial of 2015 is on December 6 at Pendle Hall Farm, Padiham. Nearest postcode is BB12 9AF.
RESULTS
Class A: John Gornall (Norton) 14, Tim Baker (Ariel) 50.
Class Ae: Gary Mitchell (Ariel) 5, Ian Johnston (Triumph) 9.
Class C: Pete Clibburn (Cub) 1, Andrew Scott (Cub) 7, Dave Ingram (BSA) 9.
Class Ce: Les Humphries (Cub) 4, Maurice Brayford (DOT) 7, Chris Nutter (BSA) 8.
Class D: Eric Atkinson (James) 69.
Class T: James Moorhouse (Bultaco) 0, Mick Clarke (Bultaco) 8, Ludvig Granby (Fantic) 8.
Class Te: Paul Whittaker (Fantic) 2, Peter Rhodes (Montesa) 4, Phil Holey (Honda) 10.