With 60mph gales and horizontal rain forecast, the final round of the Yorkshire Classic MCC Pre-Unit Championship was in doubt right up to the start on the hill side venue at Manor Farm, Glusburn. The ten sections were set in the pouring rain the day before but surprisingly the wind at the start was less than expected and even the rain soon stopped for the reduced turnout of 22 hardy riders.
Ride of the day was by Mark Feather out on dad's rigid BSA C10 for the first time losing just a single dab. Only Malc Cocking (Triumph Twin) and Mick Haslam on his rebuilt Cub managed to match his score.
The sections were set to avoid the forecast gales on a pocket handkerchief 10 section course. There were several new variations of cross cambers and gullies to keep the riders happy.
Sections one was open to the elements and the cross wind took more marks than the hazard deserved. The third section in the corner ended with a steep drop and a narrow climb out and caught Mark Feather for his sole mark. The next six sections of gullies, climbs and cambers took few marks although Malc Cocking did drop his sole mark in the narrow gully of section 6.
Sting in the Tail
It was the last section that took the majority of marks. The approach and turn on a peaty ground led to a choice of lines with many choosing the tight 'S' bend that avoided the rock step. For those who risked the big step the turn was less severe but the wind knocked the mid air unwary towards the adjacent flooded bomb hole.
The rigid class was the best supported and closest fought with Steve Cordon (AJS) taking the older rider tiebreak on 6 marks from Will Harrison (Ariel) with John Feather and Chris Bacon only a single mark behind.
As usual the riders on their lightweight machinery swelled the numbers and it was Mick Haslam complete with new knee that stole the show with his dab on section 9. The remaining entries were blown in the wind and couldn't match the top pre-unit machinery.
Championship Over
Paul Jackson sealed the pre-unit springer class in the absence of 2nd placed Mick Clarke and Steve Cordon made sure of his rigid pre-unit supremacy from John Feather. In the big twins class Malc Cocking needed this final round win to overwhelm Graham Wilkinson and it was no contest in the small pre-unit and Vintage two-stroke classes where Chris Bacon and Eric Atkinson cleaned up.
Those came along left with a smile and the 7 hardy observers deserve a huge round of applause.