Red Rose Classic MCC have released their calendar of events for 2016, with a full 11-round championship starting on January 17. The Colne-based club, which caters for pre-65’s and aircooled, drum-braked twinshocks in Lancashire, has enjoyed one of its best-ever seasons, with a record level of membership. Red Rose also hosted a round of the KIA National Twinshock Championship and won acclaim for the revamped format of their Classic Trial – formerly known as the Waterside – which formed the final round of the Northern British Bike Championship. The season finishes with a fun trial, with proceeds going to a nominated charity.
“We planned the calendar with the aim of giving riders plenty of variation in terrain and hazards,” explained trials secretary Pete Kenyon. “All the venues have been used before, but each present their own unique challenge with a good geographical spread across the county.”
This year’s series has been closely fought across the six classes which incorporates both the championship and clubman classes, with the best eight scores counting. Maximum points on three rounds was enough for Tim Baker and his Ariel to clinch Class A from Jack Butterworth, with Jack’s brother Ben finishing third. It was a similar scenario in Class B with Garry Shaw (AJS) winning with ease from David Wear (Royal Enfield). Class C was keenly contested, with Andrew Scott (Tiger Cub) finishing in the points on every round to beat Yrjo Vesterinen, despite the three-times world champion scoring maximum points on five rounds. Third place went to Steve Thomas on his Bantam.
Six wins and three second places were enough for Eric Atkinson and his amazing Ambassador to clean up in Class D, well clear of Paul Harrison’s James.
Class T proved the most popular with 28 points-scoring contenders, and it was David Wilkinson (Honda) who took the honours ahead of the Bultaco of Mick Clarke. Geoff Potts finished third on his Yamaha.
In the clubmans category, Class Ae went the way of John Wilson (BSA) from Ian Johnston’s Triumph.
Peter McCawley scored three wins on his James in class Ce to pip Mick Dickinson and his Bantam, with Les Humphries taking third on his Cub.
Six wins was enough for Paul Whittaker and his Fantic to top Class Ce, although Phil Holey (Honda) gave his a close run for his money with three victories of his own. Peter Rhodes completed the top three with his Montesa.
The awards will be presented at the club’s annual presentation night on Saturday, March 6, at the Old Stone Trough, Kelbrook.
2016 Calendar
Jan 17: Pendle Hall Farm, Padiham BB12 9AF.
Feb 14: Warmden Quarry, Accrington, BB5 2DL.
Mar 13: Pendlebury (TEG) Bait, Bacup, OL14 7AF
Apr 10: Lee Quarry, Bacup, OL13 0JB.
May 8: Catlow Ford, Nelson, BB10 3RN.
May 29: Top Quarry, Lothersdale, BD22 0LW
Jul 03: Walsden, Todmorden, OL14 6QY
Aug 21: Noyna Farm, Colne, BB8 7QW
Sep 4: Float Bridge, Nelson BB10 3RE
Oct 9: Red Rose Classic, Nelson, NBBC BB10 3RD
Nov 12: Copy Pit, Cliviger, BB10 4SZ
Dec 4: Pendle Hall Farm, Padiham, BB12 9AF
Dec 30: Copy Pit, Cliviger charity trial BB10 4SZ.
2015 OVERALL RESULTS
Championship
Class A: Tim Baker (Ariel) 30, Jack Butterworth (Triumph) 19, Ben Butterworth (Ariel) 10.
Class B: Garry Shaw (AJS) 30, David Wear (Royal Enfield) 10.
Class C: Andrew Scott (Cub) 72, Yrjo Vesterinen (Cub) 67, Steve Thomas (Bantam) 66.
Class D: Eric Atkinson (Amabassador) 78, Paul Harrison (James) 57.
Class T: David Wilkinson (Honda) 61, Mick Clarke (Bultaco) 61, Geoff Potts (Fantic) 55.
Clubman
Class Ae: John Wilson (BSA) 30, Ian Johnston (Triumph) 25, David Wear (Royal Enfield) 18.
Class Ce: Peter McCawley (James) 72, Mick Dickinson (Bantam) 51, Les Humphries (Cub) 38.
Class Te: Paul Whittaker (Fantic) 78, Phil Holey (Honda) 65, Peter Rhodes (Montesa) 58.