It was a real family affair when Red Rose Classic MCC staged their final trial of the year at Copy Pit, Burnley. Organised as fun event with no championship points at stake, 50 riders turned up for the chance to burn off some turkey and mince pies with four laps of ten sections, but the day was dominated by the father-and-daughter team of Yrjo and Hanna Vesterinen, who between them dropped just a single mark to win classes T and Ce respectively. The three-times world champion was in impressive form over a wide variety of hazards at the popular Cliviger venue, cleaning the entire route on his Bultaco and finishing six marks ahead of his nearest rival Mick Clarke, also on a Bultaco and equally impressive was Vesty’s daughter Hanna, who had a single dab on section one on her way to win her class, 11 marks ahead of runner-up Bob Baker (Cub).
Mal Cocking’s single marks on sections two and three were enough to clinch class Ae, ahead of Garry Shaw (Ariel) on five. John Maxfield took the honours in class C on his Tiger Cub, his total of six marks was four clear of second-placed Steve Thomas’ Bantam. Andrew Scott finished third on the Oldest Rider rule, pipping Tony Dillon. As the sole entrant in class D Andy Hesketh had a clear run to class victory on his Terrier.
It was a close-fought affair in class Te, with just three marks separating the top three. Trevor Bennett (Fantic) grabbed top spot with 23, one ahead of Phil Holey (Honda) and Tony Broad (Suzuki) on 25.
For the second consecutive meeting, Red Rose Classic MCC beat the weather to get their event staged. Just weeks after Storm Desmond threatened to wash away the final championship round of 2015, unprecedented torrential rain on Christmas and Boxing Day left much of East Lancashire submerged by serious flooding, but the hard work of the club’s clerks-of-the-course, led by the vastly experienced Andrew Scott once again paid off with the trial going off without a hitch – and a healthy sum raised for their nominated charity, the North West Air Ambulance.
The first Red Rose championship trial of 2016 is on January 17 at Pendle Hall Farm, Padiham, nearest postcode BB12 9AF.
RESULTS
Class Ae: Mal Cocking (Triumph) 2, Garry Shaw (Ariel) 5.
Class C: John Maxfield (Cub) 6, Steve Thomas (Bantam) 10, Andrew Scott (Cub) 11.
Class Ce: Hanna Vesterinen (Bantam) 1, Bob Baker (Cub) 11, Maurice Brayford (DOT) 16.
Class D: Andy Hesketh (Terrier) 19.
Class T: Yrjo Vesterinen (Bultaco) clean, Mick Clarke (Bultaco) 6, Pete Clibburn (Fantic) 9.
Class Te: Trevor Bennett (Fantic) 23, Phil Holey (Honda) 24, Tony Broad (Suzuki) 25.