A Class winner, John Gornall in action on his Norton
Red Rose Classic MCC finally got their season underway when they held their championship opener at Warmden Quarry, near Accrington. Heavy snow in January forced the last-minute cancellation of their first trial of the season at Copy Pit, near Cliviger – and that fixture had already been switched from Pendle Hall Farm, Padiham due to the waterlogged ground, but there were no meterological mishaps on Sunday when bright blue skies and warm sunshine greeted more than 60 competitors for four laps of ten sections. They included three riders who made the trip over the Pennines from Derbyshire for their first taste of Red Rose classic trialling.
Course plotters Tony Dillon and Carl Winstanley made good use of all the hazards available, which included grassy bankings, steep hills, and, for the first time this year, the gully stream which had been out of action due to landslip.
It was a two-horse race in class A until Tim Baker retired his Ariel, leaving the way for John Gornall and his immaculate Norton to take the win with nine penalties.
It was a similar story in class Ae, where Paul Jackson’s Velocette eclipsed Alan Taylor (Royal Enfield) 15-39.
Andrew Scott was a model of consistency in class C, dropping just nine marks on his Cub to grab the win from clerk-of-the-course Tony Dillon, who was just one mark behind on his Cub. Third place went to Dave Ingram (BSA) on nine.
Mick Whitlow was in unstoppable form in class Ce, keeping his feet on the pegs all day to go clean on his Cub.
Maurice Brayford and his DOT put in a great performance to finish runner-up with two marks, three clear of third-placed Mick Sheldon (Bantam).
Class D was a walk in the park for Andy Hesketh and his Terrier, losing just eight marks and finishing well ahead of Paul Harrison (Banvil) on 24 and Eric Atkinson (Ambassador) on 32.
There was nothing to separate Mick Clarke and Pete Clibburn in class T, both riders finishing on 8 marks on their respective Bultaco and Fantic machines. David Wilkinson completed the top three on his Honda with 23.
Mal Cocking had just one dab all day to clinch class Te on his Montesa, two clear of runner-up John Wilson (Yamaha). Phil Holey and his Honda completed the top three on six marks.
Red Rose Classic MCC would like to thank the clerks-of-the-course, observers and the landowner, and their next championship trial is at Pendlebury (TEG) Bait, Bacup on March 13. Nearest postcode is OL14 7AF.
Results
Class A: John Gornall (Norton) 9.
Class Ae: Paul Jackson (Velocette) 15, Alan Taylor (Royal Enfield)39.
Class C: Andrew Scott (Cub) 4, Tony Dillon (Cub) 5, Dave Ingram (BSA) 9.
Class Ce: Mick Whitlow (Cub) clean, Maurice Brayford (DOT) 2, Mick Sheldon (Bantam) 5.
Class D: Andy Hesketh (Terrier) 8, Paul Harrison (Banvil) 24, Eric Atkinson (Amabassador) 24.
Class T: Mick Clarke (Bultaco) clean, Pete Clibburn (Fantic), clean, David Wilkinson (Honda) 23.
Class Te: Mal Cocking (Montesa) 1, John Wilson (Yamaha) 3, Phil Holey (Honda) 6.