In a winter dogged by bad weather it was hoped that an early March date would allow for this trial to herald a return to normality. That was until the snows came and went leaving saturated ground and deep steams when the trial was set. So bad were conditions that it was decided to scale back to 8 sections requiring 5 laps to be ridden. So for the 52 entrants some queuing was inevitable despite the stream levels having dropped to normal by the start.
Soft bankings
With the bankings used to avoid the deepest water, ruts soon formed and took marks from all but the top riders. Top of the pre-Units was Malc Cocking on his faithful Triumph twin loosing just three on the day. Close behind was young Mark Feather on dad's BSA C10 side valve rigid dropping a miserly four.
Tie-break
The ten riders on Pre-Unit springers had a close battle with the top three finishing on seven and having to be separated by the older rider tie-break and for the second year running it was Paul Jackson on his home brewed Velo that took top spot in class. An excellent ride by Tim Baker on his Ariel pushed Dave 'Stav' Ingram back to third, all still 5 marks ahead of the following pack.
The rigids had a harder time with Steve Cordon guiding his immaculate AJS to a class win on 14, three ahead of John Feather on his Ariel.
Sharp Turn
Most sections turned out relatively easy but the rocky exit of section 5 even took marks from top dogs Paul and Malcolm with only the tight uphill turn of the penultimate section 7 taking more marks. The stream crossing approach was easy enough but the tight left hand turn exit forced the legs into action. Only Tim Baker and Mark Feather were clean here of the Pre-Unit brigade.
Lightweights Rule
The sections proved to be just right for the lightweights riding for fun, with Steve Thomas going clean all day on his Bantam with Andy Scott dropping a careless dab on the easy slippery entrance to section 6 in front of the event reporter. Richard Tarn Bainbridge also rode a blinder losing only 3 on his Cub
At the end of the day the standard was good for a Pre Unit event and the refurnished Willow Tree welcomed those seeking refreshment after the event.
Results
Pre-Unit Springers
1st Paul Jackson (Jacko Velo) 7 2nd Tim Baker (Ariel) 7 3rd Dave Ingram (Ariel) 7
Pre-Unit Rigid
1st Steve Cordon (AJS) 14 2nd John Feather (Ariel) 17 3rd Chris Bacon (Norton) 21
Twins
1st Malc Cocking (TriEnfield) 3
Pre-Units under 347cc
1st Mark Feather (BSA C10) 4
Just for fun
1st Steve Thomas (Bantam) 0 2nd Andy Scott (Cub) 1 3rd Richard Bainbridge (Cub) 3 4th Andy Greenbank (Bantam) 4