Old guys ruled the roost at the second round of Red Rose Classic MCC’s 2016 Championship. Three of the seven classes were decided on the Oldest Rider rule when 67 competitors turned up for four laps of ten sections at Pendlebury Bait, on the border between Bacup and Todmorden. With three riders keeping their feet in the pegs in class C, it was Steve Thomas on his Bantam who claimed the honours on the OR rule from Carl Winstanley and former Pre-65 Scottish winner Paul Heys. Club secretary Andrew Scott dropped just one mark to take fourth. Even fifth place had to be decided on age, when Colin Fray (DOT) and Stewart Ormesher (BSA) tied on three marks.
It was the same story in class Ce, where Maurice Brayford (DOT) got the nod over Rob Goodwin (Francis Barnett) after both were tied on one mark each. Third place went to Clive Tomkinson (DMW) two marks behind.
It was neck-a-neck in Class Te too, with Owen Hardisty and Phil Holey, both on Hondas, cleaning the entire route with Phil Bateman, also on a Honda, just missing out with one mark.
John Gornall and his immaculate Norton won class A last time out at Warmden Quarry, but had to settle for second place to Garry Shaw (Ariel) on two marks to six.
Chris Nutter was a clear winner in class Ae on his Ariel, finishing five marks clear of Alan Taylor’s Royal Enfield.
There was a three-horse race for honours in class D, with Paul Harrison (Banvil) edging out Andy Hesketh and his Terrier and Eric Atkinson (Ambassador).
Mick Clarke was another to go clean, and that was enough to clinch class T from Philip Clarkson. Former world champion Yrjo Vesterinen completed a Bultaco 1-2-3 squeezing out Paul Whittaker on the OR rule.
The club would like to thank course plotters Adrian Thompson and Robin Morten, the landowners and the observers.
Round three of the club championship is on April 10 at 400 Acres, Dunnockshaw, between Burnley and Rawtenstall. Nearest postcode is BB11 5PW.
Results
Class A: Garry Shaw (Ariel) 2, John Gornall (Norton) 6.
Class Ae: Chris Nutter (Ariel) 3, Alan Taylor (Royal Enfield) 8.
Class C: Steve Thomas (Bantam) clean, Carl Winstanley (James) clean, Paul Heys (Cub) clean.
Class Ce: Maurice Brayford (DOT) 1, Rob Goodwin (Francis Barnett), 1, Clive Tomkinson (DMW) 3.
Class D: Paul Harrison (Banvil) 7, Andy Hesketh (Terrier) 10, Eric Atkinson (Ambassador) 14.
Class T: Mick Clarke (Bultaco) clean, Philip Clarkson (Bultaco) 2, Yrjo Vesterinen (Bultaco) 3.
Class Te: Owen Hardisty (Honda) clean, Phil Holey (Honda) clean, Phil Bateman (Honda) 1.