Former World Trials Champion Yrjo Vesterinen was in a class of his own when he top-scored at round five of Red Rose Classic MCC’s club championship. Riding his BSA Bantam, the famous Finn dropped just seven marks on a very tricky course at Top Quarry, on the Lancashire-Yorkshire border near Lothersdale. Vesty also helped plot the ten-section route, with support from Chris Riley and Owen Hardisty, and 52 riders turned up in the warm, sunny weather for four laps of classic trialling.
The recent prolonged spell of dry weather allowed the clerks-of-the course to utilise areas of Top Quarry which are normally waterlogged and unusable. The ravine in particular was put to good use with several sections, including a fearsome-looking section nine. Starting halfway up the ravine side, riders trickled along a narrow grass ledge, turning left down the steep slope and executing a 360-degree turn at the bottom before a precipitous climb back up the hillside. The final 20-feet of track leading to the finish flag consisted of slippery shale and gravel, providing a real test of nerve and grip.
Section two was typical Top Quarry, the course twisting its way through the grassy hillocks, but with six inches of gloopy mud in the bottom, traction became more and more difficult with the passage of riders, especially on the uphill exit.
With just one entry in class A, Garry Shaw and his Ariel had a clear run to victory despite dropping 48 marks.
David Wear cleaned the course on his Royal Enfield to win class Ae, although he was run close by Paul Jackson and his Velocette, who dropped a single mark on section two.
With Vesty winning class C, Tony Calvert finished runner-up on his Tiger Club with former Pre-65 Scottish winner Paul Heys rounding off the top three on his Cub.
Mick Whitlow kept his feet on the pegs to claim the popular – and very competitive - class Ce on his Tiger Club. Two marks separated the top six in this class, Maurice Brayford (DOT) getting second place on the Oldest Rider rule from Steve Thomas (Bantam). The OR rule came into play to decide fourth and fifth places with Tony Shaw (Cub) and Steve Thomas (Bantam) getting the respective positions.
It was the same in class D with Eric Atkinson (James) and Andy Hesketh both finishing on three marks. Paul Harrison (Banvil) completed the podium with ten marks lost.
Course plotter Owen Hardisty and his Bultaco topped class T for the loss of just 18 marks, ten clear of runner-up John Hird (Yamaha). David Wilkinson and his Honda finished third on 30 marks.
Class Te was a very closely-fought affair with four marks separating the top eight, and, once again, the OR rule deciding first, third and sixth places. Peter Gaunt (Honda) beat younger rival Paul Charnley (Yamaha) with John Wilson claiming third place on his Yamaha from Mike Halliday (Fantic).
Red Rose Classic MCC would like to thank the clerks-of-the-course Yrjo Vesterinen, Chris Riley and Owen Hardisty, the observers and the landowner for their help in making the trial such a success.
Round six of the championship is at Walsden, Todmorden (near Gordon Rigg Garden Centre) on July 3. The nearest postcode is OL14 6QY.
Results
Class A: Garry Shaw (Ariel) 48.
Class Ae: David Wear (Royal Enfield) clean, Paul Jackson (Velocette) 1.
Class C: Yrjo Vesterinen (Bantam) 7, Tony Calvert (Cub) 13, Paul Heys (Cub) 16.
Class Ce: Mick Whitlow (Cub) clean, Maurice Brayford (DOT) 1, Steve Thomas (Bantam) 1.
Class D: Eric Atkinson (James) 3, Andy Hesketh (Terrier) 3, Paul Harrison (Banvil) 10.
Class T: Owen Hardisty (Bultaco) 18, John Hird (Yamaha) 28, David Wilkinson (Honda) 30.
Class Te: Peter Gaunt (Honda) 1, Paul Charnley (Yamaha) 1, John Wilson (Yamaha) 2.