Mick Clarke in action
Photo: Barry PickardA warm dry day was in prospect as the 58 riders approached the hills above Sowerby Bridge. But heavy clouds offloading their winter rain over Mytholmroyd in the adjacent Calder Valley brought trepidation over what was to come.
Mick Clarke and Dave Ingram took their Ariels round without loss in the Pre-Unit springer class as did Peter Clibburn and Owen Hardisty on their Cubs in the lightweight just for fun class. As always the older riders won the ties. After a steady starter, the second section included a tight downhill turn followed by a steep uphill gulley that caught Malcolm Cocking (Triumph Twin) for a dab and Gordon Imrie on his rigid Matchless for 3 coincidentally their same losses as last year!
Overhead or Side Valve?
The weave through big rocks at section 4 is always a bit hairy with a big drop to the left was where John Gornall on his immaculate overhead valve Norton pre-unit springer dropped his first dab to lose third place to Garry Shaw on his side valve Norton on the Club’s older rider tie break system. Section 9 was the main mark taker for all classes, a favourite at Nab End, it is a straight gentle climb over unstable rocks where some speed and good throttle control are the key but more riders than usual stayed clean this time.
Bantams humbled!
In the Non Competitive lightweight Class, the Cubs of Peter and Owen went clean, one mark ahead of Paul Preston on his James with a dab at section 5, followed by Vice Chairman John Holdsworth on his C15.
Riding the most unusual machine of the day was former Ivanhoe club stalwart Richard Plume on his home converted Norman road bike losing a creditable 15 to win the vintage two stroke class.
Thanks to the Landowner and Observers for whom at least the weather was dry for a change.
Results
Pre-Unit Springers
Mick Clarke (Ariel) 0 Dave Ingram (Ariel) 0 Gary Shaw (Norton) 2
Pre-Unit Rigid
John Feather (Ariel) 17 Gordon Imrie (Matchless) 19
Twins
Malcolm Cocking (Triumph) 5 John Patefield (Triumph) 10 John Sprigg (Triumph) 23
Vintage 2 Strokes
Richard Plume (Norman) 15
Just for Fun, Non-Competitive
Peter Clibburn (Cub) 0 Owen Hardisty (Cub) 0 Paul Preston (James) 1 John Holdsworth (BSA C15) 2