To extend the use of Keighley Gate, Clerks of Course Mick Culf and Rob Lowther had agreed action with the Land Owner to clear broken trees laid across the streams and bankings to create 6 new sections in the stream not used for many years. The result was an excellent trial quite difficult in places on the first lap but easing up as trial progressed and access along the streambed improved. The threatened rain did not arrive until late, helping the observers.
The best ride of the day went to Will Harrison on his Ariel, losing only 5 marks, with 3 on section 6 and dabs on sections 1 and 9. For all riders section 6 was the main mark taker with the only clean rides going to Tony Calvert and Paul Preston in the Non Competitive class. Starting with right then left turn in the stream between large rocks caused major difficulty and made riders look for a different route up and over the rocks, still difficult but possible for some of the riders. After this riders then followed the deep water with submerged rocks to a tight turn around a tree growing in the stream, catching more marks. The only other pre-unit rider to match Will was Malcolm Cocking, also on 3.
The day started with a run up a rocky stream which exited up a banking and tight left turn through mud which was taking marks from many, with only Mick Clarke and John Patefield clean. Apart from the first 3 Non Comp, only Steve Gossop and Dale Harrison were clean all day. Modified after the first lap, section 2’s muddy banked finish still caused problems with only Mick Clarke and Gordon Imrie joining Will Harrison on clean.
An old favourite at Keighley Gate is the long rockstrewn streambed close to the finish where positioning and concentration are needed all the way and today was no exception with only John Feather and Graham Wilkinson meeting the challenge along with only 7 of the 26 Non Comp finishers.
The comment of the day went to Tony Calvert, “the best trial he had ridden for a long time” which was echoed by many others. It was also good to see one of our long time supporters, TA (Alan) Jackson giving his Ariel an airing.
Thanks to the Landowner, Clerks of Course, Riders and Observers and Barry for his photos.
Results
Pre-Unit Springers
1st Will Harrison Ariel-5 2nd Mick Clarke Ariel-8 3rd Carl Winstanley Ariel-10
Pre-Unit Rigid
1st John Feather Ariel-19 2nd Gordon Imrie Matchless-24 3rd Garry Marshall TRW - 27
Twins
1st Malcolm Cocking-12 2nd Graham Wilkinson-31 3rd John Patefield –37 All Triumph
Vintage 2 Strokes
No finishers
Just for Fun, Non-Competitive
1st Tony Calvert Cub – 0 2nd Steve Thomas Bantam-1 3rd Paul Preston James - 2 4th Steve Cordon James 7