James Moorhouse shows them how it's doneBlue skies and warm sunshine greeted riders for round four of Red Rose Classic MCC’s club championship at Top Quarry, Lothersdale, but it proved deceptive for the 64 competitors who turned up for four laps of ten sections at the popular venue situated on the Lancashire-North Yorkshire border. Conditions underfoot – and under wheel – were distinctly treacherous, particularly on the opening sections across grassy bankings, thanks to prolonged heavy rain beforehand. Section two in particular proved a problem for many riders as the ground cut up badly, revealing a layer of glutinous mud and reducing grip levels with the passage of each bike.
Two riders who were in a class of their own were Yrjo Vesterinen, who helped plot the sections along with Andrew Scott, and James Moorhouse. Vesty dominated class C on his Bantam, dropping just eight marks all day to finish well clear of runner-up Andrew Scott (Cub) on 18. Tony Calvert rounded off the top three on another Cub. Moorhouse was in spectacular form, lifting the front wheel of his Bultaco as he set off on the tricky section two in a bid gain traction and momentum. His technique worked too, as he finished the day on seven marks to claim class T, with Owen Hardisty, on another Bultaco, second with 21 marks. Stephen Jarman finished third in the class on his Honda with 36.
Mick Clarke had a clear run to class A honours on his Ariel once Tim Baker, also on an Ariel, retired. Eric Atkinson also had class D to himself on his James.
Class Ae was an all-Ariel affair with Kevin Morley getting the verdict over Alan Jackson 27-96.
It was a 1-2-3 in more ways than one in Class Ce, with Steve Thomas taking the win for the loss of a single mark on his Bantam, second was Mick Whitlow (Cub) on two, and Bob Baker (James) on three.
The most popular class of the day was Te, with 20 riders in contention. Malcolm Bell’s ten marks – nine of them on section two - was enough to clinch the victory, with Mark Wilson finishing second on 12, and John Wilson pipping Tony Broad for third on the Oldest Rider rule.
Red Rose Classic MCC would like to thank the landowner, the clerks of the course, Yrjo Vesterinen and Andrew Scott, and all the observers. Their next trial is at Catlow Ford, near Nelson on May 7. Nearest postcode is BB10 3RN.
Results
Class A Mick Clarke (Ariel) 45.
Class Ae: Kevin Morley (Ariel) 27, Alan Jackson (Ariel) 96
Class C: Yrjo Vesterinen (Bantam) 8, Andrew Scott (Cub) 18, Tony Calvert (Cub) 20.
Class Ce: Steve Thomas (Bantam) 1, Mick Whitlow (Cub) 2, Bob Baker (James) 3.
Class D: Eric Atkinson (James) 44.
Class T: James Moorhouse (Bultaco) 7, Owen Hardisty (Bultaco) 21, Stephen Jarman (Honda) 36.
Class Te: Malcolm Bell (Bultaco) 10, Mark Wilson (Honda) 12, John Wilson (Yamaha) 16.