Saturdays opening day of Loch Lomond Motorcycling Clubs 2-Day Trial was held in cloudy but dry conditions and due to the recent lengthy dry spell of weather the usually tough cross country going was easier and quicker than previous years. The organisers had plotted a slightly shorter Saturday route than last year, with a 28 mile single lap loop of 40 sections. The time limit applied by the organisers was the same as previous years, and with a slightly shorter route, time was not an issue in the hot but cloudy weather.
The leading rider at close of play on Saturday was Guisborough rider and newcomer to the trial, Tom Affleck, not dropping a single mark, returning with a clean sheet. Hot on the heels of Tom was Northern Ireland rider and also a newcomer to the trial, Chris Brown, only dropping 1 mark and closely followed by Shropshire Tom Minta.on 2 marks dropped.
The infamous ‘Last Gasp’ sections had been replaced by a new group of three sections, being used for the third time to finish off the day, and although very slippery rocks up a steep gully caught out some of the early runners, most riders found it not to be as fearsome as it first looked and a large number of cleans were recorded by many riders. Heavy showers during the afternoon did not significantly alter any of the sections and the burns remained dry but slippery throughout the day. Lochaber Club rider and school-person Duncan MacColl rode well on Saturday to drop only 12 marks and tying with Stevenstons Craig Houston also on 12 marks lost.
The three way battle between Tom Affleck, Chris Brown and Tom Minta continued on the Sunday route of 2 laps with 25 sections on a 15 miles route. Sundays usual 12 mile route had been extended slightly at two areas to bring in two new groups of sections, and as a result timing was tighter than in previous years. The early runners were faced with quite slippery sections on the opening lap especially at the tough Shemore Burn sections.
Saturday leader Tom Affleck lost his grip on the trial losing 10 marks on the Sunday, meanwhile Tom Minta maintained consistent and steady ride, completing the 2 lap 25 section course dropping just another 1 mark to claim victory with 3 marks lost overall. The second and third positions were hotly contested by Tom Affleck and Chris Brown. Brown had to settle for 2nd place overall losing only a further 5 on Sunday to bring his total loss of marks to 6.
Lochaber Club member, Duncan MacColl, riding his fourth Loch Lomond 2-Day did well to clinch the Best Schoolperson award yet again with a loss of 17 marks and finishing in 6th position overall. Killin rider Andrew Anderson clinched the best Scottish rider award losing 16 marks and claiming 5th overall position. The best Irish rider was (apart from Chris Brown in Runner-up spot) was Jonathan Hagan from Northern Ireland who dropped 31marks. The best over 40 award was claimed once again by Bradford rider Nathan Wrigglesworth on 15 marks lost.
The Loch Lomond Motorcycling Club would like to thank all the volunteers and helpers from many other Clubs for their assistance and help over the weekend, with assistance coming from as far afield as Bristol, Perth, Scarborough and Dalmellington and without which the event could not be run. Big thanks to all the helpers and sorry if we have missed anybody out.