Yorkshireman John Maxfield scored his first Red Rose win of 2017 on round seven of the championship at Walsden. The Grassington-based rider was the clear leader in class C, finishing the four-lap, ten-section course on ten marks, 12 clear of runner-up Andrew Scott. Both were riding Tiger Cubs, and were well clear of third-placed Alan Mills, who was 60 marks adrift of Maxfield. Joint clerks-of-the course Adrian Thompson and Robin Morten made full use of the hilltop venue overlooking Todmorden, the picturesque views disguising the difficult terrain, which included rocky outcrops and gullies.
The demanding nature of Walsden accounted for two classes with no finishers: Tim Heib (Matchless) and Clive Tomkinson (Excelsior) withdrawing from classes A and D respectively.
Steve Thomas had an excellent run of on the clubman route, class Ce, dropping just seven marks on his Bantam, four clear of second-placed Phil Holey (Tiger Cub). Peter McCawley rounded off the top three with a score of 12 on his James.
It was a Fantic 1-2-3 in twinshocks class C, with Paul Whittaker top-scoring on 35, well ahead of Geoff Potts on 62, one ahead of third-placed Lee Sagar.
There was a dead-heat in class Te, with John Wilson (Yamaha) and Mel Dibb (Bultaco) both finishing on seven marks. The Oldest Rider rule dictated the winner, with Wilson getting the verdict. Chris Forshaw was right behind the pair on his Montesa on eight marks.
Thanks go to the course plotters Adrian Thompson and Robin Morten, the landowner and the observers. Red Rose Classic MCC’s next trial is at Noyna, Colne on August 20, the nearest postcode is BB8 7QW.
RESULTS
Class C: John Maxfield (Cub) 10, Andrew Scott (Cub) 22, Alan Mills (Bantam) 70.
Class Ce: Steve Thomas (Bantam) 7, Phil Holey (Cub) 11, Peter McCawley (James) 12.
Class T: Paul Whittaker (Fantic) 35, Geoff Potts (Fantic) 62, Lee Sagar (Fantic) 63.
Class Te: John Wilson (Yamaha) 7, Mel Dibb (Bultaco) 7, Chris Forshaw (Montesa) 8.