The Isle of Wight Motorcycle Club held The Medina Cup Trial (the eighth round of the 2017 Winter Trials Championship) on Sunday 24th September at Shorwell Chalk Pit. The Club would like to thank Mr. Ralph Cook for welcoming us back to what is a brilliant trials venue. Thanks also to Mark Coombes - who set eight excellent and challenging sections. As well as the usual four routes, Mark was responsible for adding some ‘near British Championship’ standard deviations. If that wasn’t enough he also manged to organise all the Observers, their chairs and even a packed lunch for all of them. Top effort Mark – you can come again! Scott Milton added some rather sweet treats to the Observers lunch box’s to help keep them going through the afternoon – great idea Scott.
Very special thanks to all eight Observers who kindly gave up their time that helped to keep the trial running smoothly, especially the younger contingent: Annalise Coombes, Ella Stay and Oliver Salter – all were very much appreciated. We were also pleased to see Nigel Crouch, who was on hand to offer his support to all the riders.
The super hard route was added to help Club rider, Chris Stay, in his preparations for next weekend. Chris will be taking part in the final two rounds of the 2017 British Trials Championship. He will be travelling up to Scotland, competing in the Expert class. In his first full season back on his bike, he has made an incredible journey that has led to some top sponsorship deals from the TRS UK Trials Team and BVM Moto. Chris completed today’s trial for a loss of forty-two, He was accompanied by George Gosden - between them they provided us all with some excellent spectating. On behalf of everyone at the IOWmcc, I would like to wish Chris all the very best for the coming weekend and we all look forward to seeing him progress even further up the rankings during the 2018 Championship.
The Expert class attracted five riders, headed up by brothers Will and Jim West. Will took the top spot with the second lowest total of the day, a miserly eleven dropped marks. Jim finished in second place with James Stay just holding out for third. Rob Howard was forced to settle for fourth, just one more mark adrift. Championship leader, Simon Newnham finished fifth to earn himself another crucial three points. Meanwhile in the Intermediate class it was Ben Read that stole the show from Shaun Harris in second. Shaun was probably a bit jet lagged after only arriving back in the UK at midnight the night before! Geoff Taylor was forced to retire after just three sections following a gearbox problem.
Scott Milton, the lone Clubman rider, completed the day with a total of thirteen. An excellent performance from him. Brian Brockwell seems to have blown away the cobwebs taking the win in the Novice class. Ben Brodie must be happy with his performance, to finish second, just three more marks behind. Steve Chase took the third place, another three behind. Twin Shock specialist Nick Symes, despite riding unopposed, recorded the lowest total this afternoon with only six dropped marks – very well done Nick.
The Club welcomed a guest rider, Alex Russell, who was taking part in the Pre65 class. He managed the tricky sections for a loss of just twelve. We hope he enjoyed his time on the Island and we look forward to seeing him again in the future. Mike Attrill was the only finisher (in a field of four) in the Adult Beginners. Mike completed the day for a loss of twenty-nine to claim the ten Championship points.
Just two Youth riders today – Jos Wright (Youth Expert) and Alfie Haydon (Youth Novice) both took on the rocky sections well to take the maximum Championship points in their respective classes – very well done lads, keep up the good work.
The Club meet again, next weekend, for the Frank Pragnell Cup at Bembridge Down, courtesy of Mr. Rob Taylor. Geoff Taylor and Rory Stephens will be setting the course. Access/parking will be via the top entrance, off Culver Down. The usual start time of 12 noon applies. Observers will be very much welcomed and appreciated.