Over 40 riders turned out for Red Rose Classic MCC’s final trial of 2017. With no championship points at stake the accent was on a fun event to raise money for charity – and to remember longstanding member Paul Harrison, who sadly passed away earlier this year. Clerks-of-the course Dave Ingram and Mel Dibb did an excellent job of producing ten sections – contested over four laps – at the popular Copy Pit venue at Cliviger, on the outskirts of Burnley.
Former world champion Yrjo Vesterinen wheeled out his Bantam for some post-Christmas excercise, and duly won class C after putting his foot down just once. Robin Luscombe and Kiaran Hankin weren’t far behind, tied on three marks, but the Oldest Rider rule handed second place to Luscombe and his Tiger Cub.
The twinshock class saw Stephen Jarman emerge clear winner on his Honda with 13 marks, well ahead of second-placed David Wilkinson (Fantic) on 35 and Paul Whittaker, also on a Fantic, with 44.
Classes A and Ae were single-entry affairs, with Kevin Ellis (BSA) and Phil Clarkson (Ariel) taking the wins with respective scores of 35 and 18.
On the easy routes, Steve Thomas (Bantam) pipped Mal Cocking (BSA) for class Ce, with the pair separated by just two points.
Patrick Rawnsley and his Honda had a great run in class Te with a single dab enough to clinch the category ahead of John Wilson (Yamaha) on 14.
Red Rose would like to thank the observers and the clerks-of-the-course, and their first event of 2018 is on January 14 at Pendlebury Bait, between Bacup and Todmorden. Nearest postcode is OL14 7AF.