Richard Timperley (JST GGUK) was back to winning ways after a recent dip in form, to take the overall victory in the 40th Dave Rowland Trophy Trial. Ninety-five riders started the day with 40 sections spread across the 3 counties of Cheshire, Derbyshire & Staffordshire with Ninety-one classified.
After a steady start to proceedings, things toughened up by section 6 at Norman’s as the trial looped around the moors below the famous cat & fiddle with gruelling climb up Ben’s Scars to reach the half way point. The second half of the Trial moved back into Cheshire before crossing into Staffordshire at 3 Shires Head to take in the final 3rd of Hawks Nest, Manor steps & rocks.
Seven riders tackled the National course, JST Gas Gas UK pairing Richard Timperley & Dan Thorpe were favourites for the win. Thorpe who’d recently taken the S3 championship with a round to spare, Timperley who by his own admission had suffered a dip in form of late. At the half way point the pair were both clean. Cumberland Top presented the Experts with a steep rocky stream bed with a 6ft double rock step to end the section. It would be the section that would decide the winner though as Thorpe took a very uncharacteristic 5. Both Timperley & Sam Beecroft-Penny (Trs) completed the section for 1. Richard wouldn’t drop another mark until section 38, probably the slackest dab of career. It was enough however to take the win and provide a much needed confidence boost. A somewhat surprised 2nd would be Beecroft-Penny, who’s been under the radar for much of the year dropping just 6 single dabs to demote Thorpe to third after a further 2 dropped at Hawks Nest.
On the 50/50 Route it again as with previous trials closely fought affair with 10 marks covering the top 10. Recently crowned S3 o40 champion Phil Houghton (Beta) held off the equally experienced Darren Wasley (Gas Gas) the win decided at Cumberland Top as Phil dropped 2 to Darren’s 3. Shaun Hoyle (Sherco) took the final podium place after a tie with Steve Swanson (John Lee Beta) both dropping 5 marks. Sam Clarke deserves a mention piloting his Yamaha TY mono to a top 10 finish. Thirty-two riders classified with just one retirement.
As ever the Clubman class proved the most popular choice of route, fifty-five started with fifty-three finishing. Having a brilliant ride to take victory was Stefan Walters (Beta) He had dropped 5 single dabs before a 2 on a tight & tricky section at Robinsons Rocks section 29, a further 3 on the muddy tree root lined S31 didn’t ruin his prospects as he took the class win. 2nd was a former local lad who now resides in deepest Yorkshire trials territory, Mark Reynolds who steered his immaculate RTL Honda round for 18. A tie for 3rd saw Ian Watts (Beta) nosed ahead of Robert Scott (Sherco).
Report: Marty Hill