After a break of 10 months, Manchester 17 MCC returned to action with their Pilot Road Trial, held under covid regulations. It was two months solid planning for the team who devised a route similar to that used for the season opening Fisher Trial. With a limited entry of 100, the entry was full with a reserve list within a few hours. The route would take in some classic groups of sections, Manor Rocks, Manor Steps and the world renowned Hawk Nest, 20 sections 2 laps over an 8 mile course.
After a week of heavy rainfall, rivers were over knee deep in places making marking out a difficult task, but a dry forecast for the Trial meant the making out teams could rely on local knowledge to how well the rivers would drop. Fourteen riders tackled the Expert course, Following on from his solid results at the British Championship round the weekend before Vertigo UK's Sam Yeomans took a slender win by a single mark over JSM GAS GAS mounted Dan Thorpe who would be cursing 3 marks dropped on a tricky section 11 at Barbers on the second lap, which unfortunately cost him the win. Completing the top 3 was Camio Moto Vertigo Richard Timperley.
It was closely contested affair on the 50/50 route. 11 marks separating the top 10 riders. Once again showing all his years of experience , Darren Wasley (GasGas) tied for the win on 11 marks with the equally experienced Billy Craig (Inspire Honda). Wasley taking the win on count back by way of furthest clean. Just a mark behind in third position was Chris Koch, with Top s3 clubman contender Tom Fraser (GasGas) a further 3 marks behind. A worthy mention to fifth placed Jack Austin who was once of a number of riders travelling over four hours just to ride in the event.
As ever the clubman class was the most popular route with forty riders classified. Taking a well deserved win was Sam Clarke who mastered his Bultaco around the course to finish the trial on single figures, just 5 individual dabs. Second and another twin shock machine was Robin Luscombe on his immaculate BSA Bantam, a costly 5 on a relatively straight forward section robbed himself of a single figured finish. Stefan Walters took the final podium place just a single mark further back of Luscombe.
Report: Marty Hill