After much of the year postponed due to Covid, Manchester 17 MCC ended 2020 with their annual ”Boxing Day Madness Trial” Utilising Watty’s quarry owned by club member & former 2 wheeled Dakar competitor now focusing on 4 wheels in 2021, David Watson. The section marking team had spent 2 days clearing the land and found some new sections for the event. 69 Riders turned up on the day which after a bit of rain early morning ended up being a dry but cold day.
Six riders entered the Hard route with Mitch Brightmore making a return to Trials after a very successful year on the Enduro scene. 8 single dabs over the 12 section 3 lap event was enough to take the win. Second was newly JSM supported Tom Shepherd on his new 250 Gas Gas, a 5 on section 3 on the opening lap proving costly. Chris Garlick took third place on his brand new Busto rep Vertigo on 29 marks with Youth rider Ash Brightmore a further 4 behind. Todd Blenkinsopp another youth competitor had a decent ride on one of his 1st attempts at the hard route with the final place going to Ash Sugden.
On the clubman route 44 riders entered. It was a close run affair for the overall honours as Pete Ruscoe went round clean to take the win just a mark ahead of Chris Brightmore. Lee Granby slotted into third position on 4.Then a 3 way tie for fourth between Mark Reynolds, Matthew Thorpe & Liam Robinson all on 8. Mark & Liam both riding twinshock, a mark further back event secretary & marking team Marty Hill who will be cursing a 5 on the opening lap which ruined his chance of a top 3 finish. A worthy mention for Matt Hockenhull who swapped pedal power for horsepower finishing in the top 8 and bragging right over the rest of his crew.
Finally the easy route saw 19 riders entered, taking the overall was Twinshock entered John Wilson, dropping 2 marks 5 ahead of fellow twinshock mounted Carl Baker. Peter Wraith took 3rd on 10 then a gap back to Paul Laverty who’s more accustomed to tarmac. Danny Rutter deserves a mention for a top 10 finish in his 1st competitive event with a total of 27.
Report: Marty Hill
