The third round of the Yoomee sponsored Saturday evening trials run by the Macclesfield Trials Club, was held recently at Mareknowles farm, high above the Cheshire Plain.

Fifty riders signed on for 4 laps of 10 sections. The usual format of three routes and a 50/50 route was the order of the day. Following a week of heavy rain it was inevitable that mud was going to feature on the night, combine that with the stream in the bottom of the valley being in full flow and you knew that several riders would be taking the opportunity to have a free bath!!!

As usual the middle route was the most popular, with nearly half the entry opting for this challenge. With the best 3 scores from 4 rounds to count for the championship, it was all to play for as riders got to the first section. On the grass banks just down from the start area this proved to be a gentle opener, however, following the ride down the hill to section two things got a bit trickier with only half a dozen riders keeping their scores in single figures. The bog at section 5 proved bottomless and gave up nothing better than a 3 all night and as the weary riders rode back up the hill for the last two sections they were met with two muddy gullies that deteriorated as the night went on. Top Novice Paul Scottney took it all in his stride, to take maximum points for the third time and an unassailable lead in the series. In the over 40 class things are less clear. A win on the night for Alan Corcoran has boosted his points tally but he may need another win in the final round to take the championship. Barring a disaster Henry Rosenthal will take the over 50 class, second on the night behind Kevin Stannard who’s score of 51 was the best on the route. Gas Gas rider Jonny Stewart took the win in the youth class despite going swimming on section 7 and drowning his bike.

On the expert route, the on form Terry Criag had a comfortable win before driving up to the Inter Centre trial the following day. Ian Robinson and Andy Hallam are having a battle royal for honours on the 50/50 route. Ian won the latest tussle but it’ll be all to play for at the last round. Both riders have improved greatly in the last twelve months and it’s clear that they both enjoy being out on their bikes whatever the conditions or outcome.

 Trials report 19-07-08 by Mike Stewart

The easy route managed to avoid the worst bits until the last section, where all but the winner succumbed to the axle deep gloop. At the head of the results it was the latest from  Japan versus the not so recent from Japan and the 2008 version came out on top. M.Renshaw on his four stroke Mont now leads the series by one point from Carl Braddock on his Beamish Suzuki. Carl’s attack of section 9 starting 40 yards before the begins cards had him going so fast that he definitely had the quickest clean of the night.

Once again thanks must go to the organizers and observers and to the man with the butty wagon for another enjoyable evening.

The final round of the series takes place Saturday August  9^th.

RESULTS.

Expert:             T.Craig   42      D.Turnock   69 B.Miles   88

50/50:              I.Robinson   71 A.Hallam   86               A.Williams   97

Middle route:   

Novice             P.Scottney        64        C.Allison   71               P.Coombes   86

O/40                A.Corcoran   60           J.Davies   68                M.Finch   83

O/50                K.Stannard   51            H.Rosenthal   57           T.Baum   66

Best Youth       J.Stewart   70