Report and Pics: Colin Bullock
Red Marley The Jim Pickering Trial sponsored by Villiers Services
As the Sunday event on the Red Marley weekend the trial this year was renamed as The Jim Pickering Trial a very popular and move with the 75 riders taking part. The organising AJS/Matchless Owners Club had also arranges sponsorship from Steve Gollins of Villiers services.
The start at midday saw riders opening up on the loose climb behind the poly tunnel. It did not cause too many problems on the Clubman’s routes but a couple of cambered turns on the Expert marking saw Ben Millichap drop a dab as did Andy Richardson, Mick Flanagan and Andy Hipwell.
A couple of the early hazards down on the far side of the hill again saw plenty of riders remain feet up although Kev Taylor dropped a couple of marks at hazard three. He would still finish in fourth place in the Expert class.
Plenty of the Clubman’s class remained clean including Phil Goodwin and event secretary Jim Teague who was appropriately Drayton mounted. Section 4 was Ben Millichaps bogey sub losing six marks over the 2 laps. Ben was going for the win riding just behind Alan Nicklin on lap 1. Nicklin a previous event winner was too have a few problems of his own as competitors came round to the subs alongside the roadside. His losses on section 6 effectively cost him the premier award as he finished just one mark adrift of Millichap. Third place went to Nathan Jones who would have been pleased to see that going the wrong side of the markers at section 8 did not affect his overall position.
On the B route Phil Goodwin and Jim Teague both finished on two marks lost. Goodwin took the class by virtue of the furthest clean as Teague took his fist dab earlier on.
Nigel Tomkins was third just one mark adrift in a very well supported group.
A warm and great start to the weekend.
Graham Greaves, Drayton Twin
Chris Denney, Drayton Bantam
Jan Proctor, Drayton Bantam
Jim Teague, Drayton C15