Report on the 5 th Cotswold Historic Sporting Trial held on Saturday 10 th December 2018 – Martyn Halliday 

Stroud and District Motor Club received a record entry of 61 competitors when they organised their historic sporting trial on land owned by Richard Rowe at Bradley Green, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire.

This year the club were able to use more of the site and the Clerk of the Course Nigel Moss devised 7 sections mainly on the grass hillside. Heavy rain overnight left the ground slippery with the result the sections deteriorated with the passage of cars. The first few competitors on each hill had an advantage with more grip than later arrivals.

Amongst the newcomers were racers Dan Cox who was sharing with George Douglas in his Cannon and Julian Reichman and Renata Fernandes who had borrowed a Cannon from Grant Tromans. Westie Mitchel brought along Cormac Flanagan to double enter in Westie’s

Post Historic car. All finished in fine style each having recorded at least one clean climb, no mean achievement for first time out in such a challenging trial. The first lap was not easy for most, the historic class stars were Sandy Veale on 2, Ian Wright on 8 and Neville Collett chasing hard on 9 whilst in the Post Historic class Steve Courts was on 4 followed by Frank Wilson on 8 and Dave Oliver 9.

For lap 2 some hills were changed but the scores continued to rise with only Steve Courts and Andy Gowan under 10. Hill 2 was a major challenge with a long climbing turn on soft wet ground to the 5 gate from where the section continued on firmer soil. Only Ian Wright, Sandy Veal and Steve Courts reached 1, most of the rest struggled around the 9 or 10.

However, Jim Chapman gave an excellent demonstration of throttle control and managed to trickle his Cannon to the 6.

During the lunch break there was a rain storm of almost biblical proportions. Those lucky enough to cram into Julian Reichman’s huge Race Shuttle trailer were entertained by Renata playing the piano they just happened to have with them!

After the rain stopped the third lap commenced in bright sunshine but the damage had been done to the sections. Again Hill 2 stopped the entire entry but this time the furthest up was Frank Wilson on 4 with the majority floundering between 9 or 10.

Sandy Veale had borrowed a Cannon from Ian Wright and promptly beat him by 4 marks to take the Best Overall. Mark Busfield made a welcome return to take third spot in the Historic class. Steve Courts was on fine form in the Post Historic class some 13 marks ahead of Dave Oliver with Andy Gowan a further mark adrift.

In all a challenging trial run to the usual Stroud standards but made more difficult by the weather. 

Images by Charlie Wooding www.charliewooding.co.uk