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Sywell Historic Sporting Trial

 

Report on the 3rd Sywell Historic Sporting Trial by Martyn Halliday Photos by Charlie Wooding 

www.charliewooding.co.uk

A record entry of 59 drivers was received for the third Sywell Historic Sporting Trial which was held on the 4th February 2018 in the old stone pit close to Sywell Aerodrome near Northampton.

Unlike previous events the weather was fine and dry; as a result the ground was in prime condition for the trial.

Ian Wright and Stephen Barnes had set out 6 excellent long and challenging sections which tested the competitors’ skill to the maximum. There was a reasonable amount of grip; however the steep climbs had to be attacked in a spirited manner whilst the equally steep descents required a degree of caution.

We were fortunate to have 17 marshals who did a superb job of keeping the event moving, no mean feat with so many competitors and the sections being close together.

At the end of the first lap many drivers had kept their score in single figures but only Andy Gowen, Ian Wright and Mark Howse had retained clean sheets. Mike Storrar and Mike Harris managed to break the gearbox on their Renford 16 and Jim Chapman and Clive Tizzard retired with a broken front damper.

Although the sections were altered for the second lap Dave Oliver, Graham Wilson, Steve Courts, Paul Howse and Richard Poole achieved clear rounds along with Ian Wright and Mark Howse. Phil Cooper had to retire after the front axle broke on his 750 Formula Jemira trials car when he hit a large rabbit hole at speed.  

More drastic changes were made for the final round and it was Paul Faulkner who joined the elite band who had a clear round. Graham Wilson, who up to the penultimate section had only dropped 1 all day, was rather put out when his dad Frank wrecked the front axle hitting a tree before Graham could attempt his final section!

In all it was a very enjoyable trial where the results were declared and printed by 3.30.  Mark Howse (Post Historic) and Ian Wright (Historic) did not lose a mark all day, a remarkable achievement. Mark’s nearest rivals were Andy Gowen and Richard Poole on 1 each while Frank Lyons had another great drive in the Historic class to finish 6 marks behind Ian.

The 2018 historic sporting trials season is off to a flying star

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