Words by Martin Halliday, Photos by Charlie Wooding : www.charliewooding.co.uk

The Midland Trials Car Club held their first historic sporting trial on Saturday the 28th April 2018 at Long Compton, Warwickshire CV36 5JJ. The weather was exceedingly cold, damp and overcast.

52 entries were received but there were a few non-starters for various reasons. The Clerk of the Course, Ian Veale had laid out 6 excellent wide tricky sections on the grassy and very wet hillside.

At the end of the first lap David Menthley held a one mark advantage over an on form Steve Jones in the Historic class, while Mark Howse had a similar advantage over his old rival Steve Courts in the Post Historic class. For the second lap the sections were altered and in some cases made even wider. Hill 6 became an enjoyable straight climb to the 3 marker followed by a climbing left turn to the finish.

At the lunch break it was apparent the new Wolfe family Cannon was performing exceedingly well. Mitch Wolfe had a 6 mark advantage over Steve Jones and Martyn Halliday while Neville Collett was only a further mark adrift with Andy Wolfe following on a total of 39.

Sections were altered again for the third lap; the finish of Hill 1 must have been 50 feet wide! In the Historic class Mitch and Andy Wolfe tied on 10 ahead of Neville Collett on 11 followed by Ifan Davies and Dean Yarrington who were having a great drive in the Goldfinger Cannon on 13.

When the results were declared Mark Howse beat Steve Courts by one point in the Post Historic class. In the Historic class Mitch Wolfe had driven beautifully all day; he did not make any costly mistakes and ended the day 8 marks clear of Neville Collett to take the Best Overall award. Neville was overjoyed with his performance in his new Cannon and was one mark clear of Andy Wolfe. Whilst all this happening Steve Jones was quietly having a superb drive to finish 4th in class on 54.

The threaten rain kept off all day and the event ran very smoothly. It was a great day out enjoyed by all.   

To find out more about Trials visit : https://www.midlandautomobileclub.co.uk/events/