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MOMCC Mototrials Champs Rnd 1, April 21, 2013
Round 1 of the club champs was held at Carrols property at the top of No 2 Line, Pohangina. The venue is steepish hills with a rocky creek in the valley. Due to the weather forecast of rain Warwick and Andy set the trial out avoiding (or attempting to avoid) any steep slopes of greasy grass. Therefore four sections were set out in a flat paddock strewn with rocks of various sizes with the different grades having to negotiate their way over, round and through the rocks. The next three sections were focused around the creek with number 8 on a gentle slope.
Although the weather prediction was for heavy rain there was a good turnout of riders in all the grades. With Hannah, Jane and Tod on his beautifully restored Fantic having a go at the social (novice) line. In the clubman grade Merv George led the group with Hazel Rushworth and her partner Paul, both riding a couple of older model Beta’s. Dylan Ball rode with his “foster father” for the day, Carl Robson, following the clubman line. The Intermediates Tony Smith, Adrian Walcroft, Chris Morrison, Phil Stephenson and Andy Anderson (who entered for clubman but after riding the yellow line on the first section stuck with it). Good to see him back for the first time this year. Carl Robson (Ixion) Kevin Pinfold and Warwick George fought out the A grade, although Kevin was a little tentitive due to his still healing leg and last club trial crash injuries.
Feedback from all riders was that the first four sections on flat ground were eventually able to be cleaned however because of the tight nature and very slippery rocks if you weren’t spot on dabs had to be taken. Section one looked straight-forward but even the experienced riders ended up losing points (or even the odd five) on the slippery rocks. Section two had slippery rocks, tight turns between the rocks and then more slippery rocks not big but enough to cause concern for some. Don’t listen to all the advice you are given as this can result in a five. Section three proved no problem for most riders and even the clubmen managed a difficult slippery rock. The A graders did have a difficult large rock to tackle but in the end all made it (eh Kevin). Section four was a bit of a meander with catch-you-out rocks for the higher grades at the start. Clubman appeared to have no issues with social riders taking it cautiously on the slippery off camber grass. Inters negotiated the section with only the odd dab here and there, except for Phil. Don’t look too closely at your front wheel as you drop off the big rock as you tend to follow it all the way to the ground.
Section five was one we always tend to use in the creek by the culvert with some lager rock steps, however this time it was run in reverse which provided the Inters and Clubmen with some issues and plenty of dabs. The A graders appeared to fare much better having a little more room. Section six was set for Clubmen to A graders and because of access difficulty the Social’s had their own different section. This section was easily navigated by all the riders with the odd dab on the loose rolly rocks.
Section seven was the section of the day, it took five’s from every grade and was very difficult for the Inters, especially when we got into the second lap as there was a brief time where the rain came in and made the grass slippery. The problem was getting around or over rocks at an early corner in the creek, then negotiating the rocks in the creek, then trying to get out onto the slippery grass and then across the creek again over rocks and a tight camber left turn to get out. Dylan made the most of this making some of the section look easy.
Section eight started with a two metre high splat rock for the A’s where Carl and Warwick were able make it over the top to complete the section but Kevin took a less direct “wuss” line. Inters didn’t have too many problems with it until the last lap where Andy failed to get over the last small rock resulting in a five. The Clubbies were caught out when the rain soaked the grass causing the gentle slope to become very greasy and catching out those taking it causally.
Overall the day was applauded as a success with the scores being in the mid range for most grades indicating that the setters had got it about right, unfortunately Hazel appeared to have a few difficulties with the day, amounting a cricket score . Thanks to the weather playing its part and only delivering a brief shower in the middle of the day.
Results
| A Grade | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Carl Robson | Beta | 37 | Ixion |
| Warrick George | Gas Gas | 38 | MOMCC |
| Kevin Pinfold | Ossa | 53 | MOMCC |
| Intermediate | |||
| Tony Smith | Sherco | 31 | MOMCC |
| Phil Stephenson | Gas Gas | 41 | MOMCC |
| Andy Anderson | Beta | 52 | MOMCC |
| Chris Morrison | Sherco | 52 | MOMCC |
| Adrian Walcroft | Beta | 58 | MOMCC |
| Clubman | |||
| Merv George | Gas Gas | 63 | MOMCC |
| Paul Richardson | Beta | 72 | CHBMCC |
| Dillon Ball | Beta | 76 | Ixion (8 years old) |
| Hazel Rushworth | Beta | 104 | CHBMCC |
| Social | |||
| Tod Palenski | Fantic | 38 | MOMCC |
| Hannah Rushworth | Gas Gas | 70 | MOMCC |
| Jane Bray | Gas Gas | 88 | MOMCC |
