Sphinx Trial 2006

Other Year's Sphinx's: 2004 2005

A WELSHMAN claimed a St George's Day victory in the Sphinx Long Distance Trial, set in the heart of the Cotswolds.

Caerphilly's Yoshi Adams lost one mark over the 23 sections on a route based around 70 miles of rights of way.

So too did Graham Lavis but he lost out over the two extensive timed special tests, where Adams' desert racing experience no doubt gave him the edge.

CHG backmarker Dave Eeles also lost one mark and recorded the fastest test time of the trio but had to be content with the class eight award for best working club member.

All three lost their solitary mark on section six in Humblebee Woods, near Winchcombe. A tight uphill left hand turn over roots foxed them but not Keith Wells, who was the only rider to clean it.

But a maximum five and another two in Colgate Farm's notorious stream beds put him out of contention for overall honours.

The first stream bed at Colgate cost pre-65 winner, ever-steady Colin Hedges his other mark, to leave him on two.

Boyd's stream crossing taxed every rider but cleans were possible with a lot of thought and judicious use of the throttle.

Here, over 250 winner John Langston produced a very impressive clean ride on his 450 KTM and only lost marks on the two tightest sections of the day.

For the majority of the 114-strong entry, the emphasis on the event was more on enjoyment than competition, though.

Starting from Hazelton, the home of the late CHG member Geoff Gibbons, the trial is welcomed each year by the village hall committee which provides an excellent start and finish venue.

The route took in dozens of miles of rights of way through picturesque Cotswold trials country.

Thanks to all observers, landowners, Hawks MCC, Hazelton village hall committee and AMS Motorcycles for their help in organising the event.

• Winner: Yoshi Adams (250 Pampera), 1 mark lost (special test time: 70.69sec).
• Class Winners:
• Pre-65: Colin Hedges (350 Matchless), 2.
• Trials: Mark Evans (250 Kawasaki), 8.
• Trail 250: Graham Lavis (Pampera 250), 1. (special test time: 74.44sec)
• Trail 251+: John Langston (450 KTM), 6.
• Ladies: Cathy Mansfield-Smith (125 Yamaha), 53.
• Over 45: Rob Trebble (225 Yamaha), 3.
• Team: Bob Miles, Rob Taylor, Ady Clissold (all 200 Beta), 34.
• Best working club member: Dave Eeles (230 Honda), 1. (special test time: 69.60sec)
• Geoff Gibbons Memorial Trophy: Gary Lane (250 Pampera) 4.