Sidecargate 11 Dec 2005
Words By Ben Falconer Photos By Tony Falconer
THREE wheel maestros Tony and Marcia Beeching proved their pedigree by winning the annual Sidecargate Trial held in the Wye Valley.
One mark separated the couple, who had not competed since March, and father and son team John and Paul Young.
Lord's Grove proved to be the pivotal group of sections, where, in the beech woods, the Beechings owned up to a maximum five marks for touching a marker on what was otherwise an excellent ride over slick mud.
The Youngs too fived out in Lord's Grove but a two at French Lane was too costly. The Beeching's only other blemish was a dab in Nigel's Wood, which was where last year's winners Ian Hannam and Debbie Smith fived. They gathered another maximum at the Mork but that was all, so took third, two marks ahead of Pete Pesterfield and Keith Laker.
This was the sixth edition of the trial, which takes its name from the 22-year-old Wyegate Trial, which once featured a class for sidecar outfits. Run along the lines of an old-style trial, it marries a social element to determined rivalry.
The top half of the nine-strong entry was packed tightly together on the results sheet and the event proved to be a trial of a different sort for some of the other entrants.
Stan Howitt and Zoe Elsmore rode the only non-trials outfit round for a competitive 32 marks and by dint of a quirk in the results system, took the Best Sidecar award.
Merv Morgan and Steve Cooper's annual outing, this time on a purposefully-engineered Montesa steed nearly ended in disaster when the outfit rolled and attempted to run Morgan over – twice, in Lord's Grove.
Neil Hannam and stand-in passenger, road racer Rob Hancox, rolled Cliff Hannam's Ossa, one section from the end. With the sub frame bent, they took a five at the last section but finished.
Which was more than could be said for John Hind, who journeyed from Oxfordshire, to meet his passenger Jonathan Stobbs, from West Wales, then suffered a seizure on the Triumph outfit.
Club officials reckoned this was one of the better events and long may they continue. Sincere thanks to all landowners for their generosity, officials for their assistance and the Rising Sun at Bream for a start and finish venue.
Results
- 1. Tony and Marcia Beeching (Triumph), 6. Sidecargate Cup.
- 2. John and Paul Young (Ariel), 7. Pre-70 award.
- 3. Ian Hannam and Debbie Smith (BSA), 10.
- 4. Pete Pesterfield and Keith Laker (AJS), 12.
- 5. John Pearson and Dave Evans (BSA), 18.
- 6. Stan Howitt and Zoe Elsmore (Honda), 32. Best sidecar award.
- 7. Merv Morgan and Steve Cooper (Montesa), 62.
- 8. Neil Hannam and Rob Hancox (Ossa), 78.