Two Stage Trial - Chelt Home Guard - Sunday 11 July 04

Stop Press: Jimmy Marshall Wins Sportsman Class... Bish 8th in Clubmen...Jack Pegler 12th in Sportsmen.

CHELTENHAM Home Guard MCC's Two Stage Trial was won by just one third of a second after 32 observed sections and a 24 mile time trial.

The event aimed at sportsmen and clubmen attracted 66 starters to the varied going at Hazleton, near Andoversford, Glos' on Sunday.

Terry Beecham went clean in the morning's trial, as did second placed man Keith Wooster and number three on the podium, Keith Hopkins.

The trial comprised eight sections with three laps for sportsmen and four for clubmen, including a novelty downhill hazard which had to be attempted with a dead engine.

The afternoon's time trial saw riders cover the four mile course, including the non-observed questions, in the allotted 90 minutes - sportsmen completed four laps and clubmen six.

But progress was fairly frantic by the end as riders realised they had to get a move on to get in on time.

The overall result was decided on special test time, with Beecham shading Wooster by 0.37 of a second. Although only one attempt was made at the test, riders were familiar with it thanks to several dry runs through it in the morning, which might explain why the top two were split by so little.

Jimmy Marshall took his Yamaha DT175 to victory in the sportsman/beginner class, gaining a clearer margin over Bill Lacey.

Few events can boast a pig roast half way round but this is fast becoming a fixture at this event - thanks to landowners Michael and David Hughes for carving up a tasty beast and of course providing a superb venue.