Wyegate 2005 Report

AN ENORMOUS rock and a short stretch of sticky mud effectively decided Sunday's 22nd Wyegate Long Distance Trial. The rock in question, in Chepstow Park's second section was only cleaned by runner-up Garry Jones, who then threw away a win at the second-to-last section. Nicknamed The Somme by organisers West Glos and Dean Forest MCC, section 26 in Forge Wood, high up above the Wye Valley took a mark off Jones and so he tied with Julian Page, who dropped one mark on the Chepstow Park rockery. And being a second slower on the timed special test at Rockfield meant Page won the Wyegate Cup for the premier ride. That rock saw last year's victor Steve Grindle take three marks to take fifth overall behind Steve Venn and Keith Wells, who tied on three marks, with Venn proving slightly quicker over the special test.

Grindle's ride on his father's BSA was still good enough to best the pre-65 class though.

That bigger bikes with less agility featured in the results was testament to clerk of the course Matt Neale and his team's sensible course plotting and the ability of Nibbs Adams who took his Honda XR 400 round for only seven marks and Paul Cox, whose Honda XR 650 did not encumber him as much as it would others. He lost just 14 marks. 

A much-changed route meant the event was not quite as gruelling as years gone by but some of the old favourites, including Nannies Lane and Pant-glas steps still managed to initimidate some and set a challenge for others.

Thanks to all observers and land owners who helped make the event such a success.

And here is the cutdown version of results.

• Results. All ties decided on special test time.
• 1. Julian Page (Beta Alp 200), 1 mark lost - Wyegate Cup.
• 2. Garry Jones (Gas Gas Pampera 250), 1 - Haines and Co Trophy.
• 3. Steve Venn (Gas Gas Pampera 250), 3 - Eddlestone-Dike Trophy for best
• over 45.
• 4. Keith Wells (Honda XL 200), 3 - Best 250 trail.
• 5. Steve Grindle (BSA B40 350), 6 - Bush Shield.
• 6. Nibbs Adams (Honda XR 400), 7 - Best 250 - 450 trail.
• First class awards:
• Mike Husband (Gas Gas Pampera 272), 7
• Frank Luther (Honda SL 230), 7
• Tim Walker (Gas Gas Pampera 250), 11
• Dave Eeles (Honda SL 230) 13
• Shane Gunn (Honda XL 250), 13
• Bob Miles (Beta Alp 200), 13;
• Jerry Walters (Yamaha DT 175), 14
• Andrew Luff (Gas Gas Pampera 250), 14
• Gary Newman (KTM 450), 15.
• Best Open Trail: Paul Cox (Honda XR 650), 14.
• John Price Cup (Best working West Glos and Dean Forest MCC member):
• Ben Falconer (Gas Gas 333), 18.