Sunday 6th December 2009

Over 100 trials riders on British bikes built before 1967 - Matchless, Ariel, Greeves, many more. Riders come from all over England to ride a classic trial named after a Bexleyheath Club rider who was a wizard at building and preparing 4-stroke trials bikes.

Start 9:30am, free admission and program.

As a small trials club we are always on the look out for helpers plotting the sections (Saturday beforehand) and Obsevers - give us a shout.

Jim Masson

It is with regret that the Sidcup Club have to announce the loss of Jim Mason who died on Sunday 6th December whilst driving home after competing in the Jack Thompson trial. Jim with two colleagues were in jovial mood after having a successful day's sport where Jim came fourth in his class on a BSA Bantam. They were travelling home to Suffolk when Jim suffered a major heart failure and instantly died. The Sidcup Club send our condolences to family and so many friends. Photos by Martin Clark

Photos

John Powell - here

Martin Clark (MPH Photography) - here

Jamie Clarke - here

Rich Colqhoun - here (and disscussion)

"Scmolly" - here (sidecars - disscussion here and here, free registration required)

Dick Law in TMX - here

Results

Class by class Here (48kb PDF) Note: one correction made on 10th December

Section details Here (141kb PDF)

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Report

Hutty on a Heights high

By Dick Law, in TMX 11/12/2009

LEN Hutty, on his 410 Matchless, mastered the very slippery conditions of a rain-soaked Canada Heights and , for the sixth time, wonthe Jack Thompson British Bike Trial on Sunday.

The Sidcup club laid out 18 sections for the 112 starters to lap twice within a five-hour time limit.

Hutty’s run in the Pre-unit class was amazing, considering the size of his machine and the treacherous conditions. He only had three dabs on the first lap, and three more on the second. Only section nine caused him a problem on both laps with its almost impossible tight turn.

Second in class, and last year’s winner, Richard Whitebread, on a 500 AJS, just couldn’t match Hutty’s ride as he finished on 36.

Colin Mote, on his 500 Ariel, struggled with the conditions to finish third on 59, seven clear of Neil Osman, riding a 500 Matchless, with multiple British Motocross champion, Vic Allan sixth.

David Strank, on a 250 BSA, had a dab here and a dab there to finish the event with the loss of just eight marks to win the Unit class, a single mark in front of last year’s class winner, Steve Monk, out on a 200 Triumph, who nearly didn’t make it to the event at all.

Full report in the paper edition.

Rider List

Here (23kb PDF)

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Preview

With the picturesque woodland surrounding the "Canada Heights" International Motocross course bathed in a profusion of winter colour and smelling of leaf mould, its that time of the year once again to enjoy the smell of Castrol "R" and the bark of Big British fourstroke trials irons on full song.

Time again to re-wax the "Barbour Suit" and clean the "Dunlop Wellies" for the Sidcup Clubs popular "Jack Thompson" British Bike trial on Sunday the 6th of December.

Now in its sixteenth year, the event continues to be very popular, with riders coming from far and wide to compete on their cherished classic machines. The trial is open to anyone riding a pre-67 British machine and affiliated to the ACU, however this can be arranged on the day.

If you are traveling a distance and hardy enough, you can stay overnight at the venue. There is electricity on site, plenty of flat parking space, catering and toilets.

Due to the dark evenings the kick off will be 9.30am with machine examination starting at 8.45.

To make the trial more interesting for everyone the club would like to run at least twelve to fifteen sections which will need observers, so we would like to hear from not only our usual loyal band of enthusiasts, but also from anyone else prepared to help.

A light lunch will be provided for observers and hopefully some mulled wine, so if you are at a loose end on Sunday the 6th of December come along for a pleasant day in the chestnut woods and watch, or better still observe (see Peter Burton under Who to Contact).

Directions to Canada Heights can be found here.