Sidcup Sidecar Trial

Sunday 29th October 2006

3rd Sidcup Sidecar Trial

Admission is Free

A new idea back in 2004, this is the third running of the popular and spectacular sidecar trial

Classes (all sidecar) : Top expert, Expert & Clubman, Pre-67 and Beginner and Wobbler

Photos

More coming soon ....

Mark Greenwood has photos on his photo site (here for gallery) - email Mark if your after other shots

Kevin White has photo on his photo site (here for gallery) - email Kevin if youa re after other shots

I've about 30+ from Matt Grant Browning that I'm working on now

I've a video from some of the French crews in the post

Reports

Report 1 : "Thank you!" - by Jamie Clarke (Clerk of the Course)

Just a quick note to say thank you to everyone involved with this event; the observers, sponsors, crowd, admin people, riders and the people who set out the sections (I hope that covers everyone).

Report 2 : "Observing the Chairpersons" - By Matthew Grant Browning

“Oh what a beautiful mornin’..oh what a beautiful day….” Was the refrain all the way from home in the crisp autumn morning of Sunday the 29 th October, as I and my able assistant Alasdair, journeyed to the Sidcup Sidecar Trial. That is until a snarl up at the Swanley interchange. Never mind, we arrived in good time to learn the sections that we were observing, have a cup of tea and bid good morning to one and all ( and indeed ‘bonjour’ to our friends from over the channel!!).

The trial was to be run using two laps of odd numbered sections followed by a brief lunch break, then two laps of the even numbered sections. I and my aide were situated at section 3. This looked very intimidating but in fact was managed very well by most competitors. A lot of fun was had and the skill of the sidecar men ( and women) was outstanding ( at least one was observed out falling!!!). I have to say that the sidecar crews are amongst the most friendly and cheerful of trialists – ( most solos are too – but it was notable today amongst the duos).

The end of lap one saw me de-camping to section 4 , forgetting that there was another lap on 3 to do. I was pursued by Peter Burrell,who was out collecting scores to keep his wizardry on schedule. ( being chased across sand mounds by a man clutching a lap top is rather like one of those dreams you have when you have eaten cheese before bed – however hard you try to get away it seems that you are running in slow motion!!.

After lunch and various conversations with visiting spectators – part 2 was underway. Section 4 proved to be a bit more challenging and giving a fair few fives across the board. After the 1 st lap none of the Top Experts had made it through, prompting the clerk of the course to consider altering the section for them. The Top crews were seemingly happy to try and conquer the section. And it was not long before a successful attempt was made , albeit for a 3. Then came a 2 and all of a sudden it had been sussed by the elite.

And so ended the trial. Alasdair and I collected out stakes and markers and made our way back to Sidcup Operations HQ……and blow me down, I had won the observers raffle ( which I am sampling as I write ). Now I don’t believe in bribing children, but in order to secure the services of young Alasdair, I had promised him that I would get someone to take him around in a trials outfit. The chap that said he would had packed his bike when we finished so I went in hunt of a replacement. I approached Sara Carter ( Number 8) and he was whisked away by driver Chris for an extended circuit of the woods. Thanks to them that really made his day ( he is now asking me to get an outfit sorted!!!).

Thanks to the Club for a smashing day, the spectators for being really good sports and applauding some fine and brave efforts. Last but not least a fine bunch of people – the drivers and passengers Bloody well done.

Matthew & Alasdair ( Sections 3 & 4)

Report 3 - "Third time lucky for Aces" - By Dick Law

FOR the third time, Robin Luscombe and passenger Les Ashby, riding their 250 Montesa 4RT, won the tough 2006 Ace of Aces Sidcup Sidecar Trial, staged at the Sidcup club's Canada Heights venue in Swanley, Kent.

While the Luscombe and Ashby partnership was wining the Top Expert class, Robert Head and Aron Jacobs, on a 290 Sherco, fought off two other crews to take the Expert victory by just two marks, as the top three finishers completed the course with just five marks separating them.

As usual, the hard-working members of the Sidcup club made good use of the tree-lined banks round its famous motocross circuit to stage the popular event.

Eight of the 16 sections were set out along the side of the sandy hill behind the paddock, and the others on the more slippery and muddy part of the venue to the right of the track. The natural terrain was enhanced by the use of fallen trees plus imported rocks and concrete slabs, and the extensive use of a JCB.

The weather was very kind to the club, as people walked about all day in just t-shirts, basking in the warm sun. Luscombe and Ashby started the trial well by cleaning the first four sections, but then fived the next three.

For full report, results and pictures see T+MX News, Friday, November 3, 2006

Report 4 - "Yorkshire pair show how to do it on three wheels" - From the News Shopper

YORKSHIRE duo Robin Luscombe and passenger Les Ashby won the Sidcup Motorcycle Club's sidecar trials at Canada Heights with a comfortable 15-point margin, writes Richard Law.

Riding a Spanish-built 250cc Montesa sidecar the pair left the rest of the field in their mud spray in front of hundreds of fans at the Swanley circuit.

In the trials, riders, one at a time, negotiate the roughest piece of land the organisers kind find, called sections, and are not allowed to put a foot down.

It they do put a foot down once they lose a mark, twice and they lose two marks and they lose three marks for anything more.

Additionally, if they stop, go outside the marked section or fall off they drop five marks.

Such is the difficulty of the course the organisers employ people to catch any riders who fall from the steep faces of any climbs.

If riders, who have to complete four laps of eight sections, get through the section with a clean drive they receive no penalty points and at the end the pair with the least number of points is the winner.

Luscombe and Ashby picked up 15 points after the first lap which rose to 21 after the second.

Their closest rivals were Lee Gramby with passenger Amelia Haigh from Daventry in the West Midlands who finished the first two laps four points behind the leaders.

In the afternoon, Luscombe and Ashby improved and they finished the day on 37 points, 15 points clear of the Cuckow brothers in second place.

Rupert and Chris Kimber on their 250cc Sherco from Rochester took fourth place with the loss of 64.

An international flavour was added to the event by two teams coming across the channel from France and Belgium.

The pairing of Benoit and Belinda Dreze, from Liege in Belgium won the wobblers' class for the less-talented who rode an easier route losing 20 points with France's Philippe and Jean-Francois Piget taking second on 32.

This Sunday at Canada Heights solo riders take on the course.

Results

Full breakdown - here - PDF

By Class - here - PDF

Entry List

Here (PDF)

This is of crews entered by the closing date, and so will be eligible for prize money. Late entries will be accepted but will be ineligible for prize money

You will need Adobe Acrobat Viewer to view this file

Preview

"Canada Heights catches trials fever" - By the News Shopper

IT IS not often opponents have to be protected from each other while competing but in Canada Heights' latest motocross competition it is a must.

The Aces of Aces sidecar trials pits the UK's and continental Europe's best riders against three laps of awkward and challenging obstacles.

So challenging are the obstacles, the organisers use catchers to stop riders and bikes falling back onto competitors when they don't make it.

There are eight obstacles including climbs, logs, mud and rocks and each rider and passenger has to negotiate them without stopping or putting a foot down.

Each time they break these rules they are given a point and then pair with the least points at the end is the winner.

The idea behind Aces of Aces was born out of organisers Sidcup and District Motorcycle Club's belief there was no longer anything challenging on the motocross calendar.

And with last year's event attracting riders from France and Belgium, as well as the UK's very best, it has proved to be popular.

Trophies as well as prize money and souvenirs, sponsored by News Shopper, are presented to the winners.

Sidcup and District's Brian Edwards said: "Trials has always been an event where trophies were presented but with the ever-increasing cost in travelling and competing, the club decided a reasonable financial reward would be most welcome and has been greeted with enthusiasm."

The trials are on October 29 at Canada Heights, Button Street, Swanley, and will be signposted from the M25/A20 roundabout.

It starts at 10am, admission is free and there will be hot food, drink and toilets as well as plenty of flat, safe parking.