Tough times on Fell Green
Bootle’s round two of the Gowan Construction multi class series on March 17 at the popular Fell Green venue proved to be a bit of a “toughie” so slippery were the stream and rocky sections after a winter of rain, frost, fog and even a bit of snow at the coastal venue.
Attracting an entry of 35 riders, Steve Dixon, winner on the hard course lost a total of 39 but did manage to claim two clean sections of the trial which was over four laps of ten sections. But he was well beaten on Avalanche, section eight of the trial, a notorious steep, loose rocky gully climb that has been used in Bootle trials for well over 40 years. His total of 11 on this section was well beaten by his son Jack (lead picture) who only lost five and also by Owen Gilchrist (second overall) and James Postlethwaite who were able to lose fewer marks.
Connor Anderson
Revving up for the soon to be ridden Scottish Six Days Trial, Nigel Birkett won the Green course from Connor Anderson and Ben Croasdale who were separated by just a single mark, though Birkett had a clear 22 mark advantage over the others in a class that only had five competitors.
John Duffy
As is always the case, Clubman class riders outnumbered all the other class contenders and it was Darwen members Martin Jackson and John Duffy who excelled with Anthony Brockbank in third. Jackson is now resident in the Northern Centre but enjoys riding with his Darwen colleague while Brockbank, enjoying his Gas Gas after more than 20 years on a Sherco narrowly missed on a better placing.
Out on a new Scorpa having secured a confirmed ride in the SSDT, James Johnson was able to assess the bike’s different characteristics with fourth on the Hard course whilst Jackson Edwards, also with a confirmed SSDT entry – his first having never even been to spectate!! – moved up a class to the Green category for the challenge of more difficult sections.
The Beginners had a challenging time with Jonathan Turner and Mike Mellon separated by a single mark.
Full results from the Home page Results link with Eric Kitchen pictures shortly.