Report Tony Turner
Glorious sunshine greeted the 42 riders competing in the Murray Brush trial in the beautiful East Kent surroundings of St Micheals near Tenterden.
Murray’s three sons Dave, Andy and Richard set out ten sections perfectly taking into account Saturdays heavy rain and with four routes there was something for everyone in a true tribute to the former late club stalwart and fabulous rider.
Straight away the expert class became a battle between Sittingbourne’s Thomas Sawyer, who was on a busmans holiday enjoying a day playing on bikes rather than working on bikes as he does all week working in the Inta Trials shop and Tenterden’s Keith Francis who was making a welcome return to the sport after a break (and a host of excuses) of almost a year.
Sawyer dropped 2 marks on Dee Southern’s opening cross stream section to hand an early advantage, but a stall and subsequent restart whilst balancing on the cambers of section 2 under the watchful eye of Maureen put Francis off as he exited with the loss of three scrappy dabs as Sawyer exited with a fine cross camber dab.
After lap 1 Francis led by 1 mark having exited the gulleys of the final 3 sections safely, but an excellent second lap of just 3 gave Sawyer a lead of 2 at the halfway stage. Francis responded with the best lap of the trial losing just 2 single dabs as Sawyer collected 2 maximums over the final 2 laps to give Francis a much deserved lowest score of the day in the expert class. However, Sawyer collects the Murray Brush trophy at the end of season awards by virtue of the fact Francis couldn’t be bothered to send his entry off!! Donut…..
In the intermediate class the Tenterden’s club secretary Dave ’How’s your’ Luck made it a home club double with an excellent ride unusually without any maximums across the 4 laps to take the class win ahead of Ashford’s Mark Baldock and Pete Southcott with Pete Willoughby in 4th. For once, Luck clearly took full advantage of the fact he had walked the sections numerous times Saturday and Sunday whilst helping lay out the event – given the amount of effort he has put into the club over the last few years – I guess it is the least of a return…..and may there be many more pots on the way..
It was similar home club story in the over 40 class with Michael Nutbrown proving that age is no barrier by riding his TY250 to an excellent victory ahead of Gravesends Steve Mannerings. That shows the beauty of our sport that you do not need to spend 1000’s of pounds to enjoy and even win in our fabulous sport.
In the Novice class Double 5’s Adrian Gilbey and Bexleyheaths Doug Norris only dropped a single mark with Adrian maintaining cleans longer than Doug to take the lowest score of the day. Ollie Whorlow showed just how much he is improving by collecting the Youth Novice win on the same route losing just 6 marks as he continues to get taller and stronger and for sure it will not be long before he is beating the old man.. Terry Lloyd had the lowest score of the day on the Novice Over 40 route. The yellow beginner route had a pleasing 8 entries with Josh Smith and Tenterden’s Tori Moore (giving dad the run around) by taking the adult and youth wins respectively.
An absolutely fabulous family effort by the Brush Team and so great to see riders in their 70’s competing alongside our 2 newest and youngest riders Jasmine and Curtis Mealham on their Oset’s!!
Jo Curd kindly supplied an arrange of cakes and drinks to greet all the finishers in a very well run, organised and supported event by all – we can’t wait to see the video!
Expert
Keith Francis 18ml, Tom Sawyer 23ml (Murray Brush Trophy Winner), Dave Heather 61ml, Chris Anderson 76ml, Rob Whorlow 76ml, Connor Dowling 98ml
Inter
Dave Luck 14ml, mark Baldock 32ml, Pete Southcott 37ml, Joe Millen 41ml
Inter Over 40
Micheal Nutbrown 6ml, Steve Mannerings 7ml
Nov
Adrian Gilbey 1ml, Doug Norris 1ml, Gareth Clare 7ml
Youth Nov
Ollie Whorlow 6ml
Beginner
Josh Smith 21ml, Mel newing 23ml
Youth beginner
Tori Moore 54ml