Keith Thomas Drove his Hillclimb Buckler on The Northern Trial

Keith and Edwin still smiling in the mud!

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• Classical Gas Report

On Saturday 18th Feb Edwin Cook and I were one of the 88 entries of both motor bikes and cars in the Fellside Auto clubs Northern trial which started at Wigton and we had a really interesting and enjoyable day and despite horrendous rain during the Friday night and right up to the start. It cleared away as we started and we had warm sunshine for quite a part of the day then snow up in the highest part of the mountains above Whinlatter pass before a cold but clear late afternoon on the final few hills.

Once again I did last minute work to the car as seems to be my usual routine for some strange reason and we chopped up the inlet manifold from the carb to the supercharger and shortened it by about 15 inches to try to overcome slow throttle response, It worked quite well but the mixture obviously needs sorting as on certain throttle openings it spluttered as if it was oiled up or too rich but eventually would clear and feel quite on song much of the time. I developed a technique after a while of holding the accelerator at a steady opening of about three quarter throttle and slipped the clutch to compensate for the rise or fall in revs to keep us mobile. Not kind on the clutch but it kept us going and sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t'. We got round the event and some steep hills we cleaned that we didn’t expect to and on some easier hills we stopped when we didn’t expect to either !

The organisers were very unfortunate that the torrential rain the night before made some hills impossible after marking them out the day before when the markers would have been in perfect positions. On one long section rain on the track where forestry vehicles had been turning made the track impassable after a number of cars had failed and this caused all manner of problems and having to  tow competitors through the long section meant it had to be scrubbed eventually and competitors had a long reverse for over quarter of a mile along a quite narrow track to be able to go to other hills. This affected the timing of the event and closing times of the hills of course but it was no ones fault just pure bad luck.

It was great to see various other motor clubs co-operating again and marshalling various hills. Wigton motor club and Ilkley motor club had big signs out on their respective hills and some other clubs from South of Scotland and places much farther afield did a truly great job manning up their sections.

Start and finish at Wigton cattle market was ideal with great facilities and really helpful and friendly waitresses serving great food at  very reasonable prices where competitors from all over the country could sit and discuss the days trial and have a really relaxing time. Unless of course some crews had to get  off down the motorway to places as far away as Devon London, or places in between.

One interesting combination had a very long trailer pulled by a Landrover TDV6 with two trials cars on and the four people travelling in one vehicle, this they said  saved about £150 in fuel costs on their 400 mile round trip, quite a saving.

Everyone appreciated all the effort put in by the hard working organisers for this event and whilst  luck might have a bearing on some final positions it was a very well run event and no one could do more to find and run so many varied sections at a number of locations to give every car a chance, paperwork and documentation was superb so thank you on behalf of everyone who took part we will hopefully be back again next year but I will definitely try to prepare the car a bit earlier though !

Keith Thomas

My Northern Trial

We had a grand day, helped by the fact we were in a closed car with a heater that just about dribbled in a bit of warm air. It started windy, poured with rain. Then the sun came out but that was just a teaser before the snow came. When the snow eased off along came the hail followed by a cold wind. But you don't go to Cumbria in February to top up your tan!

I finally fitted some "new" tyres. A couple of Motorway remoulds that have been up in rafters of my garage for a couple of years. Painted the wheels black. Not sure if I like the new look or not!

Dave Cook has really captured the atmosphere of The Northern Trial in this picture of us tackling the upper reaches of  "I'm back Darling"

We had a great run, cleaned some sections, failed some we shouldn't have and wallowed in the mud for a few high scores on a couple more. Not Sandale though. Got the bug wound up and we hit the muddy bit flat out in first without any wheelspin. The ruts kept us on the track through the restart area and we maintained enough speed to require some heavy braking when we got to the road. Epic :-)

Nigel Jones had his sump guard fall off on the first section and being a gentleman I stopped to help. After that we were running pretty much towards the back of the field and experienced quite a few delays as the marshals extricated competitors from some of the muddy sections.

There's snow on the ground as Michael adjusts his tyre pressures for Ullister Hill

We felt sorry for John, June and Alex who were marshalling the last section and hadn't seen a car for ages when we arrived. Poor Johns face really dropped when I told him there were at least half a dozen behind us!

Car ran OK although I was annoyed top get a puncture reversing down one of the boggy sections. It looks as if it has destroyed tyhe sidewall of one of my "new" remoulds fitted for the event.

Food awaited us at the finish

Got to the food at the finish about 5.45. One or two bogs, sorry sections, apart we really enjoyed it though. Its my 4th Northern and I plan to be back next year.

My Northern Trial Weekend

We journeyed up on the Thursday with the Beetle on the trailer and arrived at Carlisle around 5pm. We stayed at the Swallow in Carlisle which worked out about £150 for three nights Bed, Brealkfast and Evening meal for the two of us. Not bad even through we would be skipping one breakfast and one evening meal. The hotel is a bit shabby as its still in adminstration but there's plenty of room for parking the trailer and the food and the staff are OK.

Unloading the Beetle at the Hotel in Carlisle ready for our exploration of Hadrians Wall

The last two years we have explored the Solway Firth on the Friday, venturing up the northern side into Scotland 12 months ago. So this year we went inland, taking in Hadrian's Wall and Kielder Forst. Following the wall we found the  Roman Army Museum and spent an interesting couple of hours brushing up on our history before having some soup for lunch. We then ventured up into Kielder, passing the reservoir and going through the village before crossing the Scottish border.

At Hadrians Wall

Back at the hotel Ross Nuten & brother Ian were staying that night and Nigel Jones and his son arrived later so we had a lively evening. It was interesting the next night as well. When we got back after the trial the car park was jammed full. There was cage fighting in the function room!

Bit of drama when we left for home as there was no number plate on the trailer. We reckon we lost it going to Holbecks in the snow!

Northern Trial Draft Report

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Head  DP Wasps rule Northern

Sub Head  Dean Partington won the Northern Trial with the only clean sheet. Fellow DP Wasp driver Mike Chatwin wasn't far behind, dropping a solitary mark. Duncan Stephens was third in his Melos.

Summary The Fellside club organised some challenging weather for their annual trip to the forests around Bassenthwaite Lake. The early morning rain turned to sunshine, but snow started falling around noon, followed by hail. This caused problems on some of the sections and Routens Romp had to be cancelled when it became difficult to get to the start. Some of the later numbers either called it a day or missed some sections after this. All this didn't prevent plenty of smiles at the finish after what most reckoned was a grand event.

Body Text 

Wallowing in the slime at Allhallows Colliery

The rain was pouring down as the early numbers left the start at the "Stocksman", clearing as they reached the first section and special test at Allhallows Colliery. This was an artificial affair, up and down some very slimy spoil heaps, with some tight corners thrown in. The right right hander after the start was to catch out the majority of the field, who understeered off for a ten. There were only six clears, Bill Bennett joining in with a select group of 7 & 8's . Nigel Jones had problems when the rivets holding his sumpguard in place sheared and he needed to raid Colin Perryman and Michael Leete's spares to find some replacement bolts.

Delays at The Black Hole

There was a 15 mile run to The Black Hole, the first of many forestry sections. This is a lovely hill, pretty much straight up, muddy on the lower reaches with some serious ruts where the gradient steepens in the 7 & 8 restart area. The only problem with the section is that even the cleans have to back down, with the inevitable delays. Around half the entry failed this one, mainly in the restart area. Colin Perryman's trial came to an end hear when his BMW transmission went clunk and had quite a struggle to get recovered back to his trailer.

Snow in Whinlatter Forest

The sections came thick and fast when the event entered Whinlatter Forest. "I'm Back Darling" was a wonderful long hill. The first part was loose stones, the second loose rock! This was the end of Nigel Jones Trial as the MGF's sump guard got pushed up onto the gearbox linkage. Nigel managed to get it going but retired after the next hill.

After Sheepfold there was a long drive through the forest. The track climbed and climbed, with magnificent views over Bassenthwaite Lake before it started snowing! Lord's Seat was a grassy forest track with a sting in the tail, a very sharp left hand hairpin, preceded by a restart for 7 & 8. This really sorted out the higher classes, only the DP Wasps, Charles Knifton in his recently acquired,  Subaru 1800 Turbo powered, VW Scorpion and Duncan Stephens in his Melos going clear.

The snow had stopped coming down out of the clouds to Ullister Hill where it was replaced by hail! This was cleanable but the final bit was a bit artificial and it was difficult to get past the one marker. Quite a few did, but not Mike Chatwin and the one mark he lost was to give the overall trial win to car builder Dean Partington.

Across the road to Hobcarton Plantation

There were two sections in the adjacent forest. Long Crag was a straight blast which didn't trouble the leading contenders. Ladyside was a very different hill, not much gradient but some fearsome mud and ruts after the track came out between the trees. There was only one way to go clear here and that's to drive a DP Wasp, consequently Dean Partington and Mike Chatwin were the only two to experience the exit track.

Problems in Wythop Woods

There should have been five sections in Wythop Woods but there were problems at Routen Romp. The plan was for this to be one of the events stoppers but there was chaos when a lot of cars couldn't get to the start line. The problem was that the long entrance track was blocked by cars so everyone had to be towed up. The entire field was soon blocking the track and the section had to be cancelled. To get out those in the queue had a half mile reverse before they could turn and go to the next section. In the confusion most of class 0 and one or two of the main trial missed some or all of the sections in Wythop Woods which was a shame.

Falcons Crest and Browns Challenge were both mud baths at the bottom, almost every one floundering for an 11 and 12. Not if you were in a DP Wasp of course and Dean and Mike both blasted through for clears, as did Duncan Stephens on Browns Challenge.

Little Cockup has a real sting in the tail, exiting up a really steep bank. About half those that attempted it went clear though and Myke Pocock in particular was delighted. Chris Maries nearly made it in the heavy Suzuki for a two but this was good enough for him to win Class 5 after Stuart Bartlett was penalised on both special tests and Jonathan Toulmin missedx sections in the woods.  Michael Leete choose a really bad line, stopped at the five and reversed into the same tree that he hit a a few years ago!

Louthwaite Side was the final forestry section and Dave Cook was there to take photos on the spectacular rocky hairpin. Fortunately almost everyone was able to go clear and enjoy the long exit track to the tarmac road.

Sandale, What a Hill

It was around 12 miles to Sandale, the best known section on the Northern Trial and what a hill it is. Not that steep but the mud, ruts and spectators make up for it. A northern Crackington if you know what I mean. There is a restart for 7 & 8, right at the muddiest bit where there is a sort of chicane. For the non re-starters the technique is to build your speed on the lower slopes so you are flat out by the time you get to the restart chicane.  You will most likely bottom out but with luck you will have enough momentum to slide over the mud on the cars belly and pop out the top like a cork from a bottle! Thats the theory but its not that easy and even the experienced Bill Bennett failed, perhaps aided by the fact the track of his MG is so narrow it doesn't fit in the ruts! Perhaps Bill needs DAF as the results show Derek Reynolds cleared the section and that would have raised a cheer! For the restarts it was a question of power, something a Liege doesn't have that much of, but despite picking up a three here Kevin Barnes was able to win the Class 7 award.

A new section at Carlislegate Lane

John & June Blakley and Alex were here and had a long day as the field was well spread out by the time they got here. There were only a couple of failures on this long muddy track but its a very nice addition to the route as it had a different character to the many forest sections.

Nice Meal at the Finish

There was a super autocross style Special Test on the way back to the finish where a super meal was available. There were many tales to tell but the consensus was that it had been a cracking trial, despite the problems and delays. 


Click here for Full Results


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Holbecks Trial 12 February 2012

West Suffolk Motor Club decided to have another go at running their trial and this time it was a runner, despite their being a bit of snow on the ground. We hadn't unloaded the A7 during the week but did make sure it started on the Saturday. Talking of Saturday I went on a March Hare working party. It was really, really cold, around -15C at Chaos Manor. The Freelander started OK but went into reduced power mode a couple of times before stopping completely on the A421. I got it going again but went down the M1, without a hard shoulder because of road works, with some trepidation. Conclusion was that the diesel went sludgy in the cold as it was OK when it warmed up later in the day and didn't miss a beat going to Hadleigh on on the Sunday.

7 am and Red Lodge has just opened

We stopped at Red Lodge for breakfast on the way, arriving at 7 but having to wait for the staff to arrive as its not open 24 hrs any more. Although the ground was covered in snow there was reasonable grip in the morning as the ground stayed hard and are narrow tyres cut through the snow. Conditions changed in the afternoon as the ground became soft under the snow and it soon turned to mud.

We went really well the first couple of rounds in the snow

Slipped back a bit when it got muddy later in the day

Looking through the results we did really well on the first round when the snow was fresh and the ground hard underneath, then as the day went on and the sections turned muddier we dropped back. Logical really as we haven't got the power to blast.

The oil jets got blocked up but sorted it

The car went OK apart from when I noticed the oil pressure was up off the clock and I had to clean the oil jets out. All in all an enjoyable day.

Click Here for Results

Holbecks Trial 5th February 2012

5am and we are ready to set off

Well it was the trial that wasn't. Snow was due on Saturday night. I checked during the afternoon and the trial was still going ahead. The event was scheduled to start at 09.15 so we left Chaos manor at just after 5am. Bit of snow on the roads but nothing to worry the Freelander. We were disappointed to find Red Lodge wasn't open so pressed on down the A14.

Turning off onto the A1071 there was quite a bit of snow on the road but again nothing to bother the Freelander. We stopped just outside the town to phone the organisers to find out if there were any special instructions to get into the field only to find the trial was cancelled. Yes they had phoned to tell me but on my home phone at 7.30 am when we were nearly there!

My Clee Hills 2012

One of my favourite events and have made my annual pilgrimage to Shropshire in some capacity every year since the MAC took over in 1994. The event has changed a lot since that time, mostly for the better. Its not a part of the country I know very well but its worth going on the trial just for the views!

We were planning to take the Beetle up on the trailer but hearing the organisers were concerned about where they would all be parked we drove up as usual. It was an early start M1, M6, M 54, A5, and turn left down the A49 when you get to Shrewsbury. At that time on a Sunday morning its almost a pleasure to drive on the motorways, with just a few HGV's for company. Coming backs a different proposition of course and we prefer the TomTom guided cross country route, although that does involve a bit of M5, A42, A42 between Droitwich and Banbury.

I still enjoy driving the Beetle to events, although I am in an increasing minority as I see even Dudley has joined the trailer brigade. Having said that the Beetle will be on the trailer for the trip up to Carlisle next week!

Getting to at least see the top of The Jenny Wind after all these years

We enjoyed the trial. Hungerford was back on the agenda which was great. There wasn't a lot of mud about and The Jenny Wind and Easthope had lost their sting. However, it did mean that we saw the top of them for the first time. We cleaned both but were penalised a one on The Jenny Wind even though we got our front wheels over the line. That was the only point we dropped all day, such were the conditions. Very interesting that my in car video shows the marshal that penalised us had a camera to his eye when we got over the line and only took it down when we slipped back! having had my moan it wouldn't have made any difference to the results as although John White and Sam Holmes were clean on the trial we were much slower on the Special Tests.

Had a tyre go down on the road after Hungerford but other than that the Beetle went OK all day. Got to think about looking at it over the summer. The gearbox is whiny and it would be interesting to try a 4.375 diff. I don't know if the engine is tired or not. Perhaps I should check the compression and see what its like on a rolling road?

Looking happy after a Good Day

Clee Hills Report

Michael's Video Blog

Clee Hills Trial Video Blog