Dennis Wells Memorial

Event Report

Duncan Stephens totally dominated his first car trial of the year and won the Dennis Wells Memorial Car Trial overall, showing all his BTRDA Allrounders skills having won an AutoSolo, Sporting and Car Trial this year already. Neil Mackay and Barrie Parker had a titanic battle with each leading numerous times during the day, eventually finishing Mackay, Parker separated by just two marks. Bill Moffatt won class three driving his Imp, Mike Stephens inherited the class four win in his first event for two years.

The trial was held on a day which promised fine weather, with clear blue skies at breakfast time, but by the time the trial got underway it had clouded over and light showers were to appear later. Clerk of the Course Pete Dale excelled himself with setting out 8 challenging sections, including one "hidden section" (not allowed to inspect) and a timed test. The hidden section was to challenge the numeracy and optical powers (aka alertness) of at least 2 experts, as they missed an offset 5 gate. Neil Mackay confessed to being one of these, but was unable to plead numeracy deficiency or visual impairment (having been to the opticians 2 days previously) but was grateful for the well-performing Panda being instrumental in regaining the lost points on other sections.

Duncan Stephens and Rupert North excelled on the timed test, this being made even more challenging by a shower and, in the afternoon, by being run in the reverse direction.

Many of the competitors had enjoyed a social and nostalgic evening at a nearby hotel the previous evening, having chosen to maintain the now traditional "Welsh Weekend" overnight stay.

We look forward to a return match in July, when the HCC Wales trial will follow the Cymru on Sat/Sun 18/19 July.