Spring Trial

Event Report

Windwhistle Motor Club hosted the Saturday trial of the Southwest weekend on the 29^th April 2023 at a new venue for the championship. Only a few days before the event the club had news that the original venue at Furley was no longer available and had to be moved and re-organised to another site near Treborough.

There were twenty-one competitors on the day with a good level of entries in championship classes B and D. Eight hills were set out across the large field giving a good variety of challenges. The day started off dry but the weather was changeable with light showers continually changing the levels of grip available.

Round 1 in Class B saw Tim and Charlie Dovey competing in different Clio Sports (Tim sharing his car with his daughter Evie). They start well gaining an instant lead against the rest of the class in what was a low scoring round for all competitors. Class D saw local man Arnie Martin have a clean round with BTRDA contenders Kevin Roberts and Barrie Parker being 6 and 8 marks behind respectively.

Round 2 saw the Dovey’s continue to perform well both increasing their lead in the class with Charlie just ahead of his father. Trevor Moffatt was third in class having a slightly better round than Rupert North and Simon Harris. In Class D saw Barrie Parker start to master the conditions in his Liege stopping the Escort of Arnie Martin stretching his lead. With other competitors falling slightly further behind.

In Class B rounds 3, 4, and 5 saw the status quo continue with Charlie Dovey increasing his lead to take the Class win, closely followed by his father Tim. Trevor Moffatt was third in class closely followed by Rupert North.

In class D round 3 saw a complete change in the order of things. Barrie Parker continued to improve and drew level with Arnie Martin and pull well ahead of the rest of the class. Rounds 4 and 5 saw Barrie not drop another point giving a convincing win. In round four the Dutton of Kevin Roberts developed engine problems causing him to retire.  After indexing Barrie was confirmed as 1^st Overall with the class win being given to Arnie Martin. Mark Hoppe was 2^nd in class and Ian Nute 3^rd.

A big thankyou to Windwhistle Motor Club for persevering and managing to host the event in challenging circumstances.

 

Trevor Moffatt