Purau Bay June 2009.pdf (35.25 kb)

Here's a report on a trial from 30 years ago at Gardiners in Purau Bay. I wonder if we'll see anyone from this trial at this weekends event at the same property? I know "Agnes Funneybone" will be there!!!

To see the May 1979 issue of Megaphone in it's entirety go to Our Megaphone Page.

By Andrew McKnight

Loading bikes, pegs etc. in team Kombi, Pete Hosking, myself and sleepy flatmate headed off at a great rate of knots (except on hills) for Purau. After converting das Kombi into a “free flow” monster by backing into a ditch and knocking the exhaust pipe off, we put the sections in.

We found 10 A grade sections with 2 or 3 being of more severe (Spanish?) variety and 10 B grade sections which were probably a little easy for most of the B graders, because they were set out for the side-chairs as well.

There was a good turnout of riders and we had enough markers to man (and woman) the 10 A grade sections while the B grade / side-chairs rode in pairs and marked themselves. After nearly being started without numbers, the A grade rode 5 laps, B grade 4, and the armchairs did their cunning stunts for 3 laps.

After an indifferent start, Steve “I’ve got most Honda Models and a Bully” Oliver settled down on the 325 Bulldog to take first spot. Paul lagan steered his 250 Bull into second after a really great start and Richard “blast across the rocks to the end pegs” Bell Finished third, also on a Cemoto 250.

It was a great day for breaking things (as well as backs) Bruce Hughey snapped a gear lever, abd Chria Hughey managed to puncture his front wheel. I also spotted “Agnes Funneybone” having some fun on his maintenance free green machine, which nearly broke his heart!

In the B grade Russell Gallagher and Craig Chambers both finished with perfect scores. Phillip Sutton showed marked improvement to take third spot. While side-chair honours wer taken out by Kevin Templeton and David Scanes from the young and up and coming Harris/Nicol combination.

Thanks to Paul Lagan for adding up the marks at great speed (Skyhawk speed?) and for organising the really worthwhile prizes. Thanks to all the markers, especially to George Hughey for marking two sections, Mrs Rollinson, Phillipa Hughey, Mr and Mrs Jim Brown and Family, Murray Linton (alias sleepy flatmate) Flea Helps, and anonymous lady on section 5. Overall it was a good day, and the trial was re-run at the Wheatsheaf Tavern, where Pete Hosking won easily by 6 jugs to , Mrs Rollinson, Phillipa Hughey, Mr and Mrs Jim Brown and Family, Murray Linton (alias sleepy flatmate) Flea Helps, and anonymous lady on section 5. Overall it was a good day, and the trial was re-run at the Wheatsheaf Tavern, where Pete Hosking won easily by 6 jugs to 4, or was that the tennis score. (definately the tennis score. Ed)

(Most of the A grade sections were cleanable, but one section near the waterfront caused a few problems. It consisted of an approach across loose rocks followed by a sharp and slippery bank. Then it was a matter of keeping going through a narrow cutting. Unfortunately this section was spoilt because it had no real exit. The organisers would like to apologise for the problems this caused.)

Results

A Grade                                                                               B Grade

1   S. Olliver           34                                           1=           C. Chambers      0

2   P. Lagan            42                                           1=           R. Gallagher        0

3   R. Bell               44                                           3              P. Sutton             5

4   P. Hosking        55                                           4              R. Leash               7

5   B. Hughey         59                                           5              G. Walker            8

6   A. McKnight      78                                           6              R. Tolhurst          9

7   M. Dock            81                                           7              G. North              11

8   A. Van Workum 79                                          8              L. Prebble            18

9   A Honneybone  95                                           9              B. Whiting        20

10 C. Hughey         105                                         10           J. Petre               22

11 K. Browm          125                                         11           J. Leash              25

12 G. Rollinson      126                                         12           L. Peterson         27

                                                                             13           G. Langley           41

                                                                              Retired: J. Lagan F. Hughey

1                     K. Templton/ D. Scanes

2                     B. Harris/ P. Nicol

3                     E. Norris/ B. Norris

Megaphone May 1979.pdf (3.05 mb)

The gumboot award was always a regular in past Megaphones so it seems to me to be appropriate to resurrect this award here on the website.

There have been a couple of worthy recipients in recent months so here they are.

For the month of April the Gumboot goes to none other than "Mr Wheelie" himself Paul (The Rat) Jackson. On his way to the Easter trial in Nelson, fueled by a few too many Caronas, he decided to ride his bike "quietly" back to the bus after some posed photo's on an exceptionally large rock in Lewis Pass. The rather poorly executed wheelie resulted in a broken collarbone, a couple of cracked ribs and a severely dented pride. All this on the way to the trial, not at it.

For the month of May the Gumboot goes to Don Clarkson. Those of you at Kaikoura would have heard how Don had trouble with his bike not running well. After changing the plug and several other mechanical repairs Don finally noticed (on his third lap!!) that he hadn't turned the choke off. Don earns the award not for his lack of mechanical nouse, but for being foolish enough to tell us about it!! Surely Don at your age you would have learnt the old "it must have been water in the carb" story.

Nominations for the Gumboot award can be sent to me via the contacts page.

Jim Henderson  was recently appointed the new Trials Commissioner by MNZ.

I spoke to Jim at the recent Kaikoura trial and agreed to post what he sends me here on this site so you can all read it and comment if you want to.   

This first item is titled "Trials Democracy"

To Trials coordinators and drivers, 

It has been an interesting month as your commissioner and I thank you all for your input. At this stage I would like to outline the decision making process that we will try to adhere to in the future.          

It is my wish [in fact it is constitutional] that all decisions start with a proposal from a club [although in our trials environment it may actually be an AREA, as some groups work with riders from several clubs]. Having received such a proposal I will ask for comment from the MNZ governing body. If it is then eligible I will ask for majority approval of the proposal from other clubs/areas.          

I welcome your individual input and that should not cease. But to come to a decision we must work with delegates. Over the past few weeks I have received feedback as to who those delegates/representatives will be. They are the liaising intermediates between MNZ [commissioner] and club members.They will be the voting correspondents [but of course their club members have indicated voting direction].  

I believe that there is not much that needs addressing, but if your club/area wants to give the sport a “tweak”: Write and forward a proposal!                                      

Jim Henderson    

 MNZ  Representatives are:          

C Harman……………………….Northland          

P Boettcher, D Stockman………..Auckland          

P Osborne, B Nicholls, N McCabe…Waikato          

M Gundry, N Shilton………………….BOP          

J Ravenscroft……………………..King Country          

J March, R Rackstraw…………Hawkes Bay          

C Thompson, G McEwen…………..Taranaki          

K Pinfold, T Smith………………Manawatu 

S Wade, C Robson…………….Wellington 

J Baker, B Wadsworth……Marlborough 

G Anderson, S Oliver………………Nelson 

D Scott, L Sinclair, S Hallie….Canterbury 

M Reid, C Kelland………………Southland 

P McLeod……………………N.I. coordinator 

C Kelland…………………….S.I. coordinator 

W Laugensen……………Immediate past commissioner

Kaikoura Overall results 2009.pdf (34.67 kb)