2011 Greybeards trial results.pdf (37.17 kb)

• 6 rounds all off-road.
• 2 Classes.
• Observing rules to be to TSR 22b (No Stop).
• Section severity considerably eased to ensure wider participation especially in the championship class.
• No Minders.
• The pre-event Practice Session will be retained

 And no bad language!

 Full article here: http://www.acu.org.uk/News/2011/11/ACU-DOODSON-BRITISH-SOLO-TRIALS-CHAMPIONSHIP/

The South Canterbury stunt team put on another great trial, this time on the property neighbouring that previously used. Limestone Road gave us a great day of big hills and big grippy rocks. The well-known proverb “what goes up must come down” is always worth remembering on a Sunday. This trial went one step further in reminding us that the bigger it goes up the faster it comes down.

Sections were pegged by the young bloods - Blake, Dave T, Bradley and new bloods James & Jeremy. Many of the club were bracing themselves for supper hard sections, cricket scores and a few lumps and bumps to take home as souvenirs. However, these young fellas pegged ten near perfect sections – well done.

I doubt anyone that rode this trial would begrudge the two plus hour drive. It’s good to get out of our regular haunts to test the skills on such great terrain. Not to mention the compulsory pie and coffee stop en route.

Richard Chips and Stefan Ze Kivi took the Silver Fern Rally Route South in the new Mr Chips sponsored Gardiner Racing Nissan Serena. Dick blamed the GPS – likely Story. The rally driving inspired Stefan to a win in Clubman A, closely followed by Jon Philp, who obviously benefitted from the short drive. You would hardly have noticed Mike Elliot, as he left his profanisourus at home. The word on the street is that Tourettes could be contagious? Ross found his mojo to hold off a strong challenge from the boy Dowell aboard his new four banging Beta. Good to see the Fox’s again, and even better to have Blake show us a few tricks on the expert line.

Thanks to Anita for stepping up again to help with the scorecards and BBQ.

Better late than never...

No misery at Puaha Valley this year, just ten great trials sections pegged by veteran section setters Alan Honeybone, Ross and Shane. This trial had a bit of everything - logs, mud, creeks, climbs, drop-offs, rocks of all shapes & sizes, and sunshine! The expert line on section six provided much of the entertainment, especially so for the Hainsworth TLR200.

Some special guest appearances bolstered the rider numbers. Paul Aubrey made the long haul trip from Alex’,the South Canterbury Trials Club sent up their ever improving youth squad and Paul Jackson made it over the wire of the life sentence block (though he copped a sore knee for his troubles).

Ross was complaining of trials overdose following the trip to the Nationals in the Waikato. However, there was some suspicion that he was hustling ahead of the club champs? Senior stunt rider Mel Knievel was up to his old tricks again. Great to see Hamish Barnett doing battle with the A line.

First timer Dirk had a ride on the Scotty’s loaner Beta after his own Scorpa started burning oil. It turned out to be a batch of oily fuel which made Scotty’s Beta smoke heavier than Rob Mckay.

Debrief at the Little Riviera Hotel saw the land lady ask Dick Gardener if he’d like his usual basket of fries with his beer.

The weather Gods looked down favourably upon the Pioneer Motorcycle Club on Sunday 20th November for the 2011 Club Champs held at Kaituna Valley. 25 odd members turned up for the event from as far afield as Nelson, Kaikoura, Temuka, Timaru and Dunedin.

 I have to say that it was quite possibly the driest conditions I have ever seen the property in. That said, the section setters still managed to find a good helpng of slippery bits. Sections 1 to 5 were set close to the cars so a few of them made for good viewing.
Section 1 down in the pine trees provided a good warm up and I feel there are some great future lines up in the trees as that is one big hill. Section 2 right by the cars was thankfully dry as our last foray onto this bank was on a particularly cold, frosty, damp day. Section 3 was over and around rocks in the paddock with a rather tricky bashplate grabber for Intermediates and Experts if not enough turps were applied. Now, Section 4 appeared okay for Intermediates and below but Experts had a 6 foot steep bank to get up with very little run up. I believe thanks go to Shane for that little gem. Section 5 was set in a downward direction which I think pleased just about everyone as it is the most slippery of critters at the best of times. Section 6 was surprisingly slippery under the big pines trees with a steep climb for Experts and a short, sharp descent for Inters and Experts.

 A short ride up through the paddock took us to the final 4 sections which were a mixture of rocks, creeks, hills, banks tight turns and a fair bit of swearing going by my riding partner, Corporal Tourettes - aka Andy Beale. He is turning out to be a fitting protege for Captian Tourettes - aka Mike Elliot.

 All in all a great day. Thanks to Anita for manning (or is it womaning) the BBQ. Then it was onto prize giving. Blake Fox made a worthwhile trip up from Dunedin to take the Expert grade, Yours truly made a worthwhile drop to Intermediates (due to injury not pot-hunting) to take that grade, Stefan 'dont mention the war' Ingendae had a great ride to snaffle the Clubman A trophy, Greg Creagh took out Clubby B. Dick (I'll have the Presidents Cup) Gardener took out the Presidents grade and Kendall McDonald took the newly named 'Oi, thats my Twinshock Trophy'.

 It was good to see Blake coaching Davey and Bradley on the finer points of splatting a rock while us old gits lay around in the sun using what energy we had left to eat burgers and drink beer. So, another year of great trials in Canterbury over (despite Mother Nature trying to mess things up.......) A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone and may santa bring you all the trials goodies you desire.

Cheers All
John Regan.

Kaituna Club Champs Nov 2011.pdf (49.60 kb)

Kaituna Club Champs Nov 2011 (2.41 kb)