2023 James Cup Trial

Report Ken O'Brien

Pictures by Gary Dowzall, others can be found at sliders.photography

Folly Farm The Common Field and Roberts Copse Beckley was the venue where 4 four laps of ten testing sections were ridden we had steep climbs cambered roots muddy slots and sweeping sandy banks with the odd South Midland Rocky stream thrown in for good measure. This was an Open event and included a round of the Meteor Group Championship Series for 2023.

Steve Lane 300 Beta put in a scintillating performance to take the Expert class win and premiere award 'The James Challenge Trophy' with a loss of 13. Steve not a stranger to Ixion events cleaned all but one section where Chris Hurworth was on the pencil at number three. First a ditch crossing before a large fallen tree had to be ridden inch perfect to gain access to the second angled low growing bough but the sting in the tail was the cambered ditch exit Steve's best efforts here was a couple of one prod rides

Darren Haines representing the Farnham Royal Motorcycle & light Car Club made it a worthwhile journey to take the 50/50 class win in some fashion with a loss of 5 marks. Section eight caused the most grief for the 250 Beta with Darren eventually riding a clean at his third visit. The sub consisted a shaded approach to a rather large tree that had fallen in the Winter Storms then a tight cut-back to a rocky camber after which precise front wheel alignment was required to ride along another fallen branch a good ride.

The well supported and very competitive Clubman class on the yellow middle route was aced-up by Adrian Steele showing a clean pair of heels to all with a flawless ride. Martin Alderman over from the Peterborough club was close behind on 2 both of which were laid down at section six a loamy downward gully to a steep drop-off and tight turn before a third gear blast up to the ends cards high on the camber.

Jim Morris 260 Mont was best Novice on 26 and this earned him the Spring Cup award.

Young Alfie Chesman Youth B 125 Beta had a great day on the same middle route carding a score of 5 marks putting him joint third in the overall pecking order of twenty one riders.

Alan Halford over from the Leamington Victory club was putting the Triumph Cub through it's paces with a couple of Sat-Nav malfunctions on the way to a Pre 65 class win. Section ten a classic 100 yard climb was ideal for the Bog-Standard Cub and could heard from afar roaring up the bank to the delight of the gathered crowd.

The White easy route today had a nice compliment of riders ranging from beginners to the more experienced elderly gentlemen. John Quigg 300 Beta put a faultless ride in the Sportsman category with zero marks with Oxford Veteran Gordon Pusey 290 Beta losing two.

Mark Davidson rattled around on the 200 Fantic for a loss of 5 to take the Twinshock class.

Tommy Goodwin Youth C had a great day out the Beta 80 coping admirably with the fairly tough terrain of Cox's farm.

In the Pre 65 class Mick Clarkson 230cc Cub finished on 1 mark lost with Robert Bremner 350 Triumph on 3 the most cleans rule making him runner-up from Nick James 250 DOT ( Dab on Time ) . Rob was on-gold with a clean first lap but had to take a steadying prod at the now infamous section eight second time around.

Many thanks to all who helped on the day...

Next trial Norton Trophy at the farm November 11th Remembrance Saturday.

Class	Rider	Bike	Points
Red Route
James Cup	Steve Lane	Beta 300	13


50/50	Darren Haines	Beta 250	5
	Richard Pearce	Gas Gas 250	11
Yellow Route
Clubman	Adrian Steele	Beta	0
	Martin Alderman	Honda 300	2

Spring Cup	Jim Morris	Montessa 280	26
Pre 65	Alan Halford	Triumph Cub	42
Youth B	Alfie Chesman	Beta 125	5

White Route
Sportsman	John Quigg	Beta 300	0
	Gordon Pusey	Beta 290	2


Twinshock	Mark Davidson	Fantic	5

Youth C	Tommy Goodwin	Beta 80	38

Full results can be found here .