Report Ken O'Brien

Pictures Gary Dowzall  More pictures can be found at sliders.photography

Fine weather greeted a host of riders from many Centres to contest the Ivan Davis Cup a Novice event with the best adult performance any class any machine on the standard yellow route taking the silverware.

Many weeks of clearing was required at the excellent Cox's Farm venue after the winter rains and hot summer months had made for much over and undergrowth. Four laps of ten sections were plotted with hazards ranging from ditch crossings long climbs nadgery rooty cambers and shallow muddy slots. ime was of the essence though as an amber flood weather warning had been issued by the Met office and rain was due around 2 o'clock.

Sections were eased for today's event as the rain was coming but in the end it never came until we were all packed up and on our way home. This made for a battle of nerves for the main event ' The Ivan Davis Cup '. A three way tie occurred as Adrian Steele Beta - Alan Taylor TRS and Paul Hadingham 1978 Bultaco all finished clean on the yellow middle route. The winner was announced as Paul with the oldest bike being taken into consideration.

The trickiest section of the day was number four a deep gully to cross then ten or so yards of undulating soft terrain with an angled fallen tree to negotiate before a cambered rooty ditch to the exit, this was hard enough on a modern but the ageing Bultaco with Paul onboard also made it look easy especially the Pivot Turn at the last obstacle that even Bernie Schreiber would have been proud of.

Graham Hull 4RT and Rob Goodwin 300 Beta were hot on their heels with scores of 2 and 4 respectively both showing how it's done on section one a steep sandy drop with a tight right handed turn up a gully then a slick hair-pin with a slippy camber to the end cards.

Alan Halford Triumph Tigercub had a go at the Yellow middle route putting in some superb rides with section eight no exception the little Cub pulling hard in third to burn it's way up the 150 yard Hill-Climb with a lattice of roots to aim for far up the bank. 

Jayden Wright Youth A and Charlie Howlett Youth B both were going well recording clean rides at many sections.

The popular White eased course had great support today with young and old showing skill and determination although surprisingly no clean sheets were returned. Chris Aylott 250 DOT came very close as did Mark Davidson 200 Fantic each on 1 mark lost, both were heard far in the woods burning a path in high gears to the summit of section eight before shutting-off to ride a rooty angled camber. Chris was spotted taking his dab on section seven second lap a tight downhill twister with a hop over a fallen tree this performance was enough to take the Pre65 class. Mark's prod was at section six an uphill twisty rooty affair that took much clutch and throttle control to negotiate, a Twinshock class win was in order for his efforts.

Three Youth classes were contested A B and C with Joe Pusey 250 Beta Bobby Smith 125 Beta and Oliver Lane 80 Beta all enjoying their day at the farm.

Best Expert was Rob Warner Repsol Mont with an annoying 5 at Axford's Ditch spoiling an otherwise brilliant ride.

50/50 contestant Ian Watts 300 Gasser aced-up this class with a fine performance losing 15 marks, section three looked tame but there was sting in the tail as rising water in the stream was dragging up the bank to make the exit a tad slick to say the least and a prod in the right place was necessary to push out.

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

Our next Trial is a Meteor Group event for the ' James Challenge trophy '  best Expert and the ' Thistle Anderson Cup ' for the best adult performance on the Clubman route. It will be held at Howe Wood Watlington with Regs on Sport 80 for your attention. 

Full results can be found here .