2024 Ivan Davis Trial

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 on the standard yellow route taking the pot.

 

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 under and overgrowth.

 

Four laps of ten sections were plotted with hazards ranging from ditch crossings long climbs a rocky stream and shallow muddy slots.

 

Time 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.

 

 

Ixion long time member Alan Taylor TRS 250 completed four laps on the yellow middle route with a loss of 23 taking the Ivan Davis Cup which Alan won for the first time back in 1980.

 

The hardest sub of the day was section Four where 13 of Alan's total were lost a tricky ditch crossing then awkwardly growing boughs in conditions similar to the everglades then a large fallen tree to cross with a slick right-handed camber to the ends.

 

John Hawthorne piloted the Triumph 270 Cub around for a creditable 45 marks lost with section Nine proving the tough one for many on this middle route.

 

The Cub struggled with this one where word had got around and a crowd had gathered to witness the spectacle a Marshy crossing then an angled low willow before lining up for the 40 odd yard sandy wet hill-climb.

 

Alfie Chesman Youth B had a great ride on the 125 Beta with a brilliant clean on section six lap one consisting a simple turn into a ditch then a flat-out blast up the gully before deciding the correct line to the ends past a massive Oak.

 

The left option was the correct line for a clean although it came with risks if you chose the safer right side a three was almost guaranteed.

 

The ever popular White Sportsman route as ever saw an array of talent young and old and the best Pre 65 performance went to Rob Bremner Triumph 3TA 350 losing 14 showing a clean pair of boots to all in his class.

 

Rob gunned the big Triumph up section ten with ease where many had failed a hundred yard sandy climb and the four stroke power could be heard echoing though the the woods from afar.

 

Best White route Modern went to Mark Davidson who ditched his trusty Fantic 200 for the day and opted for borrowed machinery the sons Beta and made off with the silverware with a loss of 30.

 

Mark was inch perfect on section eight a wooded affair with several low trees and rooted turns to negotiate.

 

Overall best White route was taken by Mark Elms on the Honda TLR 250 13 marks lost with an unfortunate five on section two a mini right handed bomb-hole a leap over a fallen Elm tree before a left handed turn through a root filled ditch.

 

Many thanks to all who helped on the day.