TarkaTrial05

Tarka Trial 2005....... a few words by Steve Knight

The 2005 Tarka Trial ? Six years on, I am confident everything is “as good as it gets”, but I cannot believe just how many things go wrong before and during the day. Last week I had lost my caterer, scrutineer, various marshals, and on the day a top official, complete sections, course opening vehicle, double dutch check sheets and finally what to do with the late runners; two vehicles in one hour is unreasonable for the 30 or so remaining marshals to wait. Next year I will close the section, so cars will have to take a 12 and short cut to stay in the event – this has always been in the supplementary regulations.

However, as if by accident or not, it all comes together and competitors remarks are “Excellent” “V.Good” “Wonderful” “Thanks to all” “ Best ever” Some want dryer weather / less mud; one said it should be harder. Sorry I cannot do anything about the size of the car park.

The rain the night before and early morning put the sections into “demanding” mode but the weather cleared by 9am which made the day perfect for all. The first section for solo bikes was punctuated by a river (not as map) which most competitors fell headlong into! They were there for over an hour; but by section 6 they were EXACTLY on time. Cars had been delayed by the bikes at the first long special test so by lunch should have been in and out sharpish to make up time.

Quarry was the next section but fortunately for most, all we got was a sheet full of F’s ( my sentiment as well ) and no post numbers !

Casual spectator Nick Phillips and family then saved the day at Walscott marking the sheets perfectly. Beccott proved impossible for all due to the earlier rain. I have no idea how that was marked so was scraped for the bikes.

The last two sections proved terminal for two cars (blown diffs) and nearly the towing LandRover who ended up sideways off the track; Ryan with his 4 x 4 coming to the rescue yet again, finally giving a lift to three lost marshals, collecting markers, tick sheets, results secretary, and towing a car out of the section all at the same time, he was the star of administration.

Without a doubt the overall expert was the Kawasaki Wasp motorcycle combination of Martin Chapman and Claire Butler who astonished everyone by cleaning every section and being fastest through all the special tests – I was speechless – this outfit must be the finest seen at classic trials and deserves the recognition.

A few thanks follow to the competitors (of course) and to all the marshals who turn out regardless of the weather. To Jill and family for signing on, Robert who could just manage car park attendant, to Stuart and Mike & Sally Reed who set out the sections, scrutineered, and marshaled - two or three extra people helping beyond the call of duty makes up for those that don’t.