DHUSTONE TRIAL 1988
Reported by Jenny Vowden

On Saturday 21 May we travelled up to Frith Common in the beautiful Clee Hills area of Worcestershire. The whole area is totally uncommercialised and relatively traffic free a refreshing change from the noise, hustle and bustle of Torbay. We were competing for the first time in the Dhustone Trial a single site off road venue organised by the VW Owners club under the guidance of Terry Ball and Simon Woodall. We had been told that it was a very tough, rough trial and only suitable for the strongest of trials cars. Being a single site it meant both Arthur and Dean could drive with yours truly passengering for both, something I was to regret as the day ended with me having “bounced” in the passengers seat on 57 sections!!
The venue itself was certainly unusual being a large disused quarry sited on the side of Clee Hill the highest point in the area and offering a view for a reputed 1,000 miles. The weather was sunny and windy causing the gravel surface to create great clouds of sandy dust which affected our eyes badly and we suffered wind-burnt faces! There were 14 sections to be attempted – twice. The field of 19 competitors was split into two groups we started at section 8 in group 2. This was a steep loose rocky climb which most cleaned with ease. No 9 was the 1st of our group to cause problems a short steep climb up a grassy bank – but – with a ditch to negotiate first and which caught out the VW Variant of Alan Bellamy and it took quite a lot of heaving and bumping to get him out of the ditch Nick Ryle coming to the rescue towing him out. Dean was the 1st to clean this slippery ascent followed quickly by Arthur. Sections 10 and 11 were again stony loose rock, very steep and with some tight manoeuvring required, no real problem to the buggy but failing the Variant and Beetles. The descent from the top of 10 was particularly horrifying and I had to do it 8 times! I am glad Dean and Arthur had fixed the brakes! 12 & 13 saw us back near the start and proved to be very interesting and failed quite a few. 12 started in mud went tight around to the right, back downhill and then tight around to the left and up over a steep bank to finish. The problem was the track was narrow and on the left hand bend a foot high bank. The Variant nearly came to grief here as it had 2 wheels on the bank and was almost about to roll over, the girl passenger was not amused about this! Fortunately Alan managed to keep the car going and it dropped back on to all 4 wheels. Ian & Janet Davis also failed here slipping off the bank and being unable to get around the left harder. 13 was a very steep short blast not quite so bad for the production classes but for the specials a deviation at the bottom and a strategically placed large rock made it difficult to get a fast approach. Ian Davis was having difficulty holding on to the steering wheel up these very steep sections (he was was unable to move his seat forward) and was obviously beginning to tire. This was just one of the sections when we came out over the top to clear the section ends boards with all four wheels in the air!! My poor …! 14. was a fairly easy section with a grassy restart which could have been very difficult after a shower of rain.
Our group then made its way to the 1st half of the course starting at No 1. This group of sections were situated at the foot of the quarry on the heathland and amongst bracken, heather and soft gooey black mud! No 1 was a level section to start through deep rutted mud leading to a firmer grassier section up a short steep bank and out over the top. There was a great deal of studying of the conditions going on by the competitors all trying to “find a line” through the sticky muddy mass including A & D who Spent even more time than all the others put together! Nobody was getting very far and most were coming to an abrupt halt bogged in by the mud BUT not so the NTF Cannon of Brian Partridge who literally glided over the top of the mud as though it were a tarmac surface and went on to clean the section. This got my two going or so they thought! they too soon came to grief in the mud both dropping 12 penalties, much to their disgust!
No 2 was a comparatively easy section in the bracken but No 3 was another mud job and caused a long delay whilst having to tow the cars out backwards. Nobody not even the Cannon was getting very far. No 4 was a real challenge, starting off level but after a gentle left hand swing rising sharply to what looked an impossible climb. However, Dean and Simon Woodall did clean amongst great cheers from the many spectators. Those that did not clean had to have their bonnets quickly “sat upon” as soon as they stopped to stop the front end lifting right up and over it was so steep! No 5 was another tricky mud and rut section both Dean and Arthur making good cleans here though at too great a speed for my comfort. Sections 6 & 7 were back near the start and quite straightforward stony sections although 7 contained quite a severe restart which caught out Dean when the clutch failed on the Buggy. Quick minor adjustments saw Arthur going on to clean the section. We were now at halfway and time to break off for lunch. Afterwards the whole circuit of 14 sections was repeated. There were one or two deviations to catch the unsuspecting competitor out but on the whole the sections had dried out with the wind and sun and were easier to climb though non less daunting – or perhaps we were getting more used to them? The event was won by Brian Partridge in his N.T.F. Cannon with Simon (Buggy) in 2nd and Dean & Arthur tying for 3rd. An excellent days motor sport, very well organised by the VW Owners Club, BUT certainly not a trial for the faint-hearted or for anyone afraid of heights!

Photos the Buggy and Brian Partridge

click on image to enlarge