THE 2nd TAW & TORRIDGE CLASSIC TRIAL  1985

After a culmination of months for Dean in re-building the Beach Buggy and days for Arthur in checking the Midget we set off at 6.30am on Sunday 22nd for the start at Barnstaple for the Taw & Torridge Trial. This being the first trial after the Summer break. There was a good entry of 22 motorbikes and 60 cars the event being a round of the A.C.TC. Championship. At the start we met up with old friends and competitors all eager to see what ‘mods’ the others had done to their cars during the Summer break. After scrutineering and signing on Dean and Crispin – who were running in class 6b – set off at 9.am and Arthur and myself entered in class 4 set off at 9.47 am.

Hill No. 1 Spreacombe is a steep climb through woods ending in a 90 right between two trees, and as we came to grief here last year with the Midget trying to do ‘wheelies’ over a ‘step’ and smashing the front end into one of the trees, it was with great caution we approached the section: This year the course had been altered slightly but was still causing problems but not for us as the Midget climbed to a respectable 6. Then on to Jenny Wren a long slippery lane with a restart for all classes – no problems here.
Bray Hill we failed last year and it was catching a lot of competitors this year. It starts with a muddy slippery section but changes to deep rocky ruts. We bounced and scrabbled our way to the top to clean the section. Next, Hunstone Woods a really good long climb with a variety of surfaces and bends. Again we were wary of this hill as we stuffed the Midge into the bank last year. It starts with a long steep grassy/mud track then a 90 right up a bank back on to the track then on to another sharp right to the top. We flew up the track eased off to allow the Midget to come round for the 90 right, power on again, but we had lost grip! The Midget had come round too well and we were on grass -no chance – still we were in good company as Bob Ray our great rival came up behind us and did much the same. Martin Halliday in his Midget made no mistakes and managed a 2 so the battle was on with Bob and Arthur level pegging and Martin one point ahead.
The next section Rivaton had to be cancelled due to so much rain the night before and as we were already running late it was just as well. So it was on to Huntshaw Water where we caught up with Dean and Crispin. They were having a good trial in the Buggy and making lots of notes for future development and improvements. This hill was a steep one with thick mud and a stoney base, so there was a lot of head scratching on what tyre pressures to use – right down for the mud and risk a puncture on the stones or keep some air in and not get grip in the mud! Whatever Arthur decided on (and I’m not telling) worked for us as again the Midge flew the section.
The Berry Castle section was also cancelled so it was on to Torrington and a lunch halt (3.00 pm) and a short break and chat before setting off again to the first timed special test, where we did a time of 12.81 secs. which in fact was the fastest time of day. This was followed by Watergate which involved a nasty re-start and this caught Bob Ray out. Bob failing to get going after the re-start. We had a slight ‘moment’ here as we stoped astride the line the car stalled but as no time was involved we were able to get going again and with both of us bouncing like mad to get grip we finally struggled to the top. So we now knew we were ahead of Bob.
There then followed a long drive with fairly difficult navigation to the next section – Cutliffe Lane. This requires a flat out blast to the top being steep and rocky but no bad bends, the Midget likes this type of hill (and Arthur) so we raced up this one like a hill climb! The route then followed part of the Lands End Route and along an Old MCC hill Wargerry now a tarmac road. This brought us to Putshole Wood and a very tough section. Here we almost got to the top but not quite a rather large tree root which we had not noticed stop-ping us from cleaning the section, however, we still only dropped 1. Then came another section in a wood – Liegh Woods one that we remembered from last year as a difficult climb. This year was even worse with all the rain so it was a case of flat out and bounce like mad section: With markers flying mud flying and marshals cheering somehow we got to the top to clean the hill – I know we were both out of breath from the effort:
Special test No. 2 involved a flying finish so couldn’t get the time but we later learnt we had done a fast time. And so on to the last hill – Crossliegh – which looked innocent enough but had a nasty rutted section half way up which caught quite a few out, but we managed a clean. At the top we decided to clean off the mud from ourselves as well as the car and wait for Dean and Crispin to come through which in fact was about another hour. It was well worth the wait to see them tackle the hill, they had to do a re-start which Dean drove very well and went on to clean the section. They had had a good trial with the Buggy going very well and Dean getting more used to driving it and improving as the day progressed. It was then back to the finish at Marhamchurch to the pub to sign off and RELAX. After topping up with beer and food we waited for the results as we.’ were hopeful of winning our class. What we didn’t realize was that in fact we had won best Overall. Three cars tying for 1st place on 12 penalties the deciding factor being the timed tests of which we were the quickest: So, altogether a most enjoyable and successful days motor sport. Total mileage 220 miles.  Arthur

Photos: The start at Bermar Motors Dean/Crispin Buggy, Simon Woodall Buggy and Chris Reeson A35

Click on image to enlarge.