Ilkley & D.M.C. New Year Trial, Dob Park, Sunday.

The Ilkley Motor Club really kick started the trials season on Sunday at Dob Park where almost 100 competitors from all over the British Isles contested the annual New Year Trial.

British class champions, European and British Youth Champions, a Scott Trial winner and many leading Yorkshire names enjoyed a new look trial.

Nick Pullan and Adrian Tate worked hard to plot 18 sections, many of which were longer than usual. The prime sections only extracted two penalties from winner Leyburn joiner Richard Sadler.

Ironically they were in the dry parts of Brown’s Wood rather than the quagmire at the bottom of Dob Park.

The Green course, Clubman A and B started under the trees at the top of Browns Wood where very long and steep climbs got the show on the road.

The next three sections, ‘twixt the top path and bottom road, which requires the attributes of a mountain climber to flag and mark out. The ninth and tenth sections navigated the slippery stream bed at the extreme west end of the wood. Messrs Pullan and Tate certainly meant business. The observers in Browns were ‘treated’ to an Artic breeze while those in Dob were a degree or two warmer The expert contenders plus seven top level youths attacked Dob where the penultimate section was cleaned on both visits by Sadler.

Weekend Results Check. Ilkley & D.M.C. New Year Trial, Dob Park, Sunday.

Championship course.

Experts: Richard Sadler (JST Gas Gas) 2, Ben Hemingway (Beta) 11, Dan Heingway (Beta) 15, Tom Minta (Scorpa) 16. Inter: Charlie Smith (Beta) 40, William Tolson (Beta75, Danny Cockshott (Montesa) 84.Novice: Sam Ludgate (Jotagas) 33. Youths: Harry Turner (Gas Gas) 24, Harry Hemingway (Beta) 29, Jack Dance (Gas Gas) 35.

Clubman A: Philip Alderson (TRS) 12, Graham Tales (Montesa) 20, Richard Mellon (Vertigo) 21, Anthony Ayrton (Montesa) 29, Gary Pears (Scorpa) 31.,Youths: Harvey Taglione (Gas Gas) 50, Henry Stephenson (TRS) 56, Charlie Crossland (Beta) 75, Jasper Fox (Beta) 85.mClubman B: Neil Gaunt (Vertigo) 10, Phillip Hammond (Sherco) 21, Paul Jackson (Honda) 21, Darren Mitchell (Beta) 22, Chris Greenwood (BSA) 27.Youths: Max Dance (Beta 77, Arran Sherwin (Beta) 80, Lucy Ayrton (TRS) 111, Harrison Lightfoot (Beta) 112, Freddie Stephenson (TRS) 120.

Weekend Fixture List.

Sunday; Scarborough & D.M.C. Adult & Youth trial, Low North Park, Harwood Dale, 10.30am.

Wetherby & DMC Filtrate Trophy Trial, Bayliss Gap Farm, Bewerley, 10.30am.