Richmond Motor Club kickstarted the 2025 trialing season with the Harold Graham Memorial Trial at Cogden Hall, near Grinton, on Sunday 16th February. The first trial of the year saw over 100 riders turn out in the ice-cold weather, including 12 up-and-coming youth riders on the Conducted Course.
The trial’s landowner Lawrence Allison presented a cheque of £400 on behalf of Richmond Motor Club to Swaledale Mountain Rescue. The money was raised at RMC’s annual Landowners’ Dinner in December. Richmond Motor Club relies heavily on the support of Swaledale Mountain Rescue at bigger trials such as the Mintex Youth Trial and the Scott Trial.
On the Hard Course Richard Sadler (Vertigo) once again took a convincing lead, dropping just 5 marks overall. Jonathan Richardson (Montesa) came in second, losing 12 marks, and John Crinson (Vertigo) rounded off the top three with 40 marks lost. Harry Bayman (TRRS) was the only A Class Youth rider to tackle the Hard Course, finishing with 151 marks lost.
Mark Willis (Montesa), Martyn Alderson (Beta) and Gary Pears (Scorpa) battled it out for the top position in the Clubman A (Green) Course, with all three riders finishing on 51 marks lost.
On the Youth Green Course, Josh Dent (Beta) was the only youth rider to have a go, finishing with a respectable 92 marks lost.
Once again the Over 40s stormed the Clubman B Route, with the top three overall Clubman Course winners also being in the Over 40 Class. It was all to play for, with the top three finishing with just 5 points between them; Paul Astwood (GASGAS) led with just 5 marks lost, followed jointly by David Watson (Royal Enfield) and Chris Ridley (Beta), each on 10 marks lost.
The Youth A Class was won by Charlie Peirse (Beta) on 132 marks lost. Bailey Huntbach (Beta) led the Youth B Class with an impressive score of 32 marks, with Jamie Dent (Beta) in second on 56 marks and Alfie Astwood (Beta) in close third on 59 marks lost.
The Youth C Class riders did exceptionally well on the Main Course – Joseph Larkin (Beta) led the C Class on 70 marks. Sam Garlick (TRRS) with 93 marks, and George Rennison (Beta) with 135 marks lost finished off the top three.
On the Conducted Course in the D Class Jacob Coates (Beta) won on an impressive 8 marks lost, followed by William Nicolson (TRRS) on 14 marks, and Edward Gospel (Beta) on 18 marks.
Richmond Motor Club would like to say a huge thank you to the landowner, the Clerk of Course and helpers, Secretary, media, caterers and anyone else involved in the running of the event. A special mention to the observers who stood out in the cold all day – thank you!
The next trial will be held on Sunday 23rd February near Wensley.
Results:
Hard Course:
Expert: 1. Richard Sadler (Vertigo) 5; 2. Jonathan Richardson (Montesa) 12; 3. John Crinson (Vertigo) 40
Intermediate: 1. Jack Stones (Vertigo) 60; 2. Scott Aitkin (Vertigo) 83
Novice: 1. Callum Fowler (Beta) 66; 2. Josh Brown (Vertigo) 70; 3. Richard Fraser (Sherco) 79
Youth A: Harry Bayman (TRRS) 151
Clubman A (Green) Course:
Adults: 1. Mark Willis (Montesa) 51; 2. Martyn Alderson (Beta) 51; 3. Gary Pears (Scorpa) 51
Youth Green: Josh Dent (Beta) 92
Clubman B:
Overall & Over 40s: 1. Paul Astwood (GASGAS) 5; 2. David Watson (Royal Enfield) 10, 3. Chris Ridley (Beta) 10
Clubman: 1. Andrew Kearton (Montesa) 17; 2. Philip Waite (Montesa) 25; 3. Amelia Mayhew (GASGAS) 29
Twinshock: 1. Stephen Watling (SWM) 41; 2. Jonathan Lappin (Fantic) 47
Youth A: Charlie Peirse (Beta) 32
Youth B: 1. Bailey Huntbach (Beta) 32; 2. Jamie Dent (Beta) 56; 3. Alfie Astwood (Beta) 59
Youth C: 1. Joseph Larkin (Beta) 70; 2. Sam Garlick (TRRS) 93; 3. George Rennison (Beta) 135
Conducted Course:
Youth D: 1. Jacob Coates (Beta) 8; 2. William Nicholson (TRRS) 14; 3. Edward Gospel (Beta) 18
Youth D Non-Competitive: 1. Grace Alderson (TRRS) 79
Full results can be found here: http://www.richmondmotorclub.com/latest-news/harold-graham-memorial-trial-provisional-results-16-2-2025-acu-permit-no-204642/
Report & Photos: Charlotte Brown
