Saturday 14th December saw an impressive 74 riders of all ages mount up in their very best Christmas themed outfits for the annual Moto Trial NI Christmas trial.
The event was the final round of the OHA Motorsport 2024 Championship and the clubs annual Christmas event.
Chairman Andrew Perry, assisted by Warren and Davy, had been on the course over the last few weeks picking out sections to test the riders, plenty of new stuff to switch things up, and the course consisted of 4 laps of 8 very slippery sections around the historic Leadmines site just outside Conlig, an area that has been home to trials for almost 100 years.
In the Semi Expert class it was local Conlig man Stuart Lappin who took the honours on 33 marks lost from second placed man Ben Johnston on 43 and third place went to Gary Kernohan on 44
Semi Expert Air Cooled Mono was won by multi Ulster and Irish Champion Stuart McClurg (in a reindeer outfit) who had the best overall score in the premier class on just 7 marks lost, an impressive ride even on a modern machine, never mind a dare I say not so competitive trail/trial bike! Second went to young Ross Allen on 30 marks lost.
In the Clubman Elite class it was local man Terry McKee taking a convincing win on 15 marks lost followed by Davey Gault on 31 and Alan Young on 32.
Clubman grade saw the first of a very impressive Jones family hat trick of winners, Micah Jones on 37, with second placed man Bailie Taylor on 43 and third placed man Joel Patterson on 55. Andy and Warren have both been around trials for over 45 years and on reflection they both believe this may be a first. Many father and sons have rode trials over the years and been winners, Andy his brother Ken and their Dad Bryson, Benny and Robert Crawford, Davy and Gareth Andrews to name a few, but this is a first for THREE generations to take wins in the same event, with Micah, his Dad Merve and young Toby winning their respective grades.
Clubman Twinshock was won by Lisburn man Jamie Chambers on 32 marks lost.
Clubman Air Cooled Mono was won by young Kyle Hewitt on 44 marks lost.
Sportsman Elite saw El Hig take an impressive victory on just 8 marks lost followed by Ian Page and Robbie Jennings both on 18 marks lost with Ian on 24 cleans and Robbie on 23 cleans so a very tight finish for 2nd.
The Sportsman grade saw a huge 21 competitors. This class was won by Niall Dunn on just 11 marks lost followed by Gary Woods and Jonathan Russell both on 15 Marks lost! Gary took the tie breaker with 27 cleans to Jonathan’s 23.
Sportsman Twin Shock winner was Michael Adams on 10 marks lost followed by David Hamill on 11 and David Lemon on 17 marks lost.
Sportsman Air Cooled Mono class saw the two long time riders battle it out to a very close finish with George Robinson winning on 16 to Baillie Thompson just one mark behind on 17.
Sportsman pre 65 winner Ross McCullough lost just 11 Marks on his classic pride and joy Triumph Tiger Cub.
Novice class next up and the second of the Jones family wins went to the angelic Merve Jones on 5 marks lost followed by William Thompson on 6 and Keith Crook on 9 marks lost.
Novice Air Cooled Mono was won by Paul McGeown on 12 with Ivan Chambers second 16 marks lost.
Finally but by no means least in the adult grades was Novice Pre 65 which saw Ken Stewart on his lovely 1950s Matchless win on just 8 marks lost.
Moving onto the youth grades and despite a little hiccup with a clutch issue at the start of the day young Tom Stevenson won the class on 102 marks lost.
Youth C saw the third of the hat trick winners in the Jones clan with Toby Jones taking the win on 21 followed by second placed Sophie Coulter on 30 marks and Kyle McClean 3rd on 31 marks lost.
Youth D saw young Jenny Crawford take a great win on 7 marks lost and it was great to see new young man Nate Anderson make his trial debut for second place on 19 marks lost, continuing a family tradition on two wheels.
All in all it was a great day and the weather although cold was bright and sunny.
The Club would like to thank all the observers, Stevie Johnston, Molly Perry, Phillip McClurg, Ellie Stevenson, Doug Reid & Ali Bann, Jonny Hagan, Catherine Jennings and Robert Andrews for standing all day in the cold, thanks to Davey Gault and Warren McKee for setting out the course with Andy. Thanks to Nicola and Stephen Coulter for the fantastic hospitality and lovely treats as well as Nicola’s perseverance with the new electronic marking system, which took many hours to set up. The food and atmosphere around the open fire at the end of the event is something all the riders enjoy.
Thanks to Ards and North Down Borough Council for their support with the use of the land.
Thanks to all 74 riders who turned up and donned their Christmas outfits to join in the festive spirit.
And finally a very special thanks to our series title sponsor OHA Motorsport for their very generous support.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at Moto Trial NI to each and everyone of you for supporting us yet again, and making the series such a success.
RESULTS
Semi Expert
1. Stuart Lappin 33, 2. Ben Johnston 43, 3. Gary Kernohan 44
Semi Expert Air cooled mono
1. Stuart McClurg 7, 2. Ross Allen 30
Clubman Elite
1. Terry McKee 15, 2. David Gault, 3. Alan Young 32
Clubman
1. Micah Jones 37, 2. Bailie Taylor 43, 3. Joel Patterson 55
Clubman Twin shock
1. Jamie Chambers 32
Clubman Air Cooled Mono
1. Kyle Hewitt 44
Sportsman Elite
1. Andy Higgins 8, 2. Ian Page 18 (24 cleans), 3. Robbie Jennings 18 (23 cleans)
Sportsman
1. Niall Dunn 11, 2. Gary Woods 15 (27 cleans), 3. Jonathan Russell 15 (23 cleans)
Sportsman Twin Shock
1. Michael Adams 10, 2. David Hamill 11, 3. David Lemon 17
Sportsman Air Cooled Mono
1. George Robinson, 2. 16 Baillie Thompson 17
Sportsman pre 65
1. Ross McCullough 11 Marks
Novice
1. Merve Jones 5 \, 2. William Thompson 6, 3. Keith Crook 9
Novice Air Cooled Mono
1. Paul McGeown 12, 2. Ivan Chambers 16
Novice Pre 65
1. Ken Stewart 8
Youth B
1. Tom Stevenson 102
Youth C
1. Toby Jones 21, 2. Sophie Coulter 30, 3. Kyle McClean 31
Youth D
1. Jenny Crawford 7, 2. Nate Anderson 19
