THE Gerald Simpson Memorial Trial, run by Richmond Motor Club, traditionally attracts the big names in northern trialling and last Sunday was no exception.

Many leading names chose the Simpson rather than the British Championship trial in South Wales and a total of 117 competitors arrived at Town Foot Farm, Carlton, in Coverdale, to ride a Steve Lambert-devised course.

The 30-mile, 40-section event took in sections used in the 1950s Allan Jefferies Trial and sections 17 to 20, manned by observers Dave Nesham, Barry Watson, Rhona Peacock and Richard Coates, set the benchmark in riding levels. Only winner Guy Kendrew rode the entire group without penalty.

Steve Bennett was the outstanding clubman class rider.

Front-runners Paul Sadler and Paul Dennis both failed the 18th section, which also took five penalties from Richard Sadler. The Leyburn joiner is still getting back to form after his serious eye injury.

The Richmond club extended its thanks to all the landowners and officials.

SIXTY riders turned out on a scorching hot day for Hull AC's N G Pearson Shield trial at Lockton last Sunday, when Sherco rider Shane Monkman took the top award.

Only the seventh and 10th hazards caused the Wombleton man any bother, while clubman riders had an easy ride as they tackled the rugged gully with enthusiasm. Many cleans were recorded as course plotters Mark and Callum Williamson, knowing the Scottish Six Days Trial would take the cream of the entry, decided to ease things a little.

Two of the most effervescent riders in the trials game, Neil Gaunt and Barry Chapman, remained unpenalised to win clubman A class, with Phil Clough heading a gaggle of riders on one lost.

There were winners galore in clubman B and the youth entry also enjoyed the easier conditions, Alick Sharp and Jack Darrell putting a solid ride together to stay one mark clear of Richard Pulman and Elliot Laws.

NORTHALLERTON and District MC's trial at Chop Gate last Sunday drew an entry of 84 riders.

Scarborough's Simon Kershaw took the expert class, with Russ Rooksby runner-up.

The venue, predominantly rocky, incorporated the first round of the club's twin shock championship and Rick Jackson took the win from SWM rider Martin Pierson, after Andy Keel struck gearbox trouble.

Likely contenders for the win, Mick Orange and Andrew Dale, suffered a lapse in concentration in the sixth section when riding the wrong side of a flag to exit.

Clubman A winner Will Wainwright, a forceful rider, was best here, with all-out attack for a cracking first lap clean. In the runner-up and third places respectively were Phil Clough and Darren Johnson on nine and ten lost here after good cleans on the first lap.

Kershaw rode well, his only mark going astray on the huge rocks of four, where Ray Simpson observed.

Brian Alcock, Dave Clarke and Rob Linklater finished level on marks in a hotly-contested clubman B, with Phil Witham just a further mark adrift.

THREE Yorkshire riders head the ACU British Trials Championship after the Aberdulais event in South Wales last Sunday.

James Dabill, Dan Thorpe and Jack Peace have maximum championship scores after the first three trials. In the premier class, Dabill won on Sunday followed by Michael Brown and Denby Dale teenager Jack Price.

Birstall instructor Thorpe won the expert class from Pontypool's Joel Edwards and Telford's Tom Minta, while Kirkbymoorside youth Jack Peace won his class from Ulster's Josh Hanlon and Bradford's Keiran Child. The latter is now in second place in the standings, trailing Peace by a mere 13 points.

They all meet again at Scarborough on June 4.

Results

Richmond MC Gerald Simpson Trial, Carlton. – Experts: 1 Guy Kendrew (Beta) 3; 2 James Stones (Sherco) 11; 3 Richard Sadler (Beta) 12.

Inters: 1 William Reynolds (Montesa) 34; 2 Roger Williams (Montesa) 39; 3 Russell Cannell (Beta) 60.

Novices: 1 Tom Hudson (Beta) 81; 2 Richard Fawcett (Gas Gas) 102; 3 Thomas Coates (Beta) 111.

Clubmen: 1 Adrian Harrison (Sherco) 10; 2 Leslie Richardson (Beta) 11; 3 Andrew Tales (Beta) 16.

Over 40s: 1 Peter Brown (Beta) 7; 2 Richard Hawes (Gas Gas) 14; 3 Andrew Jackson (Beta) 15.

Over 50s: 1 Carl Shaw (Sherco) 14; 2 Trevor Willans (Montesa) 14; 3 Paul Dennis (Beta) 15.

Hull AC N G Pearson Shield Trial, Lockton. – Intermediate: Shane Monkman (Sherco) 19.

Clubman A: =1 Neil Gaunt (Beta) 0, Barry Chapman (Montesa) 0; 3 Phil Clough (Sherco) 1.

Clubman B: =1 Mark Summer (Beta) 0, Steve Jaques (Sherco) 0, Jamie Thompson (Gas Gas) 0, Paul Nelson (Beta) 0.

Youth yellow route: 1 Alick Sharp (Beta) 1; 2 Jack Darrell (Beta) 1; 3 Richard Pulman (Scorpa) 2.

Northallerton & District MC trial, Chop Gate. – Experts: 1 Simon Kershaw (Beta) 1; 2 Russ Rooksby (Montesa) 11; 3 David Bell (Beta) 22.

Intermediates: 1 Peter Sharp (Beta) 20; 2 Shane Monkman (Sherco) 39; 3 Mark Taylor (Beta) 64.

Clubman A: 1 Will Wainwright (Beta) 19; 2 Phil Clough (Sherco) 25; 3 Darren Johnson (Montesa) 32.

Clubman B: 1 Brian Alcock (Beta) 5; 2 David Clarke (Montesa) 5; 3 Rob Linklater (Gas Gas) 5.

Twin Shock: 1 Rick Jackson (Fantic) 4; 2 Martin Pierson (SWM) 4; 3 Andy Lewis (SWM) 5.

Youth B: Richard Pulman (Beta) 123.

Youth C: Niamh Watson (Gas Gas) 124.

Fixtures

Tomorrow: Ripon MC second Acklam Beta Trial, Fir Tree Farm, Grewelthorpe, 5.30pm.

Sunday: Scarborough and District MC second closed-to-club trial, Low North Park, Harwood Dale, 10.30am; Darlington and District MC trial, Reels Head, Marske, 11am; Horsforth and District MC Milnes Trophy Trial, Addingham Moorside, 11am.