Return to Backtor for the Peak
By TMX Archives on 30th Oct 08
BACKTOR beckons again! Is it a year since that dreaded hill, exposed to wind, rain and snow, in north Derbyshire had to be climbed in order to watch the final moves in the national Peak Trial? Well, it all happens again on Sunday when Sheffield & Hallamshire Motor Club stage the Merle Morewood Peak National Trial, writes Barry Robinson.
The annual one lapper puts the wraps on the British Sidecar and Normandale Traditional Trials championship and it starts as usual in the car park of the Blue Circle cement factory on the outskirts of Hope.
Twenty sidecars will leave the start plus a healthy entry of 86 solo riders, and in that solo number, no fewer than 10 are Expert ranked. All the Normandale Traditional Championship front runners are listed: Phil Wiffen, Nic Draper, Simon Levett, Martyn Wilmore, Dave Thorpe, Stephen Farrell, David Braithwaite and Chris Koch.
Jon Tuck and Matt Sparkes lead the sidecars while locals Robin and Gill Morewood will be aiming to win another Peak Trial. Mel Harrison Trial winners Mark Kemp and Ian Allaway will try and contain Andy Abraham and Karen Crabtree in the Clubman class while Tony Crabtree and Jamie Howe lead the Masters class in the start order.
Dan Thorpe, Chris Pearson and Dan Farrer are the big guns in the Expert ranks.
The Peak sections and groups are more or less as last year with Elmore Hill and Offerton Hall opening up the betting. New sections lay in wait at Berrystall Lodge, then it is back to the start for a punchcard change, and a buttie, then out to Oxlow House and that infernal Backtor where a dozen tough sections bring the curtain down.
First sidecar departs at a bright and early 8.30am. The Clubmen roll at 9.15am.