LIMITED Slippery Diffs

It was decided at a recent committee meeting that the scrutineer was to start checking competitor’s footwear for sufficient grip and depth of sole tread, so if your boots fail you won’t be able to walk the sections. You’ve been warned!

On the evidence at the trial at Bwlch-Llwyn nr Penybont most of us would have failed, it was like watching novices on an ice skating rink.

Under the watchful eyes of Ian and Marc the first trial of the year wasn’t looking good after the recent persistent rain, but the day went superbly without any drama and all the motors managed to stay on all fours.

Angus got us away on the first section which involved a tricky downward slippery slope negotiating a large oak tree, over a huge fallen tree trunk and an impossible steep climb to the 1 gate. It was evident that you had to be 1^st or 2^nd away on the sections as they were cutting up quickly. Angus nosed through the 2 gate for a 1 followed by all class 5’s. Everyone else had to settle for the large oak at the 7 as if a large magnet drew you to it.

The sections were being driven quickly by the eleven motors, class 5 using their advantage of fiddles and diff locks to push them through the 1 gate.

The final mud run proved interesting on section 3; again as more motors passed through the less chance you had of reaching the final gates. JPR using all his horses was sinking fast at the 2 gate, claiming Les, Arwel and Matthew at the 4.

Last section before lunch had us winding back and forth across the main track with some muddy pools thrown in . Chris had one of his mental blockages and completely missed the 7 gate, the rest of us getting clears and 1’s.

Next up after lunch came the badger holes, you had to pick a route and stick to it. After the 3 gate on a blind crest a big hole was waiting to catch you out, miss-judge it and it was curtains as Simon found out as he was stopped in his tracks with plenty of cheers from the rest of us. Most of us found the hole too but managed to get the bounce out of it with Chris getting airborne.

Class 5 had a rocky ledge to negotiate and Tom found out how strong his cv’s and diff,s were ending up with 2WD, back to the drawing board Tom .

At this point Angus had a credible lead but it all went pear shape at the next section around the bomb hole proving to catch a few out. A tight 8 gate was Angus’s lot as he clipped the cane and the 7 to follow over the rocks caught out myself, Les and Jo. Good clears from JPR, Tom and Chris.

Back down on the bottom track the last section saw us doing a big loop through the marshy bracken, up and around some larches with a steep step up for the 1 gate. The usual suspects managed clears, some being caught out at the tricky hump at the 4.

Final scores proved interesting as 4 finished on 9 points, Chris, Tom Jo and JPR.

Class 2 Robert in his 90, Class 3 myself, Class 4 JPR and Class5 a draw.

A good trial guys and with a few motors being hurriedly finished in the workshops it can only mean one thing more competition and more banter!

Tim Mackley