Classical Gas
www.classictrials.co.uk
April 2002 - Part 1
Falcon's Championship Brickhill
by Duncan Stephens
This year's Falcon PCT at Great Brickhill sprung a few surprises, with a new national PCT winner in Tim Lakin in his Classic Trials prepared Marlin. The same people as the last three years, Barrie Parker, Duncan Stephens, and Malcolm Brown won all the other classes respectively.
The battle of the day had to be for the lead of class A, with Garry Preston (Fiat Panda), and Barrie Parker (in a borrowed AX). The morning was taken by Garry, who was a very tight five marks up at lunchtime. There was all to play for in the afternoon. Barrie had his trademark astounding round after lunch, dropping just two marks, and with Garry failing to get the hard middle section of hill one, it was Barrie now with the class lead. With just eight hills left Garry needed to take three off Barrie to take the class win. This time Garry managed to climb an even harder hill one, with Barrie not, and in the end Barrie dropped 50, with Garry on 55, with Barrie narrowly missing out on the overall. There were numerous other very close battles in the class, but on this occasion the remainder of the class were out classed by these two, but that does not take away from the days fun.
Class B had five competitors, and from the very first hill Duncan took the lead in his 1200cc Nova. After the first round he was the lowest marks dropped of the entire entry due to being the only one to get over the brow at the eight on Murray & Hazel’s hill. Robin Howard in his AX was pushing Duncan hard, but was some eight marks back. Over the course of the second round Robin managed to break a driveshaft, which popped back in, so he went and changed it. This enabled Duncan to extend his lead. After lunch Robin had decided to settle for second in class, as he felt that he was not going to catch him. This lasted all of four hills, until he broke the second shaft of the day, resulting in retirement. Over the final round Duncan stopped pushing quite as hard, now with a very healthy lead in the class, as his overall chances had been blown. Duncan finished on 54, with Steve Stringer in his first PCT for fifteen years second in a Mk II Golf GTi.
Malcolm Brown was not driving with quite as much flare as normal, though when given the space second gear was quickly engaged for his trademark big blasts. He was making a number of uncharacteristic mistakes though, which closed the class battle into a close one. Malcolm, Richard Tompkins, Stuart Cairney, and Peter Evans (Skoda) were all closely matched at lunchtime, but with Malcolm having the lead. Richard then had a very good third round to take the class lead from Malcolm by five, so was an upset on the cards? Malcolm finally got it all together for the last round going round in just eight, to take the class, on 81.
This was the first time Tim Lakin had been to the venue, but numerous people felt he would go very well here with the set up of the car, and his undoubted skill. Only Tim got past the five on hill two, with an excellent float over the bad bump, and then catching it as it settled to trickle away. Over the course of the day Tim built up a healthy lead over Jack, with Dave Smith making some good climbs after his earlier mechanical problems. Despite dropping thirteen on his final two hills Tim won the class, and event overall, and Jack consequently taking the class. Tim was also lowest marks lost, just, on 49, so was a deserved winner. It must be noted, as Colin and Michael Weekes informed me, that it is the first time that they have ever finished an event at Brickhill, in their smart Midget.
So ended another very challenging trial by Falcon Motor Club. Tim has shown everyone what can be done in a well-built Classic Trials Car, so lets see if you have the skills too… Will there be an influx of Stroud MC members next year, as it is just the sort of venue that suits Classic trialers and their cars.
