Keith and Claire Oakes had a full and enjoyable trialling year in 2005. This is their story.

The year started on the Exeter Trial, fine weather, and excellent trial, clean sheet, GOLD. Could this be the year for the coveted trophy? Well, we can but dream! 13th March, Murray’s March Hare Classic Trial, the Dutton did well and came first in her class. Keith received an award on her behalf. Ross Nuten was first overall, he had an advantage as he was modelling his new all in one motor bike suit and new gear makes you feel like a winner. Well-done Ross. Good weather, friendly trialers and a gentle feeling good cosy event. I loved it. South again this time to Bromsberrow Heath Nr, Ledbury on the 20th of March to the M.G. Car Club Midland Centre. Nice event around the sticks and gives the car a work out before the Lands End. Things are looking good as Keith collects a first in class, that’s three events, one gold and two firsts, but the honeymoon was brief! The first hic cup was when an embankment jumped out hit the front near side wing and bumper at Riverton on the Lands End. I must point out I wasn’t steering and it didn’t put Keith off to clean the hill. Over ran line at Felons Oak it was a very small box, perhaps they were saving on the Vim? Failed Hoskin & Bishops Wood, we’ve never got away from the restart at Bishops, can anybody tell us what the rest of the section looks like? We took part in four trials that were new to us in 2005, the Kyrle, Ilkley Exe Valley & Allen Trial. To be correct we did enter the Kryle in 2004 but retired at lunch due to clutch problems.

Keith getting advice from Michael during the Kyrle lunch halt Ted Holloway in troble in the water on the Ilkeley Trial. Ted had to retire after only four sections. Simon Woodall storming one of the Ilkley's grassy banks.

In the Kryle’s introductory notes it stated, our very steep hills near Monmouth will be “attacked” at the beginning of the trial. That was putting it mildly! When we had finished I felt I’d been in a war and staggered into the clubhouse in Ross-on- Wye shell-shocked! If you can imagine a metronome going at full belt, riding on the Pepsi Max at Blackpool and abseiling in a car to get from one section to another as the tracks were so steep for six hours or so. That’s the Kryle, no let up or rest. It makes the Lands End a stroll in the park! I was creamed crackerd, the Kryle is a must do trial, what an adrenalin rush. At the lunch break Keith found oil on the sump tray. I thought oh no! Not a repeat of last year and have to retire. Keith thought it was an oil seal but managed to complete the trial. Due to time constraints only visual checks of the Dutton were made after the Kryle and all seemed ok (possible thought was seal leaked when hot. WRONG!!!). This was the start of an omen for the car on every trial we entered. The Ilkley Trial took us to a part of Yorkshire we had never seen before. We were preparing to leave for the trial at 3am when Keith opened the garage door and announced he could smell our old friend “Gear box oil”. A few drops on the sump plate. I said “let’s go for it”, (I don’t mine coming back home with the RAC), and we had to keep topping up during the trial. Perhaps more serious than first thought! It’s true about Ilkley, glorious country side, people and of course the trial. A trial more gentle than the Kryle not so rough but also a must do event. This was the first time I used a tulip route card (it’s so easy) if thicko here understood it any pleb can! Glad we went, Keith won his class. This came as a shock to us as two hills we couldn’t even get off the start line! Falcon club member Ted Holloway in his Enigma Special had to retire on the fourth section out of twenty three due to gear box problems at Dob Park Splash, and then he had a long drive back to Bexleyheath London. If we do the Ilkley again I think we will stop the night before and after the trial as it’s a long drive home for us old pair. Back home this time the engine & gear box were taken out, Keith found that the speedo drive core plug had fallen out! Part 2 to follow soon.   FastCounter by bCentral