Sunday 7th February, and seventy five crews travelled to the secure parking area and start of the Cotswold Clouds near Stonehouse. Each of the classes were represented, five and six been the smallest with four in each. The Clouds saw the début of two brand new cars in experienced hands. Nicola Butcher in her long awaited swing axle 1300 Beetle, and Paul Allaway in his even longer awaited Nova GTE. Nicola was to have a very trying day as the engine didn't pull very well, but was awarded the Ian Moss trophy for best presented car.

The first section was Crawley, just down the road from the start, where you pass the finish on the way to the section. The road sweeper and marshals were busy keeping the main road clear of mud, although it was a bit disconcerting to find the tractor heading towards you as it kept the road clean! Passing the sensitive houses at the bottom with great care and onto a gently meandering section with three gutters running across. These are no normal gutters as they had been built up in big speed humps with sand bags! A slow approach was needed but five competitors were adjudged to have stopped whilst traversing them which had a huge effect on the results.

A short run down the road to Dursley where Crooked Mustard awaited. Whilst waiting it soon got round that the hill was on top form, especially for the early cars. By the time Dave Haizleden arrived in car 37 only a handful of class 7's and 8's had been successful. Dave was the first “saloon” up the section with Duncan Stephens passengering so far forward he cracked the windscreen with his head somewhere on the section. He never worked out where as couldn’t find a bruise!! Made of hard stuff these sporting trial guys!! Special mention must also go to Giles and Keith Sanders who were the only other saloon cars to be successful on the day. Classes 7&8 had a much easier time of it though, with twenty two climbs, the majority been class eight. Dave Cook was here once again catching cars at all angles round the bends! One of these included David Shaylor who had borrowed Gary Brownings trial winning Beetle and went onto win the class.

A short loop to get to Axe on the other side of the road, with a holding control beforehand. With a deep area of clay half way up this proved extremely hard for the first twenty five cars with very few successful climbs on an clean/fail basis. Phil Tucker was one of the early successful climbs, his Escort Estate revving hard.

Next was another historic section, Nailsworth Ladder, with Ross & District Motor Club marshalling. It’s great seeing local motor clubs supporting each other in marshalling section in each other’s trials. The ladder had two restart lines for all classes but 1&2. Bruce Aitkin continued to have a very challenging day in his low slung AX, and the Trojan were the only other non-stoppers to fail. Bill Bennett continued his heroic acts in the J2 getting airborne twice on the step!! Dean Partington was in full confidence mode, backing right off even before the front got to the step. The higher re-starters generally didn’t have too much trouble provided they moved off the restart with some pace.

Ham Mill was just across the common at the top of the Ladder, with a restart on the right hand bend for some classes on polished rock, but with plenty of width to choose your line. The section ontinued to finish on grass. The restart caught approximately half the stoppers, including Nick Farmer who was unfortunate to have a puncture, costing him the overall win.

Wicked Juniper came next, gradually works its way further and further into the woods on lots of leaf mould. Just for an extra challenge a restart was in place with a nice long box to choose from. Bill Bennett, Keith Sanders and Emma Robilliard were the only saloons to climb, the latter two with a restart. Carl Talbot had a wheel fall off his Anglia which resulted in a 30 minute job to get him out of the way of the section.

Pheasant Run was a new section in a huge wood complex. You had to go past the section, turn round and come back to it. The early runners started on the track, but this soon became starting straight. The first few feet didn’t see much grip then loads before a slight bends with trees keeping you steady, and then another restart. Bill Bennett continued to excel with another clean, Dave Haizelden was persuaded he should have climbed it afterwards! Giles dropped a three here, but was out-climbed by Bill Rosten’s Imp and Nigel Scotford’s Skoda which cost Giles the overall win. Class seven saw Tubby, Rick Neale, Norman Tonkin (who must have shot gunned the trailer before Ryan or Ben) the only ones away and out of the top.

Following a long trip through the woods and across a horse training ground Merves Swerve was next, with 7&8 having their normal restart just before the bend. Dick Bolt used all his Duratec power under the watchful eyes of the noise meter to be the first climb. Dave Haizelden, Nick Cleal, Bill Bennett, Dick Bolt, Carl Talbot, Giles Greenslade and Keith Sanders were the only saloons to climb this year, as not much grip could be found up the first bit. Various re-starters tried to get out of the tracks but failed and the only way was flat out off the restart. Mike Workman failed to move far, Tubby was the only seven to climb it with Claire working hard in the back. Kelly Thomas using Paul’s Troll this week, Nick Farmer and Dean Partington were the only successful eights.

Into the Highwood complex for the two special tests and two sections. The two special tests were short all forwards simple tests which generally suited early numbers before the mud was brought onto the track, or the brave. Worky and Nigel Moss was fastest over these. Onto the sections and Highwood one was on fine form catching a few unwary at the top bend. Highwood two was a real stopper as normal. Nick Farmer was best with a one, but a trip into the trees on the previous section cost him dearly.

Climperwell was next running up the side of a country lane with a restart for all, and a couple of deviations on the way to slow you down. The restart caught all that came rushing up to it and inconveniently parked with the wheels against a tree root! Under the watchful eyes of South West Chairman Paul Parker.

Next were the two fearsome Blue Banks sections and their tricky restarts, which have caused so much heartbreak in the past, costing many an overall win. Who were they going to stop this year? Keith Sanders failed the second costing him overall, Norman Tonkin failed both, possibly due to never seeing them before, but Dean Partington didn’t have that excuse but was struggling selecting second gear and rolled back on each.

The finale was at Station Lane, with many competitors parking up and watching after theyfinished. Tim Whitney caused a few issues in his Imp repaired after the Kyrle, as reverse had broken. Then Neil Robins high revving BMW finally broke its diff, but there wasn't much of a hold up, despite the length of the section. As time went on it got a little easier until the ruts got deep. Nick out climbed Dave in class one and was the only clear. Bill was once again in super determined mood and climbed out of the top, having been on valve bounce all the way. No class three looked like climbing due to ground clearance issues. Giles and John White were the only fours up, Keith the only five, as was Dave Shaylor in six. Late on Tubby got stuck in the ruts, and despite lots of bouncing which got the car moving again he had stopped for a four which cost him the trial. Next up was his Troll which had been leant to Mark and Mandy Hobbs for the day who had big grins at the finish having competed for the first time in many many years.

Very fittingly Mike Workman won overall with his grandson passengering. Next were the “if only club” competitors of Tubby, Kelly, Giles, Keith and then the extraordinary Bill Bennett’s MG.