FROM DOWNHILL TO UPHILL: BRICKNELL TAKES A HAT-TRICK

SPORTING TRIAL: PRESIDENT’S TRIAL MARCH 27

Thomas Bricknell flew back early from a skiing trip to compete in the President’s Sporting Trial at the end of March and won his third event on the bounce after once again reading the ground superbly.

George Watson took the early lead by a point following the first round, but a catastrophic 10 marks early on the second round prevented him from winning his first national trial. Eventually, he finished in fourth position.

Bricknell had a tidy day on ground that proved very slippery, dropping only 40 points. Peter Fensom’s superb second round meant he finished just two points back. Richard Sharp completed the podium in third overall.

The drive of the day was byArthur Carroll in his live-axle Sherpa chassis in fifth overall just a handful of points from Watson, winning the red live class.

Andy Wilks could only manage sixth place and was a point further back with John Cole snapping at his heals in seventh position and the best of the independent blue class runners.

Stuart Beare started poorly but climbed up to eighth just ahead of last round star Matt Sharp who won the blue live class.

Dave Oliver won the posthistoric class with a fabulous 10th overall, and Stewart Stamp was the best rookie.

Results

Presidents Sporting Trial

Organiser: Southsea Motor Club When; March 27 Where: Petersfield, Hampshire Starters: 27.

1 Thomas Bricknell (Crossle) 40 marks; 2 Peter Fensom (Hamilton) +2 marks; 3 Richard Sharp (Cartwright);

4 George Watson (Hamilton);

5 Arthur Carroll (Sherpa); 6 Andy Wilks (Crossle); 7 John Cole (Crossle);

8 Stuart Beare (Sherpa Indy); 9 Matt Sharp (Sherpa); 10 Dave Oliver (Facksimile).