Trialling against the elements

Sandy Veale (above) borrowed a Cannon from Ian Wright for the Cotswold Historic Sporting Trial on 10 November, and promptly beat him by four marks to take top honours at the Stroud and District Motor Club event near Wottonunder-edge in Gloucestershire.

Of the record 61 entries, 58 took part – and were welcomed by heavy rain as proceedings began. After the first lap, Veale led on two marks, with Wright on eight and Neville Collett only one further back. Some of the hills were changed for the second lap, but another torrential downpour at lunch made the final leg particularly challenging. Hill 2’s long, climbing turn defeated everyone – most got no further than the nine or 10 gates.

In the Post Historic class, Steve Courts was on good form and beat Dave Oliver by 13 marks. Andy Gowan finished third, only one mark behind Oliver.