Wood scores Plum trials result
Mitch Wood claimed his third Historic Sporting Trials Association win of 2018 by coming out on top at the 750 Motor Club’s Historic Plum Pudding Trial on 29 December. The meeting took place at the club’s familiar site near Petersfield in Hampshire, and attracted an oversubscribed entry – 51 cars eventually took the start.
Paul Faulkner and Pete Luff set out six long and twisty sections that were arranged close together, demanding concentration from the drivers – it was easy to be distracted by an adjoining hill rather than following the markers for the one they were supposed to be tackling. Even the most experienced of campaigners were caught out.
On a low-scoring day, Nigel Bennett completed the first round on two marks, with Wood and Jim Chapman on three, and Dave Methley, Chris Atkinson and Sandra Keen on four.
The sections were altered after the second round, but scoring remained impressive right to the end of the event. Wood, at the wheel of Andy Wolfe’s Cannon, claimed victory on five marks; Methley was second on seven, with Chapman third on 19.
The results were even tighter in the Post Historic class, after four drivers – Andy Gowen, Ian Wright, Steve Courts and Richard Rowe – achieved a clear first round. But by the finish only two drivers, Gowen and Wright, still had perfect scorecards and shared first place.