BOWYER’S TRIUMPH

In total contrast to 2013, when the Edinburgh Club’s Pre 65 Scottish Two Day Trial was a literal wash-out, this year’s 30th anniversary event based around the hillsides of Kinlochleven ran in superb trialing weather for much of the two days and produced a very popular winner in the form of Congleton’s 500 Triumph mounted Rob Bowyer.

Rob Bowyer’s rasping Triumph Twin echoed through the varied sections as he notched up clean after clean to finish the two days, totalling 60 sections, for the loss of just two marks – half the score of his closest challengers, Phil Houghton and Richard Allen. Houghton was, like the winner, on a Triumph Twin whilst Allen was mounted on a Julian Wigg-prepared Dot.

In a close-fought contest where every loss of a mark could conceivably cost a rider many places in the finishing order, Les Winthrop was the best Scottish rider with the loss of five marks; Mark Harris from Southern Ireland was the best foreign rider and Stuart Blythe, riding his good friend Steve ‘Slippery’ Smith’s ‘Tiger Cub’ was the best Newcomer whilst Andrew Paxton, also on five, could only claim the best Stratford upon Avon rider!

Hopeful riders on the reserve list were still waiting on Friday morning outside the Kinlochleven School’s first aid room hoping there would be some more non-starters, but most were to be disappointed as the vast bulk of those lucky enough to have a confirmed ride were in attendance. However Ben Butterworth was one of the lucky ones who did get into the main trial, and he took his 500 Ariel to a fine 12th place – well worth the wait!