Welcome to the fourth edition of ACTC Newsletters which will be a regular communication to keep you updated with info from around the Classic Trials scene.

The new date for Minehead's Exmoor Clouds meant it would be restarting the 2019 season after the summer break, and it would be doing so with a revamped event that included a fresh organising team and several new sections. The inclusion of old North Devon Exmoor favourites Floyds Bank and Cross Lane, along with a new hill at Southernwood meant the extra mileage in the trip out to Brendon was a popular choice with the competitors. The organisers successfully steered the event away from having a reputation as a rough trial, and this was evident in the result, with 4 cars from 4 classes being separated by only 4 points. Provisional overall winner was Dave Haizelden in his Class 5 Scimitar, beating Ray & Hannah Ferguson and their Liege on Special Test Times, with 10 points apiece. Two points adrift on 12 was Dean Partington, who stole the show in Class 8, beating Paul Merson into 2nd place by 26 points. A further 2 points behind was Matt Facey, hauling his Class 3 BMW into 4th overall on only 14 points. Paul Watson had a stellar drive in his BMW Z3 to drop only 18 points and take his first class win in Class 5 on a previously unseen event. James Shallcross & Mike Greenwood had been out with the T-Cut and polish over the summer, and James steered his shiny 205 to 6th overall, dropping just 26 points.

On 2 wheels, it was current Pouncy champion Kathy Martin who took overall honours with a clean sheet, besting John Bone on special test times. Martin Keswick was best on 3 wheels, ahead of longstanding outfit crew Ian Burton & Gary O' Shaughnessy, out for a ride on Geoff Westcott's CCM. 

Special mention must also go to Stuart Highwood and passenger Neil Jones. Having had problems with their SS1 at the start, they unhitched the tow car and went out to marshal a section, before returning to the trailer park and making the long journey back to Kent. 

The event was well received, with many of the regulars commenting on the improvements over previous years. This will hopefully continue into next year's event, where we may see the return of an old favourite! 

It was confirmed by a majority vote at the September AGM that Suzuki X90's will be able to run in a new class, called Class 90, from the 1st of January 2020.

This class will be open to all Suzuki X90's with a standard engine block, in an effort to stop excessive modification. All other restrictions that were already in place in Class 5 also remain. However, thanks to lots of positive feedback from competitors, it was decided to allow the X90 low ratio gearbox.

This is not a sub-class, but instead a new, standalone class, meaning Crackington and Wheelspin championship points will be up for grabs by competing in Class 90.

Keith Sanders beat Matt Facey into 2nd place to win the Penhale Cup on the Taw & Torridge Trial. Keith was denied a clean sheet by the tricky restart at Pen Steep, and overall victory would have been taken by Craig Allen in his Class 4 Beetle were it not for the restart at Silklands, the last hill of the day. Ryan Tonkin was 4th overall and 1st in Class 6 in Claire Tonkin's new Beetle, and Dave Haizelden narrowly beat Paul Merson on special test times for 5th overall. John Cox ran Dave close in Class 5, dropping 15 to Dave's 14, with Andrew Rippon and James Shallcross close behind on 17 & 19 points respectively. 

On 2 wheels, Adrian Wade took the Dermar Trophy and 1st overall, dropping a single point on the final hill of the day at Silklands 2. He beat Steve Grinter and his XL185 by a solitary mark, who in turn beat John Luckett on special test times. Chris Barham ran Andy Petherick close in a BSA battle in Class A, after Steve KIngstone retired the Matchless early on. 

The next full round of the championship is the Tamar Trial on the 20th of October. 

Following the headlines in the last ACTC Bulletin the full minutes from the ACTC meeting are available at the link below and will be covered further in future Newsletters.

2019 September ACTC AGM Minutes

We are always looking for ways to improve our sport so urge you to voice any specific ideas through to Dave for consideration - this is your opportunity to influence the future of our sport.

Give Dave a bell on 07841 860121.

The organising team unfortunately have to advise that, following issues resulting in being unsuccessful in securing route authorisation, this year’s Mechanics Trial has been cancelled.

Much effort has already been expended in preparation and will not be wasted as the event will run again with the same core team in 2020.

The organisers wish to extend their sincere apologies and hope they can rely on your support for marshalling and competing next year.

Tamar Trial - Sunday 20th October 2019                                              ^ a new Tamar section ^

Thank you to those of you that have agreed to sign up to this initiative, the Championship Monitor will be in contact soon regarding the Autumn events. Special thanks must go to Launceston & North Cornwall MC, with several committee and club members signing up.

If you marshal on ACTC events and would like to be included in this, or you know somebody who does, contact Norton Selwood on Facebook or at [email protected]  

Thanks to the newsletter the MR2 is now sold, and will be competing on the upcoming Edinburgh Trial.