THE Dik Holdsworth/Star Group trial took place on a challenging course at Butser Lime Works, where riders were tested by the steep climbs and descents.

The trial, promoted by Haslemere Motor Cycle Club, is named in memory of ‘Dik’ Holdsworth, who did so much for the club. Fittingly, the expert class was won by Dik’s son, Wayne, who had an outstanding ride, losing just 22 marks on the most difficult White route against second-placed Mark Budgen’s 53.

The somewhat easier Blue route was for intermediates and over-40s. The intermediate class resulted in a slightly closer battle, with winner Paul Heron losing 21 against Wayne Barron’s 34 after posting one of only two ‘cleans’ on section two, which culminated in a tight twist through trees at the top of a near vertical climb on slippery chalk.

Riding the same sections, the youth intermediate class was won convincingly by Tom Frearson with a loss of 56 against fellow Haslemere rider Josh Talbot’s 82.

With frequent winner John Dismore on the organising team, Horsham clubman Paul Barnes matched the winning score of the intermediates to take victory in the over-40s from Talmag rider Paul Ratcliffe.

The Red route – for all other classes except sportsmen – was less demanding, but still challenging enough to take marks and find a clear winner in every class.

In the novices, Robert Bamford had a runaway victory with a loss of 18 against David Cutler’s 43, as did Jack Taylor in the youth novices with 29 ahead of Reece Talbot’s 84.

The twinshock class produced the closest finish of the day. Haslemere rider John May, returning to trials after a break and posting a 12-mark loss, finished just ahead of Horsham rider Barry Fitzmaurice on 13.

Riding his classic 410cc Matchless, Tony Talbot negotiated all 36 sections with a score of 36, bettering most riders on modern lightweights and well ahead of Andy Bamford who scored 75 on his 500cc AJS.

Paul Casling, aboard his 250cc DOT in the Pre-67 B class, had the lowest score of the day on all but the Yellow sportsman route, with just eight marks lost. Runner-up Graham Barton rode his very special BSA Bantam to an impressive 15 marks.

Daryl Dale and Hannah Etherington took the sidecar class on 22 marks, with Rupert and Chris Kimber second with 44.

While the Yellow route for sportsmen was considerably easier, it was still a brilliant ride by Paul Simms to complete the course losing only one mark. Jim Scott was second on six.

With Haslemere not scoring in their own event, Thames now lead the Star Group championship, with Haslemere dropping to second and Horsham in third.

Results:

Expert: 1 Wayne Holdsworth (22); 2 Mark Budgen (53); 3 Michael Hyden (87). Intermediate: 1 Paul Heron ( 21); 2 Wayne Barron (34); 3 Ryan Manthorpe (41). Youth Intermediate: 1 Tom Frearson (56); 2 Josh Talbot (82); 3 Garett Talbot (95). Over-40: 1Paul Barnes (21); 2 Mark Ratcliffe (31); 3 Stephen Scott (46). Novice: Robert Bamford (18); 2 David Cutler (43); 3 Colin Smith (67). Youth Novice: 1 Jack Taylor (29); 2 Reece Talbot (84). Over-50: 1 Peter Haines (19); 2 Anthony Coles (51); 3 Ian McCulloch (76). Twinshock: 1 John May (12); 2 Barry Fitzmaurice (13); 3 Ian Hayward (19). Pre-67A: 1 Tony Talbot (9); 2 Andy Bamford (36); 3 Richard Talbot (75). Pre-67B: 1 Paul Casling (8); 2 Graham Barton (15); 3 Roy Enticknap (83). Sidecar: 1 Daryl Dale & Hannah Etherington (22); 2 Rupert & Chris Kimber (44); 3 Peter Dale & Harriet Shore (70). Sportsmen: 1 Paul Simms (1); 2 Jim Scott (6); 3 Arthur Frearson (7).