16th September 2007

 

 It was lovely weather for the Levis once again this year, a perfect early autumn morning as competitors, marshals and organisers arrived and readied themselves for the day ahead. The numbers were down slightly on last year with 72 entries, but it was good to see plenty of new faces competing, as well as the regulars that return each year. They came from far and wide; they came down from Scotland, came up from Essex, they came from South Wales and over from Ireland too. Among those 72 entries were 8 veteran machines, which included Keith Wakelin’s fabulous 1905 Rex, and Michael Shirwin’s Bradbury Tourist. Another machine that attracted a lot of interest in the paddock was the wonderful and original 1920 Douglas bought along by John Quirke from Tipperary Town. It was good to see a varied selection of Levis machines competing; Jim Pool’s 1927 Model M, Bill Martin’s 1930 machine, and Steve Nutt’s 1936 A34.

 

 Ian Harris had once again set a fabulous but testing route through the Worcestershire and Shropshire scenery, but unfortunately, due to the heavy rain that we had suffered throughout the summer, the surface of Flagstaff hill had been washed away and the road was closed. The road closure meant there was no observed section on the morning route, so the organisers decided to put in an alternative, and instead of another hill used Clee St Margaret Ford.

 

 The first task after lunch was the slow/fast test on Whitbach Hill, which was eventually won by Roger Kordas on his 1937 Rudge Ulster, who had a very good slow section and then stormed up the fast section to take the award. The Ford was the next observed section, where penalties were collected by a fair few people, along with wet feet! The Final test of the day was Farlow Hill, which also caused problems for some competitors.

 

 Among our own Section members that competed were North Birmingham Section Chairman Trevor Bull on his 1940 Triumph Tiger 100, Adrian ‘Skippy’ Lockrey on his wonderful 1919 Triumph Model H, Andy Briggs on his 1935 Triumph, and Jonathon Jinks on his BSA M20. Trevor Bull finished well up on the results list in 10th position with 24 penalty points, and Jonathon Jinks finished a very creditable 18th on 27 penalties. They both did well to finish so well up, as there were 60 competitors that successfully finished the trial, and another 6 that retired or did not finish, including Skippy, who was one of two competitors that went for a dip at the replacement observed section, Clee St Margarets Ford.

 

 There were very few breakdowns throughout the day, so the back up team provided by Peter Mellor of Anchor Garage and assistant John Aston had just 3 bikes and riders to bring home at the end of a very long day. All the other competitors got back under their own steam, some tired, some saddle sore, but nearly all with huge smiles.

 

 Finally we must thank the huge team of people that gave up their time to help organise this event; without them it would not be possible, so to everyone who got up early to organise the start area, the marshals on the route, the Ludlow team, the Whitbach team, the back up team, Thank you! To all the competitors, we thank you, and hope that you enjoyed the day, and that we see you back again next year for another attempt at one of the oldest and most challenging events in the VMCC calendar.

 

 

 

Results

 

  • THE LEVIS CUP, Premier Award: Mick Brown
  • THE ALEC ROSS CUP, Runner Up: Peter Kent
  • THE ALICE ROUND CHALLENGE CUP, Best Opposite Class: Dave Skinner
  • THE GEORGE YEOMANS CUP, Best Performance on a Veteran: Glynn Udall
  • THE LE VACK TROPHY, Best Performance on a Vintage Machine: Dave Barlow
  • THE CALTHORPE CUP, Best Performance on a 250cc or below: John Charlton
  • THE CON WHITLOCK CUP, Best Two Speeder: Not Awarded
  • THE OMYGA TROPHY, Best Post Vintage: Gary Baker
  • THE SGT. H J COLLEY TROPHY, Best Performance on an ex-WD machine: Reg Eyre
  • THE PETER ASHEN ROSEBOWL, Best Performance by a Lady: Jenny Hart
  • THE ROLLY NEWTON CUP, Best Performance by a Sidecar Outfit: Fred Smith
  • THE TIMEKEEPER’S TROPHY, Best Time Performance irrespective of Class or Bonus Points: Peter Kent
  • THE JOHN GREENWOOD TROPHY, Best Performance on the Flexibility Test: Roger Kordas
  • THE ALBERT MATTOX TROPHY, The Team Award: Cotswold Ariel
  • THE ENDEAVOUR AWARD: Keith Wakelin

 

 

 

Report by Josie Stanley