Sam Connor wins the 60

The Sidcup 60 heralded the start to the South Eastern Centre Trials Championship 2006. Some 130 riders awaited the testing 2 laps of 18 sections venue of Canada Heights, Kent on the 15th January 2006. The drama unfolded right from the starters whistle as packed rider field tackled the super tough course. It wasn’t long before one rider stamped his mark on the trial.

Beta's Sam Connor made history with his latest South Eastern Centre Expert class. His win meant that not only does he now lead the championship, but also adds valuable points to Manufacturers Championship for Beta. The Beta newcomer emerged top of a select pack of Experts to overhaul the eight-times Sidcup 60 winner and fellow Beta rider Ashley Newbery. Connor said,

“Today was good it’s a great piece of land and I have not ridden here since 1997. I did come to watch my brothers ride here last year and the trial is very popular. The work that has been done here with the imported rocks and logs has made the man made course more challenging for the Experts and good for others and me. I’ve ridden very well today considering I’ve been off the bike for a few months recovering from a shoulder operation. The two laps of 18 sections was a little challenging with queuing and finishing at 4pm, the start being before 10am, its quite challenging when its like that, but I’ve had a very constant day, which I am happy with and not only having a low score is important, its how I’ve ridden. I do feel I’ve ridden quite well so I’m pleased with that. I found all the sections challenging in different ways, but running around the bigger obstacles was more challenging for me. So for this I found the easier sections more challenging! It’s been good and any of the 18 sections could have taken marks off me, all very tricky, although it’s been a low scoring trial there hasn’t been anything easy. I’m very pleased with my bike it’s performed well with no problems, it’s my second week on it and it’s been comfortable to ride, I’m very pleased with it. It’s nice to have won this particular trial and every win is important to me and I hope to continue this next weekend and the weekend after. I’m taking a back step from the World Championship’s and will be riding more Southern events and Open To Centre trials with a build up to Nationals and the British Championship later on in the year”

Consistency was the key to Connor’s dominations of the Expert class and what dominations he exerted on his rivals. Connor beat the best of the rest with what must have been a training day. His one mark loss at this tough event was some achievement. Seconded placed Sherco’s MRS rider James Fry continued his flourish from the 2005 season grabbing the runners up trophy ahead of both joint 2005 champions Ashley Newbery and Richard Ely. Fry’s amazing riding would have been enough to beat Connor had Connor made the slightest mistake. Fry finished on 7-marks and appeared only to struggle with section 5. Ely reported he had suffered an injury and so wasn’t riding at his best, and Newbery failed to comment on his failure at section 3. Newbery did reach the podium and gain further points in the Manufacturers Championship for Beta. Greg Marshall put in the best ride for Gas Gas in sixth place and Montesa from Dave Shave in sixtheen was just off scoring points.

Intermediate class winner Dry Fry got the nod on the final count of cleans to pip Bob Jones with their 27-marks apiece loss. Adam Bird took third just two marks further in arrears.

Novice class winner Paul Amos clinched the win with his score of just 4-marks. Colin Bott challenged him to the line with his 5-marks loss, and Anthony Piles held on to third with his 32 cleans compared to Monte Bryant 31 cleans to take third.

Youth Expert winner Jack Sheppard fended off Ben Morphett by just one mark at the final count of the scorecards. Sheppard riding a Beta put in an amazing ride and both he and Morphett will be future stars to watch out for.

Youth Intermediate winner Matthew Hogg had his first win of the season aboard his immaculate Stevens Sherco machine. Hogg turning in a score of 33-marks took an easy win against second placed Tom Douglas with his 38-marks. Bradley Mair a little further off Hogg and Douglas clinched third with his good ride.

Youth Novice class winner and only finisher in this class Scott Dark, put pay to the course with his 15-mark loss, a good enough ride to place him well up in the Adult results.

Pre-67 B winner Ken Ward riding a B.S.A 250 was the clear winner. Stan Metcalf took an easy second place riding his Triumph 250 for his 18-marks, and best lady of the trial Joan Westbrook took third. Pre-67C class winner Bernard Rodemark traversed the course with the same points loss as Ken Ward for just 7-marks riding a B.S.A 290cc machine. Pre-67 2t winner Roy Enticknap would have won the modern Novice class with his one mark loss but settling for the Pre-67 win was quite a ride. John Pattinson was hot on his heels with his 8-marks; the Greeves 250cc machine was firing on all cylinders but not enough to catch Enticknap. David Jones took third with his 12 marks riding a 250cc Francis Barnett.

Twin-shock class winner Tony Errey stayed just ahead of Alan Ketley and Roy Purvis to nab the win. Ketley, just 2 marks in arrears from Errey and Purvis a further 6, it was a close day for these three very experienced riders.

David Larkin/Sue Rawlings had an excellent ride to win the Modern Sidcar class and The Burlington Cup. Rupert Kimber/Chris Kimber followed home just two marks off Larkin/Rawlings, with Paul Fishlock/Debbie Merrell taking final podium with there 6-mark loss.

Well done to Sidcup Club for an excellent trial and thanks to all the observers and officials who with out them the Sidcup 60 would have not taken place.