James Fry, winner

Walker Memorial Trial, held at Stalisfield, Kent, 4/2/07

Rd-3 of the South Eastern Centre Trials Championship

MRS Sherco James Fry headed an impressive Sherco domination of the Walker Memorial Trial, and his first major result in 2007. The highly charged rider bounced back from his non scoring result at round 2, with his first and very important win of the season. His invaluable experience of the specialised sections being much too much for both current championship leader Ashley Newbery, and second placed Ben Wibberley to match. Grip in the sections was better on the second lap, his throbbing 290cc showing it’s got more grip than chewing gum stuck to the sole of a shoe. A sweet win and a happy chap, well done James.

Beta ace Ashley Newbery has a lot to be excited about over his second placed finish. Newbery now advancing in years contested bravely but for a better word had ‘a funny 5 minutes’. The Beta ace only went and missed a gate at section 12 on lap one! A surprised mistake or was it a stupid blunder? Newbery has to properly accept that mistakes like these can cost him a win, and it did. The good news was he set the best second lap, which means he’s still up to the job and doesn’t take losing lightly.

Third placed Gas Gas rider Ben Wibberley, felt no pressure from behind and was unable to apply any pressure to the two riders ahead of him. Wibberley, having made noticeable improvements with his performance towards the end of the 2006 season suffered a lack of Will to Win. He is on his way to beating Fry, but how long do we have to wait?

Best ride of the day came from fourth placed Simon Bird. Bird suffered suspension failure at round 2, and he set out to test both bike and his abilities. Bird achieved in style a result of 10-marks off Wibberley’s third place, having only been riding centre trials for half a season; he’s a man to watch out for. You can see from the photo taken at section 2, Bird is an exciting rider he won the North Kent championship in 2006, beating Wibberley in the process.

Beta rider James Connor fought hard to take the Intermediate win. 2-marks separated him from second placed Stuart King. King will know doubt be looking for his first win at round 4 when the championship heads towards Surrey in April. Sherco rider Robert Curd rode well for third place, a very smooth rider and like King is on the way up the leader board.

Novice class winning Malcolm Simmons, not looking a day over 30 took the class win. Simmons used his vast experience to keep the younger Kenny King at bay. Third placed Jerry Green rounded off the final podium position.

A big thank you to the Sittingbourne Club, the observers and the Land Owner.

Ashley Newbery, second

Ben Wibberley, third

Simon Bird, forth