LAUNCESTON and North Cornwall Motor Club held their annual Tamar Classic Reliability Trial recently with 23 motorcycles and 21 cars involved.

After an excellent breakfast at Tresmeer Village Hall, the first competitor set off at 8am with the course consisting of 15 sections and two special tests.

The morning sections were across Bodmin Moor and on the Cornwall side of the Tamar Valley. Some of the early morning sections proved to be very muddy and the competitors were well tested in their driving skills. Warleggan was very wet and slippery, with Barretts Mill and Danescombe just as difficult.

Once the sections in Cornwall were completed it was over the Tamar Bridge at Gunnislake then on to Tanks Terror at Metherell. Many points were lost on this section as the river crossing and the steep hill out of the section became very difficult.

Competitors then enjoy a nice drive with the thought of the stop for lunch. However the lunch stop is the notorious section called Angel Steps, which put the fear of ascending or not in the drivers’ mind. At least the bodies were well bounced around to make room for the food.

After the lunch break it was onto Coryton Woods to compete on three sections which the previous weather had made very difficult. Once completed in the woods it was onto Lee Quarry for another section and a special test.

A new section was added at Ashleigh near Lifton, which no competitor had seen before. The final hill was the famous Park Impossible which proved to be the case. This section is always well supported with spectators.

Competitors then headed off to the Frog and Bucket at South Petherwin to enjoy a beer after completing the trial to discuss their day and express their thanks to the club for an excellent event, while the club said thanks to all the officials, marshals and landowners.

Once the results had been compiled from the 13 different classes, each class was awarded a winner as well as an overall car champion and an overall motorcycle champion.

Motorcyclists Martin Keswick and Josh Cook were awarded the Bude & District Cup for just seven penalty points, two less than Bob Creedy who was second overall and the B2 champion.

Aaron Haizelden took home the Tamar Trophy for winning Class Five and being the overall car champion on the day, finishing a point clear of Matt Facey and Hollie Wood, who received the Club Cup.

To find out more about the club, visit www.lncmc.co.uk