THE Covid-19 virus wrecked just about the entire Auto Cycle Union’s championship programme this year. The trials calendar cull fired up at the end of March by which time the North Berkshire Motor Cycle Club had staged the Belles Trailers Beta Ladies and Girls opening event at Seymours Arena.

Sadly the ten class winners who scored that magic 20 points were robbed. The ACU rules covering championship events dictate, in the case of the ladies and girls championship, that a minimum of three events kick starts the score line.

If it is any consolation, chef Donna Fox put her Montesa 4RT ahead of the other six adults. Sarah Bell, Manx pair Kaylyn Adshead and Summer Peters took Classes A and B Route 2 classes. Grace Darke topped the Ladies Inter class. Bishop Middleham teenager Amelia Mayhew won Youth Class A Inter. Classes C and D were won by Kayleigh Rich and Daisy-Mae Mitchell.

The trial also included adult and youth sportsperson classes, which were won by Durham teacher Jo Minns and Seren Walters.

On reflection 38 female riders contested the excellent North Berks event, which augured well for the series, which was negated by the pandemic. In direct contrast a mere 24 competitors scored championship points in 2019. Of course last year was another matter.

The North-East centre elected to run a two-day trial and remote and scenic Long Framlington, a dozen miles north of Morpeth and about the same distance from the North Sea. Fred Nicholson and his stalwarts clocked up the miles from Newcastle to stage a true national. A spectacular course with weather to match. Two miles to the lap on open moorland without a public road in sight.

Jess Bown put her Birkett BVM Scorpa on the top step with Donna Fox in close attendance, but did not start on Sunday. That gave Alicia Robinson a 32 point tally. Chloe Baker and Jazz Hammond shared the ladies 50/50 class but Keighley’s Beth Dunning delivered 34 points from two rides. Sarah Bell and Charlotte Kimber won Girls A and Ladies Inter. Class B girl Mansfield’s Daisy Parsons also scored a 40-pointer. Promising East Yorks centre Class C girl Matilda Arbon stormed the two-lap two-mile course on both days. A real bundle of talent.

Manx girl Ealish Cubbon won Class D while Tweed Valley youngster Ella Hodgson got her Oset home to take the girl’s sportsman award. The North-East centre ACU excelled in all aspects creating a testing course for all classes.