Aaron Haizelden Dominates Cotswold Clouds

Aaron pictured by Paul Fairbanks on his torturous but successful climb of Crooked Mustard. Click here for more of Pauls Photos

The Cotswold Clouds once again lived up to its reputation, attracting a full entry of 80 cars to tackle its challenging sections under the eyes of an extremely professional organising team.

Hannah Fergusons Video shows how hard Aaron had to work on Crooked Mustard, but he didn’t give up. Click here for Hannahs full Crooked Mustard Video

Winner Aaron Haizelden, in his Class 5 Reliant Scimitar, was the only car outside of Class 8 to climb the notorious Crooked Mustard near the start of the event and thoroughly dominated the rest of the days proceedings. It was difficult, even for the specials, and only seven of them reached the summit. The old hill took its toll on the machinery and the dead car park soon started to fill up. Alex Wheeler had his front suspension part company with the rest of his Nova. John Cox broke the diff on his Porshe 924 and even Dean Partingtons ultra reliable DP Wasp broke its transmission as did Matt Johnstons Cannon.

Across the road at the top of Crooked Mustard lay the summit of Axe, another long standing section. Competitors emerged covered in the glutinous mud which laid in the sections deep gulley. This clung to the wheels and underside of the cars, slowing many of the cars in the lower classes, some to a complete stop.

Dave Cook captures Bill Bennett in his MG J2, the only Class 2 Entry, on the Historic Nailsworth Ladder. Click here for Dave’s extensive library of photos on his Website where you can purchase prints and Hi-Res Downloads

Nailsworth Ladder by Simon Jones

Neither of the traditional sections at Nailsworth Ladder or Ham Mill across from the Bear Inn at Rodborough caused to much trouble but that was soon to change.

Bryans by Kevin Sharp

Bryan’s is an unsurfaced track in the woods and got muddier and muddier as the day went on. Some in the higher classes couldn’t even get to their restart let alone pull away from it. Aaron Haizelden picked up his first fail of the day here and even he only got to the two, one mark further than Dave in his similar car.

Aaron and Dave continued their domination when they cleaned the short, sharp, Merves Swerve, a feat only repeated by Ray Ferguson (Liege), Dave Middleditch in the Top Gear Dutton Phaeton and ACTC Secretary Bill Bennett in his MG J2, the only Class Two car in the event.

Having raised his recently acquired Beetle after the Exeter Lee Peck tackles the blast through the trees at Climperwell. Stroud had drafted in some heavy machinery before the event to improve the section. Photo by Calvin Samuel Click Here for more of Calvins Work

The innocuous looking Bulls Bank restart is there to trap the unwary on its polished stones and this year its victims included Mark and James Smith. You can view their on James InCar Video.

Wicked Juniper by Kevin Sharp

Jerrys the penultimate section, a very muddy climb through the trees. Then there was Talbots Terror with headlights necessary in the gathering gloom for the early numbers and in the proper dark for those running towards the back. Aaron Haizelden dropped one here but it didn’t matter, he was hands down winner of this years Cotswold Clouds.

• Full Provisional Results
• Cotswold Clouds on the Classic Trials FB Group
• In Car Video Playlist  Kieran Bartlett, Philip Stader, Mark Smith
• Dave Cooks Cotswold Clouds Photos
• Calvin Samuels Cotswold Clouds Photos
• Paul Jones FB Photos from Crooked Mustard
• Scott Aldridge FB Photos from the start
• Paul Fairbanks FB Photos from Crooked Mustard

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Comments, Corrections, Criticism & Concerns are all welcome. Click on Leave a Comment  to have your say or tell us about your trial.

Nick Deacon wins Clee in X90

Nick Deacon emerges from the greenery on his way to the premier Award on the Clee Hills Trial. Photo by Andrew Marchant. Click Here for more of Andrews Clee Photos.

The Midland Automobile Club had accumulated a formidable organising team for this years Clee Hills Trial. A veritable dynasty of trialling with Simon Woodall as Clerk of the Course, Pat Toulmin Secretary of the Meeting and Adrian Tucker-Peake as Chief Marshall.

Their event was classic modern Clee, retaining their unique twin loop system which helps finish the trial on time as it brings two hills into play at the same time but can make it a long day for the marshals.

Exeter Bits and Pieces

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John Boswell

I’m sad to report that my long time best buddy and fellow trialsman John Boswell passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning.

Stuart Bartlett secures Crackington with Camel Win

Ben Tonkin and Xanthia Petherick pictured on Penkestle in this capture from Kofi Farleys video 

InCar with Camel and Crackington winners Stuart and Kieran Bartlett

Camel Vale Motor Club lived up to their reputation and put on a tough finale to this years ACTC Championship.

Matt Facey wins Allen to clinch Wheelspin

Matt Facey eases his BMW away from the Burledge restart on his way winning The Allen Trial and securing the ACTC Wheelspin Trophy with one round to go

Once again Bristol Motor Club were rewarded by a supurb entry for the popular Allen Trial. 74 cars were entered, dropping to just under 70 starters from The Bull at Hinton. It was cloudy but dry day after a lot of rain recently which was to make some of the sections very muddy.

Paul Merson takes narrow Hardy win

Roger Ashby and Gavin Lane in their steamer on Meerhay. Video Capture by Chris Briant Click Here for the Video

InCar with Ray and Hannah Ferguson in their Liege

Woolbridge had strong local support for their Classic Trial, including a Four Wheel Drive class running at the back of the field. The event was a mixture of traditional lanes supplemented by some grassy venues familiar to competitors who go to the clubs single venue events. These of course require a very different driving technique to the rocky lanes. Either trickle or blast, there is no in-between!