THE BUCKEYE BONANZA DAY 2
(AHRMA Vintage Trials 2009 Round 2)






 

On the exit of "Grand Canyon"


 Shortly after the Saturday trial had finished and I'd been out checking for the late MX men it was time to
set the Sunday Graded Hill which required a bit of spade work on a couple of the stages. No sooner
had I finished this than it started to rain, and then it rained and then it rained some more !

 In fact it continued nearly all night and by dog walking time in the morning there were puddles
everywhere. During the course of the evening Rich and Jim dropped by and once again the beer flowed
until bedtime. A little tired probably best describes Sunday morning but being Trialsmaster there is no
peace so into the saddle once more and off to check the course and route marking. Sections 1-3 are
down in the MX arena at the far end and when I get down there it appears there was a "micro burst" as
all the markers have been ripped off and are decidedly soggy. I repair the 3 sections and close off a
couple of cheater lines and make it through the rest of the loop which seems to have fared a little better.
Regrettably all this rain has transformed the powder dirt and eggtimer sand so I rather fear it will be a
low scoring day.

 The trial eventually gets under way having finally got the incessant MX commentator to give his jaw a
break so that we could brief our event.

 1 liners are starting at No 1 so I'll slip down there and take in the action. Seems a fair section through
the concrete rubble and with a little mud being dragged in a few early marks are being lost.

 Over at No 2 "The Asphalt" riders are taking their time but the PI men who started at 11/12 are now
joining us and soon quite a crowd has developed. The Wyoming crowd are travelling together and Fred,
Dan and Bob all go first followed by Don Kelly, looking very much at home on the Ariel. Derek seems
more awake this morning and is keeping his feet up but a few others are still sleeping and missing
split cards as though they didn't exist.



 

2 wins for Fred Martinson on his "new toy"







2 wins for Dan Straka on the "One Trick Cub" with the Stealth tank






Bob Strohman on "The Asphalt"






Don Kelley looking at home on the big Ariel



Derek Belvoir exits "Asphalt" on the Velo


 Eventually the 1 liners are ready and Ralph is through first for a good clean followed by Rich and Jim
and then Coops and Mike Salsman who seems a little off song on the trials bikes this weekend.






 

Ralph Foster having a great second day



Jim"Body English" Wagner with 2  second Place finishes







A better day for Mike Salsman


 Over at 3, "The Rand McNally" everyone is sailing through as the soft loose dirt is no more and there is
a ton of grip everywhere.

 Round the loop to No 4 "Ditches 3" I see no problems here and so onto 5 today's Graded Hill. Last
night I could hardly walk up this as it kept breaking away but this morning it might as well be part of the
loop!

 Through the gate and here we are at 6, "The Stumps" and this is causing lots of problems for the 1 & 2
men with the tree crossing, even with the ability to cross your own tracks in this section. A generous
observer here perhaps erring too much in riders' favor as I saw a couple of solid "5's" escape with a
gentleman's 3. Not only was the tree causing problems but a little rooty thing in the brush which looked
like it could be ridden over was acting like an aircraft carrier arrestor wire, and although it bent
conveniently as the front wheel touched it it would suddenly spring back under tension stopping the
rider dead in his tracks. I saw some nice rides here and some equally hard luck stories. Nick Turner
ended up rocking on the crankcase for his 5, while Rick Wolff sailed over the log with the BSA but then
shot into the bush for his! A great clean by Shawn on the 2 and Rich on the 1. Eugene Waggoner was
having a little machine trouble with a sticky throttle cable and having to control the engine with the clutch.

 Right next door at "Stumps 2", our No 7, the 1 liners had a lovely footrest wide branch to get through
before rejoining the mainstream section. Rich Palmer rode this brilliantly but on landing couldn't stop
the Mont from crossing the red tape. Rick Wolff looked good jumping the BSA again for his clean.



 

Rich Palmer on the big Mont,
perfect through "Stumps 2".... but don't ask what happened next ?





Rick Wolff flies "Stumps 2"


 8 & 9,  "The Rockery 1 + 2", didn't seem to be causing too much trouble and Derek was looking very
confident in his ride until a checking Ed informed him he had missed another split.

 Unfortunately the same line for everybody "Not More Sand!" section 10 had become ridiculously easy
so much so that the checker had left the punch in a holster by the Ends Card. Next Year I'll get it RIGHT.
.......bloody rain!

 11 & 12 were the reverse of yesterday's 1 & 2 and despite the 1 liners finding a cheater line they were
taking the odd mark on two.


 

Last Loop action on 11 with Mike Salsman



 
Rich on the same line




Jim in action with my daughter Sally looking on

 A much easier day for all so all that remains is to finish off the late MX men, close the course and then
give out awards and all the thank U's. Back at the start I discover that Len Sims has done a "press to
test" on the NEW STUPID rule and has entered Premier Lightweight Expert and Classic Expert on his
rigid Cub. Whichever ride he was "supposedly" on he only lost 5 which is then used as his score in both
classes!!!!! I have no alternative but to present him with TWO FIRST PLACES for ONE RIDE. Clearly
this ridiculous rule must be revoked or there will be mayhem.


 

"That's It, we're done!"

With a beer in hand and my daughter and boyfriend, Shawn, here it was time to wrap up the weekend
and after they left we joined the MX Team at Diamond Don's for the post venue supper and campfire.
Fortunately the Off Road Director was still on hand and I appraised him of the Rule situation before we
attacked the excellent food and libations.

 For those who may be interested Diamond Don is happy to have a 2 Day Trial at his place in 2010.


Hope you enjoyed the event.



TONY DOWN