Stapleton Cup Trial
The Leinster Motor Club held round five of the MCI Southern centre trials championship on the Sugar Loaf mountain today. A turnout of 61 riders in total, including 16 Minis is a good start for the first event of the new year. Hopefully it is a sign to come and the numbers rise as the season goes into the second half. Thankfully the grey clouds didn’t open and the weather stayed dry. That said, the cool air left the course and loose rocks unable to dry out, leaving conditions slippy as the day went on.
Only three Elite riders turned out but they still put on a good show and had each other on their toes all day. The Doyle brothers Sean and Cillian, were out yet again to claim top family honors as always. Scott Callaghan was not far behind the Doyle’s but too many maximum scores ruled him out of contention for the win but put in a better second lap than Cillian, but sadly just three marks shy of second place. Once again it was Sean who took the win on his happy hunting ground where he won the Patland Cup here last April.
Another Leinster Motor Club member took the honors in the Expert class. Paul McLoughlin on the back of his Christmas Trial win rode clear on his new Gas Gas to take the win. Alex Guthrie and Andrew Molloy finished in second and third places.
In the competitive Semi-Expert class the battle for top honors came between cousins Philip and Mark Harris. Long time trial stalwarts both had a great battle all day finishing two marks apart on their second tag but a better first tag for Philip saw him take the win. Rob Regan wasn’t far behind in third. A shout out to Charlie Lawless finishing in a brilliant fourth place and putting in another strong showing.
Warren Hendy again rolled back the years in the clubman class taking the win comfortably, also continuing his good run of form this season so far. Behind him though there was a fantastic and closely fought fight with 6 marks covering the next three riders. John Dunne, Barry Lawless and Jessy Ward. It was nip and tuck all day but Dunne eventually got the runner up spot with Lawless in third.
In the Sportsman’s class Michael McDonnell took the win easily ahead of Enda Walshe who is having a great season this year. Colm O’Sullivan rounded out the podium in third. Another great ride put in during the day went to fourth place man Christian Schmelter. In his first trial in some years, it looked like he might be learning a thing or two from son Harry after all!
In the Youth classes Cody Ward, Glenn Walshe and Harry Schmelter to victory in Youth A,B and C+ respectively. The closet finish of the day went to Harry Schmelter and Bill Guiry in Youth C+ with victory going to Schmelter by 1 mark!!
A fantastic turnout of 16 riders lined up to tackle the minis course. Credit has to be given to all of these young riders in their manor and respect to the hill walkers and horse riders they encountered today. All obeyed them and all rules given out to them at the riders briefing were adhered too. In Youth E for the youngest riders, Ewan Bublis held off the women to take victory ahead of Elsie Lawless and the Molloy sisters Meabh and Eimear. Watch this space though as the girls put in great performances and will definitely be filling the podium soon.
In Youth D Eli Tolan took the win over Aaron Scanlon by two marks. Jack Cregg finished in third. It was a close dice between all three after the first tag but the front two pulled away on the second. It has been a great season so far in Youth D so it will be interesting to see who will come out on top next time out.
In Youth C Lillymae Lawless rounded out a fantastic day for the Lawless family by taking the win on her first outing on her new bike. The switch to a Vertigo seems to have done the trick. That and her best performance all year, saw her take the win ahead of Ollie Smith who rode very well after moving up to the class with Lucy Heaney in third. Watch out lads the women are making their way thoughout all classes.
The club would like to thank the following: course markers Paul, Brian, Sean, Cillian and Charlie. Observers Vinny, Tommy, Eamon, John, Jasper, Joe, Derk, Maggie and Brian. Stewards Brendan and Maggie. Joanne and Barry Lawless and other parents for looking after the Mini event.
Also a huge thanks to Tony Lawlor and his family for the use of the pitt and carpark.
Click on the link below for the provisional results:
Next event coming up will be the Trials School/Training Day on 26th January Drumreagh Wood, Hollywood, Co. Wicklow.
