Photo: Charlotte Brown
Report: Sam Lambert & Charlotte Brown
Richmond Motor Club hosted the prestigious S3 National Gerald Simpson Memorial Trial on Sunday 18th May, drawing an impressive field of 150 riders. Clerk of Course Sam Lambert, along with Assistant Clerk of Course Cristian Russell, laid out a demanding 20-mile route that began in Carlton in Coverdale. Along the way, riders faced 40 challenging sections that tested their skill and endurance.
The course spanned from Carlton to West Scrafton and over to Horsehouse before climbing up to Braidley at the head of the dale. This year’s trial featured several new sections, adding an extra layer of difficulty and showcasing the unrivalled scope of sections in Coverdale. The Gerald Simpson Memorial Trial remains one of the standout events in Richmond Motor Club’s calendar—right alongside the renowned Reeth Three Day Trial and the legendary Scott Trial.
Competition was tight on the Hard Course, with top local talent including Dan Thorpe, Richard Sadler, Jack Stones, Ryan Brown, and Josh Brown. Defending champion Sam Yeomans returned, aiming to secure a back-to-back win.
Section 12, one of the standout early sections, featured a 6-foot vertical step on the Hard Course and a tricky double step on the Clubman Course line—both under the watchful eye of observer Robert Stones. Section 19 which was introduced for the first time proved especially difficult, giving up only one clean on each course: Jonathan Richardson on the Hard Course aboard his Vertigo, and Richard Gaskell (Beta) on the Clubman Course.
Section 29, located just below Horsehouse, continued the tough trend with only Sam Yeomans (Vertigo) managing a clean on the Hard Course. A costly five from Richard Sadler (Vertigo) in this section left him with just 11 sections to recover. As the riders pressed up the Dale to Braidley, they encountered two more punishing sections. The infamous “double subber” was rested for this year, replaced by two new upstream inclimb sections that again proved demanding. Section 30, observed by Steve Lambert, took marks from every rider with Tom Middleton (Vertigo) faring best on just a single dab, and Richard Gaskell again standing out with the only clean on the Clubman Course.
The course looped around to the far side of the dale, where ‘Bills Gill’ awaited riders before they began another moor crossing back to the Start Field. Traditionally placed midway through the trial and unused for the past few years, Bills Gill was instead featured as the final group of sections, serving as a last challenge for competitors.
With a time limit of 6.5 hours, riders on the Hard Course had little time to study the sections, instead taking a more rational approach not looking at the sections. Section 36 proved especially punishing, handing out 5s to all but one rider, while Sections 35 and 37 were slightly more manageable. The Clubman riders fared better—tough, but still cleanable for those who had a bit of energy left in the tank!
Whilst the sun had started to burst through the clouds in the late afternoon, riders started to return to the Start Field after a tough and enduring day. The local pub was open with many going back to discuss their highs and lows of the day, sure to be back next year!
Richmond Motor Club would like to thank the Clerk of Course and his helpers, Secretary, landowners, observers, media, caterers and everyone else involved in the running of the trial. Thank you to the riders for entering and taking part. The Club looks forward to returning to Coverdale this weekend (24th & 25th May) for the annual Blue Bar 2 Day Trophy Trial.
Results:
Hard Course: 1. Richard Sadler (Vertigo) 20; 2. Dan Thorpe (GASGAS) 21; 3. Sam Yeomans (Vertigo) 23
Clubman Course: 1. Fraser Proudlock (Vertigo) 17; 2. Tom Fraser (Vertigo) 21; Alistair Dalton (Beta) 24
Clubman Over 40s: 1. Alistair Dalton (Beta) 23; 2. Peter Sharp (Vertigo) 23; 3. Richard Gaskell (Beta) 25
