Guisborough DMC ran the first John Hardaker National Trophy Trial on Sunday after a break of nine years when original land around Commondale and Westerdale was lost due to illegal trail riding in 2001.

And what a nail biting finish it proved to be as Rosedale`s Ian Austermuhle, now residing at Malton fought hard and long to add his name to the list of great riders to have won. After a day long battle in the sun over the eight mile, two lap course at the head of Glaisdale Dale he overcame Faceby`s Guy Kendrew by just two marks.

Clerk of Course, Guisborough`s Bill Filer, kept a Captain Mainwaring eye on his little band of helpers to produce a trial that flowed for all riders. And he succeeded. Austermuhle lost his only mark, lining the Beta up to attack the jaw dropping rock step of number seven first lap. His ride after that was pure magic as concentration never wavered over the next four hours of rivalry as Kendrew, after a sloppy two on the easy section three, shadowed him all the way. But the damage was done as those two marks would lose him the trial.

It proved closer still in a very strong Inter class as Yarm`s Tom Affleck and Chris Barnfather from Stokesley finished on twenty marks each and could only be split by the most one`s rule, with Affleck snatching the win. Fierce sibling rivalry for the top Clubman B slot as the Kendra brothers from Pocklington, Mike and Brian finished level, Mike taking the win on most cleans rule. Brian would be gnashing his teeth after his poor second lap let him down.   

It was great comeback day for a very prestigious trial with an entry of eighty one riders from all over the country.

Premier: 1: Ian Austermuhle (Beta) 1; 2: Guy Kendrew (Gas Gas) 3; 3: Liam Walker (Gas Gas) 25.

Best Inter: 1: Tom Affleck (Sherco) 20; Chris Barnfather (Sherco) 20; 3: Sam Gent (Gas Gas) 28.

Best Clubman A: 1: Sean Isherwood (Beta) 17; 2: Tony Wilson (Gas Gas) 20; 3: Dave Archer (Gas Gas) 20.

Best Clubman B: 1: Mike Kendra (Beta) 29; 2: Brian Kendra (Beta) 29; 3: Richard Harrison (Yamaha) 30.

Picture: Ian Austermuhle (Beta)

Credit: John Watson