The British sidecar trials championship comes to the end of an incident packed season on Sunday in North Derbyshire where the Merle Morewood final centres on the village of Hope, and in particular the giant cement factory car park that has hosted the Peak Trial for many years.
For Robin and Sam Luscombe it is all about hope. The father and son combination, hope to win the final round to take Robin’s fifteenth national title, but they have the upper hand going into the Merle Morewood National because the drop score is out of the equation, as it is for Rupert and Chris Kimber. Gary Flowers and Antony Smith along with Manx compatriots Adrian and Aaron Smith are on hand just a point and five points separating them from the Luscombes.
On the current standings Flowers has an eleven and the Smith a ten to drop, or whichever score is the lowest after Sunday. Tony Crabtree and Jamies Howe are two up and Peter Dale and Barry Pocock but the former crew missed Peverial so their drop score is executed. Phil Sparkes is home and dry as is Alan and Rosie Maynard.
The Merle Morewood has been brought forward by five weeks this year so it may be a little warmer down in the depths of Derbyshire. Gone are Bactor and that rock garden. The format for Sunday for sidecars is Elmore Hill, Berrystall Lodge and nearby Moss Rake with an eighteen mile lap. The solo entry also rides the same route but visit Offerton Hall so their mileage rises to twenty five miles.