MCC: Land's End Trial

Proof, if it were needed, that MCC trials are thriving was endorsed by the entry of 376 for the recent Land’s End Trial, the 7Ist in the famous series. There were 154 motorcycle riders, a Triking, a Morgan three-wheeler and the rest drove cars of all kinds. The long night haul that is a characteristic of these great events was retained, leading into the time-honoured hill-sections, including the traditional Beggers Roost, Darracott and Crackington. Even that difficult concluder, Bluehills Mine, in spite of its having needed work to make the weather-damaged surface passable. The large working-party involved consumed the entire stock of the local pub’s pasties on this exercise!

That crystalises the sheer enthusiasm of Britain’s oldest combined motorcycle and car club. But whereas in pre-war times the weekly motoring papers devoted many pages to reporting its three historic trials, the Exeter, Land’s End and Edinburgh (October 3 this year), they no longer even mention them (maybe because the huge entry comprises mainly keen amateurs, instead of the formerly strong trade element with its advertising links). The contestants compete against the club, not one another, and the awards-list is too long to publish. But this is a great club, with which you may wish to be associated. Its membership secretary is; Mike Furze, 405 Chartridge Lane, Chartridge, Chesharn, Bucks HP5 2SL.