Robertson, Holt in dead heat thriller (From Stroud News and Journal)

MOTORSPORT

9:11am Tuesday 6th July 2010 in Sport By SNJ Sport

A DEAD heat between an off-road great and a newcomer to historic scrambles enthralled the crowds at the 29th International British Bike Bonanza on Sunday.

Andy Roberton and James Holt swapped the lead countless times during race nine at Horsley, near Nailsworth.

Roberton, a former works Cotton rider when the factory was based in Gloucester, is many more years the senior of Londoner Holt.

But the fitness and racecraft of both belied the difference in age.

The pair sprinted ahead of the rest of the pack and were always within a bike length of each other when they crossed the start/finish line at the top of the infamous Sallywood Park hill.

At one point Roberton, from Knighton, Powys, topped the hill, glanced over his left shoulder on the turn back down and - seeing no sign of Holt - accelerated to the right of the track in a clean but tactical move.

As they approached the foot of the hill with the chequered flag ready, they blasted to the top and crossed the line airborne together.

The three Western Classic MCC lap scorers unanimously ruled the contest a dead heat.

An expert level rider in modern enduro events, Holt is a relative newcomer to historic scrambles but clearly gets the most of out his 475cc oversize BSA B44.

He beat Roberton (BSA 500) in the next race for pre-69 bikes over 400cc, then Roberton returned the compliment in race 28.

The pair met again in the grand final, where mechanical problems put paid to Holt's challenge.

The Bonanza is a weekend-long celebration of historic scrambles and trials, and takes place across the valley from where the Cotswold Grand National drew thousands of spectators and some of the greatest names in the sport in the 1950s and 60s.

Some of those names were present at the Bonanza, including Don and Derek Rickman who changed the face of the sport with the Metisse scrambler in the 1960s, Scotsman Vic Allan - who was a front runner all day - and sidecar ace and guest of honour Ron Langston from Chipping Campden.

He would no doubt have approved of some frenetic three-wheeled race action, which saw a few spills but thankfully no injuries.

Another rider of more advanced years who ran with the best before "scrambles" became "motocross" was Terry Challinor, who enjoyed a spirited battle with sidecar trials expert David Bell.

Next year's Bonanza will be the 30th and a special international team race is planned, with great names from Europe and beyond competing.

RESULTS BONANZA SCRAMBLE (SUNDAY): Rickman Championship up to 250cc: 1 Greg Radley, 2 Greg Woollaston, 3 Mick Beech.* Rickman Championship up to 500cc: 1 Ricky Shaw, 2 Alan Voase, 3 Micky Allen.

Up to 250cc two stroke/ Up to 350cc four stroke: 1 Andy Roberton, 2 Tom Willoughby, 3 Chris Collins.

Pre-65 unit construction: 1 David Bell, 2 Terry Challinor, 3 Martin Coleman.

Clubman: 1 Stephen Miller, 2 Adam Eastwood, 3 Paul Cullum.* Pre-60: 1 Martin Coleman, 2 Peter Hollinshead, 3 Rob Griffiths.

British Sidecar: 1 Paul Harker & Matt Williams, 2 Chris Batt & Richard Brinsden, 3 Phillip Boote & Mike Stone.

Euro Sidecar: 1 Robert & Fay Barns, 2 Mike Well & Kevin Mullins, 3 Brian Ayres & Adam Dear.

Over 60s: 1 Terry Challinor, 2 Andrew White, 3 Pat Aldridge.

Unit over 400cc: 1 Andy Roberton, 2 James Holt, 3 Mark Stephens.

Grand Final: 1 Andy Roberton (250cc class), 2 James Holt (Unit class), 3 David Bell (Pre-unit class), 4, Martin Coleman (Pre-60 class).

TRIALS RESULTS (SATURDAY): Rickman Championship Trial (in 1st, 2nd, 3rd order).

Class 1: Goff Hannam 17 marks lost, Max Jones 21, Doug Mummery 22.

Class 2: Paul Edwards 1, Nick Woolley 8, G Barton 9.

Class 3: Barrie Rodgers 5.

Class 4: Glyn Moses 7, M Mackenzie 7, Dave Spurgeon 13.

Class 5: Chris Collins/Darren Snell 0, Barry Stephens 6, Keith Gardner 7.

Class 6: Pete Pesterfield & Neil Hannam 11, Paul Fishlock & Debbie Merrell 14, John & Paul Young 36.* Class 7: Peter Dale & Barry Pocock 3, Ian Hannam & Debbie Smith 30.

Class 8: Dave Dawson 1.

Class 9: Graham Harris 10, Gary Wooster 12, Bob Wilson 18.

Class 10: Terry Sewell 3, G Radley 7, Graham Jones 8.

Bonanza Trial Class 1: Kevin Taylor 0, Colin Legg 4, Simon Anderson 6.

Class 2: Mike Clarkeson 2, Alan Whitton 7, Richard Brimplow 8.

Class 3: Gary Hawkins 12 (most cleans), Doug Griffiths 12, John Pym 13.

Class 4: Neil Osman 1, Sean Kenny 61, Chris Kenny 89.

Class 5: Bernard Rodemark 3, Joe Owen 6, Stan Metcalf 7.