The Bootle Scrambles Club ran their second Trials event of the year on the Fell Green courses near Bootle recently.

Being the first round of the 2020 series, which counted towards the Northern Centre Championships, it again attracted a good turnout of riders.

Club stalwarts had marked out three routes for competitors; the Hard, the Green and the Clubmans. Riders set off in sunny and dry conditions, but it did become a little chilly on the fingers in the afternoon.

The Hard course provided some close competition between Kendal's Tom Swindlehurst on his 300cc Sherco and Grasmere`s Stephen Dixon on a Scorpa, Swindlehurst taking the class win by just one mark. In fact, there was only four marks between the top three in that class.

On the Clubmans course, Ulverston`s Angus Jenkinson put his 250cc Vertigo to good use again, having won the same class in the Barrow and District Motorcycle Club's Boxing Day trial at Torver.

He'll be competing in this Sunday's Frank Jackson Trial, again at Torver, which is organised by the Barrow & District Motorcycle Club, no doubt hoping to make it three in a row. Watch this space

Broughton trials guru Nigel Birkett took the opportunity of 'evaluating' one of the new TY125 Scorpa machines on the Green course.

It must have been to his liking, as he finished runner-up on it to Keswick's Dan Gaskell on a larger 250cc Scorpa.

Results

Hard Course: 1. Tom Swindlehurst (300cc Sherco, Kendal, 42 marks lost), 2. Stephen Dixon (300 cc Scorpa, Grasmere, 43), 3. Geoff Morton (300cc Scorpa, Rossendale, 46).

Green Course: 1. Dan Gaskell (250cc Scorpa, Keswick, 47), 2. Nigel Birkett (Birkett TY/125 Scorpa, Broughton, 55), 3. Sam Metcalfe (300cc Beta, Carnforth, 71).

Clubmans Course: 1. Angus Jenkinson (250cc Vertigo, Ulverston, 32), 2. Mark Carradus (250cc Beta, Lancs, 42), 3. Anthony Brockbank (250cc Sherco, Kendal, 55).

As always, the club would like to thank all the officials, observers and landowners etc for their help in making the event possible.

* The Acerbis National Motocross Championship is acknowledged as the top series to race in .

Every round is held on the country`s best tracks and this year, main organiser Askam’s Darren Hudson (a former champion himself), ably assisted by daughter Cloe, has secured a round at our local Route 66 track at Haverigg on April 18 and 19, giving local enthusiasts chance to see the country’s top riders in action.

Last season’s champions were presented with their awards at the Moat House Hotel in Stoke-on-Trent recently .

Longstanding supporter of the series Paul Coward from Kirkby was one of the recipients after netting a top five placing in the Over 40s Vets class, a great result considering he completed most of the season with a back injury.

Ten local riders are to contest the championship this year.

* Main organiser Steve Morris tells me private entries are already flooding in for the car and motorcycle classes at this years Flookburgh Steam Gathering on July 25 and 26.

Several motorcycle clubs have already expressed an interest in attending, so if you do intend on showing your machine or vehicle, get in touch with the organisers now via their Facebook page or telephone 07971 421114.

In a slight change from previous years, motorcycles up to 1995 are being accepted at this year's show.

Now in its 46th year, it`s the largest steam gathering of its type in the north, following the demise of the Driffield Steam Gathering in Yorkshire who sadly have ceased, citing two bad years weather-wise and spiralling Health and Safety regulations and security costs.

Lets hope the Flookburgh event gets decent weather this time after experiencing a couple of bad years too.

* Don`t forget the Furness branch of the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club hold one their monthly meetings at the Newton Hotel in Dalton tonight, starting at 8pm.

If you own a Japanese machine that's 15 years old or more of any make size or capacity, or just interested in vintage Japanese motorcycles, pop along and you'll be made most welcome.

The long established Furness British Motorcycle Club (formed in 1985) hold their next monthly meeting this coming Monday at the Ulverston Sports and Leisure Centre in Priory Road.

The British bike enthusiasts must have more to discuss than their Japanese counterparts, as their meetings start at 7:30 pm.

The club boast a huge library of technical manuals and a tool lending facility. New members are always welcome, whether you actually own a classic British machine or you just have an interest in them.