Tea Cup Trials - Northwest Regional

Wes Poole- Modern Classic Master

TEA CUP TRIAL Tanner Kane- Modern Classic Master OASIS AMID A STATE ON FIRE

BY: DEBBIE POOLE / PHOTOS BY: KATE JORGENSON

The two-day Tea Cup Trial took place on the Northern California Coast during the height of dozens of wildfires across California, and choking air quality inland. The property just south of Point Arena was a welcome haven, offering clean air and cool temperatures for about 25 trials competitors, friends and family.

Saturday’s event numbered 25 entries, including six support class riders. The largest classes were Modern Classic intermediate and Novice. Larry Cerini was the intermediate class champion with a 14-point day, followed by Craig Menghini for third, who tied with Clay Dawley's 17 points, Menghini beating Dawley on cleans. Mike Houde took fourth but would greatly redeem himself the next day. Tom Kane was in fifth spot. The Modern Classic Novice class was won by part-time Northern California resident Andy Blackburn, who calls Georgia home the rest of the year. Andy's 13-point win was followed up by Kevin Newins, with 18 points. Third spot was Emmy Poole, followed by Pete Jorgenson for fourth.

It was fun to watch the support riders from Southern California. Ex-pros Lane Leavitt and wife Debbie Evans, as well as their son Daniel, and friend and colleague Kailie Duncan, all rode AHRMA Modern Classic machines.

Eighteen riders lined up for Sunday’s Scot trial. Most excellent starters were Ellen Voermans, and Cathy Sue Newins, with Judy Jorgenson assisting Ellen with timing, sent riders off at 20-second intervals. Wes Poole remains the undefeated Masters class and overall winner of the Scot, with Tanner Kane about six minutes behind Poole; the previous day, Kane had edged Poole in Masters class completion by one point. Third fastest time was Jacob Ritorto, in the Premier Lightweight Expert class, with a time nearly as fast as Kane's.

Modern Classic Intermediate Mike Houde dominated the class, even with stopping to pick my bike off of me and get me going again. Second place was Larry Cerini, followed by Craig Menghini, and Clay Dawley for fourth.

Modern Classic Novice was won by Emmy Poole, followed by Kevin Newins for second, Debbie Poole for third and Pete Jorgenson fourth.

The Scot Trial isn't scored by time alone. Simplified sections are also part of the loop, and points are taken off for dabs just as in a regular trial.