Unlike most motorsports, Sporting Trials are not about speed, but a combination of momentum, throttle control, and choice of line; it is like solving a puzzle to get a low score on a section, and great skill is involved
Each of the 10 sections is marked with a set of numbered flag poles, indicating the course and these also mark how far each car can progress. The 2-Wheel drive cars are extremely manoeuvrable and navigate each section with the aim to complete a clear round or with the lowest possible score; such as a 1 by reaching the last gate.
The winner is the lowest cumulative score throughout the day. Each car has a driver and passenger, the driver’s aim in a Sporting Trial is to drive as far as you can over each section without stopping, the passenger can help progress greatly, by the transfer of weight from one side of the car to the other.
Entrants can walk each section to get a sense of the contours and ground conditions before each attempt. Each section for this Gold Star event was a steep incline that became more treacherous throughout the day.
Conditions this year were particularly challenging for the 35 cars, with very hard ground from days of freezing temperatures with the top layer especially slippery as the grass became mud as the event progressed.
Despite the challenging conditions the overall winner, car number 20 ran out on top. Cornish driver Thomas Bricknell and passenger or as they are known (bouncers) Beth Carroll finished on 36 points, 3 points lower than their closest rival, Ian Veale. Bricknell successfully defended his title to retain the prestigious Gold Star, he has been competing since 2007.