The 98th running of the Land’s End Trial took place on 15th/16th April with a huge entry of motorbikes and cars tackling the 338-mile route, starting at one of two locations: Popham Airfield in Hampshire and Hare Bushes Services, near Cirencester. Competitors then converged on Plusha Services on the A30 at Altarnun where they received their roadbook. All the favourite tests were on the menu: Beggar’s Roost, Sutcombe, Darracott and culminating with the formidable Blue Hills tests in west Cornwall.
A large Easter gathering assembled on the cliffs at St. Agnes to watch the hundreds of competitors attempt the rocky hills at SW727516 and SW727517. Busiest people of the day however were the winch operators who had to come to the aid of many (four-wheeled) vehicles on the precipitous Blue Hills 2 challenge – the ‘sting in the tail’. The event finished at Loggan’s Moor Inn, Hayle.
Richard Sumner
OMC Cornwall Correspondent