John Fulcher - 30th October 2005

John Fulcher Memorial


This event took place at Constantia on 30th October in perfect trials weather. It was the twelfth time it has been run, each time at the same venue. This year however there was some uncertainty regarding the use of the venue following the tragic death of Marian Castiglione who lived there and was for years a very keen trials supporter, and a friend of all the riders. Marian was fatally injured in a paragliding accident on 3rd September. It took some time before I could find the right family member and moment to raise the subject of holding the event there again, and I must say that her sister and nephew have been incredibly understanding and generous in giving their consent under very difficult circumstances. The trial always begins with a riders briefing during which a moment’s silence is observed and Marian’s name has now sadly been added to the list of trials related friends who have passed on.

The trial followed the usual form of eight sections and four laps for experts and clubmen, with a novice class over six sections and four laps. Section one was a new one right at the start. It was in an area that I had discussed using with Marian only a few months ago and she was happy with it. The section was long in that it went over logs, down into a forested area with a number of tight turns, up and down an embankment and exiting back at the beginning. It may have been a little tough as an opening section, but the consensus afterwards was that it was a great section, and maybe the best one of the day. The trial followed pretty much the same route as in the past and as usual the very natural stream section was used. This section is so good it simply can’t be left out. It only requires a start gate and an end gate, as once you’re in, there’s nowhere else to go.

There was not a lot of difference between the expert and clubmen sections, mainly just some tighter turns or rocks but enough to provide a distinct separation. The novice sections were however much easier, and I am very pleased to report that every one of the riders in this class completed the course. They included young Thomas Sandel and Daniel Cardosa riding their first trial. Thomas was on a Beta 80 while Daniel was riding a classic Montessa 123, once owned by Cecil Link. It was really good to see this bike up and running.

In the clubman’s class Hans Klein got off to a good start with his Yamaha TY 175 until suffering with water in the ignition. He then took over the 200 Honda from Charles Mast who was just too unfit to continue. Hans found the handling of the Honda very strange and was not able to fully come to grips with it. The lead in this class was firmly in the hands of Tim Fulcher riding my modern Gas Gas, with the next places being hotly contested by Anton Krause, Jorge Cardosa and Hans Klein.
In the experts class it was between myself on the ex-John Fulcher Cotton, Johann Van Blerck on his original SWM and Tim Jordan on his Gas Gas. We were all riding with self-imposed handicaps. Mine simply being the Cotton, Johann’s being a year of not riding together with a hasty morning- of- the- trial bike service, and Tim with a painful injury resulting from a dislocated thumb. The Cotton ran well for a few laps before giving some problem that a new plug seemed to cure for a while, but fortunately for me this never happened whilst I was in a section so it never cost me any marks. Johann got off to a slow start and got better as the day went on while Tim did his best despite his injury. It could have been anybody’s day as the results show just how close the marks were in this class.

After the trial, the scores were worked out and the floating trophies awarded to the class winners. There were many riders, family and friends who stayed for the braai including our club chairman and his wife and other Nomads road riders. It goes without saying that Marian was sadly missed, but very encouraging that her nephew, Rob, was there for the whole day and seemed very happy with the event.