Richard Tompkins was one of the drivers setting the pace on round one, along with Geoff Hodge, Jack Williams and Roger Dudley in Clubsport and Colin and Michael weeks in National B. All were driving rear wheel drive cars; the ground conditions being against the FWD boys, even though some of the sections were quite tight. Section six was the one that really sorted things out. There was a very muddy patch on a steep gradient, with a 90 right just after. Geoff Hodge was the only Clubsport driver to negotiate the 90 right and even he couldn’t get past the five. In National B Alun Lewis actually cleaned the section in his Marlin, the only driver to do so.

At the end of round one Jack Williams was leading the trial, having only dropped 10 marks, eight of them on the notorious hill six. One mark behind came Colin and Michel Weeks and Geoff Hodge, all on 11. Robin Howard was on 12 and best FWD car, then Roger Dudley and Richard Tompkins on 13. Roger had replaced the diff he broke at Brickhill and straightened a steering arm as well. Richard was very pleased with his Imp, now fitted with an ex-Ed Nikel engine.

Geoff Hodge had an excellent 2nd round, only dropping 10 marks (5 of them on hill six) giving him 21 at the lunch break. This was a full nine marks less than Roger Dudley on 30, with Jack Williams and Richard Tompkins on 31 and Simon Groves on 32 after an excellent second round.

In National B Michael Weeks and Robin Howard were equal on 31. Robin running ballasted in class B on this occasion. Running un-ballasted Colin Reid had the lowest 2nd round score in his Nova but couldn’t pull back his losses on round one. Lunch provided the marshals with some respite from the rain and they were able to shelter in an open barn along with the chuck wagon, which Ed Nikel had thoughtfully arranged. Unfortunately we had lost Alun Lewis during Round 2 when his yellow Marlin’s engine wouldn’t run and he had to retire.

Mike Hinman put in a storming performance after lunch and cleaned round three but couldn’t make up for his scores before the break. Geoff Hodge continued an excellent drive to drop six to end the day on 27. Jerry Hughes also had a really good last round of 11 and won the Novice award. Jack Williams dropped 12 to win class D. Roger Dudley slipped back but still won the Best Falcon award.

In National B Robin Howard had a really good third round, dropping 7 to finish on 38, ten better than class rival Chris Smith. Robins score for the day was 38, lowest in National B and second only to Geoff Hodge overall. Robin had overhauled both Colin and Michael Weeks who finished with 72 and 74 respectively. However, after the index was applied National B honours went to Colin and Robin had to be satisfied with a class win.