Motorsport: Octogenarian ace Dave Brown still going strong (From Gazette & Herald)

Motorsport: Octogenarian ace Dave Brown still going strong

8:10am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Sport

WELL-KNOWN Pickering District Motor Club veteran Dave Brown turned 80 last month – and is still going strong.

Pickering DMC was formed in 1923 and Brown first became a member in 1959, before being appointed secretary in July 1965.

In the last couple of years he has resurrected the fearsome Kilburn Hill Climb of the mid-1960s, unearthing the original hill on which the great riders from that era, including world champion Jeff Smith, Arthur Lampkin and Peter Fletcher, competed.

This proved a mammoth task, the hill being overgrown, but, drumming up massive support from club members, he again heard the valley echo to bikes ridden in anger, albeit a different exhaust note from the machines of yesteryear.

At the last count in 2005, Brown had helped to run and organise 200 grass tracks, 161 trials and 153 scrambles/motocross event. The amount is still growing as the club run 19 events every year.

John Watson, trial biking correspondent, said: “Dave is still a man of sharp eye and quick wit. He is a straight-talking man and never short of an opinion on anything motorbikes.

“Over the years, many riders and helpers have marvelled at his unlimited enthusiasm and drive and it is this inspiration that has kept the club successful for the past 40 years or more, and on seeing Dave at recent events there is a lot more left in the tank.

“There is no doubt Dave is the only man I know who can lay claim to the original T-shirt printed with ‘Been there, done that’.

Meanwhile, the Pickering & District Motor Club will be organising motorcycle events in 2012 as listed.

Any changes to dates and venues will be publicised. Admission to all speed events is £5 for adults, £1 for children (10-16 years), and free for U10s. For further details phone the club secretary on 01904 622274.

March 18: Allcomers Easy Trial (Adult/Youth) Crook Farm, Wrelton, 11am. April 1: Motocross (Adult/Youth 125cc, T/S) Crook Farm, Wrelton, 1pm. April 29: Motocross (Adult/Youth 125cc, T/S) Crook Farm, Wrelton, 1pm. May 7: Allcomers Easy Trial (Adult/Youth) Cow House Bank, Helmsley, 11am. June 17: Allcomers Easy Trial (Adult/Youth) Kilburn, 11am. July 1: Grass Track (Adult/Youth, solo/sidecar) Riseborough 1pm. July 7: Grass Hill Climb (Adult/Solo only) Kilburn, noon. July 29: Grass track (Adult/Youth solo/sidecar) Riseborough, 1pm. August 12: Grass Track (Adult/Youth solo/sidecar) Riseborough, 1pm. August 19: Allcomers Easy Trial (Adult/Youth) Cow House Bank, Helmsley, 11am. Sept 9: National Grass Track (Pre 1975 Adults solo) Pickering, 1pm.

Sept 16: Allcomers Easy Trial (Adult/Youth) Riseborough, 11am. Sept 30: Grass Track (Adult/Youth solo/sidecar) Pickering, 1pm. Oct 14: Motocross (Adult/Youth) Pickering, 11am.

Oct 21: Allcomers Easy Trial (Adult/Youth) Riseborough 11am. Oct 28: Motocross (Adult/Youth) Pickering, 11am. Nov 18: Motocross (Adult/Youth) Pickering 10.30am.

Nov 24: Annual dinner, dance and prizegiving, Helmsley, 7pm. Dec 9: Allcomers Easy Trial (Adult/Youth) Newton on Rawcliffe, 11am.