Whale Rock (Bunn, NC) Fun Gate Trial Results

Thirty five riders, up from twenty three last year, gathered at Jim Ellis’ legendary Whale Rock property to start the year off at the free gate trial put on annually by David Webster.   After a brisk riders meeting, temps warmed up nicely and the jackets and warmer riding gear were thankfully cast aside. This year’s event was a great mix of excited new trials riders, youth riders, spectators, “just right” challenge sections, near perfect weather, free food and the usual welcoming trials laughter, smiles and camaraderie. 

In a gate Trial, you can ride whatever line you want with a goal of maximizing the points accumulated without losing them with a dab. Each gate has a point value. Ride the hard gates for more points. Put your foot down and lose those points accumulated so having and sticking to a strategy is important to avoid losing all your points, particularly as you select your gates nearer the section exit.  Unlike a normal Trials event where the lowest score wins, in a gate Trial the high score wins.  This year we had 8 sections with 3 loops: a possible total of 360 points.

Special thanks to Dallas Stevenson for providing and cooking a nice bunch of hot dogs with all the popular condiments and snacks; CVOTC Hall of Famer Jim Ellis for allowing the club use of his great property, Kenny Gwyn for being such an advocate that we had at least eight new faces (and new friends) at the event yesterday.   Of course, David Webster deserves our appreciation for hosting another great event as Trials Master. 

The individual winner of this year’s Fun Trial was Jeff Hensley with 318 points.  Jeff had a great strategy; just ride a lot better than anyone else! The riders competed in five teams and finished in the following order: Mario Brothers, 1075; Team Crash, 1060; Flat Tires, 961; Plonkers, 960; and Bad Dabblers, 934.

As always, special prizes were given to the extra special “standout” riders who join us...we hope you join us next year!

Best crash (I ride like a tank award): Scott Porter

Highest score: Jeff Hensley 318

Lowest score: Kim Fuelling 22

Youngest rider at 7 years old: Oliver Hilt

Oldest rider at 79 years old: Jim Ellis

Most points on vintage bike: Rick Schill 185

 Individual results (with team membership indicated):

1. Jeff Hensley 318 (Mario Brothers)

2. Martin Sturla 259 (Team Crash)

3. Mike Mazak 258 (Bad Dabblers)

4. Joe Palrang 226 (Bad Dabblers)

5. Evan Gorczyski 220 (Plonkers)

6. Alan Hensley 219 (Mario Brothers)

7. Kenny Gwynn 215 (Mario Brothers)

8. Jim Ellis 204 (Plonkers)

9. Jon Quell 204 (Team Crash)

10. Paul Fuelling 203 (Bad Dabblers)

11. Cody Johnston 200 (Team Crash)

12. Ellis Daw 191 (Team Crash)

13. Rick Schill 185 (Plonkers)

14. Scott Porter 164 (Plonkers)

15. Rusty Lacy 157 (Plonkers)

16. John Hendricks 151 (Flat Tires)

17. Tyler Labelle 143 (Mario Brothers)

18. Jacob Hilt 129 (Flat Tires)

19. Tim Plumley 117 (Team Crash)

20. Berndie Lundsford 105 (Flat Tires)

21. Kevin Hobbs 104 (Bad Dabblers)

22. Daniel Hughes 97 (Flat Tires)

23. Gary Palmer 96 (Mario Brothers)

24. Cole McIntyre 94 (Bad Dabblers)

25. Mike Griffin 89 (Team Crash)

26. Ash Harrison 84 (Mario Brothers)

27. Todd Kavlock 78 (Flat Tires)

28. Jameson Sowers 75 (Flat Tires)

29. Jeff Shearin 73 (Bad Dabblers)

30. Deron McIntyre 70 (Bad Dabblers)

31. Erin Kelley 52 (Team Crash)

32. Oliver Hilt 41 (Flat Tires)

33. Aria Fitzpatrick 30 (Plonkers)

34. Colton Fitzpatrick 23 (Plonkers)

35. Kim Fuelling 22 (Bad Dabblers)