Readers might be interested in some of the history behind the sections to be used for the 2022 MCC Edinburgh Trial:
- Haven Hill. First used in 2005 and used every year that the Edinburgh has run since then. It replaced Agnes Meadow (used 1994 to 2003) and/or Wigber Low (used 1999 to 2009) as the regular first section on the trial from 2010 onwards. The start of Wigber Low is shortly after Tissington Ford, immediately opposite as competitors turn left onto the B5056 on their way to Haven Hill.
- Cliff Quarry. First used in 2012 and used every year that the Edinburgh has run since then.
- Tumbletrees. First used (as Tumbletrees) by the Sporting Owner’s Drivers’ Club for the Derbyshire Conquest Trial from 1986 to 1990. Then used (named Excelsior) by Sheffield and Hallamshire for the White Peak Trial from 1991 to 1996. First used by the MCC for the 2000 Edinburgh, when it was named Goatscliff and was for motorcycles only. Then not used again by the MCC until 2021.
- Rebellion (ST1). Those with a good memory will remember the climb to the special test when it was an observed section called Elmore (1997 to 2009), or when the Special Test was situated further along the track and named Bradwell Edge (1996 and, maybe, earlier). Interestingly, the name ‘Rebellion’ is a throwback to the 1946 High Peak Trial when the climb was an observed section called Rebellion Knoll.
- On the route after Rebellion. On the right, as the route leaves the unsurfaced track across the moor and starts the tarmaced descent towards Abney village, is the location of Abney ‘Azard, a contrived ‘bombhole’ section which is mentioned in More Wheelspin and was used for several local trials in the late 1940s. Then, after Abney and shortly after passing through Camphill, keep a look-out on the right for the top of the Great Hucklow section, used by various clubs, including the MCC, between 1946 and 2008.
- Middleton Moor (ST2). Used by the MCC for many years as a location for special tests. The test is very close to the bottom of Black Harry, used by Sheffield and Hallamshire for the White Peak Trial between 1989 and 1992 and by the MCC for the Edinburgh Trial between 2002 and 2014.
- Calton. First used by the MCC, under its ‘correct’ name of Pillwell Lane, for the 1930 Sporting Trial. The MCC then renamed it Taddington Moor for the Sporting Trial from 1936 to 1948, and for the Derbyshire Trial (1960 only). First used by the MCC for the Edinburgh in 1991 and used most years that the Edinburgh has run since then. Also used (as Pillwell Lane) by the Sporting Owner’s Drivers’ Club (SODC) for the Derbyshire Conquest Trial from 1986 to 1990, and (as Calton or Carlton Bank) by Sheffield and Hallamshire for the White Peak Trial from 1989 to 1996.
- Excelsior. The earliest record I have is its use, named Hartington Hill, by the MGCC for their Cockshoot Trial in 1937. It then appears again in C A N May’s More Wheelspin is his report of the 1947 Sheffield and Hallamshire High Peak Trail referred to as “Excelsior, more often known as Dirty Lane”. It was used, named Dirty Lane, by the SODC for the Derbyshire Conquest Trial from 1988 to 1990. The first use by the MCC was for the 1987 Edinburgh Trial and it has been used most years that the Edinburgh has run since then.
- Clough Wood / Clough Mine. First used by the MCC for the Edinburgh in 2010, when the two sections were named Clough Mine 1 and 2; the trial route then leaving the area up the historic Clough Wood section (used from 1955 onwards) immediately to the north of the mine. This route, and the section naming, continued for 2011, 2012 (when the historic Clough Wood was used as an observed section for the last time), and on to 2016. The sections were re-named Clough Wood and Clough Mine from 2017 onwards, possibly because there had been confusion in 2015 and 2016 when competitors were required to tackle Clough Mine 2 before Clough Mine 1!
- Dudwood 1, 2 and ST3. The ‘Dudwood complex’ was first used in 2009 and has been used every year that the Edinburgh has run since then.
- Hob Hay. First used in 2018 and used every year that the Edinburgh has run since then.
- On the route after Hob Hay. About a mile after turning right onto the A53, the route passes the exit track from the section known as Bareleg, used by SODC for the Derbyshire Conquest Trial between 1986 and 1990 and by the MCC for the Edinburgh between 1984 and 1998. Then, about a mile after turning right off the A53, the route ascends Dun Cow’s Grove, used by the MCC for the Sporting Trial in 1951 and for the Derbyshire Trial in 1955.
- Hollinsclough Time Control. The 30-minute allowance is, unfortunately, not really enough time to explore Lymer Rake (also known as Old Joe’s Lane), used by various clubs including the MCC between 1951 and 1998, and Swan Rake (also known as Hollinsclough), used by various clubs including the MCC between 1937 and 1998; both tracks which climb south-west from the grass car parking area.
- Booth Farm. First used in 2017 and used every year that the Edinburgh has run since then.
- On the route after Booth Farm. Immediately after the route crosses the A53, and on the left as you round the sharp right-hand bend, look downhill on the left-hand side to the site of Cheeks, used by the MGCC for the 1937 Cockshoot Trial and by the MCC for the 1977 and 1978 Edinburghs. It is still in current use for motorcycle trials.
- Corkscrew. First used by the MCC, named Jenkin Chapel, for the 1933 Sporting Trial, it continued under this name for the MCC’s Sporting, Derbyshire, and Edinburgh Trials up until 1976. The MCC re-named it Corkscrew from 1978 onwards. It has fallen in-and-out of use over the years but has been included on the route of the Edinburgh every year that the event has run since 2014. Also see this magazine extract.
- Litton Slack. The hill that needs no introduction. Used by most of the clubs that have run trials in the Peak District from the 1930 MCC Sporting Trial right up to the current-day Edinburgh. Also see this magazine extract and this magazine extract.
- Waterloo. A new one for the MCC this year, although there are (unsubstantiated) reports of use for other trials over the years.
