National 24 Hour TT Championship

 
An entrant whose preparation for the night circuit had just been a casual glance at a map which allowed him only to take in the words ‘Pevensey Levels’ would have been disappointed when he started to climb across those contour lines on the lane up to Ninfield. At this stage, before midnight, watching from the roadside, Coyle and Jill Wilkinson looked likely winners, both looking strong and efficient, while Lynne Biddulph was uncomfortable, and making unscheduled stops.
 

 
Late in the night a rising moon gave some light, but by dawn an unwelcome easterly breeze replaced the calm conditions. As the light increased it became clear that Jonathan Shubert was on a ride – he looked as though he was enjoying himself, and that his rather aggressive punchy style was not wearing him down.
 

 
Early morning saw the field moved along the A22 to the Little Horsted circuit, and by about 9 am onto the 12 mile finishing circuit. Even at this late stage the two contenders were fighting it out, Coyle maintaining a good aerodynamic position, Shubert often out of the saddle, still looking energetic and although he was leading, it was only by a narrow margin which varied between nine and eleven minutes until near the end.
 

 
Continued overleaf…