Brits turning Japanese
By TMX Archives on 28th May 08
HE 2008 SPEA FIM World Trials Championship, after taking in three rounds incorporating four trials, one each in Luxembourg and Ireland plus two days in the United States, resumes after a month's break this weekend with the second and final two-day flyaway of the year in Japan.
Once again, the Honda-owned facility of Twin-Ring Motegi is the venue - and there is a pretty big entry - 51 in total for the three classes: Championship, Junior and Youth - including a whole host of Japanese wild card riders who are sure to make things interesting for the spectators. What a contrast to the American round where their riders are very shy of giving it a go.
Reigning champ and series leader Toni Bou must start as favourite to impress the top Japanese brass (Honda own Montesa) but team-mate Takahisa Fujinami is always fired-up for his home round while Adam Raga has also won in the past and he would love to stick the Spanish Gas Gas on top of the Japanese podium.
Dougie Lampkin, surely boosted by his Scottish outing, goes hunting for his first podium since re-joining Beta and this could just be the place, maybe depending on the weather. A wet day could do it for Doug.
There's a total of four Brits in the Championship class with James Dabill on the Future TRW Montesa, TTT Beta rider Michael Brown and Gas Gas factory pilot Shaun Morris - all hoping to make a big impression over the weekend.
For full story see T+MX NEWS, Friday, May 30, 2008