Kinlochleven kick-off time
By TMX Archives on 9th Apr 08
REIGNING British Trials Champion Graham Jarvis gets his title defence underway on Sunday (April 13) when the 2008 Colin Appleyard British Solo Trials Championship kicks-off in Kinlochleven, way up on Scotland's west coast. Many of the contenders including local ace Gary MacDonald, limbered-up with a ride in the tough Irish European and World rounds at the weekend and are now well-up for the home challenge!
The first of the seven-round British series is staged by the Lochaber club and as the event has always been one of the best in previous years, there are high expectations once again.
There's a strong entry for the full British Championship with Graham, who won the title on Sherco's 4T last year, having switched from the 290 two-stroke, wearing the prestigious number one bib. The challenge is sure to be headed by TTT Beta's Michael Brown, Gas Gas UK rider Shaun Morris and TRW Montesa star James Dabill – when the latter's Italian commitments mean he can compete in Britain.
Shaun was all ready for a mighty showdown with Graham at last year's final round, staged by the Bradford club at their Skyrakes venue near Skipton, when a freak workshop accident saw him collect a serious eye injury that kept him out of the event. In fact, Shaun has been out of action for most of the winter, only returning to riding a month or so ago, so is definitely struggling for match-fitness but he will definitely be up for it on Sunday. But Michael Brown, fresh from his Euro triumph in Ulster, is going to take some stopping. Then again, Alexz Wigg was well on-song in Sunday's Junior Cup...
Other Championship contenders on the up and up are Gas Gas duo Sam Haslam and Ross Danby, while local ace Gary Mac always rises to the occasion and will keep the home fans happy.
One name sadly missing from the entry list is former champ Steve Colley as the popular Manx ace announced his retirement from British Champs at the end of last year after a 20-year run at top level.
In the Expert class, defending champ, Scorpa's Joe Baker, will be making the long trek north from his Devon base and as ever, this class is sure to be wide-open for the entire series. Definitely stirring things up will be Beta's Ben Hemingway and Gas Gas runner Liam Walker who both make the drop down from Championship for 2008.
Mix in the likes of Mika Vesterinen, John Crinson, Dan Thorpe, Darren Brice, Chris Pearson and Welsh champ Gary Jenkins and it would be a brave man to predict a top three in this mega-competitive class
Youths taking up the Kinlochleven challenge are Ben Morphett, Jon Richardson, Jonny Walker and Jack Thompson.
Arthur MacDonald and his team have reversed the route of the trial this year just to spice things up and included a couple of new sections. The majority of the hazards will be on the side of the road right beside Loch Leven and include some mega boulders and rock steps.
Three laps of 12 sections should raise a sweat – for
riders, minders and spectators – with the latter requested to walk up the road to the sections, not follow the riders.
There will be a practise session for riders on Saturday from 4pm to 6pm while the British Championship trial will get underway at a bright and breezy 9pm on Sunday.