Lochaber heads no stop champs
By TMX Archives on 24th Feb 12
WELL, as we explained last week, the ACU Trials Committee met with the organisers and trials bike importers recently in order to cross the ts and dot the is on the rules for the all-new Doodson sponsored 2012 British Trials Championship and all is now set to go at the opening round of the six event series which this year will be courtesy of the Lochaber club at their excellent Kinlochleven venue in the Scottish Highlands.
Firstly, the meeting was NOT called to determine whether or not to run the series under No-Stop or Stop Allowed.
That decision had already been taken – although some people thought that they could raise the matter again.
This was not the case. The meeting was called to discuss and sort-out the details and make sure that all officials, organisers and riders were singing from the same hymnsheet.
The whole idea of changing the British Championship to No-Stop rules is to try and inject some life into what had become a stale series.
And although the support classes (run over eased sections) continued to be well-supported and provide excellent competition for spectators, the Championship class was attracting fewer and fewer entrants, down ti single figures in fact. This clearly could not be allowed to continue.
So, while not all members of the Trials Committee were in favour, it was agreed to give No-Stop a chance.
It's is a fact that several National series, which run under No-Stop rules (i.e. the S3 Parts Clubman series) have proved to be a runaway success with maximum entries the norm rather than the exception and many clubs and centres have returned to No Stop.
This allows them to set easier sections and with riders spending much less time in these sections events can be completed in a much shorter period of time.
The argument against No-Stop came mainly from those few riders who aim at World Championship glory and those youngsters (and their parents) who wish to progress to International competition.
The World Championship currently operates a Stop Allowed system but is also suffering with decreasing numbers in the Championship class.
So, having decided to go No-Stop with the British Championship for 2012 obviously ground rules were needed.
Firstly, the actual rounds will be staged at those venues previously agreed. This, for 2012 at least, means short, all off-road courses in a confined area, which, to be fair, is not actually the perfect basis for a No-Stop series.
The sections also need much thinking about and they clearly have got to be made easier in order to attract a bigger entry and the ACU suggest a "considerable reduction in severity”.
It is suggested that the Championship sections be set on the standard of previous Expert A level. There are to be just two classes in 2012, Championship and Expert. Therefore the Expert level is suggested to be set-out similar toprevious Expert B standard.
Given that the whole idea is to attract more riders into tackling the proper British Championship class this seems the perfect way to do it.
If they rode Expert A last year there is no reason that those same riders cannot enter Championship in 2012.
Then, the Expert course is intended to attract those who entered Expert B in previous seasons, especially those who want a go at British Championship but probably won't ride the whole series, maybe just several rounds which don't
involve expensive travelling.
Numbers even themselves out as the rounds take place around the country with their own local entries.
There will be a maximum entry of 100 riders per round with priority going to the Championship class riders.
Organisers have the option of marking out 12 or 15 sections with three laps of the course in either case.
Championship class riders have the option of registering an Assistant who can accompany them ON FOOT to carry tools, drink, etc.
This Assistant will only be alowwedd inside the section boundary if invited by an Observer. Sections where this might apply will have been identified by the Clerk of the Course who may decide to allow the option purely on safety grounds.
It is intended this will be the exception rather than the rule. Sections are not intended to be dangerous.
There will continue to be practise sessions on the sections the day before each trial. As was printed last week, riders who intend to ride the Championship class must register with the ACU in the first instance.
The opening round, the Lochaber club's Macdonald Trial that has always proved a very fair test, will take place on Sunday April 15.
The decision to go No-Stop has been a brave and, to be honest, radical one and while one does sympathise with the lads who chase World Championship honours, the strength and future of the British series comes first.
