Mick has answers over Scarborough
By TMX Archives on 29th Jun 12
I have to respond to the comments made in a letter printed by yourselves recently by Name and Address supplied about the recent round of the British Trials Championship, organised by the Scarborough Club.
I don't intend to raise the issue of No Stop/FIM rules as this is not going to change for at least the remainder of 2012.
The events for the 2012 Championship were agreed before the decision to go to no stop was taken.
Of all the people affected, the Scarborough Club are probably more anti no stop than some others. Despite this they honoured their commitment to run an event in the series and are to be commended for that.
The writer asks why "The ACU” didn't take action to insist on more sensible sections being set.
People seem to think that "The ACU” is a single entity with one mind and one direction. As the officially appointed ACU Steward at the event I offer my views.
When I arrived at the venue, at 9am Saturday morning (after a 5.30am start) I was taken into discussion with Steve Brown ( Scarborough Club Chairman) who explained to me the way he wanted the event to run.
Of paramount importance was that none of his club members would be lost due to being abused by riders or teams due to any disputed decisions.
Secondly that the event was for the enjoyment of the riders.
He explained that there would be a riders' debrief following the practice and that their opinions would be taken seriously.
The regulations for the Championship state that there should be between 12 and 15 sections per lap.
The Scarborough Club had marked out 22 sections taking into consideration the weather and stated that they intended to decide which 15 would be used just before practice.
All this duly happened and Youth/Expert riders and then Championship riders were given the chance to discuss their views with the organisers.
It wasn't just the top riders, all riders were consulted.
The ACU was also represented by the Chairman Brian Higgins, who has considerable experience in all off road sport and he was impressed with the way the club took on board the points made by the riders.
On the day of the trial I was kept busy calculating the results, so cannot claim to have first-hand knowledge of what happened other than seeing the scores on my computer screen.
But I do have to say that the bulk of the comments I heard were that it had been tough but a thoroughly
enjoyable day out.
As I said, "The ACU” is not one single person and if a different steward had been present he may have had a different view to mine.
But then, I am a confirmed admirer of the Scarborough Club and someone who believes that the British Trials Championship should provide a real challenge to those who take part.
The amount of work the organisers had done deserves nothing but praise and should not be belittled by someone who won't even put his name to his letter.
Mick Wren, ACU Steward.
