No stopping the Champs!
By TMX Archives on 2nd Dec 11
Following several meetings between the Trials and Enduro committee and the major importers of trials machines into Britain the ACU has announced major changes for the Doodson ACU British Trials Championship 2012. The big news is that the series will be observed under No-stop rules (TSR 22b) - and that Minders will not be allowed!
This shock announcement comes after the importers, John Lampkin (Beta), Malcolm/Rhoda Rathmell (Sherco), John Shirt (Gas Gas) and Nigel Birkett (Ossa and Scorpa) expressed considerable concern at the extremely low entries in the Championship class (which had dropped to as low as six) and urged the committee to consider radical action to regenerate interest in the series. The importers met with several members of the T&E committee plus ACU Chairman Brian Higgins at the Dirt Bike Show to let their feelings known and this was then followed by an official meeting at Rugby. It is known that several committee members wished to keep British Championship rules as close to World and European Championship rules as possible but the importers stance was that the concern was the British series, not the World, which also suffers from a chronic shortage of Championship class riders.
It was following this meeting that the T&E committee then discussed what had been said and made the anouncement. The series is proposed to run with six rounds - all off-road as at present - but the sections will be considerably revised and eased in deference to the new rules. The pre-trial practice sessions will continue as before.
The next step is a meeting with proposed Championship Trial organisers in order to find-out their views and feelings. The committee and importers will be throwing their full weight behind a plan to help the organisers and observers by stamping out riders arguing and harrassing observers with bad language. This will simply not be tolerated.
There will be just two classes and courses (Championship and Expert) in 2012 instead of the current three. And with the considerably eased Championship class sections it is hoped that many more riders will enter for the British Championship proper.
The ACU press release is printed in full below:
The ACU Trials & Enduro Committee is pleased to announce, after much debate and discussion, considerable changes to the British Solo Trials Championship. On Thursday November 24 2011 the Committee met with the Importers. This proved an extremely useful and constructive meeting. Following the meeting the Committee announced that:
For 2012 the ACU Doodson British Solo Trials Championship format will be:
• 6 rounds all off-road.
• 2 Classes.
• Observing rules to be to TSR 22b (No Stop).
• Section severity considerably eased to ensure wider participation especially in the championship class.
• No Minders.
• The pre-event Practice Session will be retained.
Further to this the T&E, Importers and Organisers will work together with particular emphasis on rider behaviour. Arguing with the observers and the use of any foul language will not be tolerated.
The T&E and Importers were in full agreement that the emphasis should now be on co-operation with all parties to provide a comprehensive package and emphasise the status of the British Solo Trial Championship. This will take time as it will include marketing, publicity, and presentation of the events.
The number of laps, number of Ssections and other details to be finalised in due course following a re-scheduled meeting with the 2012 organisers to which again the Riders and Importers will be invited.
The Committee look forward to working together with all parties and to a highly successful 2012 Championship.
TMX will bring you all the latest news as it happens on the all-new Doodson British Trials Championship.
