Rock on to Brimham
By John Dickinson on 5th Aug 11
The ACU Events sponsored 2011 British Solo Trials Championship is now moving into the sharp end of the season and round six of the scheduled eight comes up this weekend at Brimham Rocks in deepest Yorkshire and organised as always by the Yeadon Guiseley Motor Club hosting their Mackenzie trial.
The venue at Brimham provides technical, tough sections and for spectators it is superb as everything takes place in a confined wooded valley and you will not miss a thing. Brimham is located at Summerbridge, Harrogate, North Yorks with the postcode HG3 4DW. Practice takes place between 3-5 pm on Saturday and the trial starts Sunday at 10am.
In the Championship class James Dabill still holds a healthy lead, even after he was beaten in the last round at Torridge, Devon, by Michael Brown. Before then, 'Dibs' was on a 15-event winning streak in the Britsish series. Ross Danby made the final podium place in Devon and he now moves to third overall in the standings, just reward for his consistent performances.
Jack Challoner, concentrating on the Italian series as a factory Beta rider, returns for this event and he is always likely to put in a high level of performance. But expect 'Dibs' and 'Browny' to engage in another battle royale. There wasn't much between them in the World Round in Scotland last Sunday and Michael now has the bit between his teeth. Expect a real needle-match on Sunday as the two pals go head-to-head.
In Experts A class, Ricky Wiggins has opened up a comfortable gap between himself and second place-man Jack Spencer. Spencer has scored well in all of the rounds other than the West of England, the only event where he did not make a podium finish.
The regulars will however have a couple of additional threats this time out, who could really get involved in the Championship points in the form of east Yorks rider Ian Austermuhle and Scottish ace Gary Macdonald who will hopefully be making a rare appearance this year.
The well supported Expert B Group not only sports a full-house entry, it has eight riders champing at the bit on the reserve list! The class has produced a fascinating season-long battle between two men – Richard Timperley on Sherco and Guy Kendrew on the Ossa. The pair have been setting the pace with only Kyle Hayes being able to split them at Torridge. With MRS rider 'Timps' t aking the Devon win, this enabled him to open up a five-point margin over Kendrew, but this is a battle that is far from over and there are any number of riders – James Lampkin for instance – well capable of mixing it with the leading duo.
Even the non-championship Youth class is over-subsribed with two riders on the reserve list eager to try Championship sections.
If you want to see the best of British in trials this weekend this is one cracking event. The hillside is very steep and rocky so take care while watching. Apart from that, enjoy what is sure to be an exciting day's sport.
2011 CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (after 5 rounds)
Championship Class: 1 James Dabill 97 point , 2 Michael Brown 88, 3 Ross Danby 61, 4 Sam Haslam 58, 5 Alexz Wigg 56, 6 Jonathan Richardson 52, 7 Ben Morphett 34, 8 George Morton 33, 9 Jack Challoner 26, 10 Craig Robinson 20.
Expert A Class: 1 Ricky Wiggins 79, 2 Jack Spencer 71, 3 James Fry 66, 4 Jake Evens Luter 56, 5 Andy Chilton 44, 6, Robert Harries 40, 7 Ben Wibberley 40, 8 Josh Brain 35, 9, Jack Sheppard 34, 10 Richard Sadler 27.
Expert B Class: 1 Richard Timperley 94, 2 Guy Kendrew 89, 3 Adam Milner 52, 4 Buster Regan 44, 5 Kyle Hayes 43, 6 Keelan Hancock 41, 7 Josh Woods 41, 8 Ben Sprigg 38, 9 Zac Sherwin 34, 10 Shaun Fox 25.
