Second helpings for Devon cream
By TMX Archives on 5th Apr 11
Round two of the eight round ACU Events sponsored 2011 British Trials Championship series moves down to the west country this weekend for the Anthony Rew Trial in Devon.
The organising West of England MCC have been given an earlier date in the calendar this year and this has given them some discussions on where to run.
After some deliberation it was decided to run once again at Kelly Farm, Lustleigh, which is not far from Bovey Tracey.
With the first round held a few weeks back at Westwood, near Barnsley in Yorkshire, we now have a form guide for each of the classes.
James Dabill – reigning champ with a full house of wins in 2010 – started 2011 exactly where he left off with a win at Westwood on his new Beta with Michael Brown second for Gas Gas and Sherco's new-boy Alexz Wigg third.
Jack Challoner, whose priority is the Italian Champs, will be in the mix this weekend and looking for a podium on his Beta.
Can there be an upset in Devon or will Dibs carry on taking the premiers and the points?
Ricky Wiggins was new to the A Championship in 2010, but having won the opening round in 2011 he must be more than pleased with his progress.
Look out for Beta-mounted Yorky Jack Spencer in this group as he is always there or there abouts and a win must be a possibility this season.
Look out also for Eastbourne's James Fry, while local ace and former British Expert champ Joe Baker will be looking for a home win on his Scorpa.
Then add teenager Jack Sheppard who could easily stick his 125 Beta on the top spot.
Although this class does not have the biggest of entries it is always worth watching – and don't forget that the non-championship Youth riders do the same sections as the Senior A.
Although it is still early days Guy Kendrew looked every bit a class act on his Ossa in the Expert B Championship and his win was not unexpected after some good early season rides.
Sherco's Richard Timperley was second last time out with Buster Regan third, but this class has always been very competitive and there are any number of riders capable of making the podium.
Car parking is excellent and close to the action which will involve some big granite boulders, strewn with moss to make things that little bit more tricky.
A short climb from the car park will get you right in the middle of the action and if the organisers put in last year's third hard section expect to see plenty of action from the Championship route as the boulders here take few prisoners.
Practice is on Saturday, April 2 from 3-5pm and then the trial proper will start on Sunday, April 3, at 10am, when the Youth and Expert B groups head out, followed a short time later by Expert A and then the Championship riders last.
Each rider has two hours 30 minutes to complete their first lap and a five hour 30 minutes overall time allowance.
If you are travelling down from the north keep on the A38 after Exeter and then look for the Bovey signs some 10 minutes later and you will find the venue signed from the A382 Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead Road.