Skyrakes is ready for battle
By TMX Archives on 2nd Oct 08
IT'S crunch time this Sunday (October 4) for reigning British Trials Champion Graham Jarvis (Sherco) and 2008 title contender Michael Brown (Beta) at the exposed and remote Skyrakes Farm, near Skipton, where the Bradford Motor Club stage the final round of the Autowbars Colin Appleyard ACU 2008 British Trials Championship. Just a single championship point separates 33-year-old Jarvis from his 21-year-old challenger. And Shaun Morris (Gas Gas), who missed last year's championship shoot-out due to his horrific eye injury, is waiting in the wings just 10 points back from leader Brown, and is a genuine contender to win on the day. If he does, Shaun will just have to see what happens behind him.
The presence of multi-world champion Dougie Lampkin could easily throw a spanner in the works although the factory Beta star is hot favourite to win on the day.
Also looking to get right into the points as the season comes to a close are young guns Alexz Wigg (Future Montesa), and Gas Gas pairing Ross Danby and Sam Haslam.
Barnstaple graphic designer and reigning Expert champ Joe Baker again heads the Expert championship on his two-stroke Scorpa from 17-year-old Jack Challoner (125 Beta) who arrives fresh from a European season with a UEM Youth championship. Joe has a handy eight-point buffer but will need to be on his mettle as the Expert class is always hotly contested and Challoner will be pumped for a win on home Yorkshire soil.
Richmond's Jonathan Richardson aims to be the best of the non-championship quartet of Youths.
Clerk of Course Stuart Cameron and his assistant Kath Eddings have planned a testing 12-section course that will be lapped three times.
You can find Skyrakes Farm by taking the Skipton to Grassington road, the B6265, and the venue will be signed (on the left if facing Grassington) one mile past the Craven Heifer public house.
Starting time is 10am on Sunday and while it is a short walk uphill to the sections, the rock outcrop hazards are well worth the effort and there will be some spectacular riding. The competitors' official practice session will run from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday. Apart from that there will be no other riding at the venue. Refreshments will be available to all at the start.
Current Championship Standings: 1 Michael Brown 102, 2 Graham Jarvis 101, 3 Shaun Morris 92, 4 Alexz Wigg 69, 5 Sam Haslam 62, 6 Ross Danby 61.
Current Experts Standings: 1 Joe Baker 114, 2 Jack Challoner 106, 3 Dan Thorpe 82, 4 James Fry 73, 5 Ben Hemingway 67, Liam Walker 60.
125cc Standings: 1 Jack Challoner 120, 2 Adam Jones 51, James Graham 32.