The stars head for the Lakes
By TMX Archives on 15th Oct 09
ONE of the most popular trials in the National calendar takes place this weekend when the Lakes Motorcycle Trials Association (LMTA) staged The Lakes National Two-Day Trial which will be based once again in the picturesque village of Broughton-in-Furness, Cumbria.
Once again, more than a full house of entries have been accepted and over 180 riders will get the full benefit of two days in fabulous countryside with a big single lap each day with 40 different sections to tackle on each course. There are, once again, National and Clubman section options but the big change this year is the introduction of No-stop observing which ought to help keep the trial on the move, keep queueing to a minimum and allow the monster entry to finish each day before dark.
On the rider front it is true to say that Everybody is riding apart from Doug.
The National class is headed by recently crowned 2009 British Trials Champion James Dabill on the Gas Gas and runner-up, Sherco's Michael Brown. But last year's winner Alexz Wigg, going well now on the Beta EVO, will be keen to defend his Lakes title and a cracking battle is in store.
And there's no shortage of top class opposition with Dan Thorpe, Ian Austermuhle, Sam Haslam, Jack Challoner and Chris Pearson while Lancashire's Shaun Morris is set to make a welcome comeback to the National scene. Devon's Joe Baker is another returnee to top class trials having spent the summer enduro riding.
Local focus will be on Darren Brice, Stephen Dixon and Jonny Walker who will continue his rivalry with Yorkshire's Jon Richardson. Emma Bristow, Katy Sunter and Saskia Baxter will be out there doing it for the girls.
The Lakes is a real trial for riding with your pals and there are lots of small groups of friends riding including around a dozen from the Isle of Man including Saskia!
With a large entry to cater for, start times are a bright and early 9am both days from the Auction Mart yard in the centre of Broughton.
With over a dozen groups of sections each day, spectators are advised to purchase a programme in order to work out your days' viewing. Everyone, PLEASE, treat the countryside with respect, don't drop litter, keep your dogs on a lead and park with consideration for others. It all sounds officious but is just common sense. The future of the Lakes and all such trials depends on the goodwill of the locals so don't give them cause to complain.
With just a tiny bit of thought we can all enjoy a fantastic weekend and you can read all about it next week in T+MX and enjoy Eric Kitchen's excellent trials pics.