Will Graham be the Wightman?
By TMX Archives on 8th Jun 07
WITH the World Trials Championship taking a month's break, following the Japanese round last weekend, the Colin Appleyard British Solo Trials series takes centre stage in June with rounds four and five coming up fast, starting with the Lightweight club's event this Sunday in northern Ireland. The mainland-based Championship chasers will sail across the Irish sea for the Sammy Miller Trial which will be staged at the excellent Wightmans venue on Dunmore mountain.
In the main British Championship, Michael Brown, Alexz Wigg and Sam Haslam return from their Far East adventure to try and put one over the stay-at-home Brits led by unbeaten Championship leader Graham Jarvis who will be going for his fourth straight series win on the four-stroke Sherco. Gas Gas rival Shaun Morris has been just as consistent with three second places to date with Beta-mounted Brown completing the hat-trick on three thirds.
Former champ Steve Colley remains in close touch thanks to a trio of fourth place finishes while young Wiggy is looking to finally put one over his Gas Gas UK team- mate. Alexz will be swapping the buzzing 125 he used to such good effect in Japan fo the much more powerful 300 PRO model while Scorpa-mounted Sam, in turn, will be looking to put one over on his long-time Youth rival now both are established in the Adult scene.
In the competitive Experts class, south west ace Joe Baker is currently riding high, holding a seven point advantage for Birkett Scorpa in the Championship. Teenager Ross Danby holds second, riding the wheels off the 125 Gasser, while former champ Dan Thorpe is looking to get his 2007 Championship challenge finally underway after a trio of below-par third place rides.
The Sammy Miller trial will represent the half way point in the eight round Colin Appleyard sponsored series and we should have a fair idea if there are going to be any serious challenges to the class leaders in the latter half of the season.
The venue will be signed from Ballynahinch and the trial will get underway at 9am prompt on Sunday. Further details can be found on www.lightweightclub.co.uk