Dibs or Brown?
By John Dickinson on 17th Sep 14
THE RT Keedwell-sponsored ACU British Solo Trials Championship reaches its climax this weekend with a double-header in the West Country.
On Saturday, September 20/21, the West of England club will play host to round six and then on Sunday, Torridge and DMCC will take charge of the seventh and final round of the series.
As expected this year's series has turned out to be a two-horse race between World No.6 James Dabill on his factory Beta and reigning champ Michael Brown on his JST Gas Gas.
After Michael won the opening round, staged at Fell Green, Bootle, staged by Lakes MTA, James bagged the following four rounds, with Michael second each time, to hold a nine point lead going into this weekend.
Given the narrow margin it seems certain that the battle will go to the final round on Sunday before the 2014 Champion can be crowned.
And there's an equally close fight going on for third place in the series between Alexz Wigg (Gas Gas), Jack Sheppard (Beta) and Ross Danby on the Jotagas, the points being 67, 63 and 57 respectively.
Alexz and Jack have been close all year but Ross is coming into the final two rounds on a charge having bettered his position in each of the last four rounds having finished ninth, sixth, fourth and third respectively and will be hoping to build on that rising run of form.
All three lads will be really giving it everything with that third place in the standings up for grabs.
In the Expert class, Beta-mounted Guy Kendrew is almost certain to take the title on Saturday as, after winning all five rounds to date, he stands on exactly 100 points, 38 ahead of Sherco rider James Stones.
However, James is under threat from Welsh challenger Joel Edwards, just four points in arrears. Tom Affleck is just a further five points back.
And in this large and popular class there's plenty of contenders who can mix it towards the front and have a say in the final standings.
Saturday's Anthony Rew Trial will take place at Kelly Farm, Lustleigh, Devon (TR13 9SW) while Sunday's Rene Pearce Memorial Trial will be at Browsentor Farm, Peter Tavy, Tavistock, Devon (PL19 9NA).
Both events will start at 9.30am and both will follow the BTC format of three laps of 12 sections over a short course.
