Dibs wins again
By TMX Archives on 11th Aug 10
The Bonanza Super Trial, the brainchild of the North Berkshire Club, is now firmly established as an annual fixture in the calendar these days and last Sunday's event at Seymour's Arena, near Didcot, can only cement it as a must' to visit - and hundreds of spectators did just that.
The organisers had a superb entry which included the vast majority of the British Championship contenders plus former British champ Graham Jarvis who was showing flashes of his old brilliance during the warm-up session.
The action started at 11am with all of the riders having to complete two laps of seven subs within a two hour time limit. Each of the sections, which were as spectacular as ever, carried a 90 second time allowance which proved not to be a problem for any of the riders.
James Fry had the disadvantage of being first man away and got caught out early on over a big tree stump. Having the benefit of seeing the problem good early rides were posted by Craig Robinson and George Morton.
Section two was the infamous Devil's Staircase which always causes problems at the summit where an additional rock formation before the big step left Jack Sheppard and Ben Morphett's bikes in the hands of their minders. It remained a big test all day.
Section three was another tester, with most of the lethal stuff within sight of the Ends card. Among its victims were Jack Challoner and Graham Jarvis, both caught-out by the big slab. Sam Haslam put in a good effort as did Ross Danby, both of whom had plenty of support being relatively local riders.
It was Grimbo who was getting some vocal gee up out of the final step - from the other riders and minders. They were giving him some good natured banter which he took in spirit it was intended.
The Terrafirma 4/4 hazard was next and the tricky bit was a straight-on log which just invited the rear wheel to slip off. Even Michael Brown and James Dabill had to treat it with respect.
One of the big spectator draws was the ‘woodyard' with its succession of big logs but it rode a little easier than it looked giving many the chance of a low-scoring ride. It was toughened-up for the Final and then even Dibs declared it as looking big. The ACE sponsored last sub was the staircases near to the paddock and it made great viewing.
Alexz Wigg started slowly by his standards and was not happy with his first lap but a good clean at the start of lap two put him on track and he was looking for a place in the four man final. Most riders cut their scores significantly on the second circuit, most notably Danby and Morton, although neither made the final cut.
Those places went to Dibs, Browny, Challoner and Wigg, who had a 30 minute break before the last lap which included two additional hazards including the all new waterfall which looked a real spectacular tester.
All four riders now rode the sections one after each other with Alexz going first. The Bicester Tyre section now had a huge rock placed on the first big climb and it made the airtime bigger but did not stop anyone. Alexz cleaned, Jack had a dab before Michael and James both went through without loss.
The Jitsie staircase was just as unforgiving with only Brownie going clean before an appreciative crowd. Dibs took a dab but this could have been much worse as his rear wheel went sideways as he exited the final step.
Alexz and Jack both had steady threes at ‘Andrews' whilst Michael got through for two before easily firing up the final step. Dibs recorded the only clean with a world class ride that put him one in front with six sections to go. Section four had been toughened-up and no one cleaned it with Dabill best on a two.
Section five, sponsored by MRS, provided one of the talking points as Mighty Atom Brown dropped a maximum when he was judged to have broken a tape. Ironic it was on his sponsor's section. Jack Lee made sure Dibs went nowhere close to the perimeter and a clean put the Gas Gas rider firmly in charge.
On to the Gas Gas Woodyard' and this was spectacular but surprisingly only Jack Challoner fell foul of the trees. Alexz had a good clean which was well received by the crowd and that meant he was in a comfortable third place. Everyone lost marks on the steps and drop of section seven but the overall positions remained unchanged.
Just two sections remained. The ‘TRC' sub stopped Alexz and Michael but both at different parts, Jack got through for a fighting three before James virtually sealed victory with a text book ride.
So then onto the waterfall a newly built section that would not have looked out of place at a World Round. Wiggy went first and was caught out by the very slick final climb. Challoner went next and made a tremendous clean, the crowd were well impressed. Brownie had a solitary dab near the summit and then it was all eyes on Dibs who for once got it wrong and just never made it onto the second from last step. He had however done more than enough to take the top prize for the second year in succession bringing to an end a near six hour programme of superb trials action
Bonanza super trial
Seymour's Arena, near Didcot (North Berkshire Club)
Qualifying: James Dabill (Gas Gas) 7 marks lost, Michael Brown (Sherco) 17, Jack Challoner (Beta) 24, Alexz Wigg (Beta) 30, Ross Danby (Gas Gas) 32, George Morton (Beta) 37, Sam Haslam (Gas Gas) 43, Graham Jarvis (Sherco) 49, Craig Robinson (Gas Gas) 53, Ben Morphett (Beta) 54, Jack Sheppard (Beta) 55, James Fry (Sherco) 65.
Final: James Dabill (Gas Gas) 9, Michael Brown (Sherco) 17, Alexz Wigg (Beta) 23, Jack Challoner (Beta) 27.