It’s time for a double Scotch
By Team TMX on 29th Jul 15
SCOTLAND hosts rounds seven and eight of the 2015 RT Keedwell ACU British Trials Championship this weekend, August 1/2 with the cream of the British men and Youth A Trials Academy heading to Dunlop in East Ayrshire.
The Academy is Scotland's premier Trials training ground, set up by by Iain Shankie to ensure that youths and adults can participate in the sport in a safe and legal environment and are able to receive coaching at all levels.
Following the venue's successful British Championship debut last year, the trial returns under the watchful eye of clerk of the course, Sandy Mack.
The team has spent a lot of time working on the sections for this weekend, in particular developing new sections.
And the spectacular waterfall, which was the sting in the tail, has been modified to ensure riders will have to think before attempting.
Highly praised after last year's event, British Champ James Dabill thought it one of the best rounds of the series.
The Academy looks forward to welcoming Britain's top riders and many spectators on Saturday and Sunday for the 9.30am start.
It looks like James is heading to retain his crown but he will give Vertigo their first National Championship.
Injuries to both of his early rivals Michael Brown and Jorge Casales have given James a huge 45-point lead with just three rounds remaining, two of them this weekend. Michael still holds second place in the series.
But Sam Haslam is now only four points adrift of Browny – who is still recovering from his knee injury – with Alexz Wigg, Billy Bolt, Ross Danby and Sam Connor all fighting for those top three places.
One thing that has come out of this year is the emergence of some fine young riders with Billy, Jack Price and Iwan Roberts.
Jack and Iwan hit Scotland after their successful trip to America last week for their World Cup round.
The Expert Class sees Dan Thorpe leading the series by five points from Tom Hooper then there is a gap of 13 points back to comeback king Jonny Starmer.
Dan has won three of the rounds to date whilst young Tom has yet to finish on the top step of the podium.
He has been superbly consistent all year never having been lower than fourth. In the Youths Toby Martyn started the season with four straight win.
But Jack Peace has come back into the reckoning with victories at Neath and Scarborough. Now they are only six points apart so that could also go down to the season's end.
FOR MORE TRIALS TORQUE STORIES SEE TMX NEWS, JULY 30, ISSUE 1982
