Neath spirit for Brit boys
By TMX Archives on 13th May 15
NEATH MC will be holding the 2015 St Davids Trial this Sunday, May 17, which will represent the fifth round of the 2015 RT Keedwell British Trials Championship.
It is now 50 years since the first St David's trial was run by NMC which has been run over various courses at various venues – and this year it will once again at the superb Llety Rafel Farm, Aberdulais, Neath, SA10 8HR.
The trial will of course be run to the Championship no stop rules with no minders and no practice.
The route has been marked out over the prescribed three laps of 12 sections to provide for a good mix of hazards.
A combination of traditional sections will benefit from a flowing riding style and some more technical and spectacular rock steps which should allow the top riders to really show off their skills.
The lap is a good length to maximise the challenges for the riders but hopefully still allows for a good flow from section to section for spectators to follow their favourite riders, especially on the opening lap.
When attending the venue we ask that you bear in mind, when walking, riding or driving around that this land is the farmers' livelihood so please stick to the markers and official routes, avoid climbing over fences, gates and alls.
And please take all litter home or use the bins available.
In the Championship class James Dabill – following fourth place at the Scottish – will be looking to get on with defending his British title.
And with his pal and rival Michael Brown out of action with that bust right kneecap – sustained in a crash at the Japanese World Round – James ought to come out of Wales with a substantial Championship lead, as he seeks a first National Championship for the Vertigo factory.
The opposition would be expected to be John Lampkin's Beta ‘import' in the form of rising young Spanish star Jorge Casales.
It was Casales' own decision to contest the full British series and after a shaky start in the opening southern-based rounds Jorge struck his true form in Devon having won the opening day and then followed Browny and Dibs home on the second.
But with Casales also on the injury list with a broken bone in his left foot maybe he too will be a non-starter although reported to be making a remarkably rapid recovery.
With Michael unfortunately out there's the chance of a podium for someone. So could it be the on-form Sam Haslam, fresh from his superb SSDT podium, or will one of the teenagers Jack Price or Billy Bolt cause a shock after a week of practice in Scotland on their 125s?
The Expert class has been turned upside down this year and is currently led by young Tom Hooper, who has a four-mark lead over the experienced Dan Thorpe.
Currently third is Jonny Starmer – on his return to the sport – from young Yorkshireman James Stones.
The Youth A class is being run alongside the adults this year and so far it is four wins from four starts for the west country's Toby Martyn, who has been followed home on each occasion by east Yorks ace Jack Peace.
The first rider will start at 9.30am.
FOR MORE TRIALS TORQUE STORIES SEE TMX NEWS, THURSDAY MAY 14, (ISSUE 1971)
