No stopping super Dibs
By Colin Bullock on 21st Dec 12
With the controversial return to no-stop observing rules for the British Championships in 2012, the Lochaber clubsMacdonald Trial had the eyes of the whole trials world looking on with interest.
So with series sponsorship from the ACU, Doodson Insurance and TRC Truck Rental, the organisers of the opening round, the Lochaber club's Macdonald Trial, had a tough job on their hands with the eyes of the world on them.
But with the biggest entry of riders in the British Championship class for many years they came through well.
The ACU's brave decision to go to the no-stop rules had not been universally popular but the trial staged at the Nevis Range Ski Centre, north of Fort William, proved a good start to the season.
It was thought that the new format would throw-up some different results – and that is what happened.
Michael Brown, who started the year as the British number two on the Gas Gas, came home thewinner, losing just three all day.
He was followed by Sherco's Gary Macdonald, the local from just down the road at Kinlochleven, who rode what he described as "the trial of my life” as he held off three times and reigning British Champion James Dabil,l who had to settle for third.
Clerk of the Course Ally Morrice, well aware of the pressure on his shoulders, quite rightly erred on the side of caution and made sure his sections were possible for the majority of the entry, not just the top three.
Dabill only dropped marks in one section, number seven which was the first of a brand new group in a steep forest gully with tons of potential.
But that first lap five proved a disaster as Brown posted lap scores of 0-2-1 and Macdonald 2-2-0 to nail the first two podium places.
Midlands rider Ross Danby took a distant fourth place on his debut ride for the new Jotagas.
Ross dropped 15 through the opening 12 sections but completed the day with laps of just one and three to prove that he would be a force to reckon with in future rounds.
Returning to the series were southern ace Sam Connor and east Yorkshireman Ian Austermuhle. Both are very competitive at traditional-style events and they revelled in the stream sections that resembled the Scottish Six Days Trial type going.
With only two classes this year the Experts group had a good entry which included Richard Timperley and John Crinson, two riders who have narrowly missed out on this title in the past.
Both were on good form with north east rider Crinson just being a little more consistent which netted him the win. Thomas Hick was third.
It was of course very early days for the Championships and the trial had proved a safe opener, with sections marked out very different to the spectacular hazards of past seasons.
Rd 2: Westwood
For the second round, a month later, the series headed to the Westwood venue just outside Sheffield amid concerns that the ground was not ideal for no stop – and coming after the excellent Scottish opener it had a lot to live up to.
The atmosphere seemed muted, perhaps the awesome Scottish venue with the big hospitality truck, PA system etc had been so impressive it was struggling to compete.
Michael Brown started the day of in the worst possible way fiving the very first sub, which by his standards was fairly easy hazard comprising banks and turns.
By comparison, reigning champ James Dabill started off with five cleans before losing marks on a tree-log sub that was very difficult to make a genuine no stop ride.
This turned out to be a problem throughout the day, especially on the second half of the course, with section 12 being a real killer.
Only Dibs and Ross Danby really mastered the tight route marking.
Ross was actually a little unlucky not to make a first podium visit on the Jotagas but Alexz Wigg grabbed third by just two marks.
In the Experts it was Richard Timperley who took top honours this time with John Crinson second, Timps getting the job done on lap one giving him a clear victory.
Best lap of the day in the group however came from Adam Milner who went clean on his third circuit.
From a Championship perspective, Browny led on 37 points to Dabill's 35 and while neither rider was exactly happy to go no stop this year, there was still a title to be won.
FOR FULL REPORT AND PICTURES SEE TMX DECEMBER 21
