THE USA SET TO WELCOME THE 2008 TITLE FIGHT
By TMX Archives on 21st Apr 08
The 2008 FIM SPEA Trial World Championship moves to the USA this coming weekend as the small rural town of Sequatchie in Tennessee prepares to stage round three of the series. The purpose created Trials Training Centre, will once again host two days of competition, as it did back in 2006 when the championship first visited this venue.
America is the first of two back to back overseas events in the 2008calendar, with riders and their teams heading to Japan in late May for yetanother two day competition. Without the comfort of their large factory trucks,the fly away events always bring an extra dimension for the riders, as they lookto cope with the restrictions of working out of a package case.
Adam Raga Gas Gas will have fond memories of his travels to Sequatchie two years ago,with the current championship joint leader having won both days of the 2006round on route to his second outdoor World title. Reigning champion Toni Bou Repsol Montesa HRC will be looking to restore his advantage over Raga afterlosing out to his arch rival in Ireland following his initial victory inLuxembourg.
The supporting cast of Takahisa Fujinami Repsol MontesaHRC, Albert Cabestany Sherco and Dougie Lampkin / Jeroni Fajardo Beta willall be hoping that they can stop the leading duo in conditions that will be wetand slippery at best. Forty six riders are listed in total to compete inSequatchie, with no less than nine of these being from the home Nation, althoughthe USA will have no representation in the top class.
British teenagerAlexz Wigg Montesa will look to extend his 100% record, and to increase hislead at the top of the World Junior standings. The limestone river and muddybankings should give Wigg a clear advantage over his Spanish challenger AlfredoGomez Montesa, who will be more at home in the drier conditions of SouthernEurope. Two consistent outings have put Sam Haslam Gas Gas in third place inthe general standings, and with the hope of an even better performance on theBritish like going in America.
Through in the Youth category the hopesand expectations of the vast nation of the USA will be carried on the youngshoulders of Patrick Smage Sherco who begun the season as the favourite inthis class. A third position at the opening round, and a runners up spot inIreland have left Smage without a win to date, and in third place in theseries.
Patrick will have to defeat current championship leader JackChalloner Beta and the shock package of Francesc Moret Gas Gas, if he is toget his campaign back on track and give his home fans something to really cheerabout.
Past winners
GP USA
1994 Jordi Tarres
1996 Jordi Tarres
1997 Dougie Lampkin
1999 Dougie Lampkin
2001 Dougie Lampkin
2002 Takahisa Fujinami
2003 Takahisa Fujinami
2004 - Takahisa Fujinami
2005 - Takahisa Fujinami
2006 Adam Raga
2008 FIM Riders Championship Current Standings:
World
1: Raga 37
2: Bou 37
3: Fujinami 30
Junior
1: Wigg 40
2: Gomez 32
3: Haslam 27
Youth 125cc
1: Challoner 37
2: Moret 35
3: Smage 32
2008 FIM Manufacturers Championship Current Standings:
1: Montesa 67
2: Gas Gas 55
3: Beta 44
4: Sherco 36
This round: 26/27th April Sequatchie, USA
Next round: 31st May/1st June Motegi, Japan