Trials Torque: Browny’s ready for change of luck
By John Dickinson on 30th Mar 16
IT could be argued that if Michael Brown didnt have bad luck he wouldnt have any luck at all.
Fighting to get back to full fitness after his horror crash in last year's Japanese World Championship round at Motegi – in which he suffered a smashed knee that kept him out of action for the rest of the year – Michael had a great boost when he won the recent Cleveland National, in his native East Yorks.
But in Sunday's Jack Wood National, after a promising start, Michael had a big crash in the third group at Ughill.
The section, Don's Dig, is well known to Jack Wood competitors featuring a huge slate slab that is as slippery as ice.
Michael lost the Gasser, which crashed back down the hazard and went off on full noise.
By the time Michael reached the bike and yanked the ignition lanyard cutout off the engine was self-igniting and it continued to rev until it seized.
With time tight, John Shirt gave up his ride and Michael continued on John's bike – with the full knowledge of the club – in order to get in some much needed practice before the World and British Championships kick-in in the next couple of weeks.
John Shirt Jr said: "I was gutted, I had to retire and Michael was obviously going to be classed as a none finisher but he needs to be on the bike.
"It was just one of those things, lots of people crash of that section but the bike usually survives.
At least he wasn't hurt so he just has to crack on.”
