Trials Torque: Seymours all set for big Bonanza
By John Dickinson on 24th Jun 16
THE Berks Bonanza Super Trial, run by the enthusiastic North Berks MCC, is amazingly in its 10th year of running.
This prestigious event is being staged at its famous venue, Seymours Arena in the little Oxfordshire village of Aston Tirrold and the dates for your diaries this year being the weekend August 20/21.
Over those last 10 years the event has seen some famous names come and go.
Graham Jarvis won the first one, chased hard all the way by Sam Connor, Michael Philipson and Steve Saunders.
Michael Brown claimed the win in the second year with the likes of Jonny Walker, Lee Sampson and Mika Vesterinen close behind all trying to win the big cash prize.
King of the Berks Bonanza Super Trial though, with a mighty seven victories is James Dabill but always chased hard by the likes of Alexz Wigg, Sam Haslam, Ross Danby, Jack Challoner and many more.
Unfortunately, this year James will not be able to defend his title due to other commitments, so there will be another name on the trophy for the 10th anniversary, so surely Michael Brown, Alexz Wigg and Sam Haslam (all Gas Gas), Jack Sheppard (Beta) and Ross Danby on the TRS will all be trying to get their hands on the Berks Bonanza Cup not to mention the very useful £850 that goes with it.
But will it be one of the new kids on the block who will step up to the plate and take the event forward into a new era?
Jack Price has been taking the Trial2 class by storm in the 2016 Trial World Championship, with strong opposition from Iwan Roberts and Dan Peace. Jack Peace is running away with the Trial125 title.
Then there are young guns like Toby Martyn, Tom Minta and more names to follow in an increasingly exciting line-up.
Work has already started on changing all the sections, with two laps of eight sections for qualifying, then the top eight riders going through to the final which will comprise a single lap of 10 sections.
After five sections it is devil take the hindmost as the four highest scorers drop out, leaving the final four to battle it out to the end to see who is the King of Seymours this year.
Stu Robinson is in there with his earth-moving machinery to ensure spectacular and challenging hazards for both riders and spectators to enjoy.
On the Saturday, the weekend will kick-off with Ladies and Girls events plus Sidecars, with two routes for the Ladies and Girls battling it out over two laps of 10 sections to see who goes through to the final.
With reigning World and Britsh Champion Emma Bristow on the factory Sherco the others have all got a hard task in front of them, like former British Champ Becky Cook on TRS, Jess Bown on Scorpa, Victoria Payne Sherco and Gas Gas-mounted Louise Alford.
On the B course there is sure to be a great battle with local girl Alicia Robinson, Alice Minta, Gabby Whitham and Charlotte Kimber (all Beta) against Jen Stephens and Catherine Alford on Gas Gas.
We'll bring you updates on the latest entry confirmations and all things Berks Bonanza Super Trial as soon as they happen!
