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The ACU Events Ltd British Trials Championship reached the half way stage with The Mitchell Trial held for the second year at Morlais Quarry close to Merthyr Tydfil in Wales.
Perfect weather prevailed and bathed the venue in bright sunshine for both practice and trial day. The dry weather created a problem for the organisers as the Championship entry found the Quarry’s 12 sections too easy during the practice session and asked for the hazards to be toughened up.
The Experts B were first away at 09:30 and it was John Crinson and Ricky Wiggins who started well with single dab rides on section two which would prove to be the toughest hazard of the event. While these rides were good Josh Law posted a clean on his opening lap and this was not matched by anyone else in the class all day.
Series leader Sam Ludgate was not to be outdone however and he quietly went about the task of extending his lead in the group although he was pushed seriously by Josh Woods who was leading after two laps. In fact the top four riders were only split by three marks after the 36 sections as Ricky Wiggins had also joined the challengers for the top spot on the day.
With Ian Austermuhle absent from the Experts A, Sam Connor would be a pre event favourite and this was how it actually unfolded. Connor also fell foul of section two on his first visit but the man from down South does not give in easily and despite losing the best line at the top of the section he used his strength to post a fighting three. The next three riders following Sam home were Ben Morphett on 18 and he was showing everyone just what a good prospect he is. This was by far and away his best ride in the championship to date and on a 125 as well. James Fry was third with a welcome return to form and then came Jonathan Richardson who had suffered a five on the rocks at Section four on lap two. This was a hazard that he cleaned on both of his other two visits.
Last out was the Championship entry and they all cleaned Section one which without any recent rain on the ground was nowhere near the hazard it was 12 months ago.
Section two was however a different kettle of fish as it had not caused many problems in practice but the final ascent was pretty horrendous and the rock slab even on the best line was difficult to get on to.
Early on Jack Challoner fived, although he and his minder felt they had been baulked and it just did not happen for Ross Danby or George Morton. Craig Robinson did the job however for a two and then informed the organiser that it had been easy.
Easy it was not and James Dabill had a horrendous crash here which almost wrecked his bike, but he was given a huge applause by the crowd when he picked himself up relatively unscathed. Michael Brown then gave the crowd something else to cheer with a superb clean, a feat matched only by a very determined looking Alexz Wigg.
Wiggy carried on the good work on the next section where a very steep grassy bank caught out many. A one dab loss was the best posted on lap one.
Section four at the other end of the Quarry gave little trouble and then riders dropped down into the wooded part of the course with the most difficult of these sections being the seventh which took marks all day. When riders came back out into the quarry area at sub nine they were faced with a nasty early double step. George Morton had a great ride here to post an opening lap clean. He was justifiably well pleased with his efforts. Michael and Alexz followed suit as did James Dabill, happily going exceedingly well again if short on time after fixing his bike. James then got in and out of section 12 with literally seconds to spare from his lap one allowance.
At the end of the first circuit Alexz was in the lead, James second and Michael third. Alexz then posted a lap of four marks lost to increase his advantage whilst the Mighty Atom almost matched him. Dibs however took two fives, another on at the second sub and then on nine where he got his approach to the step wrong.
Brownie was still holding second but he needed first to keep in the Championship race and with an astonishing lap for two marks he nudged Alexz out at the finish. Dabill came back strongly for third with Jack Challoner fourth after improving his score every lap.
The next round will be the West of England on June 14th. For further information please contact Alison.devine@acu.org.uk or call on 01788 566400.
2009 BRITISH SOLO TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP
1 James Dabill Gas Gas 75
2 Michael Brown Sherco 67
3 Alexz Wigg Beta 52
4 Shaun Morris Beta 52
5 Jack Challoner Beta 40
6 Sam Haslam Gas Gas 38
7 Ross Danby Gas Gas 36
8 Dougie Lampkin Beta 34
9 George Morton Beta 32
10 Craig Robinson Gas Gas 26
EXPERT A CLASS
1 Sam Connor Beta 77
2 Ian Austermuhle Beta 52
3 Gary Macdonald Sherco 52
4 Jonathan Richardson Sherco 41
5 Lee Sampson Gas Gas 41
6 Ben Morphett Beta 39
7 Dan Thorpe Gas Gas 33
8 James Fry Sherco 32 30
9 Jonny Walker Gas Gas 29
10 Liam Walker Gas Gas 24
EXPERT A 125cc CLASS
1 Jonathan Richardson Sherco 72
2 Ben Morphett Beta 69
3 Jonny Walker Gas Gas 67
EXPERT B CLASS
1 Sam Ludgate Scorpa 72
2 John Crinson Scorpa 58
3 Ricky Wiggins Gas Gas 56
4 Josh Woods Beta 37
5 James Carr Scorpa 36
6 Daniel Gamble Beta 29
7 Andrew Blackman Gas Gas 23
8 Darren Brice Scorpa 20
9 Philip Kettlewell Gas Gas 19
10 Daniel Greatorex Gas Gas 19