Tuesday September 15, 2009 at 10:59am
The final round of the ACU Events British Trials Championship will take place on September 26th - 27th and it goes to another new organiser at this level and a different venue.
The Kent Youth Trials and Wickham Clubs will host the last of the 2009 Solo Championships. Although new to the adult series Kent has had a reputation for cracking Youth events over the years and their venue for this one at Sandfields is said to be a bit of a mini Hawkstone Park with tree lined banks and rocky outcrops.
The organisers have spent a good few days camping out at the venue to make sure that 12 challenging sections have been laid on and they are confident of an event that will bring a thrilling end to the Championship.
The other exiting news is that the ACU has sanctioned a ‘practice permit’ for Monday 28th so there is the chance to sign up and ride on the land the day after the Trial.
Back to the Trial itself; in the Championship it is looking good for James Dabill to take his first overall win and a finish anywhere in the points will see him leave Michael Brown with the number two plate for the second year in succession. Shirty will be more than pleased to see a Gas Gas rider as British number one, Steve Colley being the last which is a few years back now.
Sam Connor has the Expert A all to himself this year from round two onwards and now the Kent man can relax and enjoy the last event. Having said that he has looked well in control all year and no-one can begrudge him the title. Scotland’s Gary Macdonald hold second comfortably but the final podium could go to any one of three great young riders. Ben Morphett currently is running third but Lee Sampson and Jonathan Richardson are very close.
Things are much tighter in the Expert B Class where there has been a titanic struggle between two Scorpa riders, Sam Ludgate and John Crinson with Ricky Wiggins also in the mix. This group has been a more than welcome addition to the series in 2009 and with only three points separating current leader Ludgate from Crinson the top place could go either way.
If you are planning the trip to spectate then the venue is Sandfields Farm, near to Penshurst in Kent. Practice is Saturday between 3-5 pm £5 per car up to four people.
The Trial is on Sunday with a 10.30 start. £7 per car up to four people, camping costs £5 per night. More information is available at www.kytc.co.uk. If you want to ride the sections the next day the cost is £16.00 and more details can be obtained from Andy Hogg on 07894 806788 or by email to hogg_a1@sky.com.