Tuesday April 6, 2010 at 11:56am
James Dabill (photo) has started the season in tremendous form winning the very difficult Scarborough round with a fair margin between himself and Michael Brown. Jack Challoner came home third ahead of Alexz Wigg in Round One and you can be sure Wiggy will be keen to get back on the podium. The two newcomers Jonathan Richardson and Ben Morphett both looked at home in the senior class so it will be interesting to see how they both fair on the rock and mud at Kinlochleven.
In the Expert A Group Ian Austermuhle took the opening round and whenever he rides he will be very competitive. His main rivals could well be local Gary Macdonald who lives in the local village and look out for Jonny Walker who looks to have stepped up his game this season. Again two new riders to the class had very respectable rides at Round One - Jack Sheppard, last year’s Youth Champion is a quality act in the making and Ricky Wiggins has come up from the B group. Wiggins finished last year in third place with class wins to his name so he is very much someone to look out for.
It was all change at the start of the season in the B Group. Sam Ludgate has retired so we will see a new name on the Trophy come September. Darren Brice won at round One with his combination of machine and just the right amount of aggression paying dividends. The Cumbrian went really well in The Macdonald last season when on the 4-stroke Scorpa and he would be a good bet once again. Dan Farrer lost less marks than Brice at Scarborough but time penalties dropped him to second place. Farrer is always a determined competitor and he could be well placed again.
The B Class is well supported and they will be first away at 10 am followed by the B Group and lastly the Championship riders at around 10.45 on Sunday.
Practice sessions are between 3 - 5 pm on Saturday.
If your are coming up from the south to spectate you have the choice of Glasgow- Loch Lomond then pick up the A82 at Crainlarich or Stirling to Crainlarich. When getting through Glencoe there are two roads to Kinlochleven, either of them will get you to the Trial. Please be aware bed and breakfast in the Village is apparently in short supply so suggest you ring around first. There usually are plenty of alternatives around Ballachuillish.