The first and second rounds of the RT Keedwell sponsored Trials Championships took place last weekend with a large entry across the three classes. This year the Championship and Expert groups are joined by the Youth A riders in a new look series.
Day 1
Saturday's action took place at the Hook Woods trials centre which was the first time the venue has been used for a championship round for around 7 years. This meant that most of the entry had never ridden the sections at senior level.
Champion James Dabill was making his series debut on the new Vertigo machine and despite having to arrive after the previous nights Indoor round he was to make a winning start. Loosing just 22 marks over 36 of the rock and mud strewn sections he would beat his long time chief rival Michael Brown fairly comfortably. Brown had actually started the better posting an excellent first lap but Dabill was relentless and just pulled away from the 22 strong class entry. Sam Haslam proved to be getting well capable of mixing it with his rivals and he was rewarded with a fine third just in front of Sam Connor. Jorge Casales making his British debut had a mixed day finishing 10th overall the conditions probably taking some getting used too.
Jonny Starmer was probably a surprise winner of the Expert class but he had a cracking day clearly winning on 29 marks lost from Ben Morphett with young Tom Minta third. Starmer's win was achieved with excellent first and final laps whilst Ben made the best circuit of the day in the middle of the day loosing just 3 marks in single dabs. The Expert group certainly has a competitive look too it with a nice mixture of new and experienced riders.
Toby Martyn and Jack Peace fought out the youth class and both tied on 44 marks lost. The verdict went to Toby on the tie break rule.
Day 2
Some 30 miles south of Hook Woods, Butser Limeworks was Sunday's venue. The Quarry has held many events before and in 1988 was the scene for one of Steve Saunders world Championship victories. Conditions for the Weston Trophy in 2015 could not have been much different however. The big climbs and drops were still much in evidence but the whole place was bone dry. If riders expected it to ride any easier they were in for a shock and it was tough on all the groups.
James Dabill made it a double win for Vertigo with a clear victory with once again Michael Brown and Sam Haslam taking second and third. Section 5 with a big climb and technical exit was to set the scene and no one cleaned it all day.
Over the weekend there were good showings from young riders and Jack Price and Dan Peace both running in the series top 10 after two rounds
If it was tough for the Championship the Experts was won by Dan Thorpe on 64 marks lost from Thom as Hooper and Thom Affleck coming home third. Only the first five riders finished the day under 100 marks lost as the big subs took their toll.
Toby Martyn took another win in the youth class once again it was Jack Peace who took second.