It was back to the RT Keedwell ACU British Solo Trials Championship series last weekend with a double header Hookwoods on Saturday and Butser Limeworks on Sunday.
Both venues are totally different with the rockery of Hookwoods compared to the loose climbs and drops of the Butser Quarry.
The Hookwoods Trials Club had put on 12 new sections for their event which included the spectacular ‘Ski Jump’ that opened up proceedings. The Witney club at Butser had mega climbs and drops on the loose going including an unusual offering of a graded hillclimb which you do not see often these days.
It made no difference to the results as the same riders won their respective classes on both days. In the Championship James Dabill made it seven wins out of seven with commanding victories that were never in doubt. The Vertigo rider now looks virtually certain to add to his titles but the battle for the number 2 & 3 plates is very much up for grabs. Jack Price was second on day 1 and Jack Sheppard was runner up on Sunday leaving them just three points apart in the series with four rounds remaining. This has been a breakthrough year for Price who looks rock solid and it has been good to see Sheppard back in the championship.
A real battle is going on in the very popular Experts class. Dan Thorpe led for the early part of the year but he is now under pressure as Tom Minta has won the last two rounds and they are now level on points. Tom had a clear victory over Hookwood’s rocky sections, Dan was closer at the Quarry but Minta is riding with confidence on the Gas Gas. Tom Affleck holds a comfortable third in the class and he was so close to a double podium place having to settle for fourth on Sunday just a mark behind Jonny Starmer.
The Youth A remains a Jack Peace dominated class and he was a clear winner on both days. Keiran Child took a very solid second on both days.