Wednesday July 30, 2025 at 1:43pm
The ACU TrialGB Championship crossed its halfway mark in style as Rounds 5 and 6 landed in Northern Ireland for an unforgettable weekend of competition at the Dunmore Off Road Activity Centre, near Ballynahinch, Co. Down.
This was the first time in several years that the British Championship returned to Northern Ireland, and the event didn’t disappoint. Hosted by RS Trials, the venue — a 183 acre family run facility — proved to be a superb location with varied terrain that challenged and excited riders across all classes.
A strong entry of 76 competitors tackled 12 sections designed by Russell Houston and his team, blending natural and technical challenges. Riders started each lap in a quarried section before moving on to open fields, steep grassy banks, rocky outcrops, and woodland trails, with moss covered slopes adding an extra layer of difficulty.
One of the standout features was the indoor style section at the end of each lap — a cleverly constructed and crowd pleasing addition that brought a fantastic atmosphere. It was especially popular with Youth and Women’s classes, many of whom were experiencing this style of section for the first time and embraced the challenge with enthusiasm.
The weather stayed dry on Saturday, albeit cooler than expected. True to the evolving format of this year’s championship, the sections were altered overnight, keeping things fresh for Sunday’s competition. Some passing rain on day two added to the technical demands but was handled well by most riders.
The level of riding remained high throughout the weekend, from the premier TrialGB class to the youngest competitors. Performances across the board have tightened up the championship standings, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the season.
All eyes now turn to the final round, hosted by Scarborough & District Motor Club at the end of August — a fitting stage for what promises to be a thrilling championship decider.