With new rules applying to the Championships on 2012 the Lochaber Clubs Macdonald Trial had the eyes of the Sports world looking on with interest. With sponsorship from The ACU, Doodson and TRC Truck Rental Lochaber had a tough job on their hands. With the biggest entry of riders for a number of years they came through well. Going to the no-stop rules has not been universally popular but that is the 2012 way and the event held last Sunday at the Nevis Range Ski Centre was a good start to the season.
It was thought that we would get some different results and that is overall just what happened. Michael Brown the current British number 2 on the Gas Gas came home first into the winner circle loosing just three marks all day. He was followed by Sherco’s Gary Macdonald the local man from Kinlochleven who rode what he described as the trial of his life as he held off 3 time British Champion James Dabill who had to settle for third.
Ross Danby from the Midlands took fourth on his debut ride for the new Jotagas factory. Returning riders Sam Connor and Ian Austermuhle both are very competitive at traditional style events and they revelled in the stream sections that resembled the Scottish Six Days Trial type going.
With only two classes this year the Experts group had a good entry which included both Richard Timperley and John Crinson two riders who have narrowly missed out on this title in the past. Both were on top form with Crinson however just being a little more consistent which netted him the win. Thomas Hick was third.
It is still of course early days for the Championships and no doubt the chat rooms will be full of discussion. It was a good start to the series but very very different to the spectacular hazards we have been seeing for a number of seasons.