The 2013 Manx National Two Day Trial gets underway at 8am this Saturday and Sunday with a great weekends competition in store.
A core part of the new Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling, the Trial will provide the thousands of spectators on the Island with a great weekend of off road competition featuring both solo and sidecar action.
Onchan Community Centre is the new start location for both days with the first solos setting off at 8am on Saturday taking in a 37 mile tour of the southern half of the Island, featuring 44 sections, which will be followed on Sunday by a 46 mile tour of the North featuring a further 38 sections.
Leading riders in the Expert Solo class will undoubtedly include Dan Thorpe (300 JST Gas Gas), who will be riding a new 2014 machine. Riding at 66, Dan has won the ‘Manx’ twice before and his consistency will make him very hard to beat yet again. But looking to upstage him will be the young guns that battled it out for victory in 2012. Local rider Josh Brain (300 Gas Gas) took an emotional victory last year after holding his nerve to beat Yeovil’s Ricky Wiggins (305 MRS Sherco) to the premier award. Josh is riding at number 70 with Ricky only 10 riders behind so if last year was anything to go by the competition should be fierce once again.
The solo Clubman class is the usual lottery with any number of riders able to challenge for honours making this class very competitive. Last year’s winner Steve Swanson is back hoping to defend his title but there are any number of riders entered who are capable of taking the win including Darren Wasley, Michael Clarke and top local rider from last year Wayne Wardell. Whoever comes out on top will have to remain so consistent throughout the weekend that the win will be fully deserved.
There are a few interesting names included in the entry list for the Clubman class including former GP Rider and BSB team boss Rob McElnea (28), former TT rider Iain Duffus (29), and a couple of pretty decent enduro riders, namely 2013 Youth World Champion Jamie McCanney (141) and older brother and factory Gas Gas rider Danny McCanney (142).
The sidecar class continues to be dominated by Robin Luscombe with son Sam in the chair. Still riding at a very high level and after completing a hat-trick of wins together in 2012 they will start as favourites this weekend. Challenging closely behind them will be the local crew of Nigel Crellin/Chris Molyneux who took victory in the round of the Sidecar British Championship held on the Island in February. Other crews likely to challenge for the podium include Robin/Gill Morewood and Adrian/Aaron Smith amongst others.
The sidecar boys and girls will tackle 80 sections over the two days which should provide a real test for the crews, in what many consider to be the best event of the year.
Sponsors
Without our sponsors it would be impossible to put on such a successful event and the organising committee are very grateful for all their support.
The sponsor of the Solo Expert Class will be for the first time Investasure Financial Services, a partner practice of St.James’s Place. Director of Investasure, Martin Corkish was very keen to get involved with the ‘2-day’ and jumped at the chance to support the event when the opportunity arose. The committee would like to thank Martin for his support and we hope you enjoy the weekend.
AD Hewett Dental Practice is involved with the Manx Two Day sidecar class for the 5
th year, providing sponsorship for the replica sword of state to be presented to the winning sidecar driver. Now well established in the Isle of Man, the practice has over 20 years experience of providing excellent service to clients nationally. Thank you to Alexia and Brian for agreeing to continue as one of our main sponsors.
Corlett’s the Jewellers are the third of our main sponsors this year. Owner of the long established family business, Gary Corlett is a keen biker himself and we are very grateful to him for his continued support this year in presenting the sword for the winning sidecar passenger.
Other event sponsors this year include Oset@ Station Garage, Road & Track Motorcycles, Juan Knight Off-Road, Azzy Paints, Kelly Blinds, Road and Track Motorcycles Ltd , Franklin’s and Gas Gas UK.
Event Details
Riders and Observers signing on will take place on Friday 23
rd August 2013 at the Villa Marina, located centrally on Douglas Promenade.
The trial itself commences from 8am on each day from the Onchan Community Centre, located on School Road in Onchan.
The weekend is completed by the Presentation of awards on Sunday evening, 25
th August 2013, also at the Villa Marina, with doors opening from 8.30pm.
Contacts
For further information relating to the Trial please go to our website
www.manx2day.co.uk , or search for ‘Manx Two Day Trial’ on Facebook. Alternatively we will be Tweeting throughout the weekend from @manxtwodaytrial on Twitter.
For further information contact the secretary of the meeting, Tony Temple on 01624 852842.
For press details contact Andrew Cubbon
andrewcubbon@manx.net or 07624 430603.