ACU Discussion

Hi. I've recently taken up trials along with my 15 year old son. He fancies a beginner competition - I'm not so sure. We are memebers of a club so - can we just turn up, sign and pay? Or do we need an ACU licence? Any help would be great Chris

Well i've been going on about this for ages and some other posts in other categories have touched on it so here goes. The ACU produce a handbook. In that handbook are various rules and regulations pertaining to all the forms of Motor Cycle sport within the ACU jurisdiction. So how come there is such a wide varience in elegibility of the Pre65 bikes and now the twinshock class at Club, Center, National and err Scottish (i'm gonna regret this arent i?) Why is it beyond the power of the ACU not to produce a binding spec for these classes that applies to all events run under the auspices of the ACU? It's a nightmare if you are building a bike to know what you should and s…

with not being a member of a club, i thought i would apply for my Trial Registration with the ACU, so i could just turn up at meetings and have my licence all done, below is an email i was sent after i paid my £10 but i have not received a licence yet, does it take a long time or have i missed something. Payment Confirmation for Your payment of Friday, 3 January 2014 @ 21:31 Reference Number: 8 Qty Description Price 1 New Online Licence Application for 2014 -Trial Registration for ACU Member Number £10.00 Payment Grand Total …

riding most of the national classic events this year i have noticed riders stopping, ajusting there balance, bouncing frount/back wheels feet still planted on footrests, and been given a clean, i know this sort of riding/observing is still acceptable in modern trials but it has no place in classic trials ie once a rider ceases forward motion a five mark penalty is given, may be the time has come for the ACU/clubs to issue observers with final instructions relating to the classic trial they are observing ie THIS EVENT IS A NO STOP TRIAL ! and for the ACU/clubs to print on there regs THIS EVENT IS A NO STOP TRIAL! i still rember when this modern way of ri…

Just a couple of questions regarding this years solo championship, maybe John Collins or someone else at the ACU could answer. I make no excuse for asking these questions, my son wishes to ride in Expert A but has been given a very low priority in Expert B. 1) Why is there a need to split the classes? 2) Why have such a limited entry for Expert A? 3) Why did the entry rules change at the end of the season? 4) How did the ACU T&E Committee prioritise Expert B? 5) Isn't this going to stifle the development of our younger riders moving into the adult class? ps. I've read and understood the entry 'qualifications' for Expert A - I just don't understand the relevance …

Hi everyone, As title really, i'm diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (an Autistic Spectrum disorder) and I like the idea of having a go at trials riding, I have a road licence already but there are too many cars for my liking! I've tried the ACU and their advice was to submit an application and see what happens. Does anyone reading this have or know someone on the Autistic spectrum who competes regularly? If so i'd be interested to hear how the licence application process worked out for them. Having not ridden bikes for a year or two my 1st port of call would probably be one of the many trials schools around the country to try it for a day and see if I enjoy i…

According to the ACU's news release - "The ACU will again be offering new and existing members of the ACU the opportunity to renew their licences Online in readiness for the 2013 season. This is the second year this service has been offered at the Show following its inaugural success last year." Last year at least two of our club members got their Trials Registrations at the show and subsequently didn't join the club. During 2012, the new online system has worked really well (for our club), however the ACU issuing 2013 licences (Trials Registrations) at the show undermines the unique code system that we are trying to adopt. At this years show I enquired at the ACU sta…

It has been bought up in another thread that some of the observing at the recent Stratford-Upon-Avon clubs Colmore cup was questionable. Comments have been made following a short video clip taken at the last section of the day where a rider, may have stopped briefly but was still only given a one for dabbing. With the benefit of video footage to watch over and over again, it does appear to be a pause but should it have been a five? Here's another to take a look at. Looking at the video carefully, does Sam stop at section one? The clubmans series went to non stop TSR22b last year and as an organiser I prefer it. For comparison, here's a clip taken in 2009 when s…

Having recently moved from england to scotland I was just wondering why there is such a big difference between the ACU/SACU trials registration? Is it due to numbers?? as there is obviously more clubs/riders to spread the cost south of the border or is it land policy? or something else? I must add I don't mind in the slightest paying the fee as it works out at less than a meesley £1 a week. Also how do the enduro guys manage to charge £40 for an event when us trials guys manage it for £10???? again I really appreciate all the work everyone puts in to all these events im just curious (not in a gay way). Cheers Spike

Here's a topic for constructive discussion. Certain interested parties are asking ACU Centres for their opinion on the current age and machine regulations for youth riders. In our club we have very few under 16's, despite positively promoting the youth side of trials with championships, trophies, conducted routes and even a youth trial, we are struggling to attract the younger riders. Personally I don't think a change in the age groups or machine capacities would make any difference to entries. eg 6 year olds on 80's, 13 year olds on 250's etc etc What do you think, could a change make a difference to youth entries? Pete

Due to lack of interest. Says it all really.

just wont to see if anybody else thinks the same as me about the ACU is it time for them to move over and get new blood into look at the trials seen.Is it full of old blokes that wont let go(it worked 40 years ago so it should work now)i have worked with guy that is putting a lot in to motox and trying new things that no one else has done thinking out side the box and it is working does trials need this.i think it does for sure.

I have just received an e mail from the local ACU East Midlands Secretary and i just had to respond. I have included my reply but i would be very interrested in others reactions? I have removed the e mail addresses by the way. Peter i will probably not be able to attend the AGM due to prior work commitments however i feel i must protest the proposals as i feel they are probably some of the daftist ones i have heard for a long time, believe me i have heard some daft ones in my time. 1. The reason some clubs are "suffering financial hardship caused by falling entries" is simply because the clubs concerned are putting on events that riders do not want to ride in. It's as s…

Mid way through last year, the ACU invited all clubs to send their representatives to a trials forum at Rugby. Sadly the event was cancelled due to lack of interest. I had my name down to go and amongst the items that the Stratford-Upon-Avon club wished to raise was the idea of a common set of colours for all trials. Our proposal was put forward in writing anyway. As we know, most events have two routes, many have three and some have more. Confusing and less than ideal I agree, but this is how it is. So why not have a common laid down set of rules so that we all know which colour to set out our trials. You don't need to be a genius to think up a common system. Red arr…

Please see the information below. Last years forum was cancelled due to lack of interest, here is our chance to put our thoughts or concerns to the ACU direct. Lets not miss the chance by being complacent this year. To: ACU Centres, National Trials Organisers, TMX, Trials Central, ACU Website, Riders & all interested parties From: Trials & Enduro Department Date: 21st June 2008 Ref: OPEN TRIALS FORUMS As previously publicized, an Open Trials Forum will be held at ACU House on 21st June 2008 starting at 10.30am prompt. Issues relating to the British Solo Trials Championship will be discussed at a separate forum at a later date. You are cordially invited…

Did anybody else receive an email from Emma Connop at the ACU today? If you did, I've now got your email address and you've got mine along with the other 500 addresses that were publicised for all to see/use/abuse in the CC: field! Muppets

Just picking up on the story about the Skelder Bank round of the Maxxis British MX Champs, where a number of officials made an error of judgement concerning a protest and were later suspended and fined (plus costs) for their error. I appreciate that we all agree to abide by the rules of the ACU and the National Sporting code lays out a structure of penalties including fines, so we can't complain if we make a mistake and end up getting fined..... But, is it a bit harsh to fine people who are unpaid volunteers?

The ACU are having an open trials forum to allow riders or clubs to discuss any issues which they might have. Excluding British Solo and Youth Championships, (which have their own seperate forum), any topic can be put forward. Personally I am interested in the whole issue of Risk Assessments, but I'm sure that there are many more points that could be covered at this forum. Any suggestions? Pete

The ACU are looking into making licence (registration) applications easier and putting them online. The one real stumbling block is how club membership secretaries sign the form prior to submitting it to the ACU. One option is to 'do-away' with this need and simply ask riders which club they have joined. We only charge

Is there any data showing rider statistics in the UK? I assume that the ACU / SACU have numbers based on licence holders. Is this data available? Then there are quite a few who don't have this and still ride plus other organisations like the AMCA. I want to build a picture of the size of the UK trials market for some 'research' Cheers in advance Ian