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Mr. Isherwood, thank you for your response. The only problem with the fan appeal of trials in America is that so few people even know it exists. All the people I know who saw any of the Duluth World Rounds are absolutely intoxicated by the sport. But little to no national exposure means the sport stays small. I think if an American were to win the World Championship in todays sponsor rich environment we would see a marked increase in interest and support. As far as picking a rider and giving them all my spare cash, I'm doing that. Her name is Josephine Umpierre and she's my 7 year old daughter! I would like it however if our national trials organization could at least give her the format and the direction she needs to make it to the top. Thanks Ken Umpierre

Lane, thanks for your explanation about Dr. Wagner and the NATC.Are there any competing organizations to the NATC and if not what is the possibility of starting one up with the emphasis on preparing American riders to compete on the world stage? How about in conjunction with the FIM?

Yes Mr. Fracy, I am new here. I trust that it is not a problem for a new member to chime in with questions and opinions? If I offended anyone it was not my intention. The questions I have about the U.S. riders not competing at the world level is solely due to my great pride about being American. I do not mean to take sides but it seems to me that Lanes views mirror my own on this subject. I think this is by far the best Observed Trials forum that I know and that's why I became a supporter and a contributor. I seek knowledge!

Lane, feel free to chime in! You're used to vicious reactions so you only get promised a 6 pack!

BillyT, come on spill the beans!! If the reaction is sufficiently vicious you have my word that I'll send you a bottle of Crown Royal! Deal?

Ishy, you make some good points but if you would be so kind, please explain how aspiring to produce champions would ruin it for everybody. You may very well be correct in your assumption but I don't understand. Why do our high school champs not ride 125's like they do in Europe at the junior championships? I, by no means am advocating scrapping the current U.S. system. Is it not possible to have a concurrent system in place that conforms to the world standard while still maintaining the present system? As far as the money thing goes you have a point but aren't there any wealthy families with kids who want to win the World Championship just for the love of their sport and country? Aren't there plenty of regular Americans who would support a talented kid in the quest for the ultimate prize? We Americans got our butts handed to us in MX in the '60s and early '70s by the much more experienced Europeans, but we learned and grew to the point we are now at. I believe that we Americans are very self centered and won't even notice a sport until an American begins to dominate. I also believe that trials has every bit as much fan appeal as MX (much more IMO)and therefore has the potential to generate interest and more importantly, money. If we were to produce an American World Champion I think someone would find a profitable way to market trials to us. Maybe that's the problem, many may not want to have trials grow to where it competes with MX or even FMX for fear that the familial atmosphere now would be forever destroyed. I understand that sentiment but I think it's selfish. These are just my rambling thoughts and would very much like to hear how others think. Thanks Ken Umpierre

People always rag on Lane but can anyone explain to me why no Americans can even remotely compete on the World Championship level? We have 280 million people, vast wealth, huge landmass, and at least some intelligent people. Nonetheless, our best rider chooses not to compete on this level for whatever reason. Our young people don't aspire to become World Champions. I can find no reason that we should not dominate on the world stage like we do in MX. Maybe instead of demeaning Lane we should examine some of his thoughts as to why this is! He may be like chewing on tinfoil for some of you but he may have a point or two worth examining. I hope it isn't the NASCAR mentality where folks who drive antiquated cars and only turn left get huge crowds and support but the finest auto racing in the world, F1, gets nothing. I'm proud to be an American and want us to kick butt at the highest level.

Mich, what are the reasons you've been given by those opposed to excellence on the world stage? I can't imagine anything other than the establishment wanting to run things their own way or fear of having world class riders coming over here and embarassing them. The big fish in a small pond syndrome?

Once again I agree with Mich. Americans really won't care until an American starts winning World Championships. I hope our trials organizations start taking this awesome challenge seriously because I don't want to have to wait for my daughter to win the Womens Championship cuz she's only 7. I like the age classes for us old guys but we need to start grooming young men and women to compete for wins on the International stage. Why can't we have both?

Dougie has alot of height and mass! He's huge on that bike. He's done pretty well. Laia doesn't look much like a gymnast either but she sure is hot!

There wasn't much money to be had in MX until they started to draw large crowds and get TV deals. These things happened because someone saw how incredible these events were (particularly Supercross) and thought they could make some cash with it. I don't know the whole story involved in starting Supercross but I'd be willing to guess that it was some American and America is where most of the money in the sport comes from. Nobody can tell me that watching a Supercross is half as much fun as watching a trial event but the exposure over here is minimal. If America could produce a modern, World class trials rider who won championships at the highest level I believe that some enterprising promoter would find a way to market it and make money. If you see one World Round you are hooked but few people see any. More Americans competing at the World Championship level would generate a buzz over here that would spur increased interest from folks who haven't thought about trials ever before. Get a couple of these events on TV and the ball would start rolling. We Americans are ignorant about the rest of the World and we're arrogant too. Get some Americans winning World Championships and that may be enough to get us to pay attention. Heck, NASCAR kicks butt as a money generating product over here and I can't imagine a more lame, boring, archaic motorsports that NASCAR! BUT, all the guys racing it are named Bill, Tony, and Bubba and the American public loves it. Formula 1 on the other hand is far superior in every way but the drivers are named Juan, Ruebens, and Kimi and the Americans just don't care. Give us some top class American trialers and it could be big.

I have to agree with Mich Lin. Although watching the World Rounds was amazing I was saddened that the Americans weren't represented. I asked "why isn't Geoff Aaron here?" The answer was unsatisfactory. Why should not U.S. trials organizations play by the same rules as the Worlds best do? Why shouldn't they support young riders with talent so they can compete for wins on the World stage? His comparison to the MX scene are right on, we have a stepping stone system in MX and it has served us well. What is the argument against a 125 class youth championship? All this is not to say that the age classes in NATC are wrong but that the NATC should support those who plan and desire to compete at the World class level. What could be wrong with that? I'm proud when Ricky Carmichael, Kevin Windham, and Ivan Tedesco beat the best the World has to offer. I'll jump for joy when my 7 year old daughter becomes Womens World Champion and I think that our trials organizations should have the same desire and actually do something to make that a realistic possibility. What could be wrong with that?

How great is it 2 guys within 10 miles of each other in Northern Minnesota meet on a British trials website? Thanks for the site guys!

Excellent info TomsDad! Thanks. Now what is this thing about the electrics? Fan, ignition or what?

Half, I just had to get a bike after attending the '04 and '05 World Championship at Spirit Mtn. I even helped set up some sections for the '05 event. I live in Hermantown just outside of Duluth. I bought my 7 year old daughter a Gas Gas TXT50 last fall but some loser stole it! I recently traded my KTM 250 for a Gas Gas TXT321 and I've ridden it some but am very anxious to get out and see how badly I suck. If you live nearby I will be riding my land here alot and would like to get together. I'm a newbie here too. If you see someone riding a blue GG TXT50 let me know, they're rare as hens teeth around here as you know. Email me. umpierre1@hotmail.com Those World class riders are SICK!!!!

There is a thread in the Gas Gas specific forum dealing with these issues. It includes part numbers.

I had one of these TXT50's for a while until it was stolen by some loser. The best thing you can do for these is put on a 5 or 6 tooth larger rear sprocket. Although I didn't get a chance to try it some say that adding a clutch plate or thicker clutch plates brings the centrifugal clutch into play alot sooner and can also be made to be manual clutch only. Don't know the specifics of this though.

Never said the Montesa was TOO heavy, just that they are heavier than the others. No denying it.

Raga Bou Lampkin Fuji Friexa Sanz again for the ladies Why are all my pictures from Duluth of her? '04 and '05 imagine that!

The Montesa is the heaviest of the 2 stroke trials bikes. Built like a tank and weigh about the same! LOL As bout as reliable as a tank too. From what I've learned talking to alot of folks is that the Sherco to get is the 250. As you probably know, the lightest bikes are the Gas Gas Pro's. Alot say that lightness is overrated though. Don't let Colin Chapman hear that or he'll roll over in his grave! Just my opinion.

KTM's have used an offset shock since they ditched the linkage.

After attending the last 2 World Championship events held in Duluth Minnesota I traded my "01 KTM 250Exc for a '99 GG TXT321. It's winter here in MN and I've barely ridden the GG at all. I'm very excited about becoming a crappy trials rider. I'm hoping that having an experienced trialer helping me will help me progress at a less glacial pace. This gentleman, Steve Ahlers, has been the trialsmaster at all the Duluth World Rounds and I helped a little setting up the '05 event. My 7 year old daughter is going to learn with me but first I have to replace the GG TXT50 Boy that some LOSER stole this Winter. I have been watching the Ryan Young video alot as well as a training video put out by Mark Manniko and Tommy Ahvala. Nice info, but I need to get out there and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!! I do have 120 or so acres to practice in though. Sorry for the long first post but I'm a long-winded old guy.