john collins

Dear All As you know I make a point of trying to read all the posts on Trials Central - and attempt to respond and clear things up when I can. I have suddenly found out - via a link to my normal email address that messeges have been sent to me via an inbox in TC As I did not know I hade one until a few minutes ago - and therefore there may be some who sent messages in this way who have certainly not had a reply. I assure you this is not through being ignorant or not wishing too respond - but due to the fact that I am a computor idiot. Apologies to anyone who did not get a reply. Best method is through normal Trials Central forum - or via my normal email address in handbook John Collins

Some good points - but I will try not to divert off onto method of marking etc - remember this was only first round - and the weather rather complicated matters. The overall time limit is worthy of debate - but I do feel our Trial on Sunday is not the best place to assess the situation - for in that sort of weather all sort of unexpected factors come into play - even the in between going (longer in ours than some others of course) was extremely wet and difficult and all this has a bearing on overall time. I have to say I went to Section 1 on lap 1 - and there was some time wasted by some Experts - nothing new here - and they usually have no trouble making it up - but the conditions I am sure had a bearing - but I must also say that on my Section ( 9) some were very casual on lap 1 and may have paid a price - I do not really know. It has always been a problem - us old gits will remember various methods used - I recall when riding the St David's myself decades ago - I had a thing called a " rotation" card which you handed the Observer when you arrived - and he called you in in that order - it was partly sucessful - but that was an age ago. I also recall another year being excluded from the St Davids Brit Champ - and even after claiming that Messers Lampkin, Rathmell etc had pushed in front of us mere mortals ( which was true) hence leaving us at back - and then late - my argument fell down - and I remained excluded as the Clerk of the Course had earlier seen my bike outside a pub on the route - and therefore he nor the club ( my own) had little sympathy ! - so the problems have always been there In recent years - in Brit Champ - time has not been that big a problem - although I must say the inevitable rush around on the last lap has sometimes given concern. In World events there is 3.30 for first lap - with penalties if you exceed this. We did look at this idea ( last year I think) but the conclusion was that at that time - it was not really necessary - but if time does become a problem - then we can look at it again. I have to say - you will still however get riders rushing on last lap - but possibly it helps get things moving initially. In regard to the injured rider in a Section. Of course the injured rider must come first above all else. There is no need for question or debate on this. If a rider is injured - he ( or she) must take priority over all else. If it dramatically makes a difference to the time of riders - the rules are already in place for Clerk of Course/Stewards to take account of this. They would obviously have to properly consider then facts eg if there was a hold up of 10 mins - and say 20 riders sitting waiting - but at the end of the event time had been reasonably slack - and 19 had got in - there would probably be little sympathy for the 1 guy who lost time - as it may be a fair assumption that he had lost time elsewhere. Each case would have to be treated on the facts etc - but as I said the riders safety must come first - it is only a trial at the end of the day. Incidentally I got into a lot of argument 2 years ago when in a European Championship Enduro - a rider came off in the test and broke his leg - and the next rider along( Swedish) stopped and pulled the machine off him etc - obviuosly then posting probably slowest test time of day. At the end - he was unable to claim any other time - and was very disgruntled ( rightly so) So at least in Trials I think we usually get our priorities a little better.

No - I think you are right While it is great to see riders wish to ride - if the numbers start to be a problem ( rather have this than too few of course) - we may well have to look to alternatives in any given Championship . It needs a few more events to get a clearer picture - but if large entries do start to cause time problems etc it is an issue that will have to be addressed.

OK - Final answere which I thought I had already given - but may not have been clear enough. Last par of TSR1 of Trials Regs: Sub - Heading - UPGRADING - Explains what I have already tried to explain. As far as a rider Downgrading - this is covered in the last 2 lines.

OK I have read the replies and there are some fair points. It may well be worth considering in future if entry has to be limited re - ability etc - I suppose in a priority of entry sort of idea as per Adult Championship - I do not realy know - but it can be discussesd. Probably best to see how next few rounds go. For sure Organisers wish for large entries - but of course this can have a big influence in getting the entry round on time. We had all these problems with Adult Championship. By all means there may be several options worthy of debate. But to come back finally to Classes. It does not matter if it is A /B/C/D riders are to ride in Class in National Trials - unless they have been unofficially upgraded. I have to tell it like it is - I hope I have made it clear. No matter what may or may not have happened in past. For 2006 I hope everyone has got message. When you enter - makle sure you are in right class. If you are not eligible for a class in that event - do not go.

These things are never black and white I appreciate - and I also accept that Organisers also sometimes try to cater for everyone - for at end of day that is surely what we are all trying to achieve. Whilst it may be the case that there were lots of riders - and just that few extra did not ease the situation - in this trial - this may not always be the case - and to try to be fair to everyone - when the lad entered he could not know this - there may have only been 15 riders - so time issue would not really have been thought about. However - the big issue here is riding in class - and whilst it is conceivable to make these sorts of mistake early in season - I want everyone to now be sure - for all or any of reasons mentioned - Youth riders in National Trials are to ride in Class - unless they have written ACU approval to do otherwise. Just to clear things up for Events below National - A rider may compete in a higher or lowere class - AT THE DISCRETION OF ORGANISER

I can really only give my own opinion on that - as with all things Insurance - there are sometimes circumstances which prevail. Insurance companies - as we know from everyday life ( House/Motor etc) expect us to stick to the terms of the policy ie the rules. If you had a small road traffic accident - and perhaps your vehicle was not 100 per cent as declared - I suppose you may be lucky and everyone gets paid out. With a major accident - if your vehicle has an illegal tyre, or serious engine modifications etc ( I used to fit diesels into my petrol car without telling them years ago?) - I believe you could well be in dire straights - and land up paying out yourself. In relation to our events - the rules are quite clear - and if an Insurnace company had a big claim - and found out that someone was riding in a class - or on wrong capacity machine - they would be more than entitled I am sure to not pay. For a small amount - perhaps it would go un-noticed - but these days it does seem to me that everything gets checked by a loss adjuster etc. Certainly for a major claim I think there would be big problems. As to the Organiser - it would I believe come down to had they known? taken reasonable steps to ensure all was as it should be etc. Remember in a Youth event - both rider and parent sign to confirm acceptance of the rules. If a rider/ parent - without knowledge of Organiser - incorrectly signed entry form - and slipped through net so to speak - I think that if the Organiser had taken all reasonable steps to ensure everything was OK - they would not have a problem I believe any rider/parent who missled in this way - certainly would have - and could be liable to damages/costs etc. All these things are obviously hypothetical until they happen - and the very simple answer for Organisers, riders and parents is to take no chances and do it correctly.

You are absolutely correct Money Muncher. Riders shhould not be allowed to ride out of class in National events - which of course include Brit Champ Youth events. Not only can it add to the problem you have indicated - time wise - but even more importantly ages/ classes/machines are set - with regard safety etc. It is possible for riders to apply to the T & E Committee to upgrade - and we occassionally do - looking at past results, listening to Centre reresentation etc. This year 1 rider was allowed to upgrade. Some other riders were told they could not. I do not wish to use this website to detail chapter and verse on such issues but I understand that one of these riders rode the weekend out of class ( if there were more I have not been informed - yet) An official letter of reprimand has been sent this morning to one rider concerned - and I wish to make it clear to all riders that unless they have written permission from ACU to upgrade - in National events they must ride in correct class - on correct capacity of machine. Riders who digress in future will be subject to disciplinary action.

Re - Query from Adsy Brit Solo Champ Rules/Regs As Rabie has posted - Whilst we incude the Regs etc for all other Championships - as far as British Solo Championship is concerned for quite a few years now we have not published these all in the Handbook. Several reasons - most revolving around the facts that there are quite a lot of major diffrences in this Champ from normal Trials Standing Regs. e.g Minders allowed, Practice, Set times for each round Start/Finish etc Also of course it is a limited entry Trial and not open to anyone etc, not to mention that over the years we seem to have quie a few last minute changes. The method now used is that obviously all the Organisers are sent the Championship Conditions and Regulations and then all the riders who have registered are also sent the Regulations.

Re - Post about accommodation. Always easier to use Internet - so I will try to describe areas and then you can take your pick I have looked a few up if you need to save time. Cwmbach Cottage - cadoxton - will be near Neath and very close to event 01639 639825 Green Lantern Cimla - Other side of Neath - notr far out of town - about 10-15mins from start 01639 812419 Tree Tops - Briton Ferry - ( outskirts iof Neath) 15mins to start 01639 812419 Abercrave Inn - is supposed to be good - but about

Re <mention of this company is not permitted on Trials Central> Ben I will try to dig out some numbers for you - or at least some info on nearby ares you can stay. There are quite a few Tavelodge/ Holiday Inn places near the venue but I will also trty to get furthet infomation.

Thanks Chris for that work. Grading list should have been posted out - and I am assured a few minutes ago that it has been.

Thanks YSB - but the timer DW had from you is one of the ones we have been trying. It is better than the one I bought size and audable wise - with good buttons etc - but if stopped before the set time - like others does not revert back to zero ready for next rider. You have to re-set the time into it - or let its run its course until it buzzes and then start it again. I will email as adviced the other post and see if we can sort this out as suggested. It is not that big a problem - but would be nice to make as simple as possible

We will be providing a small timing device for each Observer at next years Brit Champ round. We have bought a few different ones to experiment with and they are all OK . Except for one problem - which perhaops someone out there can help with. The devices we have tried are " Memory recall" You set them to given time - which for Brit Champ will be 1min 30 sec They are quite easy to set - even I as a technological novice can do it. There is then 1 quite large button which Observer presses - as they blow whistle - and rider starts section. Observer then does nothing - after set time - quite audable buzzer sounds - Observer blows whistle. If rider still in section 5 etc. Observer does not have to re-set time - only press large button again - and off it goes to same interval. These will be provided at each round. One small problem - which we would like to overcome if we can do it simply. After the Observer has pressed button - say rider fails/falls off/does section in 40sec etc - when you press the big button - clock will stop - but will not revert back to zero. You have to leave it run its course first - or obviously reset it Becasuse it is so easy to reset - it is not a big problem, but perhaps there is a similar simple device that will go back to zero more easily? As a point of interest - easy to buy whistles - issue to Observer and collect back in at end same as punch and clock - but obviously a non starter hygene wise. So - each Observer will be issued with a whistle which they will then keep Who says you get nowt for your money? Observers form an ordely line to collect your Official whistle !

Whilst this is an interesting thread - I seem to recall we have had this debate many times before. RogerRoger - asks for leadership and consistency from ACU. Easy to say - but not so easy to do as I have said before. Everyone wants one consistent rule - as long as it

No - Secretary does not have to register - It is only those who require a " Licence " ( or Trials Registration) that need to be on the system/list. Clerk of Course, Stewards, Technical - all are licenced- so get an Officials licence free. Secretaries, Observers, Marshalls do not have to have a licence - so do not have to register/pay. HOWEVER - There are quite a few who do wish to pay the

I am a bit confused on this one - possibly because once more we talk about licences. First - Officials - Clerk of the Course, Stewards etc do not (or certainly should not) have to pay for their licence. I repeat

Very often the float needle and seat on the mono. Asume you have checked float height - measure float height with carb upside down - if you have no manual I can look that up for you. Although it then often seems that the valve is shutting off the flow - it does not always do so. Sometimes this becomes more obvious if you attach a piece of tube to petrol intake pipe and see if you can very gently blow through when the carb is still in upside down position - if you can ie the weight of upside down float is not shuting off the flow of your blow !!! - then I would suspect you need new needle. If you change both the valve and the brass seating insert - which screws out it usually does the trick

Yes - Twinshock is quite correct. G/Box 1 pint of EP 90 - if you can get a standard 90 eg SAE 90 I seem to recall that is a little kinder on the 2 bushes on the final drive shaft of your gearbox ( after 72 they went to 2 needle bearings - something like 2 small end bearings. For the clutch use 1/2 pint ( 300cc) of Automatic Transmission fluid. Most handbooks will recommend a 30 - but ignore this - as while OK in warmer climes - TQF or similar works best for us. Also - if the bike has stood for years I would recommend changing at least the Timing side crank oil seals - as although it will start OK - they will have gone hard and wil spin off a little material after a while. It is an easy job on a Bultaco has they are housed in a carrier behind ignition stator and you just undo the 6 bolts - remove and replace the seal ( probably only 1 each side on yours). This is also a good chance to check - or for the price of them even replace the points - set gap at 15 thou ( I use a filed down feeler guage - in width not thickness! - through the window in flywheel when you see the points open at their widest) Finally - if you have a circuit tester of electric test meter to tell you when the points actual open - you can check ign timing by using a simple depth gauge down plug hole. The points should open at about 2.8 mm BTDC.

OK - Just to humour me - and get away from ACU matters etc I pose the following question to you all in this season of merriment and good will. For the average - Clubman rider - of limited ability - which s/hand trials machine - circa 2000 - 2005 woukld you say is the easiest to ride in a muddy, cambered type sections? Let us presume it is fitted with a Michelin - and is a 250/280 and in good order. I refer to sections with slippery short climbs ( not balls out climbs) - where grip is always at a premium and skill is at a minimum. Which 2 stroke machine would you choose? - all otherb criteria not important.

Bloody hell. I am sure we have been here before. The SACU - are independant in so much as they issue their own licences - or whatever - independant from Rugby - they are not just another Centre. They decide on all things financial to do with Scotland - and in the case of Trials - they issue a licence instead of collecting the money through a levy. Now - to all those who keep sayiong they have a licence - of a relative has a licence etc etc : If someone - or their Auntie is an Official - eg Clerk of Course, Sound Meter Operator, - they will be issued with an Officials Licence. This is free - and some people will have several things stamped on back - eg you may be Steward, Clerk of Course, Sound Inspector, etc. The " licence" refers to these. If you are also a Trials Rider - you may also have this stamped on the same piece of plastic - rather than you have a wallet full of plastic - which most of already have anyway. The "licence" - is for the Officials - the Trials Registration is exactly that - but may be listed on same card. My 2005 Enduro " Licence" for example - actually states on top Licence/Registration. From the original

No they cannot. The ACU rules ( except British Champ for 06) are TSR 22A or Non Stop. Clubs ( with the exception of Boxing Day Trials Bradford - who had specific permission last year - and again this year - when hopefully a few facts eg time can be assessed ) - must run under these rules. All ACU events run under the Standing Trials Regs - and at the top of the regs for each event it will state" Run under the N.S.C and Standing Trials Reghs of ACU etc, these supplementary Regs and any Final Instructions issued. Supplementary Regs - ie Regs particular to an event - cannot conflict with the Standing Trials Regs - neither can Final Instructions. The Permit is issued clearly on this basis. So any Club using their own version of the rules ( not No-Stop or TSR 22 - will be in contravention of the SR's and therefore the Permit. Where a Club put something in the Sup Regs - that is not in conflict with the Standing Regs - ( and obviously does not bring Sport into disrepute or is obviously dangerous etc) it is very much up to the Club. So - If a Club decide on a particular day everyone must wear a Red helmet - this is up to them - there is no conflict with Standing Regs ! If however they decide to run under FIM rules - there is

Without going into too much debate at present time - as I am up to my eyes in a few other things - let me just state a few facts that others seem to be just assuming. The F.I.M rules will only apply to the 7 British Champ rounds in 2006 There is no option for others to follow - they will run - as per Standing Trials Regs - ie TSR 22 0r No - Stop that is ALL trials except Brit Adult Solo. At end of 2006 - or near it - it is the present intention to take the opinion of all the riders who rode in it, all the Observers (Clubs) who observed it and all the organisers who did the actual work. If it has not worked, or if it has been like watching paint dry etc There will be no pedantic dogma - the whole thing will have to be reviewed It is certainly an experiment.

After the British Championship Organisers meeting held in Rugby last Saturday I can confirm the following. For the 7 British Championship rounds - the current F.I.M marking system will be used. There will be a time limit on each Section - but this has not been set yet - but will be the same for each round - each section. It is only these 7 rounds that will see this experimental change in 2006 - and the situation will be closely monitored. Another change next year is that the best 6 rounds will count toward final classification - ie rider can drop 1 round. Entry fee's etc remain same. Obviously this change wil cause controversy - and there was much debate in the meeting. I think it is fair to say that there was a clear majority of those Orgainisers present who wished to at leat try the F.I.M system. All organisers, All Championship riders, Top 6 Expert riders, Importers and Press had been invited to the meeting. It is also fair to say that many have reservations - and hence it needs to be made absolutely clear that this a 7 round experiment which will be reviewed at end of season

OK Quick reply to few queries - but as I stated before I am finding too many threads within one post to give helpful replies. Re - Bikespace and levies. The