scorpaf

Cripes, I didn't see that reply coming!

He did ride in Expert B, didn't have a particularly good day but the end result wasn't too bad at 8th. Good trial, if a bit muddy, but you have to expect that at Scarborough in early March, well done to the club for the severity of the sections. Unfortunately he didn't ride Expert A so it's impossible to tell whether he would have faired better or worse on the harder course. Well done to Ricky Wiggins, another rider I am very surprised wasn't in Expert A.

Many moons ago, riding my Fantic 175 to work one freezing cold winter morning and I had to stop at a junction about a mile from home. I reached down to knock the choke off and the engine just about stalled before I grabbed a handful of throttle to keep it going. It coughed and spluttered before I gave it a big handful to launch across the junction in 4th gear, I dropped the clutch - and took of backwards straight up the bonnet of the car behind me! The engine had only fired over in reverse - didn't injure myself but the car driver wasn't too chuffed with the two grooves off my back mudguard up the middle of his bonnet.

Yes John, he has already sent his entry off to Scarborough - though might I add, he won't be riding the little 4 stroke!

Now now, no need for the sarcasm, exceptional and talent where not mentioned - merely capable and willing. You'll not enjoy this photo, taken a few years ago, of him 'not doing well on a Scorpa 125'.

Actually Scarborough is South of central - the geographical centre of the UK is Haltwhistle in Northumberland. I didn't mention any great injustice - just fact that my son would like to ride (and is just as capable as some of the riders in Expert A and equally probably not as good as some of the riders in Expert B!) in Expert A. Not much point naming him, it wouldn't make any difference - I'm surprised you can't work it out. I'll help you, he frequently used to be at the top of the results on the bike you hate and advise no one to ride because they're rubbish, the Scorpa 125 four stroke! John, my remarks about ditching the riders was a bit tongue in cheek - but I did mean riders who had previously tried!

Why can't the rounds host more than 55 riders? The World round at Hawkstone catered for 77 riders, and one European round we rode in Spain had well over 100, might have been nearer 120 (the queues where stupid - good job it was hot)! But 55 seems a bit mean. I was also thinking along the same lines as trialsnutterman that there will be a full entry at Scarborough (first round and fairly central) and also our closest trial - to which we probably won't get an entry! Next round, Lochaber, probably won't get oversubscribed due to the distance involved. So we might get an entry - but do you think my impoverished student is going to want to drive up to Lochaber for a trial when he's already one round down? Yet, there is no doubt he would (especially since its normally a good trial) if he was guaranteed a ride at all rounds. But then again, he isn't madly keen anyway since he isn't competing with the riders he wants to compete with - irrespective of whether he's capable or qualified in the mind of the ACU. Looking down the priority list and I must say there are a few eyeopeners (in all classes). A couple in championship class! Expert A looks okay (I'm off to BetFred for an each way punt on that one) but I can see at least 6 riders in Priority 2 who will outride 6 riders in Priority 1. There seems to be a few, dare I say, no-hopers in both Expert B lists and a few who really should be in Expert A. But that's just my 'finger on the pulse' opinion. I suppose it's a thankless task - although a self imposed and needless one in my opinion. I'm sure the whole championship would be better if the riders just registered their intentions and rode the trials. Or let 'em all ride whichever class they fancy and ditch any rider who doesn't score a point all season. That goes for all the classes. Promote the best and drop the rest.

No he didn't ride at any of the Expert rounds - its a long boring story - he was actually still a youth rider but since his birthday was early in the year opted to geta 250 and ride as an adult. Therefore not riding his last year in A class - hence no result - hence no place in expert A. Bit of a bummer 'cos had we have known then he would have contested A class.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, it is appreciated. But judging by the list of riders wishing to participate, 83 in total, and only 55 places available, low entries aren't going to be a problem. Getting an entry could be a problem for the unlucky ones at the bottom of the list especially at the more centrally located and popular rounds. It would be interesting to know how many riders aren't riding the course they applied for. As for the selection process, as you say its not an exact science, I'm guessing last placed rider in Expert A would struggle to make top 10 in Expert B! There's a lot of good riders in Expert B that may not wish to ride Expert A. Likewise a few others lower down the ranking may relish the challenge - some riders are trying to up their game! And what would be the point requesting a move up part way through the championship - you'd just end up with two half scores. From our own viewpoint its very disappointing for a rider to find he is suddenly no longer allowed to compete on the same stage with the same riders he has spent his entire national trials career competing with - the interest is fading already!

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 of them. Wasn't the whole idea to improve the entry numbers?

I was at the rear end (top) of the quarry when the flag must've gone out - if they where reading out the finishers then I just didn't here them. I searched around to see if they'd been posted anywhere but couldn't find them. I even tried asking the organisers several times. I'm sure they must have printed a copy off. It's a bit disappointing to leave an event like that and not know where your rider finished, the first thing everyone says is 'how did ya get on?' Errrr haven't got a clue.

Anyone got results from the Speed Trial? I was there but didn't here much over the tannoy and despite repeated attempts couldn't get a set of results or get them to read them out! I know who didn't win! I cant even log onto WOR Events these day for some reason. I'm sure Ross Danby was 2nd, Miles Jones 4th and thats all I know. Dale Robson is the result I'm really looking for.

I've seen the entry list via a friends pc. But for some reason cannot get onto the site from mine! If any computer boffins can explain why then I'd love to know - it seems to be the only website I can't access. Hopefully the entry list will be attached for anyone else that may be encountering problems.

Thanks, but I still can't access it. I managed to download the entry forms okay - but I just cannot get onto the site now!!

I'm having some problems getting onto the WOR website, does anyone know if the site is operating at the minute? The entry list for the event (the speedtrial at least) should have been posted on their site yesterday. If anyone does have a copy of the full entry or a reliable web address could you possibly post it on here. Thanks in advance.