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Toby is wasted doing another year of Trial2. He should be in the TrialGP class where he would be plenty good enough and would gain the experience at the higher level

This rule came in in 1998. A feet up stop was 1 mark, stop and 1 foot down 2, stop and 2 feet down was a 3. You couldn't move the bike in any direction unless you were moving forward. It worked well but observers became more lenient largely due to the severity of sections changing. It worked well for years until the Spanish decided they didn't like it anymore. It was however a good solution rather than full blown no-stop and far easier for the riders to accept a 1 for stopping as opposed to getting a 5.

Our club made the decision this year to put the entry fees up slightly from £15 (which it has been for a long,long time) to £18. We pay the observers £20 each and give them a meal voucher for the burger van. If a rider brings an observer they get a free ride. I couldn't say it has improved things as there is much more to it than that with there being dates clashes, regular observers on holiday etc. I have no idea what the cure is but I would imagine riding round in small groups would take forever as this is generally what a lot do in club trials with no observers.

I think some observers unfortunately would have backed down to the offenders but we didn't. We all agreed that it was an embarrassment to the sport and it should have led to a ban. We did get abused by quite a few riders but this was the worst instance. I have seen riders pressurising observers in club trials etc and it really is not on. No wonder there is a shortage of observers.

The time limit per section was introduced in 1994 and was 3 minutes per section and people thought that was tight. Then it gradually reduced and even ended up at 1 minute per section which was really dangerous as the sections were not set at the correct length. The 90 second time limit is spot on if a time limit is to be applied (which in my opinion is necessary at top level) but at club level it works fine without. Riders soon get moaned at by other riders in the queue if they are taking an age to ride the section. I have observed at world rounds and enforced the rules consistently and fairly (the key word for all observing is consistent) and guess what - we got a complete barrage of abuse for sticking to the rules. One of the team even got a helmet thrown at him by one of the minders and a complete barrage of swearing - good old family sport eh! There is a huge difference between a momentary pause and a definite stop and the riders at the top level have pushed it for years. Trouble is that it appears to be the FIM who are not changing the rules for some reason which I don't understand. I'm sure the official quotes were that it would be more affordable and increase entries! yeah right! At grass roots level, how do you explain to a newcomer that you don't actually know what you will get scored as this observer will let you off but that one won't. It is laughable really and it just needs simplifying somehow.

5 seconds isn't a momentary stop! This is why it is all wrong. No stop is no stop, not stop for a few seconds then a few more on the next section etc. The top riders need to be able to stop as the sport has evolved from what it used to be. The SSDT observing is very lenient now compared to what it used to be but who can criticise them as they are volunteers. .

yes production is just for GP only now

The GP model has all the good bits on like Renthal bars, S3 footrests, S3 cylinder head, Carbon airbox but is very much the same as the racing otherwise. The main issue you will have is actually getting hold of one as there are only a few Racing's left at very few dealers and no more are coming. The GP's arrived late last week but as it is a limited edition there won't be loads available.

The 18 and 19 bikes both have 10/39 gearing as standard. The reason given was that the chain goes round more linear than having 42t on the back and this has been developed by the factory riders who are running the 10/39 gearing. I altered mine to 10/42 so I could ride in 2nd and 3rd but I'm now on 11/42 on my 19 bike so I can ride in 1st and it is very good. It is very similar to a Beta 2nd gear though and is only a fraction lower. Unfortunately as has been stated, it is expensive to alter and requires a new chain and rear sprocket.

400 ml of light gear oil is the correct measurement. Putoline or Rock Oil both good