Barras is south of Stonehaven (only a couple of miles or so). Trial will be signposted off the A90. Barras is a club round this weekend and there is also a Youth National at Belwanders on 2nd April.
Duncan's a Dad now, so no doubt he'll be even tighter (hard to believe) and the TYZ will be lucky to get new tyres before this years Scottish . Congratulations to Duncan and the missus on the birth of Katie!
It's interesting to note that the ex-serving/serving members of HM Forces are, in general, the ones who think it would be better to run a charity trial on Rem weekend. I too am ex service and agree that a trial especially a charity one, could be held without offending veterans (of any war). The silence before the start, be it one or two minutes, is probably more likely to envoke thought than staying at home washing the car and only realising it's Rememberance Sunday when you watch the Ten O'clock news.
My last post wasn't intended to cause panic! Just to emphasise that RA's need to be thought about and done properly.
AtomAnt, I'm not suggesting that you do all your local clubs. I would have thought (maybe wrongly) that each club will have at least one person who has done RA's before.
What it needs is someone like your self with a H&S company to write some or at least advise the ACU on some generic RA's on things like :
Refuelling
Events which have two way traffic
Venues which have Footpaths/Walkway right of ways.
Spectators at sections
etc etc
I'm pretty sure that the ACU will have employed HSE advisors before asking for RA's to be done. My last post was a personal statement not a bulletin from the ACU.
As for the "Insurances will be void" statement maybe I should have worded it differently to read "Insurances may well be void.....".
I agree totally with rabie - don't panic - it's not rocket science just common sense (most of the time).
I own a Health & Safety Management company and I think that what the ACU/SACU are trying to do is get the significant risks minimized - not all risk can be eliminated.
Most clubs now, certainly in Scotland, are Limited Companies. This alone requires an elevation in responsibility (legally). As for the paperwork I suggest that,like Scorpa3, some serious thought is put into this. Don't just put down one or two things that you think will satisfy the ACU as this "bit of paper" could well make the difference to a club surviving a claim (should the need arise). Insurances will be void if RA's are not carried out fully.
Another thing worth mentioning is that, when a club is paying an instructor the instructor then becomes a "a worker" and as such the responsibilty elevates yet again! So, if an incident occurs whilst the instructor is teaching, the Health and Safety Executive get involved and will instigate an investigation.
I know this is boring and most see it as an unnecessary waste of time but it is the Law and nothing changes that. Sorry guys it has to be done properly or risk the club!
HSE Managers/Consultants are very common now - find out if there is one in your club and ask for help. We're quite nice people really and don't mind doing them for you!
A two day with a easy first day or early evening with some intruction for novices followed by a proper (with easy route) trial on the Sunday would be great. There are enough decent riders on here to help the novices on Saturday and Andy has contacts so maybe a few top pros would come along and help/demo on Saturday. This would surely swell the numbers. Tuition and crack from WTC riders would be a laugh.
I wouldn't worry about the level of difficulty. It's meant to be for everyone and just a bit of fun. The Saturday riders could always assist laying out the Sunday sections to make sure they suit.
It would take more than a few beers and help from WTC riders to get me to ride in front of you lot - but if you want a general dogsbody count me in!!
My seat/airbox stickers are starting to peel badly, if I keep my 05 for 06, I'm gonna customize it. Rip stickers off and try to black stuff out. It'll look cool, I'll see how creative I can get. Can I use spraypaint on the GG plastics if I put a cleaner on their first?
Why not contact graffics.co.uk? They'll make a set of stickers for your whole bike to any design.
Clutch lever very stiff (two very tired fingers). Gear change is stiff too. Gearbox oil changed and changed again. No swarf on emptying and fluid still looking brand new. Feels like a lot of pressure in gearbox? We run an 04 and 06 as well and the previous 05 never had this trouble. Any ideas?
I agree totally with overthehill. If you're not happy then complain or discuss it at club AGMs and get the club to complain.
As for me - if the money doesn't get put in, where do they find it to put out? I only hope that if the licence fee is raised, the money comes back, in a positive manner. We only ever "hear on the grapevine" what the SACU is thinking about doing. Not what it is doing.
A lot of good work is done (i'm sure) by the SACU. After all we're all out at weekends enjoying ourselves.
Calum has put renthal fat bars on his bike. He also has the renthal bar clamps. He seems to like them . Heard that the Raga Bars are prone to snapping. Apparently the Raga clamps dont help the problem as they are narrower than the Renthal ones.
I have to agree with GolfPro in that it costs a fortune to compete in all the Nationals. We travel from the North of Scotland and have to make decisions on which trials to ride based on a few (but important) factors ie. How long will it take to travel to the event, how much time is needed off work and school and lastly how much is it going to cost. Now my boys are never going to be "the best" but they enjoy the sport and so do we. So, at some stage (hopefully next year) we will travel to IOW because the trial, according to others is fantastic. But given that the funds and holiday allowances have dried up, we will sadly have to give it a miss.
Incidently, the British Championship in Kinlochleven last year had the same problem as you are having this year. The Championship places were decided before the last round and therefore the entry was lower than expected. You are not alone!
Maybe you could ask for an earlier round - it might help.
Inverness lot seem all seem to be heading for Craignure. BBQ's and beer going too! Winding up for what looks like a good weekend. Better get in soon though.
Finnophort is, I suppose another good option because the trial is held between Craignure and Fionnphort.
I think that the point Pete was trying to make at the start (I'm sure Pete will correct me if I'm wrong) is that the SACU should give trials the same kind of support as it does to other motorcycle sports - motocross in particular.
It was evident from the presentation that the Trophies were a bit of a damp squib as far as Trials went. Bearing in mind that these boys and adults shed blood, sweat and tears (as did the motocross fraternity) not to mention the time and money to win The Scottish Championship and they came away with a very small trophy compared to the motocross. I know it's only a piece of silverware but to most, if not all the Champions, it's maybe the only major title they are likely to win and are, rightly so very proud. It's hardly a centerpiece for the mantle.
The sponsorship by Bridgestone is great for motocross but have the trials committee asked for help/sponsorship from any other manufacturer/supplier? We know from the great work that Sandra and Arthur have done that nothing comes to you, you have to go and find it.
As for Gary getting his Coaching Certificate thats a brilliant start for scottish trials and now we have to build on that.
Maybe the SACU could be a bit more transparent and publish what has been done, what is being done and what is in the pipeline stage. Then the members know exactly what is going on and are more informed and are less likely to attack the SACU through a lack of information. The newsletters at the moment are hardly comprehensive. I wouldnt be asking the question (ie the topic) had this information been readily available.
. Congratulations to Duncan and the missus on the birth of Katie! 
. Heard that the Raga Bars are prone to snapping. Apparently the Raga clamps dont help the problem as they are narrower than the Renthal ones.
Winding up for what looks like a good weekend. Better get in soon though.
Bon Accord Trial 26th March.
in Trials Reviews & Previews
Posted
Boofont,
Barras is south of Stonehaven (only a couple of miles or so). Trial will be signposted off the A90. Barras is a club round this weekend and there is also a Youth National at Belwanders on 2nd April.
DanG