Welcome to the new ACU News Page on Trials Central. This page will be the place to learn about most of the information and decisions that emanate from the ACU Trials and Enduro Committee which meets at ACU headquarters in Rugby about every five weeks.
For those that log on to the ACU website, some of the information contained here will not be news but the committee decided that it was important for everybody that we should make the information available as widely as possible, so it’s thanks to Trials Central for accommodating us in this way. All updates will be accessible via the "News" menu at the top of this page then selecting "ACU News Updates"
BODY CAMERAS BANNED FROM JANUARY 1, 2016
The ACU T and E Committee has decided to follow the ruling implemented by the FIM (International Motorcyclist Federation, the governing body of world bike sport) and also the FIME which looks after Europe, to forbid the wearing of cameras on any part of the body whilst competing in an event. This decision comes following a number of accidents in which the wearing of a camera has caused injury. The decision was also made as it was considered that when helmet mounted there was also a risk of damaging the integrity of the helmet. Helmets that intrinsically incorporate a camera from new would not be included in the ban. However, machine mounted cameras would continue to be permitted.
2016 ISDE CLUB TEAM APPLICATIONS INVITED
Clubs interested in sending a three man team to the 2016 International Six Days Enduro which will be held in Spain are requested to make their interest known to the ACU as soon as possible. It may well be nearly 12 months away but confirmation of the teams guaranteed a ride is likely to be as early as February, so now is the time to register the interest. Clubs should note that the ACU requires a £1000 deposit and that the individual rider entry fee has been increased to 900 Euros and for club teams that are accepted 25% of the entry fee and hotel deposit would be required once acceptance is confirmed.
LATE CALENDAR CHANGES
Due to e-mail and postal problems, there have been a few minor changes to the 2016 dates recently published. The Bradford Club have a Oset Youth Championship trial on April 17; Cumberland County MCC will run the Alan Trophy Trial as a round of the Normandale series on June 5; Ilkley and District MCC join the Sammy Miller series with their trial on July 24 and Westmorland MC now have an S3 round on August 7.
AIR-COOLED SERIES NEEDS MORE DATES
The new Air-Cooled Championship has unfortunately not yet attracted sufficient clubs to make the series viable. So if any club wishes to run a round of this new series which is effectively a spin off from the Normandale series as it caters for all twin-shocks and air-cooled monos, the ACU would like to hear from prospective clubs as soon as possible. They should e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or write to the ACU, T and E Committee, Wood Street, Rugby, CV21 2YX.
FEBRUARY DATES FOR SEMINARS
Every year the ACU holds open seminars for both trials and enduros to which anyone interested in their aspect of the sport can attend. The Trials Seminar takes place on Saturday, February 6, 2016 and the Enduro Seminar is the following day, Sunday February 7, 2016. These informal gatherings are open to riders, importers, organisers, press representatives and any other interested party. The seminars are held at Rugby with a start time of 10.30am. However, the ACU wishes to know in advance who is likely to attend so that suitable meeting room arrangements can be made. Contact Mary Kerr or Stephanie Thorne at the ACU; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
GREAT RESPONSE FROM SPONSORS
The ACU is always keen to have the various trials and enduro championships sponsored and once again there has been a great response to this search. The main ACU British Trials Championship is once again to be sponsored by haulage company R.T.Keedwell. The S3 Championship, considered the second most important series for those unable to contest the main championship continues to be backed by John Shirt Jnr, the S3 parts importer. The sidecar championship continues for the second year with support from Wessex Plant, sidecar driver Phil Sparke’s organisation. Phil Ducker was very keen to continue his company’s backing of the Normandale Championship which for 2016 is a Veterans championship for those over 40, 50 and 60.The Sammy Miller series continues with the legendary Sammy Miller once again keen to back the championship that bears his name and Oset have again agreed to sponsor the ACU’s Youth B/C/D championship. And the ACU welcomes a new sponsorship arrangement by Acklams Beta who have agreed to offer their support to the increasingly popular Lades and Girls British Championship which goes from strength to strength. More clubs applied to run a round of the Ladies and Girls Championship for this forthcoming year than for any other series.
CLERK OF THE COURSE SEMINARS
The ACU is holding both Trials and Enduro Clerk of the Course seminars for those that wish to upgrade from a Regional CoC licence or need to renew their National CoC licence on December 19 and December 20 and again on January 30/31. Each day covers both disciplines but there is only the need to attend for the one day. Please contact Mary or Stephanie on either of the above e-mail addresses.
Finally, the ACU is pleased to announce that David Knight has been declared the Supreme Champion in British enduros following his successes in the three championships series this year. Congratulations to the Manxman for another successful year.