AS secretary of one of the clubs that organises a round of the ACU Classic Trials Championship (Lancs County) I received a letter from the ACU recently which said that some concerns had been expressed about the Classic Championship.
The letter said that many of the entries for these rounds are from Over 40 and Over 50 riders on modern machines, and a view has been expressed that the sections, whilst ideal for these two classes, are at times not always suitable for Pre 75 British Bikes and Twin-shock machines. The complaints appeared to be particularly concerned over tight sections and steep drops.
Now as I recall this series was originally called the SEBAC Championship and was principally for twin-shock machines. Since those early days the classes have expanded to the current five, which I believe make it a very viable championship and if plotted with care and consideration, the sections should be suitable for all, though that tends to be a view not shared by everybody, but more of that in a moment.
Where I think things can go wrong is when clubs decide to open up the trial to other classes, in particular sidecars and normal adult classes. I believe that clubs do this because they are concerned that they will not achieve a decent entry if they stick with the five Classic classes, therefore, if they open the trial up, they hope for a better entry, therefore more income.
But having been at the helm of one of these trials for four years now, I consider the secret is having sensible sections for the classics, and they alone will attract a viable entry. At the time of writing, there have been five rounds, only two of which were exclusively for classic classes. Of the other three, two included sidecars and one had a separate class for local solos. I’m not suggesting that those trials which included other categories got it wrong in particular – though judging from reports, two did! – just that perhaps not as much emphasis was put on the classic classes as would have been had there been no conflicting interest.
If you want to consider the whole situation further, then reading the ACU’s letter, it’s the two veteran classes that are the “newcomers”, but there is an answer should one be considered necessary in the future.
One of my personal, long held gripes has been the Novogar Championship which has bumbled along for many years. Despite me airing my views many times, the ACU are adamant that the Novogar Championship should only be a one route series. It’s a series that struggles to get a decent entry at many rounds and is probably the least popular with clubs when selecting a championship round to organise.
Now if it was a two route series, it would be ideal for the veterans. There is a whole stack of very good Over 40s riding these days, in fact at many trials if there were no veteran riders, there would be very poor entry list, full stop. So the suggestion has been made in the past that the veterans Championship be moved to the Novogar series. But then of course that would leave the Classic series with just three classes, which would probably make it even less viable than it is at times at some trials.
Which brings me to the point I made at the end of paragraph three. Those that ride the Pre 75 British Bikes in this series are at times the riders that complain the trials are too hard for certain versions of these machines. Dave Thorpe manages on his Cub very well, as does Neil Gaunt on his Ariel, but other riders aboard similar bikes are frequently not so capable and should they wish to ride the Classic series, they often find the hazards too hard.
Now I know that all of the above may well seem a bit involved, but I return to my main point. I don’t think there’s much wrong with the Classic series per se, as long as organisers aim their sections solely at the Classic entrants. It’s when they get distracted with all the other potential entries that it goes wrong. Am I right, no doubt you’ll let me know!
Lancs County, as a club were delighted with the entry they enjoyed this year, 122, whilst Bootle the following day had just under 100. Excellent entries and both excellent trials (even though I say it myself). The defining factor at both these trials was that they catered for nothing other than the Classic classes, so if those two clubs can get it right, why can’t others? Is there a clear-cut answer? I think I have spelt it out, but replies may well show I’m wrong – but I doubt it!