The Manx National Two Day Trial gets underway this Saturday with around 200 competitors ready to take on the best of what the jewel of the Irish Sea has to offer.
Taking place on the middle weekend of the Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling the trial provides spectators with a competitive and scenic alternative to the racing on the mountain course and vintage bike displays.
The first riders get underway at 8am on Saturday morning, leaving Onchan Community Centre to set out on the separate routes for solo and sidecar competitors. The solos covering nearly 80 miles and 88 observed sections across the weekend with the sidecars covering around 70 miles and 82 sections.
The solo’s head south and away from the TT course covering early groups including Knock Froy, Old Stoney Mountain Quarry, South Barrule and Carnagrie. A new venue for the trial this year will be the sections immediately after lunch on Peel Hill, overlooking the Castle. Following this, after a trip around the Southern coast of the Island where the recent British Championship Youth Trial was held at Scarlett and Scarlett Farm the riders will finish their day on more new ground just behind Castletown Square, known as Castle Beach.
Meanwhile the sidecars will be heading north on the first day with early locations including Conrhenny Plantation, Ballacarooin and Laxey Beach. Following their lunch stop the competitors will head further north towards Ramsey taking in groups at Ballure Plantation, Dhoon Quarry and back to Axnfell Plantation to complete the first day.
The solos head north on Sunday and the sidecars south making sure the riders truly get to see all aspects of the Islands scenery and rockery. Staying closer to the east coast than normal, Solo groups include Axnfell Plantation, Glen Mona Gulley, North Barrule and Ballure Plantation. Lunch is at Ramsey Rugby Club on Mooragh Promenade with some great spectator friendly sections on the rocks at the nearby boat park. Riders then start heading back to Douglas with Snubbies Glen, Laxey Beach and Knock Froy some of the highlights. The sidecars will be covering groups including Sir Georges Bridge, Baldwin Bridge, Archallagan Plantation and the classic sections on the Slabs, near Glen Rushen. After lunch they take in locations such as South Barrule Quarry, Billown Glen and also finish the event at Knock Froy in Santon. These will be the final sections of the event and well worth a watch as the Solo and Sidecar classes go head to head over new purpose built sections.
There are real chances of local glory in both main classes this weekend with Andreas man Barry Kinley hoping to finally get his moment on the top step of the podium after finishing second on several occasions. He starts as the man most likely and could be challenged by Benn Sprigg (MRS Active Bikesport Sherco) or another local man Tom Maddrell (300 Knight/Swales Gas Gas). A small Expert class is backed up by a large Clubman contingent with any number of riders having the potential to come out on top.
In the sidecar class it looks like the local pairing of Nigel Crellin/Chris Molyneux will start as clear favourites. Returning pair Robin & Sam Luscombe will no doubt get back into the groove after a couple of years off the bike but will be just hoping for a good ride on their comeback to the Manx.
With the Manx being generally a little easier than British Championship standard just one mistake from Crellin/Molyneux could be costly. Darly Dale/Hannah Etherington and Willian ‘Squares’ Caine/Beth Thomas will both be in with a shout at a podium spot. The one route course will mean it will be nip and tuck all weekend with the leading crews not able to throw any marks away.
Event Details
Riders and Observers signing on will take place on Friday 26th August 2016 at the Villa Marina, located centrally on Douglas Promenade.
The trial itself commences from 8am on each day from the Onchan Community Centre, located on School Road in Onchan.
The weekend is completed by the Presentation of awards on Sunday evening, 28th August 2016, also at the Villa Marina, with doors opening from 8.30pm.