G&C Cotton & Conducted Trial 2013
.JPG "Trials is in safe hands in the Western Centre... Click for bigger pic by Simon Welch")
After just 18 months in existence the Western Centre ACU's Youth Development Squad is going from strength to strength, and Saturday's Cotton and Conducted Trial on Saturday, July 20 provided ample proof.
Organised by Gloster & Cotswold with squad members shadowing every role involved in organising the event at Longhope, they learned valuable lessons to ensure trials is in safe hands for generations to come.
Now past 20 members, Simon Welch's squad is growing, with interest from beyond the Western Centre, and the next generation of the squad enjoyed a conducted trial before the main event. It offered the chance for youngsters to compete without too much pressure over a course set out by squad member Izzy, with James Welch.
.JPG "One of the Centre's master observers passes on a few tips... Click for bigger pic by Simon Welch")
For the main trial, some hardy perennial observers were joined by squad members to hold the boards, while some of the more "experienced" Centre riders attempted sections set out by youngsters - before that Victoria gave an excellent riders briefing which must have had an effect because the whole thing was wrapped up just over 2 hours later. Keep up to date with what the squad is up to here and find out general info here
Now over to Simon for a rundown of how it all went...
The Youth Squad members did an excellent job setting up and running the Cotton Trial on Saturday. The conducted trial at midday was a great success with six riders tackling 5 sections four times. This saw YDS members Finley Kettle, Alex Waldron and Amory Faulkner in action. We also saw the name of Bishop on the results sheet.............I think the next generation are coming! A special thanks to James Welch and Izzy Saunders for setting up and supporting this.
The main trial started at 4pm prompt with Victoria Payne giving the pre-event briefing the waiting riders and excellent job she did of it as well. Experts started at the tricky number one and it soon became apparent that the YDS gang had set out a challenging and entertaining course to be enjoyed by all.
On the expert route it was the not so young Matthew Welch that took his second ever event win by two marks from the every improving Olly Humphries. The two did battle all day and it was although it was Matthews consistency that won through. It was also pleasing to Nathan Pakala making the step up onto the expert route, something he seemed to thoroughly enjoy!
In Clubman Expert it was all about the boy Palmer who took a convincing win from Tom Hinkley. Tom has returned from a spell in Australia, so was one man not to be phased by the heat!!! Great to see Tom back and he was as entertaining as ever.
For the Clubman it was section three that got the tongues wagging. young Finley Cullum has set out a double log in the section which required accurate timing ........or a spot bravery. It was Dave Morris that showed the control required on the Jotagas to eak out an advantage over Andy Perry to take the win.
The Sportman route saw arguably the ride of the day and Ade Hoare showed true focus to take the win and with son Jake setting out the trial and egging him on (well I might have also added to the mickey taking) most of the day that was not easy. The sportman route also saw two raw novices tackle the sport for the first time, both enjoyed the day and promised to be back.
The most imoprtant part of the day was the fun had by all and knowledge that was being picked up by the YDS, this was never more evident that at section 9, where Brian Valder was assisting young Finley Kettle (aged 8) to observe and pass on his 60plus years of knowledge of trials.
Thank to all that support this event and please come and support the 'Respect' John Husband Team trial on the 11th August, where we will be celebrating Brian Valders 80th Birthday and raising money for the Air Ambulance in the process. Well done YDS, I was proud of you all!!!!