I was weaned on two stroke oil and so have an affinity with the sickly sweet scent in the air associated with Motorbike trials. Any normal human can’t fail to be impressed with what these guys can do with these amazing looking machines. And if you’re not, everyone likes seeing folk fall over so there’s inevitably some of that too.
Luckily, we have two trials events in Lochaber these days; the Scottish Six Days Trials – an ancient and massively popular week long event that sees motorcycle aficionados flock from all over (we are mid-trial as I write!). There is also the SPEA FIM Trial World Championship stage which came here first in 2010 and makes a return this year.
We also have the honour of hosting several mountain biking events here now too. Taking the petrol motors out of the equation one would imagine takes all the fun out too. However those sly dogs have replaced the chemical propulsion with that of pretty impressive gravity. And a dash of furious pedaling. The result is definitely worth going along to see.
Anyway, below is the press release for the SPEA FIM UK World Trial stage on the 30th & 31st July 2011
Preparations are well underway for the sixth round of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship to be held at Nevis Range, Fort William – Scotland over the weekend of 30/31 July. Considered by many of the top riders as one of the best rounds of the 2010 season, the Grand Prix of Great Britain at Fort William will once again play host to the World’s very best trials riders who will have to navigate a mixture of stunning natural and technical man made sections. As the saying goes ‘If it’s not broken, don’t fix it’, but that hasn’t stopped legendary course designer Martin Lampkin making several key changes to last year’s layout.
“There’s no doubt that last year we created a winning formula – everybody involved commented on how well the event ran and were especially complimentary about the wide range of sections. With this in mind I am keen to make sure that none of last years magic is lost, but I am also aware people will want to see some new challenges for the Worlds best riders” commented Martin.
Having recently visited Nevis Range event organisers, L+M Events, were greeted by a landscape that had substantially changed, in certain areas over the past nine months. A harsh winter and heavy rainfall have contributed in shifting the local terrain, especially around the river sections out on the course.
“It’s incredible to see how the rocks have been moved since last year,” continued Martin. “Obviously for us this is great news as spectators and riders alike will benefit from having fresh sections to navigate.”
Its not only some of the natural sections which have been modified – Martin is also exploring the possibilities of creating a brand new section close to the paddock plus three new man made hazards. The FIM rules have been modified since last year, and each rider now has ninety seconds to pass through each section rather than the sixty seconds that they had last year. Despite this Lampkin is confident he can create a course that still pushes the riders to their absolute limits.
“Clearly the FIM rule changes will make a difference when it comes to building the sections, but I see it as a positive thing – the spectators get to watch the riders in the sections for longer and it gives me greater opportunity to make a more dynamic course,” concluded Martin.
The actual paddock area itself has undergone generous changes for this year with an increased trade area and extra car parking spaces. Substantial investment has also seen the creation of a state of the art café at the Nevis Range Mountain Resort with incredible views of the mountain – a facility that both teams and spectators will benefit from during the event.
Full travel and accommodation details plus the opportunity to buy discounted advance tickets can be found on the official event website – www.ukworldtrial.com or by calling the event hotline 0845 643 6756. [or on About Lochaber's accomodation page!!! ]
