Baker is the man to beat in big event

WITH no less than six events across the region, there is plenty of choice for trial competitors and enthusiasts over the weekend, writes Mick Perry.

The major event today is the Camel Vale Club’s annual Kernow Trial near St Blazey, in Cornwall.

More than 100 riders had entered the two-lap, 24-section contest at the Garker group of sections by midweek, including the winner for the past two years Joe Baker, world championship contender Toby Martyn, and world youth star Billy Green.

Also in action will be regular award-winners George Edyvean, Darren and Simon James, Stefan Goodman, Max Diment and Ian and Shaun Martin.

The Taunton Club are catering for competitors of all abilities in their Taunton Cup Trial at Churchinford, on the Blackdown Hills, this morning, held at the Trickey Warren group.

Green and Baker will be in action again tomorrow in the Moretonhampstead Club’s Leighton Steer Cup Trial at Cossicks Cross, between Exeter and Moretonhampstead, which is another popular event and upwards of 80 rides are expected for a three-lap, 12-section event, while many of the competitors in the Kernow will be staying in the Duchy overnight for tomorrow’s CamborneRedruth Club’s Trispen Da Cunha event at Gilbert’s Combe, on the outskirts of Redruth.

Meanwhile, the North Somerset Club begin another busy year with their Eco Angus timed and observation trial at Ubley Drove near Charterhouse-on-Mendip.

Those who have already signed on the dotted line to compete in the hour-long event include Andy and Charlie Frost, Jason Hamblin, Peter and Zac King, Finlay and Steve Davey, Paul Manning and several members of the Dark and Newman families.

The other event is the Swindon Club’s Brian Freegard Cup Trial at Hannington, which is expected to attract many Wessex Centre aces and also many regular awardwinners from the adjoining Western and South Midland centres.

Meanwhile, just before Christmas, the Auto-Cycle Union’s motocross committee announced that there would be a two-stroke championship to run alongside the main event throughout 2019, but earlier this week a statement from their headquarters in Rugby said that owing to a lukewarm response, the series will no longer take place.