THIS coming weekend sees the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship arrive in the lochside town of Fort William, in the Scottish Highlands, for the sixth round of the series.
Located one hundred miles north of Glasgow this is the second time this venue has hosted the British Grand Prix in as many years.
Britain’s Jack Challoner – Beta will be looking to use the added advantage of home support in order to record his result of the year as he continues his inaugural season in the World Pro class.
Says a spokesperson: “Since entering the SPEA FIM Trial World Championship paddock in 2007, 21 year-old Challoner has successfully advanced through the ranks, claiming the Youth and Junior titles in 2008 and 2010 respectively.
“A newcomer to the World Pro category at the start of 2011 Jack has already made his intentions clear with a string of determined performances.
“After recording two well-deserved seventh place finishes in France and Andorra earlier in the season, Jack currently finds himself eighth in the general standings, two points ahead of his more experienced compatriot Michael Brown – Gas Gas.
“After placing second on day one and first on day two in the Junior class at last year’s British GP and having recently completed the famous Scottish Six Days Trial in May, which takes place in the surrounding Highland area, Jack will aim to draw on his past experience of the traditional style hazards in order to produce a good result on home soil.
“With only five points separating Challoner from Loris Gubian – Gas Gas in seventh and with three rounds of the series still remaining, there is still everything to play for.”
Jack Challoner said: ‘I started the year aiming to finish inside the top six, I knew it was not going to be easy, but I did not just want to arrive in the World Pro class and not get the results. Finishing seventh in France and Andorra was great and I want to carry on improving my results in Scotland.
‘Last year, the British GP was brilliant and I can’t wait to return this year.
“Having home support behind me was awesome, it gave me so much confidence and motivation to record a good result.
“Because I ride for an Italian team I spend a lot of time in Italy and cannot compete in the British Championship, it is always nice to come home and ride in front of my family, friends and fans.
“So far, I have failed to finish inside the top six and that is my number one goal in Scotland.
“Riding the Scottish Six Days Trial was a unique experience but it is totally different from a World round and will not give me much of an advantage.
“The weather can change really quickly in the Highlands and the sections can become super slippery, though it is the same for everyone, I can’t wait to ride in Fort William.”
Whilst advance tickets have now closed, tickets will be available on the gate throughout Saturday and Sunday. Ticket prices are as follows:
Tickets – Adult: £10 / day & Children: £5 / day
Gondola ticket – Adult: £11 / day & Child: £6.25 / day
For further information please visit www.ukworldtrial.com or call the event hotline on 0845 643 6756.
Ends
Media contact:
Paddy Cuthbert, Podge Publicity – T: 07968 699636 / E: paddy@podge.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
The UK leg of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship
The UK leg of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship, the 36th edition of the biggest, the most important and the best motorcycle trial competition series on the international calendar, will be staged at The Nevis Range, Fort William, Lochaber – the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’ – on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 July 2011
As a major focus for both country and rider, 60 of the most accomplished, composed and skilful motorcycle trials riders from 15 countries around the globe will descend on the Scottish Highlands to battle it out for valuable points towards the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship World Pro (male only at Fort William), World Junior (male and female) and World Youth (male and female) titles.
There will be a real war of attrition between riders as Fort William hosts the sixth of eight Grand Prix events; the potential for titles to be both won and lost high on the agenda.
Useful websites:
2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship at Nevis Range, Fort William – http://www.ukworldtrial.com.
FIM – http://www.fim-live.com/en/
ACU – http://www.acu.org.uk/
Trials Central – http://wwwtrialscentral.com/
The 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship at Fort William
The inaugural SPEA FIM Trial World Championship held at Nevis Range in 2010 was a huge success with the spectacular setting creating one of the best events the championship has seen in its thirty-five year history.
The natural sections plotted by Martin Lampkin provided a unique challenge for the competitors and brought out some superb riding that was warmly appreciated by the assembled crowd who enjoyed the atmosphere of this incredible location.
The UK’s only mountain gondola allowed the fans easy access to all parts of the course and provided them with unrivalled views of Lochaber and the Scottish Highlands
Funding and support
The 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship at Nevis Range, Fort William is supported by EventScotland, Highland and Islands Enterprise and The Highland Council together with Nevis Range, Alcan, Forestry Commission Scotland, VisitScotland, Outdoor Capital of the UK, TMX and Hope.
World Championship slasses
World Pro – As the name suggests, this is the World’s elite – the professionals, the best on the planet.
World Junior – This class is for riders aged 16 to 23 years-old and is a feeder class for the top category.
World Youth – Riders in this class are restricted to 125cc machines, and must be aged 16 to 18 years-old.
Governing bodies
The 2010 and 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship and Trial Des Nations 2012 will be run on behalf of the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) which is the World governing body of motorcycle sport.
The Auto Cycle Union (ACU), the British motorcycle federation, has sanctioned these events to be run within its territory.
The events will be run in accordance with the FIM sporting code, trial regulations, technical rules and environmental code, with delegates from both the FIM and the ACU present throughout the events to ensure compliancy.
EventScotland
EventScotland is the national events agency.
EventScotland is working to make Scotland one of the world’s leading event destinations. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors.
For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org
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Contact: Paddy Cuthbert
Phone: 07968699636
Email: paddy@podge.co.uk
Website: http://www.ukworldtrial.com
