ON Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 July, the Nevis Range, Fort William, in the Outdoor Capital of the UK, will again host 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.
Seven other rounds will be hosted in Germany, France, Japan, Spain, Andorra, Italy and Poland in the 2011 series.
The UK World Trial 2011 also marks the second year of a three-year plan that will see the prestigious FIM Trial des Nations being staged at Nevis Range in 2012, as this inter countries competition visits the UK mainland for the first time since the competition started in 1984.
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 penultimate round of eight Grand Prix events; the potential for titles to be both won and lost high on the agenda.
Dougie Lampkin (2010 world number seven), who has dominated the modern era of the sport with 12 World Championship titles to his name, will be leading the UK charge.
He will be joined by elite riders James Dabill and Michael Brown.
They will be keen to put in an impressive performance in front of a home crowd, looking for that all important win on home soil.
Top international riders hoping to take pride of place on top of the Fort William podium include the in form Toni Bou (current and four-times world champion) and Adam Raga (2010 world number two), both from Spain; together with Takahisa Fujinami (2010 world number three) from Japan affectionately known as Fujigas by his fans.
Again, with the support of EventScotland, The Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, this will be the only world-status trial to be hosted in Great Britain during 2011 and will seek to set new standards in terms of this type of event.
Jake Miller, from L+M Events, organisers of the UK World Trial, said. “We are delighted to be bringing The SPEA FIM Trial World Championship back to Scotland once again, and to have the chance to see the best riders on the planet do battle in such an incredible setting.
“Thanks to the kind co-operation of both the FIM and Nevis Range we have managed to secure a date that now falls in the school holidays, which should allow more families and fans to be able to enjoy what promises to be yet another memorable event.”
Paul Bush OBE, chief executive officer for EventScotland, said: “The 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship was a great event with the spectacular scenery of Ben Nevis combining with a well-organised championship to create a spectacle for everyone who attended or took part.
“EventScotland continue to support this event which attracts many international visitors to the local area and puts Scotland on the map as the perfect stage for events.”
Up to 8,000 spectators are expected to attend this spectacular display of trials in July.
The main competition day will be Sunday with Saturday’s timetable offering a mixture of unique and exclusive activities including autograph and meet and greet sessions with the world’s top riders, official practice and mind-blowing displays by Scottish street trials sensation, Danny MacAskill.
Saturday will also be a great day to plan the best viewing points ready for the exciting competition on Sunday.
Tickets for the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship at Nevis Range, Fort William, are now on sale.
For full details and for further event information visit the official event website – http://www.ukworldtrial.com.
Ends
Media contact:
Paddy Cuthbert, Podge Publicity – T: 07968 699636 / E: paddy@podge.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
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 35-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.
The sport
Motorcycle trials is unique in the world of motorsport. It is the only discipline where the winner is decided on skill alone. It is a test of riding skill and balance over observed sections. When competitors ride the timed sections their feet must remain on the footrests of the motorcycle as they negotiate seemingly impossible obstacles, both natural and man made. They must negotiate steep gullies, slippery rock steps, rocky streams or boulder-strewn gorges. Sections vary in length and severity, and riders are penalised if they put their feet down to help them ride the section, and more so if they fail to negotiate the section in its entirety.
The sport originated in the UK nearly a century ago and has enjoyed a long association with Fort William and Lochaber – ‘The Outdoor Capital of the UK’ – as host to the world-famous Scottish Six Days Trial that celebrates its centenary in 2011.
World Championship classes
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.
The Trial des Nations
The Trial des Nations is regarded as ‘the Jewel in the Crown’ in world motorcycling and is strongly supported by the majority of national federations affiliated to the FIM.
This annual event normally attracts teams from around 25 nations and caters for both female and male riders. The competition takes place over three days with the final round of the FIM Women’s Trial World Championship opening proceedings ahead of the two-team events. The three-member ladies teams then fight it out on Saturday prior to Sunday’s main trial, when the mighty four-man squads battle it out for top honours.
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
