BASED on the overwhelming success of last years event current British trials motorcycle champion and recent Scottish Six Days winner, James Dabill – Beta, from Leeds, is already looking forward to performing well at Nevis Range, Fort William for the sixth round of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship.
James is keen to show he has grown both as a rider and as a personality when the most important and the best motorcycle trial competition series returns to Scotland over the weekend of 30 and 31 July.
He is already well on the way to proving himself having recently won the centenary edition of the Scottish Six Days Trial, the oldest-surviving motorbike trial competition in the world and one of the toughest endurance trials events on the circuit, staged throughout Lochaber in the Scottish Highlands.
He also has three wins under his belt in the 2011 British Championship and was the top British rider in the opening round of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship in Gefrees, Germany on 15 May, posting a credible sixth place.
James, who was ranked sixth in the World in 2010, now has ambitions on a top five ranking in this year’s eight-round Trial World Championship which concludes in Poland on 4 September.
Q: James, How important is it to you that there is a GP held in Great Britain?
JD: Having a home GP is hugely important to me. Although technically it is held in Scotland it is the only time the world series comes to the UK this year and to have a home crowd behind me will be amazing.
Q: Do you notice a difference with home support compared to when you are abroad?
JD: Yes certainly – last year the support was unbelievable. Everywhere I went people were wishing me luck and rooting for me, it was great and helped build my confidence. There is no other country more passionate about trials than the UK!
Q: What separates Scotland from the other rounds of the series?
JD: Scotland has been associated with trials for many years and some would even say it was the birthplace of the sport, not to mention the iconic Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT), which is held there every year. The terrain is second to none and if this year’s sections are anything like last year’s the trial will be brilliant. I’ve ridden all around the World, but I still get the biggest buzz when performing in front of British fans on home soil – it’s amazing! I think the fact that there is something for everyone also helps – with star studded entertainment and activities on the Saturday and then the main trial on the Sunday it is a real family experience.
Q: With the SSDT being held in the same area do you feel you have an advantage?
JD: It depends really. If the weather is similar on both occasions then yes I think riding the SSDT helps a little, but the rules within the sections are totally different so I don’t think it makes a huge difference overall.
Q: Last year you finished seventh on the first day and fifth on the second day, what are your hopes for this year?
JD: Overall in the championship, I’d like to think I could finish top five. It’s a little early to start predicting where I’ll finish in Scotland, but again I would like to be sitting around top four or five. Toni Bou finished third during the second day last year – that just proves how unpredictable Scotland can be, but I’m confident I can produce a memorable performance. Above all else, I’ll have fun, Scotland is my home event and I will relax more than usual – hopefully, you will be able to see that in my riding.
Q: And finally James, how does it feel to win the one hundredth Scottish Six Days Trial?
JD: To take my second SSDT win feels absolutely unbelievable. The Scottish Six Days Trial means so much to so many people and to lift the trophy at the centenary edition is more special than I can explain. Since the start of the season I’ve really worked hard and I think this victory shows that it is all starting to pay off.
Full information on the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship at Nevis Range, Fort William, including travel and accommodation, and to buy tickets go to http://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:
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.
