KICK Start, the legendary motorbike trials competition and one of Britain’s best-known and much-loved eighties’ TV programmes, is set to return to the Scottish Highlands on Friday 25 June 2010 as part of the 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship weekend at Fort William.
The original obstacles – see-saw, bunny hop board, limbo circle and balance beam – have been rebuilt, the theme tune has been pulled from the archives, the cobwebs are being blown off man and machine and deep rooted rivalries have been reignited for Kickstart – The Return.
Says a spokesperson: “After much persuasion, L+M Events, organisers of the UK leg of the Trial World Championship, have mustered a field of star-studded past masters from the world of trials riding for this unique one off trials competition.
“Although they have had many years in retirement these legends of Kickstart will return to do battle on the slopes of Nevis Range in the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK’, ahead of two days of full-blown world championship competition action.
“Although the riders, like Yorkshire duo Martin Lampkin and Malcolm Rathmell, have not gripped a pair of handlebars in anger for several years they definitely haven’t lost that true winners’ instinct.
“They will be fully-focused on wowing the spectators and topping the podium once again.
“However, Lampkin and Rathmell are hardly likely to have it all their own way as former Kickstart winner, John Lampkin, will look to return to his glory days when he lifted the famous trophy back in 1984. He will be looking forward to challenging his old adversaries, the ex-works Yamaha pairing of Harold Crawford and Gerald Richardson in the arena.
“Originating from a slightly younger vintage than the other runners, both Gas Gas UK boss, John Shirt and Woody Hole, can still be classed as veteran campaigners having both competed in Junior Kickstart way back when Tom and Jerry was still cool amongst the kids.
“Whilst Shirt was runner-up to a certain Steve Colley, Woody was an actual winner of the youth competition all those years ago.
“The field would not be complete without a foreign flavour and this comes in the form of ex triple World Trial champion Thierry Michaud and Mecatecno supremo Luis Gallach.
“Kickstart – The Return will take place exclusively on Friday 25 June at 1.30pm as part of the Grand Prix programme that also includes jaw-dropping demonstrations from You Tube Street Trial Phenomenon, Danny MacAskill.
“Later the same day, a group of invited Scottish Youth riders will also have their opportunity to perform over the same course in front of an expected large crowd from all over the UK and further afield.”
For full details and for further event information; or to buy tickets visit the official event website – http://ukworldtrial.com/.
Discounted advance tickets are on sale until Friday 18 June. Day passes will be available on the gate.
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Media Contact:
For further press info, event images and interview requests – Paddy Cuthbert, Podge Publicity – T: 07968 699636 / E: paddy@podge.co.uk
For media accreditation contact: G2F Media – T: 0161 763 6660 / E: worldmedia@g2fmedia.com
Notes to Editors:
On 25, 26 and 27 June 2010, the Nevis Range, Fort William, will stage the UK leg of the 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship, the 35th edition of the biggest, the most important and the best motorcycle trial competition series on the international calendar.
It is the first time since 1992 that Scotland has hosted a stage of the World Championship series; that will see seven other Grand Prix events being staged in Spain, Portugal, Japan, France, San Marino, Italy and the Czech Republic in 2010.
As a major focus for both country and rider, 60 of the world’s-best riders from 15 countries around the globe will descend on the Scottish Highlands for two days of awesome and hotly-contested competition for valuable points towards the 2010 World Pro (male only at Fort William), World Junior (male and female) and World Youth (male and female) titles.
Up to 8,000 spectators are expected to attend the biggest and most spectacular display of trials riding ever seen on British soil.
The main competition days will be Saturday and Sunday with Friday’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 ‘Kickstart – The Return’.
Friday will also be a great day to plan the best viewing points ready for the exciting competition over the weekend.
The 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship at Fort William is supported by EventScotland, Highland and Islands Enterprise and The Highland Council together with Nevis Range, Alcan, Forestry commission Scotland, VisitScotland, TMX and Hope.
Useful websites:
FIM – http://www.fim-live.com/en/
ACU – http://www.acu.org.uk/
Trials Central – http://wwwtrialscentral.com/
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 is a test of riding skill over observed sections. When comptetitors ride the sections their feet must remain on the footrests of the motorcycle. They must negotiate steep gullies, slippery rock steps, rocky streams or boulder-streewn gorges. Sections vary in length and severity, and riders are penalized 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. This year’s event will be staged in the area from 3 to 8 May.
2010 represents the 35th edition of the SPEA FIM Trial World Championship. Co-director of L+M Events, organisers of the 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship at Fort William, Martin Lampkin, was the first-ever FIM Trial World Champion back in 1975, and is also a multiple winner of the Scottish Six Days Trial along with other members of perhaps the world’s most famous motorcycling family.
As a venue for the 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship Nevis Range is exceptional.
It is home to unrivalled natural trials terrain anywhere in the world.
It offers both technical and challenging sections to test both man and machine to the full, guaranteeing world-class action.
The venue also has a rich motorcycle history as host venue for the world-renowned Scottish Six Day Trial.
This combined with good local accommodation, extensive local amenities and facilities, excellent site infrastructure and a proven track record of hosting other world status events makes Nevis Range the perfect stage for a winning world championship event.
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 18 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.
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Contact: Paddy Cuthbert
Phone: 07968699636
Email: paddy@podge.co.uk
Website: http://www.ukworldtrial.com/
