Centre of attention
By John Dickinson on 9th Sep 11
THIS weekend sees the annual ACU Inter Centre Team Trial, run this year by the Mid Wales Centre, which is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee.
This year sees almost a full house in both the Youth and Adult solo competitions and the competition looks very open with several teams looking for wins in the various categories.
In the Youth class, reigning champions, Yorkshire, return with four of its five team members from last year, led this time round by Sam Yeadon with Jack Stones, Jack Price, Sam Johnson while James Stones replaces Richard Sadler, who has moved up into the Adult squad.
Last year's runners-up, East Yorkshire, have a team lead by the capable Peace brothers, while Southern are in with a shout with a team containing Chris Stay and Bradley Cox.
The Midland Centre squad is headed by top Youth C rider Sam Yeoman and the home Mid Wales team is lead by Youth B star, Iwan Roberts.
The adult competition, for so many years the exclusive property of the Yorkshire centre, has in recent years been eclipsed by the South East, which brings most of its winning team, led by Sam Conner, James Fry and the two Bens – Morphett and Wibberly – with the only change to last year's line-up being Chris Short replacing Graham Jarvis.
However Yorkshire is anxious to recapture its crown with a strong team led by James Dabill, Jack Challoner and Jon Richardson, all fresh from the World Championships (‘Rich' won the Junior class at the final round on Sunday) backed by top National runners and winners, Dan Thorpe and Richard Sadler.
Even then, these two teams will need to be on top form as East Yorks these days has a strong squad led by new World number six, Michael Brown, while Midlands have Ross Danby leading its team and South Midlands have Alexz Wigg and Sam Haslam fronting a fairly strong line-up.
The Sidecar competition is without the defending champions, the Isle of Man, but this opens the door for the South East team led by Rupert Kimber, the East Midlands team with Robin Morewood and the Wessex Centre squad led by former British Champion Jon Tuck to fight for that coveted title.
The trials start at 10am both Saturday and Sunday from Green Hall, Llanfyllin, Powys, which is to the west of Welshpool/ Oswestry off the A490/ A495 roads.
There will be full report and images in next week's paper!
