2009 National Schedule Set
The
annual meeting of the North American Trials Council just wrapped up in
Dallas, Texas, were the schedule for the 2009 season was set. In
addition to next year's schedule, a number of rules changes were made
and an interesting new class was proposed. The '09 season will see
eight rounds contested, four two-day events, which start in May and
end in July. Next year will also see a new class designed for
twin-shock bikes that do not fit into the present AHRMA format.
2009 National Schedule:
May 30-31 Omaha, Neb.
(MWTA)
June 27-28 TTC (TI and STRA)
July 18-19 Vermont (GMP)
July 25-26 Cayuta, NY (D4)
Non-National Schedule:
March 28-29 El Trial
July 3-5 Youth Nationals (East) Sequatchie, TN
Aug. 8-10 Youth
Nationals (West) Cotopaxi, CO
Aug. 15-16 Ute Cup La Garita, CO
*The Tennessee event will be a "shootout" format for the Pro
class similar to the ones used for the El Trial de Espana, Sooner
Cup, and OctoberTest events.
Twin Shock Class Rules:
This proposal is for
a new NATC Twin Shock class. It is designed to be simple for all
involved. It is only open to riders of an advanced or expert caliber
on Twin Shock
bikes. Twin Shock (TS) will be just like any other
Support class. There will be no age
classifications. All AMA/NATC
rules and requirements will be observed.
EXPECTATIONS:
The hope is that this new class will grow to be
comparable to the size of any of the
other Support classes. If
the series is to be centered on the East Coast in 2009 this
would
be a good be a good year to try it out as the strongest
concentration of TS
riders is in the East, South East and
Mid-Atlantic states. See
www.mavt.org and
www.twinshock.org.
GOAL:
This class is designed to be the most challenging and
competitive Twin Shock series
in the US. It is not for riders
that are afraid to scratch their bikes.
MACHINE ELIGIBILITY:
Any motorcycle that was originally
designed with twin rear shocks, air cooled motor
and drum brakes.
NON-PERMITED ITEMS / MODIFICATIONS:
No hydraulic brake or
clutch controls, no disc brakes, no water cooling, no monoshocks.
2009 RULES CHANGES
Among the rules amended for 2009, the most
notable are:
The Pro class will be able to throw out one of the
eight rounds and pre pre-entries will be reduced to $75 per day.
In other news from the meeting, Jim Watson and Pete Croft
were elected to the NATC, Inc. Board of Directors. Look for more
info on the meeting in next month's issue, or go to
www.natctrials.org.
New Trials Model Introduced
Congratulations to Geoff and Kerry Aaron on the birth of their son,
Murphy Christopher Aaron. Murphy was born on October 9th and
according to Geoff, mom and baby are both happy and healthy.
Murphy Christopher Aaron Specs:
7lbs. and 13 oz (3.4 kg).
Sherco/Scorpa Pricing For 2009
Ryan Young Products has released the prices of their 2009 trials
models:
Sherco:
- 0.8 $5900
- 1.25 $6600
- 2.5 $7250
- 2.9 $7350
- 3.2 $8350
Scorpa:
- 125 Comp $5999
- 200 Comp $6150
- 250 2-stroke Comp $6900
- 250 4-stroke Comp $8400
- T-ride $9200
Lewisport and Montesa
Adrian
Lewis of Lewisport USA dropped us a line after we published the info
in last month's issue about the '09 Monty. LewisportUSA took over
the Montesa Imports and marquee in the USA just over one year ago
from Apex motorsports. We are the SOLE distributor for Montesa parts
in the USA and keep parts for the 315 model through the 4rt model.
We try to keep all parts for both models at all times.
Neither Martin Belair nor Apex Motorsports are connected to
Montesa imports anymore, however, both have helped us and
contributed to keeping the brand alive in the past, and we thank
them greatly for that.
As for the Montesa bike? For 08, well due to some liability
issues, and some importation issues we could not make the bike
available in 08. However, we are NOT giving up! We are looking at
several ways to try and do something for 09. We do not know "WHEN"
and "IF" this will happen, but we are trying! To see this famous
brand/marquee disappear completely from USA would be shame; there
are may Montesa supporters out there that we feel deserve more than
that.
This coming year, we will also be revising our parts distributor
network depending on the out come of the bike importation, meanwhile
all parts are available from your local dealers or directly from us
at
www.lewisportusa.com. We would like to thank all our customers
new and old for there continued support.
Graham Jarvis Wins Scott Trial
British Sherco rider Graham Jarvis claimed a record eighth win in
the famed Scott Trial in Yorkshire, Great Britain. This year's event
was the 94th edition of the trials, which is the longest-running
trial event in the world. The Scott Trial is scored on a combination
of points and fastest time, and when all scores were tallied, Jarvis
topped TRW Montesa rider James Dabill by two points, although Dabill
finished the event six minutes faster than Jarvis.
Third place went to Brit Ian Austermuhle, while Japanese Montesa
rider Takahisa Fujinami finished fourth, ahead of Wayne Braybrook.
Dougie Lampkin, who has seven Scott Trial wins, had mechanical
problems in the event.
Raga Wins In Spain
Adam Raga won
the latest round of the 2008 Spanish National Championship, the
seventh round of the series, and now holds an 11 point lead in the
standings over Montesa's Toni Bou with one round to go. The Gas
Gas-mounted Raga topped Bou by just two points to take the win in
the event, which was held in the city of
Valdemanco. Sherco's Albert Cabestany was third in the trials
and sits in third overall in the standings.
Bou Wraps Up WTC Title
Toni Bou
won his second consecutive world outdoor title with an emotional
victory over Gas Gas rider Adam Raga at the final round of the Spea
World Trials Championships in Spain. Bou led the trial from the start
on his Repsol Montesa and finished the event with 10 points lost,
compared to 26 for Raga, who ended the day, and the season, in second.
Beta rider Jeroni Fajardo finished one point behind Raga in Spain,
with Bou's teammate Takahisa Fujinami and Sherco's Albert Cabestany
rounding out the top five. Look for a full report from Mario
Candellone next month.
Gas Gas Re-signs Raga
Solo Moto
Off-Road Magazine is reporting that Adam Raga has extended his
contract with Gas Gas through the 2010 season. The combination of
Raga and Gas Gas have accounted for six world titles and six Spanish
championships during the past decade. Raga is currently sitting in
second in this year's world outdoor series.
2009 Gas Gas In Stock
Gas Gas
USA announces that the 2009 Gas Gas TXT is now in stock. According
to importer Dale Malasek, dealers now have the '09s in stock as well
as a few '08s at deeply discounted prices. As far as the Gas Gas
four-stroke, 20 demo models are being made and Gas Gas USA will get
one in November or December. As long as the demos experience no
problems then the production models should be available in March.
Sherco USA Announces '09 Team
Two-time and defending U.S. national champion Patrick Smage and
two-time AMA/NATC US Indoor champ Cody Webb are returning to team
Sherco USA for the 2009, according to team boss Ryan Young.
2008 Issue of MotoTrialsport Magazine
The
2008 Trialsport magazine is better than ever. Like last year, this
year’s issue is all color and includes bios on the top world and
national riders, as well as a wrap-up of the 2007 US National
Championship Series, which was won by Sherco’s Patrick Smage, and a
recap of the 2007 World Outdoor Championship, which was dominated by
Montesa’s Toni Bou. You will also find coverage of last year’s US
Indoor Championship event in Tennessee, plus all the latest trials
news, including who switched teams during the off-season and who got
what prestigious award. As usual, there is a segment devoted to the
US Support classes and the history of the sport in the US.
Click <HERE> for
additional information.
