Michelin Winners – Jack Peace (Sherco) 2023 ACU Trial GB Champion
It was a double winning weekend for Michelin tyres at round seven of the 2023 ACU Trial GB British Championship. With the best seven of eight rounds counting Jack Peace (Sherco) took the title as Toby Martyn (Montesa Honda UK) took the win.
Jack Peace (Sherco) 2023 ACU Trial GB British Champion: This is a fantastic feeling to take my first ACU Trial GB British Championship title after coming so close in 2022. I have enjoyed the fight for the win and despite missing out by a single mark today, the championship title is what mattered the most. The exposed dry grippy terrain let me push the boundaries of my riding to the limit, and I really enjoyed the trial. The grip level changed during the day but once again the confidence in the feedback from my Michelin tyres has proved a vital part of the winning season. I would like to thank everyone who has helped me on my way since I started in the youth classes through to todays first of what I hope are many more championship titles”.
This ACU championship uses the unique Trial GB marking system where competitors may stop, go sideways, or reverse without penalty, going backwards whilst footing incurs a five-mark penalty. An additional championship point is awarded to the best lap performance on observation. A one and a half minute allowance for sections is used and the split between laps one and two used previously is now removed allowing the riders to complete all three laps of twelve sections within the specified time allowance. In the Trial GB class the seven best from eight rounds will be classified to allow for any riders who may be contracted to FIM X-Trial duties.
The 2023 ACU Trial GB Championship remained in the north of the country for round seven and the Ripon Motor Club event at Summerbridge near Harrogate. The Clerk of the Course Joel Sadler worked with the ACU Trial GB team to bring a good event together for the 2023 ACU British Trials Championship and the forty-six riders entered across the four classes: Trial GB, Trial 2, Trial 125, and Expert. They competed over the mandatory three laps of 12 sections on a warm dry day, as the event progressed some hazards became more difficult as the rocks became more slippery but as always, the riding standard was very high.
Mid-week rain did not affect the sections which rode excellent as they dried out under some warm blue skies and a light wind providing a good days action in the fight for the win. On the opening lap it was a Toby Martyn and Jack Peace who were fighting for the win on seven marks lost each, a stop in section five had spoilt Martyn’s opening lap. The second lap was a different story as Martyn had three stops as Peace managed to gain the advantage on him as Harry Hemingway moved into the lead with the best single lap score of the event on six marks lost.
On the final lap it was all to play for between Hemingway and Peace but as was expected Toby Martyn came fighting back. Looking very calm and collected he executed a superb loss of just eight marks as both Peace and Hemingway parted with 18 marks lost. When the scores went up it was Martyn who had taken the narrowest of victories with the top three all separated by a single mark. For Peace it was elation as he took the title with the best seven from eight rounds counting.
Toby Martyn (Montesa Honda UK): “I am so happy to take the win and I congratulate Jack peace on his first ACU Trial GB British Championship title. As I am sure you are aware my season was wrecked by my world championship crash at the start of the season, but I am now back to good strong fitness, and I am very happy to take the win. I feel very strong on the machine and with the feedback from my Michelin tyres giving me the extra confidence I am back where I belong, winning.”
Results Round Seven – Rock and Hop, Summerbridge – 20/08/2023
1: Toby Martyn (Montesa Honda UK) 37; 2: Jack Peace (Sherco) 38; 3: Harry Hemingway (Beta) 39; 4: Jack Dance (GASGAS) 67; 5: Harry Turner (Scorpa) 117; 6: Billy Green (Scorpa) 134
2023 ACU British Championship Positions After 7 of 8 Rounds
1: Jack Peace (Sherco) 132 – Peace is the 2023 ACU Trial GB British Champion; 2: Harry Hemingway (Beta) 109; 3: Billy Green (Scorpa) 107; 4: Jack Dance (GASGAS) 85; 5: Toby Martyn (Montesa Honda UK) 72; 6: Harry Turner (Scorpa) 64; 7: Dan Peace (Sherco) 9.
Full results from all classes and championship positions can be found here: www.acutrialgb.co.uk
The 2023 ACU British Trials Championship will conclude with round eight on the 24th of September at Geddington, Northamptonshire.
