Peace Takes Win Number Three
With the 2023 ACU British Trial GB British Championship now at the half way point it was the current leader Jack Peace (Sherco) who made his intentions clear with a narrow win over Harry Hemingway (Beta). Making it three wins from four starts he remains focused on the title taking a clear advantage into the remaining four rounds.
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.
Round four of the eight round series took the riders to the excellent off-road motorcycle facility at Inch Perfect trials found near Clitheroe in the north of the country. The theme of a more traditional style of competition in the championship continued over the three laps from the previous one with a wide selection of rocks, streams and steep banks finishing off with a man made section as the final one. The weather was excellent for the event with bouts of sunshine coming through the light cloud to provide a dry enjoyable day. The entry was made up of 57 riders entered across the five classes Trial GB, Trial 2, Trial 125, Expert and Trial Electric.
With the current ACU Trial GB British Champion Toby Martyn (Montesa-Honda UK) a non-starter as he recovers from injury it was Billy Green (Scorpa) who held a slender single mark advantage after the opening lap as Jack Peace became engaged in a battle with the young Harry Hemingway as they were locked together on 22 marks lost each. Despite still carrying the effects of a dislocated shoulder from the previous weeks world championship in Japan, Hemingway was riding very well in the fight for the win.
Showing maturity well above his age Hemingway pushed hard to take the lead on the second lap with the best single lap score to take the extra championship point as he moved ahead of Green and Peace, who had slipped down to third. The final lap was a very tense affair but Peace dug deep into his reserves to come fighting back with some excellent riding to take the win by a close three marks from Hemingway with Green dropping to third, it really was a very tough fought battle for supremacy enjoyed by a good strong crowd.
Jack Peace (Sherco): “It is always good to win, and I am happy to return to the top spot on the podium once again. Todays event has seen a real mixture of riding conditions from the more natural to the man made one at section 12 testing my skills in all conditions. The competition has been very close, but I remained focused all day on the win and on extending the championship lead. In the ever-changing riding terrain, the Michelin tyres always come into their own maintaining high levels of grip and with that confidence from the feedback they give I now have three wins from four starts to stand clear at the head of the championship.”
Results Round Four – Inch Perfect Trials Clitheroe – 28/05/2023
Trial GB Championship Class
1: Jack Peace (Sherco) 51; 2: Harry Hemingway (Beta) 54; 3: Billy Green (Scorpa) 60; 4: Jack Dance (GASGAS) 93; 5: Harry Turner (Scorpa) 143.
Trial GB Championship Positions after Four of Eight Rounds
1: Jack Peace (Sherco) 80; 2: Harry Hemingway (Beta) 61; 3: Billy Green (Scorpa) 60; 4: Jack Dance (GASGAS) 48; 5: Toby Martyn (Montesa Honda UK) 37; 6: Harry Turner (Scorpa) 32; 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 continues with round five on the 25th of June moving to the south of the country at Brousentor Farm near Tavistock.
