We headline this today from the UK.

Women and Men to Compete on the Same ACU Trial GB Series Platform in 2025

Wednesday November 13, 2024 at 4:47pm

In a landmark moment for Women’s Trial, the Auto-Cycle Union (ACU) Trials Commission is thrilled to unveil a new format for the ACU Trial GB series in 2025. For the first time, the Women’s British Championship will be hosted alongside the Men’s categories, ensuring Women’s classes receive the recognition and support they deserve. 

This significant development aims to elevate the profile of women’s and youth trials, demonstrating the ACU’s commitment to fostering inclusivity in the sport.

The 2025 ACU Trial GB series will include the following categories: Trial GB, Trial GB Women, Trial 2, Trial 2 Women, Trial Expert, Trial Youth A, and Trial Youth B. This structure marks a new chapter in the history of British trials, where women and youth riders gain equal footing and visibility alongside their male counterparts.

Additionally, the ACU Trial GB Youth Series has been thoughtfully designed to nurture the skills of young riders in a dedicated setting. The ACU Trial GB Youth Championship, run on separate weekends, consists of the following national categories:

•             Trial GBY – Aspire

•             Trial 2Y – Foundation (big wheel)

•             Trial 3Y – Foundation (medium wheel)

•             Trial 4Y – Debutant (small wheel)

Each category will include distinct classes for girls and boys, such as Aspire Girls and Aspire Boys, creating a supportive and empowering environment for all youth participants. The ACU Trial GB Youth Championship will feature both single-day and two-day events, with each day counting as a point-scoring round for the championship.

ACU President, Tim Lightfoot, said: “For more than a century, motorcycle trials have been at the heart of our off-road sporting activity and the ACU British Trials Championship represents the very pinnacle.  During the last year, the ACU has been considering several changes designed to modernise the organisation and future governance of British motorcycle sport. 

“From the 1 January 2025, we are delighted to confirm the creation of a new and dedicated national ACU Trial Commission, which will represent the interests of the sport at all levels from grass roots up. This will mark the start of a new chapter for ACU Trial competition and positions will be advertised shortly. 

“The second aspect of this relates to the future format and structure of the various ACU British Trials Championships.  We have consulted with organisers, competitors and respected members of the trials industry about the future direction of the sport and considered how other successful national trial championships are structured. 

“As a result, we are excited that for the first time we will be consolidating the various adult and youth British Trial Championships into a single series. We believe this new format will not only help to develop British Trials talent, but will also provide a showcase for the trial community and sponsors to really invest in.”

Sam Connor, ACU Sporting Manager, said: “In the 30 years I have been involved in competing and hosting British championships, I have never been as excited for Trials in the UK. These changes, which have been a collaboration between the Trials Commission, importers, and leading teams, have been carefully and sensitively pulled together. There is a genuine focus and appetite to provide a better platform for our rising stars and to elevate the profile of the amazing women and girls we have across the country. Our aim is to help more home-grown talent to shine on the global stage.”

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We have seen a very well written report on the Victoria Club National – nice to see, and on time.

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Continuing our Bultaco story –

After 10 plus years riding Yamaha – I bought a couple of Sherpa T models to use in the Outlaw Vintage series. – But both were later sold. – Here is one.

In 1998 we heard rumors of a new Bultaco being marketed, so we read up all the UK news, before phoning Don Clark, and suggesting this might sell well, because of all the Bultaco enthusiasts World wide.

Don was appointed the Importer for Western Canada, and we got the very first “New” Sherpa T in January 1999. – Below we were out at East Kelowna testing in the January Snow.

Like all new models – The new Bultaco was not without a few faults, but Graeme Jarvis won the Scottish Six Day Trial on that model in 1999.

Below – later in 1999 we put on our first Outlaw Trial at Green Mountain near Kamloops – pic shows me test riding one of the sections. on the 99 Bultaco. ( Difficult with big holes under the water & I was the first to try this, used 3rd gear as I recall)

In 2000 the French manufacturer dropped the name Bultaco, so he would not have to pay the Bulto family royalties. – He then came up with the name Sherco, which is a combination of SHER-pa (Sherpa T) and BULTa -co.

We sold a lot of these over the years finally dropping the line in 2012. ( when they changed Importers)

Pic below the 2005 Sherco 320 4T rushed into production and a bit of a disaster ( but fun to ride if you could start it)

Below on a Sherco 2t at Kelowna after the big fire turned all the rocks white.

Below – This we first sold to Pete Brown, then later Barry got it – we sold it to a Calgary rider last year.

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Beta News – The outstanding Hemmingway Brothers have signed another two year contract with the Italian Factory – Harry is British Champ – George is World Champ. – Obviously they still like the Evo Factory bikes, but might also know what Beta has planned for the future.

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UPDATE: Answer to the last quiz – John Jones the Ex Pat from Toronto riding a converted Kawasaki Enduro 175 in the Western Canadian Championship Trial at Bragg Creek AB – We had 2 ft of snow Saturday night – I had to lead the riders around the 30 mile loop in the mountains as most of the arrows and markers had fallen off the trees. – we had riders from all over including the USA so the show had to go on. – In spite of everything John won even though the Kaw seized up a number of times.

Only Pete Varey got the answer.

Quiz today – Keeping with the Bultaco theme – Who is this rider?

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