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MacKenzie Trophy Trial review

The penultimate round of the 2009 ACU Events British Trials Championship moved back to Yorkshire on Sunday with the Mackenzie Trophy Trial near Brimham Rocks at Summerbridge.

The organising Yeadon Guisley Club had set out 12 sections on a course that ran in the opposite direction to last year and with the recent rain they proved to be a tough test for all of the three Championship classes.

After early morning practice sessions the Experts B riders got the event under way at 11:00. Sam Ludgate has been the man to beat all season but John Crinson has been pegging his lead back recently although neither would claim victory. That went to Ricky Wiggins who won the opening round at Scarborough and he took victory by just two marks from Dan Hemingway with a score of 82 points lost. John Crinson got third place from Danny Gamble with Midland rider Buster Regan posting an excellent fifth place finish.

When the Expert A group came out two of the experienced runners started badly with Ian Austermuhle and Gary Macdonald both incurring fives at section one where the rocks were perhaps at their driest. The hazard was however no pushover as only Ben Morphett and James Fry cleaned it on lap one in front of one of the biggest crowds at a Championship round this year.

Sam Connor had a problem at section three but he was not alone and after that he dealt with all of the rocks, mud and climbs without any maximum scores. With laps of 16, 10 and a fantastic seven last time around the Southerner would be ahead by a country mile at the close. Ian Austermuhle took second from Gary Macdonald but both had to be on their guard as Lee Sampson, Ben Hemmingway and James Fry were all close behind. It was also good to see Michael Phillipson back in action and although he said he was a little out of sync in his riding he will be back on the pace soon.

It was not such a good day for the young guns with Ben Morphett, Jonathan Richardson and Jonny Walker. All three have been putting in great rides this season but it was perhaps an event that did not suit the smaller 125 cc machines. Jack Sheppard was best youth rider, no change there then and his score of 79 was still more than respectable.

The main Championship group suffered a big blow before the event had actually started. Dougie Lampkin suffered a nasty hand injury during practice and was unable to compete.

This left Michael Brown needing to win the event to keep his Championship hopes alive for 2009. James Dabill did not get of to the best start as he took a maximum on section two on the first big uphill climb. Brownie rode it well but still needed a three to negotiate the last part of the hazard and only Jack Challoner matched that ride on lap one. Alexz Wigg and Dabill were the only cleans on section three a section that did not get any easier as the day wore on.

Dibs and Michael pulled clear from the rest of the field over the first 12 sections and were just a point apart as the first set of scores went up. James could not however match Michael on lap two and although there were a few tremendous rides from other championship contenders it was just these two who were in with a chance of victory as the event went into the final circuit.

With encouragement from Jack Lee and John Shirt James Dabill put in a supreme last lap. There was not one three or five on his punchcard but there was six cleans. Michael had no answer, so the Gas Gas team can go into the six week break in the Championship in confident mood.

Alexz Wigg finished with his best lap to make sure of a secure third on the day and he comfortably retains the same place in the overall standings.

The final round will be on the 27th September at the Kent Youth Trials.