News / First bike trials hailed a major success by organisers
THE FIRST ever nationally classified two-day motorcycle trial took place over the weekend in West Burrafirth in typical Shetland summer weather.
Saturday’s sunburnt faces were soothed by Sunday’s wet weather but the smiles lasted all weekend, according to local biker and and one of the event’s organisers Brian Gray.
Over 100 riders of all ages took part, some with many years of experience and some who bought a bike specifically for the occasion to “give it a go”. One such was another local, Lee Murray, who did brilliantly to reach third spot on the podium in his yellow beginner’s route class.
Murray was not the only Shetlander to medal with father and son pairing Gordon and Logan Tulloch doing Muckle Roe proud by winning their respective classes.
With both riding the yellow route, Tulloch senior won the over 40s, dropping just 53 marks, with Shetland’s own Adam Chadwick just being pipped into second on 56 marks, while Tulloch junior won the youth class.
Other Shetland riders to make the podium were Keith Leslie finishing well to be second in the harder green route (over 40s) and Josh Tulloch, who was second in the yellow route youth class.
The trial’s overall winner was Killin resident and reigning Scottish Champion Andy Anderson riding the hardest blue route and only dropping just 22 marks over the whole weekend. Andy also delivered first class tuition to the beginners after the trial making some memories for the young riders.
According to Gray, feedback has been “overwhelmingly fantastic with the Shetland hospitality, friendliness of the volunteers and organisation of the trial as a whole all common remarks.
“Hosting a successful trial, the team of local organisers were pleased to have seen it run so well at the first attempt,” he said.
“It was impossible to have achieved without the help of so many sponsors and volunteers, it has instantly become a firm favourite of a lots of riders.”
A charity auction and raffle has raised £3,700 to this point. Michaelswood, Mind Your Head and the Shetland MRI scanner appeal are to share the final tally.
“Thanks must be made to all those kind individuals and companies that contributed to the great prizes and auction lots,” said Gray.
He added: “There are many people that we’d like to thank for helping with the trial – title sponsors GS Marine and Scott Welding – as well as all the other sponsors who contributed everything from, materials, equipment, vehicles, labour and financial assistance.
“All the observers who donated their time over several weekends to learn the fine art of scoring a trial and who all did a fantastic job all weekend in the sun, wind and rain, offering banter and a smile to all those to attempted their sections.
He also thanked landowner Gibby Fraser for “everything he’s done during the event” and the experienced members of the Bon Accord Motorcycle Club who set out the details of the sections, marshalled the event and ran the score keeping.
The Skeld Hall committee was also thanked for laying on “a great feed for so many, many people” and thanks were given to all the accommodation hosts.
Results for the top three in each class were – Blue Adult: 1 Andy Anderson; 2 Russ Rooksby; 3 Tom Middleton. Blue Over 40: 1 Kevin White. Blue Youth A: No finishers.
Green Novice: 1 Connor Paton; 2 Jonathon Wren; Connor Reid. Green Over 40: 1 Alan Mudd; 2 Keith Leslie: 3 Martin Pratt. Green Over 50: 1 Billy Mathews; 2 Allister Stewart; Bill Ross. Green Youth A: 1 Harry McLoughlin; 2 Lewis Fletcher; 3 Josh Deans. Green Youth B: 1 Martyn Pratt; 2 Thomas Pearce.
Yellow Beginners: 1 David Edes; 2 Sean Walker; Lee Murray. Yellow Over 40: 1 Gordon Tulloch; 2 Adam Chadwick; 3 Vicki Anderson. Yellow Over 50: 1 Gavin Lewis; 2 Iain Robertson; 3 Gordon Muir. Yellow Youth B: 1 John Garth Junior. Yellow Youth C: 1 Logan Tulloch; 1 Josh Tulloch. Conducted Route: 1 Ruby Lawler; 2 Graeme Whittaker; 3 Alfie Wright; 4 Connor Grant.
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