MRS Sherco rider Graham Jarvis stamped his authority in the first round of this year’s British Championship trial, taking a sensational win in the Lochaber Club event. It was a brave calculated risk for the reigning British Champion since he has only been riding the all new Sherco 3.20 4T for a mere five weeks. It was a risk that paid off with Jarvis posting the meagre score of 16 with his nearest rival, Shaun Morris, finishing on 23 marks.
Jarvis’ score would have been even better if he had not unexpectedly taken a five on the second section on the last lap. He had managed it easily on laps one and two, only taking a one on the first lap but got it all wrong on the last lap and paid the penalty with the maximum five marks.
All the riders were looking forward to this first round, which has been voted the best Championship event since its invention and the Scottish organisers did not disappoint. The twelve sections, laid out by Clerk of the Course Arthur Macdonald and his crew had been worked on for over three months which guaranteed, once again, a superb days ride for the forty four riders taking part.
Having had six dry weeks in the Highlands there was the worry that it would be too easy. Although the ground was dry in the trees by the Loch-side it was still wet underneath and the mud carried up on to the sections, making the first lap pretty difficult for late numbers.
MRS Sherco rider Gary Macdonald put in a fine performance finishing in fifth place following a leg injury, which had put him out of action for five weeks. The leg held out well on the day but his lack of fitness took its toll and this showed in his last lap score.
Young rookie Lee Sampson took a very creditable eighth place in his very first outing in the main British Championship, having won the 125 Cup last year in the Expert Class.
In the Expert Class eighteen- year -old James Fry took a brilliant fifth place after a three-way tie with his team mate Chris Pearson and Gas Gas rider Craig Robinson. MRS riders Darren Brice, Gary Jenkins and Matt Jones finished off a good weekend for MRS finishing in eighth, 10th and 11th
Results – Championship Class: 1. G. Jarvis - MRS Sherco 16
2. S. Morris - Gas Gas 25
3. M. Brown - Beta 40
4. S. Colley Gas Gas 53
5. G. Macdonald MRS - Sherco 66
6. A. Wigg - Gas Gas 74
7. S. Haslam - Scorpa 85
8. L. Sampson - MRS Sherco 102
Related Linkswww.malcolmrathmellsport.com Graham Jarvis is currently running Trials and Enduro training schools for all abilities, for more information please call him on 07843 556962 or e-mail
info@malcolmrathmellsport.com. Prices vary depending on the amount of people attending, he is willing to travel to various places or practice land is available near Graham’s home. Prices range from £60 per person and maximum of 10 people.
