Sam Connor, winner

Sam Connor proved he's lost none of his pace over the Christmas off-season; his switch to Beta has been an excellent decision. Connor blasted the opening event of the South Eastern Centre Championship (SEC) with ease and with a winning score of just 5-marks he was miles ahead of the Expert pack. His performance did however lack two things, optimism and wheel spin because traction and commitment he has, but optimism and wheel spin he most certainly doesn’t! The all-new 2007 Beta machine looks beautiful, coupled with it being crafted in the hands of Connor it is simple “poetry in motion”, what rider, what a bike.

Reigning SEC champion MRS Sherco’s James Fry may have blamed poor tyre choice for the six-mark difference from Connor’s winning score. In the almost icy conditions tyre choice is a gamble but was his the right choice? Fry’s difficulties came apparent at the slippery sections 12 and 17 where traction was the key to success. Perhaps his tyres were the cause of his deficit to Connor, the ever furthering tyre development and a wide range of products a rider can choose from, the right tyre really can make that winning difference.

Stevens Gas Gas rider Ben Wibberley had a frustrated season in 2006 by missing out on podium finishes until the fat lady sung at the final event of the season. The Barham MCC rider was in a fight today with the former SEC Champion Beta’s Ashley Newbery, for the final podium mount and the Beta ace Newbery lost, to the better words of “Wibberley kicked his butt into touch”. Wibberley must have thought his beating Newbery was a dream debut, and it was, so well done Ben.

Beta ace and former World South Eastern Champion Ashley Newbery had one of his worst results on record. Connor beat him by a country mile. Fry kicked on the crown jewels taking second place, and Wibberley had the last laugh clinching the final podium position - what a poor ride from the former champion. Was it the tyres perhaps, like Fry a possible bad choice, or could it have been the bike. At section 5 I observed a wheezing Beta and Newbery having to rev the bike to keep it running - possibly a slight blockage in the carb, the bikes tick over was all but non existent. That said, there is always room for some minor adjustments during a trial, but he chose to continue. A story to tell to his grandchildren perhaps that bike preparation is everything.

Intermediate class win went to another Connor, this time James. An excellent ride for the Beta rider just beating second placed Gas Gas rider Dave Strank by 1-mark. Another Beta rider this time in the shape of Mark Baker took third and with just 3-marks separating the top three riders it was a very close run win for Connor.

Novice Class rider Kevin Thompson had an easy ride with no footing or mistakes to clear the course unblemished, and with an unblemished score card - nice win. Second placed Wayne Geary must have been thinking he’d won with his 2-mark loss but chicken’s can’t be counted until the scores are called. David Parr took the final podium 3rd place.

By: Cliff Barnett
www.trialsinfo.com

James Fry, second

Ben Wibberley, third

Ashley Newbery, fourth