Trials

CONNOR HOGAN MASTERS HIS FIRST SCOTTISH 6 DAY!

South Aussie Trials rider, Connor Hogan, from Bangor in the Southern Flinders Ranges has just finished a very respectable 64^th outright (out of 264 finishers), and 5^th in the Newcomers Award at one of the world’s oldest and most famous motorcycle events, the Scottish 6 Day Trial.

Hoping to emulate his father, Brenton (Hoges), who rode and finished in 102^nd position in 1987 (pictured below), this event was always on Connor’s ‘bucket list’, with trying to fit it in between studies and the World Championship over the past 3 years, 2019 finally saw it become a reality and Connor, one of 280 starters, grabbed the opportunity with both hands and didn’t let go.

Held in unusually ‘dry’ conditions – in other words, the creeks were generally dry & slippery, not running with foot deep water, and the moors on the transport stages didn’t want to suck your bike in like quicksand – there was still low temperatures, rain showers and some snow high up in the Highlands to contend with.

Below is the daily ‘blog’ from Hoges, who was there as Connor’s ‘pit crew’ and spent the week driving around the Highlands of Scotland keeping his charge well fed & hydrated – read on ….

Day 1 in Scotland is done and Connor has come through in fine condition. Finished well ahead of time with no drama. Like most of Australia, Scotland is surprisingly dry. Sunshine and mild conditions and as yet Connor has not encountered any deep bogs. Of course there are still 5 days to go so anything can happen yet.

Day 2 over here at the Scottish Six Day Trial. Connor finished ok today with 8 minutes to spare. The longest day today. 107 miles (not km) and 8.5 hours. Big loop taking in the Craig Lundie group, but still very nice weather for Scotland though there were a few showers and even some hail. At one point Connor said it was snowing right up in the Highlands. Tomorrow (Wednesday) is Connor’s early day (over the 6 days the starting order is rotated). First up is a trip on the Corran Ferry.

Day 3 in Scotland has concluded so Connor has got to halfway. He finished in good time on his early start day and was able to put on a new tyre. Today was the tour around Moidart peninsula starting with a trip on the Corran Ferry.  A little shorter today, only 77 miles! Still good weather and a number of waterfall sections. Both bike and rider going strong at this point. With the rotating start system Connor moves to the back of the field as his group is last away tomorrow.

Day 4 done. Big loop way down to the SE of Glencoe then back up north to Fersit. 101 miles in 8 hours including the standard daily ration of 30 sections. Again very good weather, only the odd light shower. Not such a good spectator day today but managed to catch up with both Connor & Luke at the “chairlift” group of sections, both going well. Tomorrow we return to the Moidart Peninsula, this time in the reverse direction for 95 miles

Day 5 done and dusted. A few showers around early but then it cleared off again. Riding in the back half of the entry allows for the sections to be more “run in” and Connor went well today. Sections were run around the Moidart Peninsula and it was a little easier to keep up with the riders along coastal roads and tracks. 8 hours, 95 miles. I was able to watch Connor in 4 section groups including a double clean on the final group of the day, “Rubha Ruadh”. So tomorrow we go into final day with sections near Ben Nevis, as well as famous sections like Pipeline (used since 1967) and “Town Hall Brae” in the centre of Fort William, the last section of the trial.

Day 6 and Connor has completed the Scottish. Clear blue skies greeted riders for the final days play for 2019. They initially headed south toward Kinlochleven take in groups at Callart, Lower Mamore and the famous Pipeline where Connor cleaned the lower 3 subs before parting with 2 points on the top sub. The competitors then work their way around behind Ben Nevis before two tough groups on the lower slopes of the mountain, Ben Nevis & Glen Nevis. Finally it is back to the centre of Fort William for section 180; “Town Hall Brae”. On this hazard Connor went clean but over a dozen “5’s”, a many “3’s” were lost on this narrow, greasy section. At this point the results are not finalised but Connor will certainly receive a First Class award plus the knowledge he has successfully completed the hardest multi day trial event in the world.

Team Australia! So in the aftermath of the SSDT Hoges also wanted to put a shout out to Luke Anderson (below with Connor), from the ACT and the only other Aussie riding the SSDT in 2019, who put in a stellar performance. Luke was riding number 126, so was only 9 numbers behind Connor and they ended up doing a fair bit of riding together. Luke finished in 124th position and also received a First Class Award. Luke did mention he would love to come back to the Highlands, not necessarily to ride a motorcycle but to do some hiking in this incredibly scenic area.

And from Connor; Scottish Six Day Trial all done. Happy to have finished in 64th for my first attempt and receive a First Class Award. Had some ups and down throughout the week. Some days I rode well and others were very frustrating but learnt so much from the whole experience. Looking forward to the first round of the World Championship in Italy in 2 weeks. Thanks to Dad for chasing me around all week in the van bringing food and water, as well as my sponsors for their continued support; Rockhopping SA, GRO, Global Racing Oil, Jitsie and The Hell Team.

Now Connor will be gearing up for his attack on the 2019 Trial2 World Championship, starting in Italy in 2 weeks time, and we all wish him the best, as well as congratulating him on his Scottish success.

And for the record – James Dabill (above left) won the SSDT for the 3rd time in 2019 – leading from day 1 and losing 5 points through the 6 days and 180 sections, to win by 2 points from the legend that is Dougie Lampkin (12 time SSDT winner & 12 time World Champion): and who was waiting for ‘Dibs’ at the finish, Dougie with a bottle of Champers to celebrate and toast the winner – sportsmanship at a high level and so typical of them both!

Photo credits; Trials Central, Donald Young, James Dabill, Brenton Hogan – with thanks

NATIONAL TRIALS DAY A GOOD SUCCESS.

National Trials Day, which sees every state in Australia run a trial (on the same day) was introduced in 2018 as a way for the Team Australia Trials des Nations team to raise money to help get the team to the Trials des Nations each year, with this year’s South Australian National Trials Day held on Sunday, May 5^th at Tungkillo.

2018 MSA Rising Star Award nominees Alex Cowan & Lillie Yiatrou both had first up wins in Trial 2 (A Grade) & Trial 3 (B Grade) at the National Trials Day event.

Run by the AJS MTC in extremely dry conditions at a new venue at Tungkillo, 40 riders attacked the rocks on the day, with over $1000.00 raised on the day to go towards the team, a team which includes South Aussies Connor Hogan & Lillie Yiatrou in 2019.

While Connor wasn’t in attendance due to being in Scotland to prepare for the 2019 Scottish 6 Day Trial, Lillie was in action at the event, and scored her first ever win in the Trial 3 (B Grade) class, a great effort by the 15 year old junior rider.

In fact, it was a day for SA’s younger riders to shine, with 16 year old Alex Cowan taking out his first win in Trial 2 (A Grade) with a fine ride to best the evergreen Steven Rees, with 14 year old Haydon Barwick in 3^rd and another teenager in 16 year old Josh Rees in 5^th.

Trial 4 (C Grade) saw the experienced riders keep the youngsters at bay, with Tony Baughan (on a countback from), Peter Arnold & Brian Lang just managing to keep the current Australian Under 13 Champion, Hayden Eardley off of the podium.

In Trial 5 (Clubman) it was another teenager in Jasmine Tarrant who led home her more experienced competitors on the day, with the single point win being one of the closest results in the senior classes.

(Above) Josh Rees tests out the limits of his rear tyre, while Jasmine Tarrant jumps for the exit of the section
(Below) Haydon Barwick shows his effort face, while the ‘future’ takes a breather during the day!

In the junior classes Ryan Tarrant had a good win in Junior A over his cousin, Charlotte Cowan, with the land owner’s son, Carl Henschke, rounding out the podium.

In Junior B and the battle of the boys & girls, this was a day for the girls, with Hayley Stephen leading home Ashley Barwick, with Isaac Schultz the first of the boys in 3^rd and Harry Peterson in 4^th.

The juniors in the South Australian trials community continue to lead the way and are doing some amazing things at these events and are well worth coming out to watch, with all trials having free entry to spectators.

Full results; http://www.ajs.asn.au/results/2019/2019-05-05.

The next event in in 2 short weeks time, on May 19^th, with the ‘Keep Ya Feet Up’ trial being run by the Gawler MCC, again at Tungkillo, but this time on the main road to Palmer. To enter to ride, go to www.trialsport.com.au/entries

SA’S AWESOME RAID OF THE PODIUMS AT THE GLENMAGGIE EASTER CLASSIC!

With the SA season to start this weekend in Victor Harbor, a number of SA’s finest trials riders warmed up for the season and did a sneak attack across the border at the Glenmaggie Easter Classic Trial.
SA riders managed 3 first placings, 1 second, a fourth and a seventh from the event. Father & son, Steve & Josh Rees led the way, with Steve coming out on top in Masters and Josh winning Trial 3 (B Grade), a brilliant result for the 16 year old.
The 3rd win was by Peter Arnold in Veterans, holding off the fast finishing Don Murray from the ACT, with Australia #2, Connor Hogan 2nd outright in Trial 1 (Expert), behind Tim Coleman, who was having a rare ride these days – but was playing in his backyard.
Another excellent result was from World Championship bound Lillie Yiatrou, who was 4th in Trial 3 (B Grade), only 6 points off the podium, and in front of former Australian Champion, John Rees.
Also having her first ride at Glenmaggie was Melissa Bruce, who finished an excellent 7th in the highly contested Trial 4 (C Grade) Class.
Congrats and well done to all of Team SA that made the long trek to Australia’s biggest annual trial outside of the Aussies.

Steve Rees, his son Josh and Peter Arnold led the Team SA charge at Glenmaggie 2019

SA’s Trials des Nations Team Australia riders Connor Hogan & Lillie Yiatrou in action @ Glenmaggie 

These awesome Glenmaggie pics courtesy of Chloe Whittle & Global Racing Oils Australia

THE 10TH TROY Series SA KICKS OFF THIS SUNDAY @ VICTOR HARBOR!

On the back of the success by SA riders at Glenmaggie and after the family ride days 2 weeks ago at the same venue, the TROY Series SA 2019 kicks off this weekend at Victor Harbor with round 1 of the 5 round Series. Started in 2010, Troy Series SA was instigated to be a great addition to the yearly calendar and to compliment the stand alone SA Championship event, and now in its 10th year, TROY has become a great Series, with this year it being a 5 round Series, with rounds 2 – 5 being run from the end of July through to September by the Gawler, Keyneton, AJS & Velocette Clubs.
In action this weekend at round 1 will be SA’s 2 World Championship bound riders, Connor Hogan (Trial2) who will be flying out next weekend for the Scottish Six Day Trial, and Lillie Yiatrou, who will be debuting in the Trial2 Women’s World Cup in the 2nd half of the year.
With trials somewhat unique to the other disciplines, with only 1 rider in a section at a time, it means juniors can compete directly against seniors and this will be happening en masse, with Lillie being joined by Haydon Barwick in the Trial 3 (B Grade) Class, current Australian Champion Hayden Eardley in Trial 4 (C Grade), with Youth (under 19) riders Alex Cowan & Josh Rees debuting in Trial 2 (A Grade) this weekend.
Perhaps the class to watch this weekend may be the Junior B Class, Trials SA’s youngest stars and what could be a boys verses girls battle as well – as Oliver & Harry Lancaster, Isaac Schultz and Harry Peterson take on Ashley Barwick, Lucy Cowan and Hayley Stephen.
The future of trials here in SA certainly looks bright with the amount of talented riders under the age of 20 – and the majority are in action this weekend at Victor!
The event is free to all spectators, who are able to wander around the sections and get up close and personal to the action, and there will be catering by the awesome Café Dee Wheels, with their homemade burgers, complete with their homemade chutneys – which are worth the drive to the event on their own!
Just turn right at the roundabout at the Urimbirra Fauna Park on the main Adelaide to Victor Harbor road, and the distance to the Trial site is 15.7 Kilometres and should take around 13 minutes, and will be signposted from the Waitpinga Road roundabout, Victor Harbor.

3 of SA’s outstanding junior riders who will be in action this Sunday @ Victor Harbor, Ashley Barwick, Hayley Stephen & Harry Peterson

AND IN 2 WEEKS TIME – NATIONAL TRIALS DAY – ON MAY 5!

2019 once again sees Australian teams struggling for funding, so the trials community of Australia have taken the bull by the horns, and led by SA’s peter Arnold, are running the 2nd annual ‘National Trials Day’, where each state runs a trial on the same day, with all proceeds going to getting Team Australia to the Trials des Nations.
The SA National Trials Day will be held at Tungkillo, with free entry once again to spectators, who will also be able to donate to the team, or buy raffle tickets for the team raffle.
It also might be a good idea to note that SA has 2 riders in the 2019 Trials des Nation’s Team Australia, Connor Hogan for the fourth year running and debutant, 15 year old Lillie Yiatrou, as well as Lillie’s dad, Andrew, who will be one of the team minders.
Get out to Tungkillo on Sunday May 5th to help get our riders to Spain in September – and watch Lillie in action on the day as well (Connor will be in Scotland riding the Scottish 6 Day Trial).

‘ROCKHOPPING SA’ 2019 S.A. WOMEN’S CUP & DIENER / HOLMES SIDECAR TROPHY ENTRIES TO OPEN IN THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY!

Entries for the 2019 South Australian Women’s Cup and the Diener/Holmes Sidecar Trophy, to be run on June 30^th, will open in the first week of May, and will contain all of the details relating to this great event run by the Keyneton MCC.

Look for all the need to know relating to;

VENUE (likely to be Eden Valley)

CAMPING

CATERING

RIDE TIMES

SATURDAY COACHING / PRACTISE DAY

This will be the 11^th running of the first event in SA to have the girls & women as the headliners, an event that also celebrates the careers of the Keyneton MCC’s great Champions in Trevor Diener & Philip Holmes and has twice been nominated for the FIM Women in Motorcycling Award (2016 & 2018)

Classes will be as per previous Women’s Cups and continues to follow the Australian Women’s Cup as instigated by Bev Anderson in the ACT, with the classes as follows;

PRO (red line), EXPERT (yellow), SPORT & MASTERS (blue), NOVICE (white), JUNIOR A (white), JUNIOR B (black) & MINI TRIAL (orange name plate w/- run of section)

There will also be a ‘Non-Comp’ class, where riders can have a ride on a recreational licence and try trials without the pressure of competition.

All the details will be in the supplementary regulations that will be released when entries open.

Being held on the final weekend of June for the first time means that it is also being run on the first weekend of the eastern states school holidays, so it’s an ideal time for a trip to the Barossa & Eden Valleys, a great trial venue for the kids (and parents), and great food & wines to try for the parents!

This will also be the last event that Lillie Yiatrou will ride on home soil before heading overseas to debut in the Women’s Trial2 World Cup, with her first round being in Portugal, so what better way to wish her the best than to come and have a ride alongside of her!

The Keyneton MCC is also excited to welcome back as naming rights partner, long time event partner, Greg Knight and his business, Rockhopping SA, with support from The Hell Team and Oset Bikes Downunder – great support for a great event.

The Keyneton MCC’s 2 Australian representatives will likely both be in action at the 2019 SA Women’s Cup – 2018 Champion Lillie Yiatrou and 2012 & 2016 Champion, Sofie Kraft, who is returning after time off working overseas.

ENTRIES SET TO OPEN FOR TROY Series SA 2019 WHICH KICKS OFF AT VICTOR HARBOR ON APRIL 28^TH.

Only 2 weeks until the 2019 Trials SA trials season kicks into gear with one of the iconic events of each year, the Scarpantoni Wines Frank Tuck Trial, run by the AJS MTC at Victor Harbor – which is also round 1 of TROY Series SA 2019.

2019 will see ‘TROY’ celebrate 10 years as a Series, and for the 10th year it will be a 5 round Series, with 4 clubs sharing hosting duties, AJS, Gawler, Keyneton & Velocette, with the last 2 clubs re-joining the series after a few years of not running a round of the series – and Trials SA welcome them back!

Rounds will be held at some of SA’s finest trials venues, and with free entry for spectators and catering at most events, it will be a great family day out to watch what is, the number 1 family friendly discipline of motorcycling!

It means that riders from Australian representatives and Champions, to brand newbies will all be riding at the same time, making it a great spectacle for spectators and people wondering if they should start riding or not – it is a sport for all ages and abilities!

The TROY Series SA 2019 rounds are;

Round 1; April 28,                The Frank Tuck Trial, run by the AJS MTC @ Victor Harbor

Round 2; July 28,                  The Max Graetz Trial, run by the Gawler MCC @ Iconic Tungkillo

Round 3; August 25,             The 46^th Mountain Man Trial, run by the Keyneton MCC @ Moculta

Round 4; September 8,         The Tungkillo Trial, run by the AJS MTC @ Iconic Tungkillo

Round 5; September 22,       The TROY Series Finale, run by the Velocette MCC @ Gumeracha

Supp Regs & Entries will be available at; www.trialsport.com.au/entries    

Reigning Red & Pink Class Champions from TROY Series SA 2018 – Connor Hogan (left) and Lillie Yiatrou will both be in action at round 1 of TROY Series SA 2019.

Reigning White Class (Juniors) Champion and runner-up from TROY Series SA 2018 – brothers Oliver & Harry Lancaster, who will both be in action at round 1 of TROY Series SA 2019.

(Awesome pics from Amy Lancaster)

With the re-branding of most of the senior solo classes for 2019 by MA & the Trials Commission, and so there is no confusion at season start, and the colour of name plates shall be as the line (split) that riders will ride; please see the following;

GREEN                 TRIAL 1 (formally Expert)

RED                       TRIAL 2 (formally A Grade Solo)                A GRADE SIDECAR             

YELLOW            TRIAL 3 (formally B Grade Solo)                B GRADE SIDECAR                                  

BLUE                    TRIAL 4 (formally C Grade Solo)                HISTORIC BLUE                              VETERANS**

WHITE                 TRIAL 5 (formally Clubman)                        HISTORIC WHITE                          JUNIOR A

BLACK                                                                                                 CLASSIC SIDECAR                           JUNIOR B

#ORANGE           NON COMP SOLO, NON COMP SIDECAR & MINI TRIAL

** Included as a class at the SA Championship only

# Trials SA offer a non-competitive class at all events – and for all ages, and age of bike! Riders get a discounted entry as they are not riding for a placing, but get to enjoy a day’s riding within a great community – and it is for ages 4 to 74 – with Mini Trial being a great entry into the sport – and is open to riders 4 to 9 years of age, and on small wheeled bikes with automatic gearboxes, petrol or electric!

TRIALS SA – SUPPORTED BY;