MINUTES OF THE 7^th MEETING (2006 SESSION)

OF THE ACU TRIALS & ENDURO COMMITTEE HELD AT ACU HOUSE ON

WEDNESDAY 8^th NOVEMBER AT 10.30 AM

___________________________________________________________________________________

Present -:                                             Mr J Collins – Chairman

                                                            Mr J Lightfoot

                                                            Mr M Wren                                           

                                                            Mr A Penny                                                                                

                                                           Mr A Rew

                                                            Mr M Bates

In attendance:                                     Mrs M E Kerr

Mrs A Devine

Mr G Thompson MBE BEM (for the first item only)

APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN

Mr Thompson conducted the elections for the appointments of Chairman and Vice Chairman. 

At the recent meeting of the National Council, Mr Collins and Mr Willoughby had been re-elected to the Trials and Enduro Committee for a further period of three years, their term of office to commence on 1^st January 2007.  In accordance with ROU Section C (18), Mr Collins was elected Chairman and Mr Willoughby was elected Vice Chairman.                                     

1.         APOLOGIES

Received from Mr Willoughby and Mr Fairbrother both of whom had circulated their comments on agenda items for inclusion in discussions.

2.         FIXTURE LIST

The National and Championship Fixture list had been compiled over a number of months and received final approval for circulation from the Committee at this meeting. As usual the process had been hindered by the fact that FIM dates were only made available after the October Congress.

This would be circulated to Centres and National organisers, Conditions and Championship Regulations would follow in due course after they had been finalised in discussions during this meeting.

3.         AMENDMENTS TO THE HANDBOOK

Before specific discussions took place the Committee considered the revision of the Bike Trial Standing Regulations.  Mr Rew had submitted a proposal for all Bike Trial events to run under permits issued by ACU Head Office, who would as part of this process approve all supplementary regulations forwarded with the application for a permit. This would ensure adherence to the SR’s which were drafted by the Bike Trials and Trials & Enduro Committees and enable a check to be maintained on events being run throughout the year.  The procedure for election to the Bike Trial Committee was queried and it was agreed that a system needed to be established. It was suggested that initially any club organising a British Bike Trial Championship round should be eligible to send a delegate to meetings.

Mr Collins would consult with the Directors regarding whether the standard Trials levy of £1.50 (2007 rate) should be imposed to cover the cost of potential expenses e.g. those resulting from hearing an appeal.  Mr Rew would liaise with representatives of the British Bike Trial Committee to discuss the above and also the necessary Handbook changes.

Action- Mr Rew /Mr Collins

TSR’s /ESR’s and Various Championship Regulations.

Amendments had been proposed throughout the year and these were now given final approval.  Championship conditions would be amended to reflect amendments.  Please see Appendix A to these minutes for rule changes to Standing Regulations.

Additional discussions took place regarding the method of Trials marking and it was agreed after some consideration that the TSR22 A and B should remain in place for 2007.  The method of marking for the British Solo Trials Championship would be decided at a later date. 

British Sidecar Championship

Mr Cheeseman had sent a proposal to include a “Masters Class “ in this Championship as a “stepping stone “ to the Championship class, which had been larger in 2006 than previous years. The Committee agreed to try this and Championship Regulations and Conditions were amended accordingly.

Sammy Miller Trials Championship

The Secretary was to write to Sammy Miller with a list of 2007 dates and with a request for logos and any other promotional material to be sent to the Organisers. 

Action  - Secretary

Womens and Girls Trials Championship

Following a suggestion from Katy Sunter it was agreed that to improve entry figures a mailing list be established of female Trials riders in order that they may be supplied with regulations and details of Women’s Trials fixtures in advance of the meetings.  The best method of reaching this section of competitors would be looked at.

Action – Secretary

4.         CORRESPONDENCE

Request to upgrade- Jack Burch

Further correspondence had been received from the Centre representative regarding the above rider, who wanted to upgrade to Class B and ride a 125cc machine ahead of his normal upgrade age.

The Committee had informed the rider and Centre representative that if he was applying to upgrade he would still be required to ride the correct capacity for his age- i.e. 80cc.  The correspondence received for this meeting had indicated that the rider did not consider this to be acceptable, and wished to ride a 125cc if he was allowed to upgrade.  The Committee would reiterate the fact that the rules for riding a specific capacity at specific ages would continue to be enforced with no exception for this young rider.

Action- Secretary

South Eastern Centre - Proposal for reduced age limits for Short Course Enduros,

The principle of lowering the age limit for these events had been discussed regularly as a result of submissions mostly from the South Eastern Centre.

Mr Burrell would be informed that the proposal to run a 2007 “pilot” event allowing riders under 16 years of age to enter would not be approved for next year, but if the Centre wished for further discussion, they may submit supporting arguments for the proposal.

Action- Secretary

Request to Upgrade- Ben Morphett

Ben Morphett’s results were reviewed and it was agreed that on the basis of these and the fact that he would remain on a 125cc machine he would be permitted to go into the A class next year. It was further pointed out that he was only one month off being eligible for that Championship class anyway.

Action- Secretary

5.         ANY OTHER BUSINESS         

FIM Enduro Seminar

Mr King had applied for this on behalf of the Committee.  Provisional dates were 3/4^th - 10/11^th - 17/18^th March depending on members‘ availability.  Full details would be publicised when available

Action – Secretary

National Licensing Seminar – Saturday 25^th November.

Questions were being collected on the National Sporting Code and would be collated by Mr Collins.

Action Committee/ Mr Collins

6.         DATE OF NEXT MEETING

            The 8^th Meeting would be held on Saturday 2^nd December at 10.30 am.

7.         MATTERS FOR THE P.R.O

None reported.