Exclusive: For the first time Australia will play host to a round of the FIM World Trial Championship in May, 2012.
The announcement came early this morning when the FIM - Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme – announced Mt Tarrengower near Malden, Victoria, as the site for round 2 of the championship, to be held over 26-27 May 2012.
For Col Scott, one of the driving forces behind the Australian proposal, the announcement is the culmination of two years’ work to ensure Australia had a strong enough proposal to be taken seriously by the international body.
Scott, along with others in the Trials Club of Victoria (TCV) and Motorcycling Australia (MA), worked tirelessly to secure a location with the suitable infrastructure to host the hundreds of people involved in competing, plus the many thousands of spectators expected at the event.
“All I can say is that persistence pays,” said Scott.
The last major international trials event held in Australia was in 2005, when Victoria played host to the International Super Trial, a one-off special format event designed to showcase the spectacular skills of both world-level riders and Australia’s best riders.
With just over twelve months to go before the event, Scott is very aware of the huge logistical challenge that lies ahead.
“We would’ve preferred 18 months, but we’ll get it done,” said Scott.
The final “tick of approval” will happen in November when provisional rounds become confirmed, however Scott is confident nothing will change regarding Australia’s world round.
Mt Tarrengower location:
{mosmap width='400'|height='350'|lat='-36.997206'|lon='144.049644'|zoom='12'|zoomType='Large'|zoomNew='0'|mapType='Hybrid'|
showMaptype='1'|overview='0'|text='Mt Tarrengower'|lang=''}
Link to the FIM provisional calendar: