Well, here we are having successfully completed the formidable task of staging the first Trials World Championship in Australia and as the event coordinator I would like to take this opportunity to thank those members of the trials community who offered their enthusiastic support of the event. Sadly, to those of who couldn’t make it, perhaps you’ll have an opportunity next time.
As we are all aware there wouldn’t be an event without observers and once the call went out in October 2011 we had a great response and observers ‘came from all states of Australia travelling thousands of kilometres to be part of this event. The task of judging the performance of the world’s best trials riders was for some, a daunting experience and overall the riders and teams were very complimentary of a job well done. A special thanks to Col Smith of the Trials Club of Victoria for his outstanding effort in coordinating the observers.
The preparation of the site began in earnest late last year in anticipation of a site inspection by the FIM, this took place in November where all aspects of staging an event were discussed and the venue was ultimately homologated as an approved site. Over the months running up to the event many working bees took place and members of OMCC, Sporting MCC, Ballarat Rovers MC and people who just wanted to be part of the event assisted in converting a bushland reserve into a magnificent trials venue all under the guidance of Parks Victoria.
All of you who attended the event will have appreciated the effort put in by the Maldon Football Club who organised the catering, the Maldon Fire Brigade for the parking, the Castlemaine Rotary Club who handled the ticket sales. The local emergency services, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and the Red Cross for their first aid and the many locals who assisted in solving those little issues that arise on the day combined to make a the event a success.
A special thanks to all the Australian trials bike importers who were obliged to provide an enormous amount of support and infrastructure for the teams and without them this couldn’t have happened.
The Suzuki Race Safe team headed by Simon Maas with their first class medical facilities and expertise provided magnificent medical support for the riders over the weekend and the reports back from those riders who had received treatment was glowing to say the least.
There are many people who deserve recognition for the success of the event and if I attempted to name them all I’d be sure to miss someone so I would like to name the team leaders who I’m sure will pass on my thanks.
Gary Grealy for his on ground support, excellent promotional work and endless press releases.
Keith Jobson and his team of Assistant Clerks of the Course who controlled the event.
Phil Whittle and his team of Marshalls for their logistical fine tuning on the day.
Pete Sens and his team for traffic and road management.
Tom Scott and his team of section builders.
Michelle Scott for her assistance with organising the accommodation.
Andrew Warnest for an excellent program.
Chris Scott and Glenda Whittle and their team who did a tireless job in event administration as well as the manning the information booths.
Steve Johnson and his Kubota tractor.
Ben Zander as our Australian Jury delegate and administration assistant.
Paul Sens as our chief bean counter.
Chris Grey and the Victorian Enduro committee for their on ground efforts.
In conclusion I would like to thank the 200 volunteers that put their hands up to make this event the success it was. The feedback from the riders, teams, the FIM, Motorcycling Australia, the Department of Sport and Recreation and our sponsors has been, without exception, enthusiastic for TCV to repeat the performance. I come away from this event further encouraged by our Australian trials community’s belief that even thou we are few, spread out over a very large continent, we can achieve great things for the sport.
The vision that we set out to achieve was:
- - Provide a world class event for the competitors
- - Provide a world class spectacle for the public
- - Expose our great sport to the public.
I’m confident we achieved all three.
Thank you.
Col Scott.
TCV.