Entries are now open for the unique Pathfinder 3 stage trial on 7th June 26. Once again we are running at the amazing Bagshot D1/2 driver training area using the same format as previous years.
This year, however, we are running with the support of the North Camp Enduro Club and we are excited to announce the Pathfinder will be a round of the ACU Trail Bike LDT Championship, incorporating the TRF Trophy.
All entries are via the ACU Sport80 website.
As we are incorporating the LDT Championship this year, the classes will be as follows:
| Class | Route | Tyre Restrictions | Notes |
| 1. Enduro/Trail EXPERT | Expert | Enduro rear, front open | |
| 2. Enduro/Trail CLUBMAN | Std | Enduro rear, front open | |
| 3. Trial EXPERT | Expert | Enduro rear, front open | but may use Trials |
| 4. Trial NOVICE | Std | Enduro rear, front open | but may use Trials |
| 5. Trail bikes manufactured before 2012 (Pampera, XL/XLR, etc) | Expert | Trials TSR8 | No Trialmaxx |
| 6. Trail bikes manufactured after 2012 (4Ride, X-Trainer, Freeride etc) | Expert | Trials TSR8 | No Trialmaxx |
| 7. Enduro bikes | Expert | Trials TSR8 | No Trialmaxx |
| 8. Twin shock | Expert | Trials TSR8 | No Trialmaxx |
| 9. Pre65 | Expert | Trials TSR8 | No Trialmaxx |
| 10. Any bike entering the TRF Trophy Challenge entering the ‘Easy’ route | Std | Enduro rear, front open or Trials TSR8 | Riders choice (trials or enduro) |
Expert route in sections is denoted by separate ‘Expert route’ deviations. The main route remains the same for all classes, though Experts will ride an extra lap on stage 3
All LDT championship classes will ride the Expert route in the Sections on stage 1 ( Classes 5-9), but will only ride to Clubman ( Std) schedule on Stage 3 to emphasise section scoring over speed. TRF Trophy riders (Class 10) will ride std route sections.
If you haven’t ridden a 3 Stage before ( and the Pathfinder is now the only one!), here is a brief description:- Its a mix between a trial, a time trial and an enduro based on the original Army training trials format for all levels of rider!
Below you can see an idea of how it usually works. Number of laps depends on course and conditions on the day:-
Stage 1 – Trial. 2 laps of 10 trials sections which are wide (big enough for trail and enduro bikes). Marking is 0,1,2,3,5 Around 1.5- 2 hours to complete. There will be a special test in this Stage ( part of the route). During this stage only, there will be Expert gates to challenge the Expert and LDT Championship class riders. The other classes follow the main route.
Stage 2 – Time Trial. 2 or 3 laps of the same sections (possibly eased slightly), but with a time limit of around an hour and a half. Harsher marking in the form of 0,3,5. Multiple bikes allowed in a section, but at riders risk! No Expert gates due to multiple bikes in the sections. We plan to have 2 further special tests ( the results of which will be cumulative and ONLY used in Section tie break situations).
Stage 3 – 2 or 3 laps in an hour but sections are not observed for footing or stopping – you just pass through the sections begins gate and any guide tapes as a checkpoint. Special test remains in the lap, but untimed. Number of laps depends on class and conditions on the day. There is a break between each stage to have a rest, refuel etc.
Any Questions – please contact Ian Mace (ian.mace@gmail.com)
