Dabill wins British title for fourth time (From Wharfedale Observer)

Dabill wins British title for fourth time

9:56am Thursday 20th September 2012 in Sport

Cookridge’s James Dabill, pictured, clinched his fourth successive British Trials Champ- ionship after a controversial final round at the East South Wales Centre near Newport.

Dabill, who went into the event with a two-point lead over Scarborough’s Michael Brown, took top spot, but only after his rival was handed a disputed penalty.

Brownwas given a five-mark penalty by the clerk of the course who over-ruled the observer’s decision to give Brown a clear The penalty was imposed on section ten of the first lap which Brown cleared with ease.

He was later given a five- mark penalty for a ‘person’ altering the section.

The ruling allegedly came about after one of his followers entered the section to support Brown. The clerk of the course’s ruling meant Brown ended with eight penalties, three more than Dabill.

A disgruntled Brown said: “Obviously both myself and all the team are gutted to lose the British Championship by, in my opinion, a very poor decision by the clerk of the course.

“This has overshadowed a great battle between myself and James.”

Robin and Sam Luscombe have taken another major step towards winning their 14th British sidecar trials championship.

The Cullingworth father and son combination got their Beta outfit round the Pateley Bridge trials course into a close and secure second place behind Bristol former champions Jon Tuck and Matt Sparkes and that puts 22 points clear with one event to run.