World Trials Championship, Wagner Cup, USGP

Carl “Coach” Swanson seemed happy to be injured.

I wonder if he remembered who to call for medical help?

Charlie Robert and Jim ‘Bubba’ Blount sharing a laugh on Sunday. The sharing was not entirely inclusive, however.

During the down-times while waiting for riders, USGP chief organizer Dan Brown and Wendy Clark performed duets for the crowd on Saturday.

The man thought of everything!

U.S. 2007 National #2 rider Cody Webb reflects on the comments of a startled minder, Neal Storz. (Click to enlarge.)

I saw Bill Smage taking a photo of a group of kids standing around Pat Smage after Pat’s 3rd place finish yesterday — at exactly the same time that I was taking the same shot. So I took a photo of Bill with his ever-present camera.

Bill takes more motorcycle trials photos than I do, and that’s not easy. Keep it up, Bill!

The periodical that does the most to keep motorcycle trials thriving in the USA (”… the ‘industry reporter’ and publication of record on Observed Trials since 1975′) is Trials Competition Newspaper.

The man who makes it all happen (on the left with Wiltz Wagner) is Shan Moore, Trials Comp’s publisher and editor. Watch for comprehensive coverage of the Wagner Cup in the June issue of Trials Comp.

Most spectators wouldn’t know but two former motorcycle trials World Champions were at the event, working as minders.

Left: World Champion (’73, ‘75) Martin Lampkin (UK) was a minder for his son, seven-time World Champion Dougie Lampkin.
Right: World Champion (’89-’91, ‘93-’95) Jordi Tarrés (Spain) was a minder for Youth class competitor Francesc Moret.

As the event’s MC, Paul Crowder’s voice could be heard everywhere this weekend, announcing each rider as they departed, doing the live-action ‘play by play’ out on the loop, and handling the trophy ceremony on Sunday.

Eric Storz competed in the Youth class this weekend, assisted by his able minder and older brother, Neal Storz. Their dad, Steve Storz (Storz Performance, Inc.) was in demand whenever an Italian translator was needed.

Gary Hoover, a member of the local Southeastern Trials Riders Association (STRA), is the Head Course Marshall for the event, recruiting and supervising the observers. Gary’s lip curl is evidently helpful in crowd control situations, just like that other boy from Tennessee.

In Loop 1, Section 2 yesterday, one of the Junior class riders slipped off the angled ledge at the start and his bike smashed to the rocks below.

As the left handlebar hit the ground, it snapped the clutch lever and sent it spinning 20 feet or more into the air with a loud ‘ping.’ 

This spectator yelled out "I got it" and made a one-handed catch, earning a loud roar of approval from the assembled crowd. (Apologies for the fuzzy photo… I had to zoom way in.)

The most active web site for motorcycle trials on the planet is Trials Central in the U.K. The man who makes it all happen: Andy Greig.

I caught these members of the U.S. Men’s and Women’s 2007 Trials des Nations team hanging out after the event yesterday.

L to R: Pat Smage, Cody Webb, Louise Forsley, and Sara Duke.

Here are a couple dozen photos from today’s podium ceremony. Included are photos I used in the previous blog posts on the winners. See the album or this slideshow:

Catherine’s sisters and other blond relatives showed up last night to provide emotional support.

I’ll try to get names later today.