This Sunday, June 16th, the South Australian 15th Trials Rider of the Year Series (TROY Series) continues with the Rockhopping SA TROY Series SA 2024 Round 2, hosted by the AJS Moto Trial Club of SA. The event will mark the 49th running of the yearly Peter Sparkes Trophy.
With a much-needed rain front hitting the state, the already challenging sections will become even more thrilling. Sunday promises a perfect showcase of skill and determination as 43 of South Australia’s top trial talents take to the field for the greatly anticipated 2024 Peter Sparkes Trophy Trial.
In Trial 2, reigning class winner Aaron Long faces off against Grant Stephen in what promises to be a nail-biting showdown. Will Long secure another Peter Sparkes Trophy win, or will Stephen outmaneuver him?
Brodie Hand, fresh from a Trial 4 second-place finish in the recent Keep Ya Feet Up Trial, is eager for a class win this weekend. However, with fierce competition from riders like Brenton Hogan and Jasmine Tarrant, it’s set to be a hard-fought battle.
The event will also feature 19 junior riders, including standout talents like Ashley Barwick, Finn Cameron, Cadance Long, and Thomas Eardley. Additionally, the Mini Trial non-competition riders will offer a glimpse into the future stars of SA Trials.
South Australian Trials Sports Manager Matthew Petersen said –
“I am really excited to for the Rockhopping SA TROY SA Series for 2024. The Series has introduced sponsorship partnerships in 2024, with Rockhopping SA stepping up as naming rights sponsor, together with Fast Grass, Lyndoch Motors and Perks silver sponsors. Their support is invaluable in assisting us in continuing to develop and deliver this fantastic Series as it heads into its 15th year.
Round 1 was recently held by the AJS Moto Trials Club of SA at Victor Harbour, with full fields across all classes enjoying banks, valleys and the infamous waterfall and creek sections. It was fantastic to see SA’s continued success in Junior Development with 17 junior riders competing across 4 classes, including 6 stepping up to the newly introduced Junior Open Class. It was also great to have a group of Senior Rides moving up and challenging themselves in higher grades, another contingent of rookies joining us this season, and seeing male and female competitors aged between 7 and 60+ all enjoying the weekend of riding. Trials truly is a fun and family-friendly sport being embraced by entire families!
The next round will be held on the 16th of June across the rocky outcrops and hills of Tungkillo. This is a popular venue that always provides challenging and varied sections, so we hope to see full fields across all classes battling it out for those important series points.
Thanks again to our series sponsors for their support and our landowners for allowing us the privilege of using their properties to hold our events”.
No need to worry if you haven’t packed lunch for the day! The AJS Moto Trials Club will be hosting a sausage sizzle to keep riders and spectators fed trackside. With riding starting just after 9 am, be sure to set your alarms early. Arrive on time to get trackside and enjoy the full experience of all the exciting sections planned for 2024.
To plan out your trip to see all the action of the 49 Peter Sparkes Trophy – Click HERE.
Photos thanks to Brian Lang.