If you're a complete beginner or if you're just not ready to compete in "regular" club trials, SDMC's series of Wednesday night easy trials is highly recommended. Run throughout the spring and summer months, these events have only 3 classes across both adults and youth (hard, easy and very easy) with the hard course being slightly easier than Clubman B (see below). Easy trials are an excellent way of getting into the sport and learning how everything works. See the events calendar for more information. The information in the rest of this sections refers to "full" club trials.
Trials are divided into rider classes and you compete within your class. For adult riders, classes are based on abilty and youths are graded according to age (based on date of birth and with machine capacity restrictions).
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| Clubman B | The easiest adult class, ideal for riders graduating from the Wednesday night easy trials, novices and those just looking for a fun day's riding. Occasionally slightly tricky (to sort 'em out) but nowt daft or dangerous. Ride YELLOW flags (see riding sections for more information). |
| Clubman A | Mostly the same as Clubman B but for more experienced riders looking for more of a challenge. Ride YELLOW flags (with exceptions - see riding sections for more information). |
| Intermediate | Riding the same sections as the experts, the Intermediate class is for serious riders who are in the process of stepping up from the clubman classes into the realms of the experts. Ride RED and BLUE flags (see riding sections for more information). |
| Expert | The top-end adult class. Very experienced and/or skilled riders only. Ride RED and BLUE flags (see riding sections for more information). |
| Masters | The Masters class was introduced at some SDMC events to cater for those riders in the club who regularly compete at national and international levels. Section severity is approximately national standard and is only for riders of exceptional ability. Note that the Masters class is not run at all events. Ride RED and BLUE flags (with exceptions - see riding sections for more information). |
Youth classes are defined according to the rider's date of birth and are also restricted by the type and capacity of machine which may be used. For the current age group definitions and restrictions, please see the ACU Handbook.
In addition to the age-based classes defined by the ACU, SDMC also operate a Youth Novice class which is aimed at less experienced kids who are new to trials but might find their proper age class too difficult. In terms of severity, the youth classes work like this:
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| Youth D "Cadet" | The easiest youth class for the youngest riders. Some events include a "conducted D" course seperate from the main course where riders are closely supervised and assisted through the sections. |
| Youth Novice | For newcomers or inexperienced riders who aren't currently capable of competing in the correct age-based class. Ride the same course as Clubman B (see above for a description). |
| Youth C "Junior" | Ride the same course as Clubman B (see above for a description). |
| Youth B "Inter" | Ride the same course as Clubman A (see above for a description). |
| Youth A "Senior" | Rides the same course as Expert/Intermediate (see above for a description). |
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