Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128374
Michael Burton: Coming Ashore in Trials A surprise entry at the recent AMNNATC National Trials Series event in Muenster, Texas, was Michael Burton of Ireland, who was competing in the Pro division for Gas Gas USA. The 22year-old is from Enniskerry and was second overall in last year's Irish Championships. The young up-andcomer talked about his experience in Texas and about the differences in trials in Ireland. en: What brings you to the U.S. series? michael burton: My parents were friends with the Williams family of Canada [a prominent north American trials family) when they used to live over in Ireland, and I would see them each year at the Trial des Nations, and I got to know Christy and Kerry. So, they invited me over to ride up in Canada over Christmas. And then they invited me back to ride here in the States. en: What are your plans? michaelburton: I plan on just riding the first four events in Texas and Tennessee and we'll see how it goes. In the future, I hope to come back for a longer stay. en: What is your impression so far? michaelburton: It is so professional here. We have nothing like this. For even our National events, we come in the morning and leave at the end of the day. This looks like a World round compared to us. No one has campers back home, and we don't come two days before the event and camp like this. The setup and organization is A-I. The atmosphere and the bit of fun before the events is really good. en: What is trials like in Ireland? michaelburton: Our final National round, which is the same weekend as this Texas National, is our biggest event of the year, and it is called the Pathland Cup. We normally get about 140 riders for it, but for the rest, we normally get around 80. We have everything except dry rocks. We have the forests like you have up in Canada, and we have lots of creeks. Then we have what you don't have over here, and that is marshes and bogs, like what you have heard about at the Scottish Six Days. en: Have you ridden the Scottish? michaelburton: I competed for the first time there last year and finished 28th, and I was happy with that. I had a bit of a problem with the bike, but that is the Scottish. I was going to ride this year, but I canceled to come here. en: Who is helping you out here in the states? michaelburton: Dale Malasek at Gas Gas USA and Stan Hensley. They have been very good to me. en: Aside from trials. what was your impression of Canada and the U.S.? michaelburton: Everything is bigger! [Laughs.) The cars and trucks are very big here. I like the Dodge and Ford trucks. That's one thing I love over here is the cars and trucks. Cars are another hobby for me. IIlIlcnllellllll Order Online: www.cyclenews.com Call Now: 1-800-831-2220 Motorcycle Publication (Monday-Friday, 9-5 Pacific Time) CYCLE NEWS SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: 1 YEAR (50 ISSUES) ONLY $45 Breaking News & Interviews National & World Motocross. Road Racing & Off-Road New Bikes & Produds Comprehensive Shootouts & Tests Regional & Local Events ------ 14 • CYCLE NEWS -- Looking Back At Historlcal- Moments-----Expert Opinions Weekly Event Calendar Bikes Of The Stars Weekly Championship Points Standings Classified Ads - Updated Weekly