TRIALS ace Jack Spencer is targeting a place in the top five when he starts his British Championship campaign this weekend.

The 23-year-old from Bacup was a regular in last year’s seven-round series, finishing in a creditable 13th place.

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But Spencer has identified the areas that he needs to work on in order to move up the results sheet and is determined to improve in 2015.

“I need more consistency and I need to work on my techniques for the different types of terrain we face,” he said.

“The format of three laps means you have to be consistent all day, and I wasn’t. I’d get two good laps in then have one bad lap and throw it all away.

“I also felt I was losing out on certain types of terrain where I wasn’t confident.

“I spend a lot of time practising at Back Cowm Off Road Centre at Whitworth, thanks to owner John Whittle, who also sponsors me.

“Back Cowm is a former quarry, so I’m good over rocks, but not so good on more natural terrain such as grass and mud.

“I’ve spent the close-season concentrating on that, and I reckon it’s paying dividends.”

And Spencer kicked off his year in fine style when he took his Beta UK-supplied machine to the YMSA Winter Trial in Derbyshire - and promptly it outright.

He dropped just six marks over three laps of 12 sections each, against a packed field which included the World Ladies number two, Becky Cook.

“It was one of those days when everything gelled, but it’s a big confidence-booster going into the British opener,” he said.

This year’s series comprises nine rounds spread across England, Wales and Scotland, starting with the Hookwood Cup Trial in Surrey on March 21.

Funds permitting, Spencer is a definite starter for the British round of the World Trials Championship, which again will be held in Penrith, but on a new date, June 13-14.

And he’s hoping to squeeze in a couple of other European rounds, such as France or Andorra, if sponsorship can be found.

Spencer added: “I’m lucky to be backed by Beta UK, Sandiford Off Road in Burnley, and John Whittle, but to make it to other World events, I’d need to find some more money from somewhere.

“Trials is one of the cheaper forms of motorsport, but it still consumes cash.

“For instance, we spend £1,000 just on back tyres through the season.

“Competing against the world’s best makes everyone up their game, but I really enjoyed last year, finishing fifth on the first day and ninth on the second.

“Hopefully, that should prove to everyone what I’m capable of.”