WHILE everyone else is enjoying the Indian summer, Jack Spencer will be praying for rain on Saturday.

The 23-year-old trials expert is contesting the famous Scott Trial in North Yorkshire, and he reckons that the wetter it is, the faster he’ll go.

Founded in 1914, the Scott is a unique ‘trial and observation’ event, where riders tackle an 85-mile off-road course, incorporating up to 90 sections.

Riders lose marks for putting a foot down in observed sections, but also for finishing behind the fastest rider.

“It’s an incredibly manic event, unlike any other trial. There’s no time to check out the sections, you just arrive and get through them as fast as possible,” said Spencer, who lives in Bacup.

“As it’s a race against the clock, there can be four of five riders in the same section, all trying to get past one another.

“The whole trial can take up to five hours, and at the end of it you are completely knackered, soaking wet and covered in mud.

“Most riders prefer it dry, but I’m hoping for rain.

“It makes it tough for everyone and very slippery on the rocky sections, but I do seem to go better when it’s like that.”

Organisers Richmond Motor Club also employ a ‘reverse seeding’ policy, where the fastest riders start at the back and have to work their way through the field.

Spencer has an excellent finishing record in his last two events, finishing 23rd and 24th to win a coveted Scott Spoon, awarded to the top 26 finishers.

Out of 200 starters, Spencer is seeded at 167 on his Sandifords of Burnley-sponsored Beta.

And the East Lancashire star is hoping to improve this year and crack the top 15.

“I got a puncture last year, which cost me loads of time. If I get a clear run, I’d be very happy with a top 15 finish,” he added.