Tag Archives: Gate Trial

Event Updates

Annual Toy Trial (a Gate Trial!) at the TTC benefits Marion County Sheriff’s Christmas for Kids Program – December 6, 2025

The TTC is hosting its annual Toy Trial on December 6, 2025. Proceeds from this trial will buy toys for the Marion County Sheriff’s Christmas for the Kids Program. It’s a Gate Trial!

  • $25 entry fee
  • Start time: 11am Saturday (CST)
  • Camping on-site, hot showers available\Primitive camping $25
  • RV hookups $45 (call to reserve)
  • Cabins $65-$75 (call to reserve)

Riders are welcome to come early or stay after for practice or training classes on our 680 acres of mountain terrain. Spectators are welcome and admission is free.

Gate Trial FAQ

What is a Gate Trial?

A gate trial is a unique form of motorcycle trials where the goal is to accumulate the highest score by riding through gates, which are marked with arrows and have point values. Unlike traditional trials that focus on a low score by avoiding penalties, gate trials award points for successfully navigating gates without putting a foot down. Riders can choose their path and which gates to attempt to maximize their score, but a “dab” (foot touching the ground) or other failures result in losing all points accumulated in that section.

How does it work?

  • Scoring: Points are earned by passing through gates in a section. Each gate has a 1 point value and each gate increases in difficulty. Riders choose which gates to attempt to build a high score.
  • Dabbing: If a rider puts a foot down (dabs) or commits a major failure, they lose all points for that section, but they do not lose the points earned in previous sections.
  • Section and loop: The competition is divided into sections, which are part of a larger loop. Riders complete the loop multiple times (loops).
  • Winning: The rider with the highest total score at the end of the event wins.

What are the key differences from a traditional trial?

  • Objective: Gate trials reward high scores, whereas traditional trials reward low scores (0 dabs is the ultimate goal).
  • Path selection: In gate trials, riders have more freedom to choose their own path through the obstacles, sometimes riding easier or harder lines to get more points.
  • Penalties: In traditional trials, dabs and other failures add points to the rider’s score. In gate trials, a dab causes the rider to lose all points for that section.
Event Updates

2019 TDN fundraiser Gate Trial to be held at the TTC on Saturday, June 29

The TTC is hosting a Gate Trial on Saturday, June 29, the weekend of the Youth Nationals and Women’s Open. It’s a FUNDRAISER for the USA Trial Des Nations team.

The Trial des Nations is the annual team world championship event in the sport of trials. The United States participates and the U.S. trials community extends significant support toward the U.S. team effort.

FAQ

What is a Gate Trial?

A Gate Trial is a unique and very fun trial where you actually try to get as many points as possible!

How Does it Work?

Team Leaders are selected by the Promoter and then a ‘Sandlot Selection’ process creates 5 teams. Each Team rides as a group, and the group rides every section twice before moving on to the next section. There are 5 sections and you only ride one loop, so the team has exactly 10 chances to gain points! The team with the MOST points wins!

How do you Gain Points?

Each section has a series of “gates” and each gate has a point value. If a rider dabs between gates, they loose all of the points they have accumulated in that section. Completing every gate is not required. It is perfectly acceptable to ride only the gates you think you can clean. However, the more gates completed without dabs, the more points the rider obtains.

Extra Perk: Top Riders and Team Leaders usually give tips and advice to less experienced riders so that they can clean more gates and get more points for the team. You get to ride with some of your Pro-Rider Trial Heroes, and learn from the best!

What does it cost to participate?

We ask for a donation to the team as your Entry Fee. Your donation helps the team with expenses as they represent the USA in international trials competitions. See more about the USA Trial Des Nations team here.