words and photos by STEPH VETTERLY
If you have ever attended a round of the AMA NATC National Mototrials Championship Series , chances are you ' ve seen these two faces - Tom and Vicki Batchelor .
For many years , the NATC youth program , brainchild of six-time national trials champion Ryan Young , had been tirelessly tended to and nurtured by Bill Markham ( fondly referred to as " Mr . Bill "). Unfortunately , Mr . Bill ' s health started to decline and he needed a new ambassador to continue the momentum he had gained over the years . Enter Tom and Vicki Batchelor .
Since 2015 , Tom and Vicki have taken their RV across the country to each national event . Working with the host club , they pick out an area and get to work constructing a series of sections capable of being ridden by everything from a Strider to a full-size trials bike . Helped by Davis and Patty Wilson , the Batchelors manage sign-up , check / score sections , and host a formal awards ceremony . Each competitor is treated to two days of competition , Friday afternoon and Saturday morning , and gets a personalized award for their efforts . Even better , riders are even treated to a popsicle if they finish all loops of the day ' s event , an incentive that many adults have tried talking the NATC staff into adopting for the official adult series .
We had a chance to talk with Tom and Vicki and get a better understanding of what they do , and more importantly , why .
ON THE PEGS // PAGE 62