The Burton crew kicked off their first of this year’s two-leg tour on October 13th at Tamworth. With help from the shapers at the Snowdome and a few of the riders the course was primed and ready for action. With features including a five-metre gas pipe (the likes of which has never been seen in the UK), multiple barrels and more tires than a Lewis Hamilton test session the Burton Scrap Metal had the potential to be one of the freshest rail comps out there.

Once the riders had registered, had their Polaroid picture taken and got into their gear it was time to get nasty. The format was to be a half an hour warm up followed by an open jam session with judging from members of the UK Burton team. The finalists were announced after an impressive two-hour jam and 8 guys and 3 girls went into a two run final, with their best run counting.
Highlights during the jam session had to be Steve Revell’s front blunt 270 out on the gas pipe, Andy Webb entering the course riding a novelty ostrich and Lil ‘T landing some of the sickest technical jibbing the UK has ever seen whilst wearing a t-shirt which said “stomp that trick or dye trying”. All the riders started off timidly but soon found their feet on the random pieces of scrap. Creativity was the key and the competitors rose to the challenge by using different angles to approach the obstacles.

After the jam the finalists were announced. It was Simon Foster, Sam Turnbill, Gary Greenshields, George Woolly, Neil Cambell, Tom Hunt, Mike Austin, Steve Revell and Ben Hitch into the final from the guys and Mel Kern, Emily Williams and Linzie for the girls. With a two run final the riders could afford to pull out their best tricks on the first run then step it up if needed for their second. The judges said it was the hardest final they’ve had to judge in five years of competition with many of the riders pulling off tricks which even the MC couldn’t name.
All in all the Scrap Metal was a massive success. The whole idea of making a slopestyle course out of junk was a refreshing change to the played out rail jams of old and it forced the competitors to get creative and use their nouse.

Burton believes in supporting the unsponsored riders so the prize for the highest placed “non-pro” went to 14 year old George Woolly. He will be joining the UK Burton Team on a trip to The Stash in Avoriaz, France with Document Snowboard magazine. Congratulations George!

Tamworth Scrap Metal Results-

Guys
1.Mike Austin
2.Steve Revell
3.Simon Foster

Girls
1.Emily Williams