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Issue

PRE-65 ‘SCOTTISH’

DAN IS THE MAN END OF AN ERA

1989 SSDT SPECIAL

CELEBRATION

SUMMER 2019 Issue 29 • UK: £6.25

BERNIE SCHREIBER KAWASAKI

1989 SSDT

KAWASAKI FOUR-STROKE CELEBRATION

SCOTTISH

SAM CONNOR THE SURREY CUP

100% Polyester, breathable and quick drying Sublimination Graphics for long lasting colour Hook & Loop waistband adjustment YKK flat Vislon zipper pocket Micro elastic cuff

4-way stretch fabric Performance Knees

TECH 10 EVO COLLECTION

Picture: ‘Living the Dream’ Credit: Trials Media

Cover Photo: Front Cover: Dan Thorpe (Triumph) Pre-65 Scottish Winner. Picture Credit: John Hulme © 2019 CJ Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication, even partially, may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publishers. All copyright of images/content remains that of its photographer/author. Every effort has been made to gain permission to publish copyright material however, where efforts have been exhausted, we have published on the basis of ‘Fair Use’ to comment factual based material where by its use is not central or plays a significant part to the entire publication but to act as an aid for historical and educational purposes only. This publication is offered as a limited print run. Great care is taken to ensure accuracy in the preparation of this publication, but neither CJ Publishing Ltd or the editor can be held responsible for its contents. The views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the Publishers. Documents submitted for publication will not be returned. The editor reserves the right to modify documents accepted for publication.

contents REGULARS News �� 6 Editorial �� 8 Paddock �� 10 Shopping �� 12 Back Issue’s �� 78 Parts Locator �� 90 Subscribe �� 94 Shop �� 96

FEATURES Celebration �� 14 Bernie Schreiber

End of an Era �� 26 1989 SSDT

Traditional �� 36 Pre-65 Scottish

Flashback �� 44 1979 SSDT

Special �� 52 Four-Stroke Kawasaki

Profile �� 58 Brain Hutchinson

Classic Competition �� 66 1969 Cotswolds Cup

Birthday �� 72 Northern Bike Championship

Rare �� 80 Moto Villa

International �� 86 1979 World Trials Championship CLASSIC TRIAL MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED BY CJ PUBLISHING LIMITED 48 Albion Road, New Mills, High Peak, Derbyshire, SK22 3EX. UK Telephone: 01663 749163 Email: england@trialmag.com CJ Publishing Limited is a Company Registered in England Number: 5947718

Co-Managing Directors: John Hulme and Charles Benhamou

ISSN: 2049-307X

Mail order: www.trialmaguk.com, www.trialmag.com

Executive Director: Philippe Benhamou Editor: John Hulme, england@trialmag.com Editorial Staff: Jean Caillou, Matthew Heppleston, Heath Brindley, Justyn Norek Snr, Justyn Norek Jnr, Nick Shield.

Photographers: Barry Robinson, Malcolm Carling, John Shirt Snr, Colin Bullock, Cyrille Barthe, Eric Kitchen, Alan Vines, Toon van de Vliet, Mauri/Fontsere Collection and the Giulio Mauri Copyright, The Nick Nicholls Collection at Mortons Archive, Don Morley, Motorcycle News, Brian Holder. Advertising Manager: Lisa Reeves, lisa@trialmag.com Proof reading: Jane Hulme, Davina Brooke Design and Production: Dean Cook, The Magazine Production Company Printing: Buxtons Press Webmaster: Heath Brindley, www.trialmaguk.com

NEWS

2019 PRE-65: JUSTYN NOREK JNR You may well have seen, within the past issues of Classic Trial Magazine, tests and articles from our Italian friends, Justyn Norek Snr and Justyn Norek Jnr., well, we eventually met up for the first time at this year’s Pre-65 Scottish. Justyn Norek Jnr made the long drive from Italy to visit some friends in London before heading north and to Scotland. The aim was to have a look at this event and the Leven Valley Two-day, which he has entered. Justyn Norek Jnr: “I want to say thank you to everyone who made me so welcome. This event is one that I have always wanted to visit. My father and I am massive enthusiasts of the Triumph Twins and it was so good to see so many in action. Such is my passion for the

John Hulme (left) with Justyn Norek Jnr

event, I will hopefully return to compete in 2020 as I intend to put an entry in when they become available”.

2019 PRE-65: CLAUDIO PICTURES Classic Trial Magazine has made so many friends over the years and it was a delight to welcome Frenchman Jean Claude Commeat, more commonly known as ‘Claudio’, to Scotland for the Pre-65 and Six Days Trial. You will have seen his superb pictures in the publication and also on the web. Claudio has a long association with motorsport, including Formula One, but his biggest love is trials motorcycles. He loved his time in Scotland and vowed to return in the near future.

THE 2019 LEVEN VALLEY 2 DAY TRIAL Due to the unbelievable demand for entries for the 2019 Leven Valley 2 Day Trial on the 28th & 29th September the committee of the Kinlochleven & District Motor Cycle Club met and looked at every avenue to allow as many hopeful entrants to ride the trial as possible. The decision was made to increase the entry from 200 to 250 riders. All successful entrants have been notified and all non-successful entrants have also been notified concerning a reserve list. If anyone has any queries about their entry feel free to get in touch; please email: david.dougan71@btinternet. com The club is still looking for observers if anyone can help.

2019 COSTA BRAVA CLASSIC TRIAL With plans well under away for this two-day Spanish event on the 16th & 17th November you can keep a check on what’s going on at the club’s website: www.trialcostabrava. com or find out more on their social media site on Facebook: Trial CostaBrava. Once again the interest in this event is overwhelming, so be sure to keep a look out for when the entries are released, which we believe will be in September.

DARTMOOR CLASSIC TRIAL 2019

Rocks: granite rocks, solid rocks in Dartmoor streams, running down from the high moor; no, not your usual rolling rocks and scree or loose shale like in some of the Scottish terrain, but rocks laid down in stream beds by volcanic lava or placed in some cases by prisoners – of both the American war of independence and French captives of Dartmoor prison during the Napoleonic wars! This is what you will find in the Dartmoor Classic Trial of 2019. Now in its successful 32nd year of running by the South West Classic Trials Association together with the West of England Motor Club Ltd and sponsored by the Twinshock Shop of South West Trials at Sidmouth, the entries will open on the 1st June and close on the 15th July, or when full. Although going on past experience the ‘when full’ happens quite quickly! The trial date is Saturday and Sunday 7th & 8th September. This yea,r the first day will be at ‘Hound Tor’ with good parking, where entrants will be riding the stream beds with some of the larger rock slabs. Camping, toilets and catering is available at the venue. Day two will be held a few miles away at the well-known ‘Ruby Rocks’ down below Ripon Tor. This venue with its many rocky streams has been used both by the British Trials Championship in recent years and the famous Knill Trial which regularly gets 150 entries for a one-day trial because of its varied terrain. This terrain can suit anyone, from the British Experts rider to a big rigid four-stroke no problem, and here the venue is adored by many. Again camping, toilets and catering will be at the site. Experienced course markers who know what the big machines are capable of within the terrain and what deviations the twinshocks can achieve are in charge, while Mike Naish is looking after the paperwork. From June 1st 2019, look out for the entry forms both on the SWCTA website: www.southwestclassictrials.co.uk and its Facebook page.

CLASSIC TRIAL MAGAZINE 2019 • ISSUE 29

TRIALS GURU JOHN MOFFAT

Bernie’s Back

It is a well-known phrase: ‘build it, and they will come’. It has been used many times when attempting to justify the running of an event and trying to make something work and be a success. But the ‘building it’ part is the tricky component, and it takes a lot of effort. So much effort that some would give up as it is either too costly in money or even time. I have a bit of a reputation of being someone who doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. It’s a failing of mine. If I have what I think is a sound idea, I like to give it a try. Okay, I have to admit sometimes I do have to take a negative backlash, as it can be too costly once quotes are received for a venture. Our club, the Inverness & District, set high standards when planning this year’s Highland Classic Two-Day event in June. It was agreed at our club committee that the theme would be SWM motorcycles, but who would be the now customary guest of honour? I had already given that careful consideration and, indeed, I was given the task to make the personal approach to none other than the 1979 World Trials Champion Bernie Schreiber. I had met Bernie back in 2007 at the Robregordo Two-Day near Madrid in Spain, where we hit it off very well. Bernie is very much his own man, he is a perfectionist, and I knew that, so my sales pitch had better be very good. Not every rider of yesteryear wants to be a guest of honour. I went

for it, a message was sent off to Zurich and he responded: “Hi John, let’s hook up one evening by telephone to discuss this. When suits you? Do you have a plan?” The negotiations were quite involved, it had to be worth his time coming over from Zurich to Scotland, so we planned carefully, and we found common ground. It just went from there. Bernie is a thinker, an ideas man, but he doesn’t like people who just assume he is going to do things for them. He is a likeable, amicable guy, but, as I said before, he knows what he likes and likes to be active and to have input. Bernie Schreiber plans very well; he doesn’t just have ideas. I left the final decision in his hands, no pressure. And you know what, it worked! Bernie is our Guest of Honour at the Highland Classic on 8 & 9th June, much to Scottish trials fans’ delight. He is also kick-starting his series of Bernie Schreiber Experience Days on the Alvie Estate the day after our event; a planned by-product, if you like, of his agreement to be our guest. The building part is complete; it’s happening. It’s not easy building or even planning events, but you have to stick with a concept and see it through, and the rewards make it all worthwhile. Bernie stuck to his ‘plan’ way back in 1979, and his reward was FIM World Trials Champion, so far the only American-born rider to achieve that feat.

CLASSIC TRIAL MAGAZINE 2019 • ISSUE 29

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CLASSIC TRIAL MAGAZINE 2019 • ISSUE 29

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CLASSIC TRIAL MAGAZINE 2019 • ISSUE 29

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CLASSIC TRIAL MAGAZINE 2019 • ISSUE 29

CELEBRATION BERNIE SCHREIBER

Winners all

Swimmer Michael Phelps, footballer Michael Owen, golfers Greg Norman and Rory McIlroy, motorcycle racer Nicky Hayden (RIP), IndyCar and NASCAR driver Danica Patrick are just some of the people Bernie Schreiber, now 60, worked with while associated with the global Swiss watch giant the Swatch Group and their brands Tissot and Omega. Winners all. And so, 40 years ago, in 1979, Bernie was the FIM World Trials Champion, the first non-European champion, the first (and only) American champion and the youngest FIM World Champion at age 20.

Words: Len Weed with Bernie Schreiber • Pictures: Solo Moto, J-C Commeat, Colin Bullock, Eric Kitchen, Toon van de Vliet, Mauri/Fontsere Collection and the Giulio Mauri Copyright, Yoomee Archine, Schreiber Family, Francesco Rappini, Alain Sauquet, Len Weed, Roger Lorer and Cycle World

ut when you retire at 28, you move on. And in those following 32 years, Bernie successfully tackled many non-terrain challenges. His CV discloses more than 20 years’ experience in global sports marketing. Among his projects based in Europe were product development work with the likes of Alpinestars and Malcolm Smith Racing and, in 1992, he launched his own company, Schreiber Group Europe in France. He helped American companies set up foreign distribution and coordinated with bicycle and motorcycle companies. In 1998, Tissot, a multi-national Swiss watch brand, owned by the Swatch Group, hired him full-time. He relocated to Switzerland after previous residences in Spain, England, Italy and France during his riding career. He focused on

developing sports partnerships for the brand with numerous sports federations, event promoters and ambassadors. During the next 11-year span he met Kristina, an international tax adviser in a big-four firm. In 2010, they had a son, Daniel, and he decided to take a career break. In 2012, the CEO of the Swatch Group made contact. The company wanted to send him to the USA as Omega US Sports Marketing Director, based in Palm Beach, Florida. Duties included major golf tournaments, golf clinics with brand ambassadors and corporate retail tie-in programmes with prestigious golf clubs. In 2015, he became head of global golf partnerships for Omega. Returning to Switzerland in 2016, he found new management and, a year later, he decided it was time to chart a new course.

Celebrating pole position with Valentino Rossi and Tissot watches at the Catalunya circuit in 2007.

What next? It was a return to trials as an ambassador and coach with a plan to make a difference. “I’m back in the boots now, riding classic trials, enjoying the community, doing trials schools globally and finding new ways to promote and grow the sport. Maybe my story, overcoming the numerous obstacles of becoming a ‘European’ to pursue my dream, to work

CLASSIC TRIAL MAGAZINE 2019 • ISSUE 29

CELEBRATION BERNIE SCHREIBER

It all started at ‘Little Rock’ on the Kawasaki 90cc.

The boots were back on just a few years ago at the Ventoux classic trial in France.

hard and achieve success in the sport I loved can act as a guide to others in whatever they choose to pursue.” So it’s full circle, back to the sport that started it all. 51 years have passed since Bernie started riding his bicycle off-road! “I grew up in Los Angeles, and I had a paper round after school, seven days a week. I was riding a Schwinn ‘Stingray’ bicycle, and we had a lot of hills, and I always enjoyed trying to do wheelies up and down them. I only had a brake on the back, so I’d just balance and do downhill coasters. There were some hills behind the house, and I’d build a little ramp to make a jump. I just liked the emotions of being on two wheels. “My first motorcycle was a Kawasaki 90. We used to go riding in the desert in a place called Little Rock. One day, I saw my dad’s friend’s son riding around in a circle standing up; I didn’t know what that was. He told me he was practising for a trial at Saddleback Park. So I went to Saddleback. One of the kids out there was Jeff Ward, whose father was riding as well in the adult class. I had footrests on the back, so I tried to stand up on those to see if I could lean forward riding up the hills – and I kind of liked it!” Bernie moved up to a 125 Bultaco Lobito and began competing against adult riders. “I got a little deal on a motorcycle – the first Sherpa T250 – and I started doing much better. I was sponsored by a local dealer, Steve’s Bultaco. “The first time I went to El Trial de Espana I got to see Sammy Miller for the first time. That was a big deal back in 1972 or ’73. El Trial de Espana was an annual event that raised funds to send young riders to Europe. The trials, created by Fred Belair, remains a high-priority event on the Southern California trials schedule. They had a world round at Saddleback Park in 1974. It was really muddy. I rode with an X on my bib because I was under 18. There were about ten European riders there. I finished eighth, better than any other American rider. El Trial de Espana sent a delegation to Europe to watch world rounds. When they returned, they tried to make our sections for the Master Class similar to

CLASSIC TRIAL MAGAZINE 2019 • ISSUE 29

El Trial de Espana where I got to see Sammy Miller for the first time, which was a big deal back in 1972.

Showing off the style just six years away from winning the FIM World Trials Championship.

what they saw in Europe. I got to see a world round in Spain and visit the Bultaco factory in 1974. In 1976, I went to the Scottish Six Days Trial as a spectator as I was too young to compete. But I did ride a few sections there. The French champion, Charles Coutard, had broken his wrist, so I changed into his clothes and rode the Ben Nevis sections, which became a storyteller even today. I was riding the national championship in 1975 when Bultaco sent someone to visit me. Manuel Soler stayed with us for a few weeks in Los Angeles, and we rode together. He came to visit Los Angeles, but also to see how I was doing and report back to Bultaco. Manuel sold the idea to them of having a young rider in the USA. They wanted to develop the US market and Bultaco brand. Then John Grace, the Bultaco importer, asked if I’d like to compete in the world championship. They wanted me to ride with the rest of the Bultaco team in 1977. Of Mr Bulto, I only remember positive things. I remember him saying the idea was not to make a product the public couldn’t buy. He wanted his riders on production model machines. He was very warm, very open

1974: Dreaming of the world championship.

A TIME TO REWIND

Looking at a very ‘Golden Age’ of motorcycle sport from 1965– 1985 this limited edition 132-page publication spans Enduro, Motocross, Road Racing and Trials. Thema jority of pictures have never been seen in print before. You will enjoy this motorcycle adventure demonstrated with black & white and colour photos captioned with informative text. Presented in an A4 magazine format, it is a step back in history for any motorcycle enthusiast to enjoy and remember an iconic time with the great names and machines.

Inside you will find such great names as Jeff Smith, Roger De Coster, Malcolm Davis, The Lampkins, Jarno Saarinen, Mike Hailwood, Barry Sheene, Giacomo Agostini, Mick Andrews, Yrjo Vesterinen and incredible machines of their time produced by BSA, Greeves, Bultaco, Montesa, Ossa, MV Agusta, Triumph, Honda and many more. Yes, it’s as good as it sounds.

It’s easy to order online, just visit

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TRIALS

ROAD RACING

TRIALS

The Dave Rowland Trophy Trial 1980 Anglo-American Match Races 1971

PHOTOS | PETER J BEARDMORE

was restricted p The first ever Anglo-American series Triumph to factory contracted riders on BSA and in machines. Both brands were still very prominent problems road racing around the world despite the facing. the motorcycle industry in the UK was from Don Number eight, John Cooper, leads the way Dave and (6) Emde Castro (5), Dick Mann (4), Don Aldana (3). Rocket 3 was still t ‘Moon Eyes’ John Cooper on the BSA and goggles using an open-face ‘cork’ crash helmet for head protection!

1971 Teams

GREAT BRITAIN John Cooper (BSA), Tony Jefferies Smart (Triumph), Ray Pickrell (BSA), Paul (Triumph) and Percy Tait (Triumph) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Dave Aldana (BSA), Don Castro (Triumph), Don Emde (BSA), Dick Mann (BSA) and Jim Rice (BSA) RESULTS: 1: Great Britain 183; 2:

USA 137

971 — The Easter Bank holidays in April would come alive for the first time to the booming sound of the four-stroke BSA and Triumph machines in the Anglo-American Match Races. Launched by the BSA–Triumph group, two teams of riders from Great Britain and the United States of America would race over three rounds at Brands Hatch on Good Friday, Mallory Park on Sunday, and finishing at Oulton Park in Cheshire on Easter Monday. The winning team would be the one with the highest number of points. The two main teams of five riders were limited to factory contracted riders from both BSA and Triumph. This limited the strength of the American team, but without a doubt the new series format was a big hit with the fans. This was very much a show of power from the once mighty ailing British motorcycle manufacturers and the upper hand was without a doubt with the British from the very start. They would compete on the superior and lighter new triple-cylinder machines whereas their America rivals were on the 1970 model machines which were heavier and not as dynamic.

p Dick Mann on the left and Dave Aldana on the right, of the American team. The crash helmet Aldana was wearing was the latest offering from Bell helmets. u American Jim Rice signs another autograph. The Yanks were very popular with the ladies! q The full-on aggressive riding style from Dave Aldana was reminiscent of flat track racing as he ran onto the grass on a few occasions! You can see the ‘Gaffer’ tape holding the fairing together after numerous crashes.

RESULTS PHOTO | UNKNOWN

from the Manchester erhaps the best known of the trials riders his exploits on factory 17 Motor Cycle Club is Dave Rowlands, after for the road-based trial they support BSA machinery. He had pushed status, and it came to fruition in had run in the past to get it National Trial In 1978 they had a rehearsal with 1979 much to his and the club’s delight. report gave them 10 stewards centre the Hepworth Trophy Trial, the ACU for the first time in 1979. Now out of 10 and it was awarded national status start area and it was Norman it had grown in stature they wanted a better was a manager at the Duron Brake Eyre who came up with the answer. He permission to use the factory factory in Buxton and he gained the club’s for the first time in 1980. The and its canteen facilities as the start area and taking his first national win event attracted 75 riders in the solo class at the event was Chris Clarke.

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DAVE ROWLAND TROPHY TRIAL

1980

1: Chris Clarke (350 Sandiford Montesa) 39; 2: Norman Shepherd (310 Holden Ossa) 41; 3: Rob Shepherd (360 Honda) 41; 4: Chris Sutton (350 Sandiford Montesa) 43; 5: Nigel Birkett (350 Sandiford Montesa) 49; 6: Allen Collier (280 Jerrard SWM) 62; 7: John Hulme (350 JES Majesty) 63; 8: Kiyoteru Hattori (200 Honda) 65; 9: Steve Moore (325 Comerford Bultaco) 65; 10: Alan Lampkin (325 Comerfords Bultaco) 75. EDITION 01 | YEAR 2018 | 95

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END OF AN ERA 1989 SCOTTISH SIX DAYS

Steve Saunders (Fantic) in total control on day three at Creag Lundie.

Supreme Saunders

Putting in a strong, mature ride over the six days would give Great Britain’s undisputed number-one rider Steve Saunders a second successive Scottish Six Days Trial victory. The expected challenge from Spain’s new trials ‘Hotshot’ Jordi Tarres ended in a disaster. His new prototype liquid-cooled aluminium-framed Beta seized up at the close of the opening day, forcing him to retire. This would leave the door open for the Beta UK importer John Lampkin to take his air-cooled Beta into the runner-up spot as he held French rider Philippe Berlatier at bay, who was also Beta mounted. The retirement of Tarres and the Beta was not in vain though, as much had been learned by the Italian manufacturer in the ongoing development of water-cooled trials machines in the harshest of conditions. Steve Saunders’ win on the Fantic would be the last by an air-cooled machine, and the last for the Italian manufacturer. By the end of the year ‘Water-Cooled’ would be king as Jordi Tarres celebrated the first world title for the new generation of liquid-cooled machines. Words: John Hulme, Mike Rapley, Motorcycle, Morton’s Archive and Motorcycle News • Pictures: Colin Bullock, Eric Kitchen, Iain Lawrie and Yoomee Archive

After the problems on the opening day, the event closed on the slopes of Ben Nevis in the sunshine.

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END OF AN ERA 1989 SCOTTISH SIX DAYS This superb close-up picture shows the plumbing snaking around the engine to the exposed radiator. The cylinder barrel looks very much like a ‘one-off’.

p When Spain’s Jordi Tarres wheeled out the new aluminium framed water-cooled Beta late on Sunday afternoon the watching crowd knew they were witnessing a very special Trials moment. t The Fantic 305 would be the last win for an aircooled machine and the Italian manufacturer, in the hands of Steve Saunders.

1989 Scottish Six Days Trial Daily awards Monday: Steve Saunders (Fantic) 20. Tuesday: John Lampkin (Beta), Philippe Berlatier (Beta-FRA) 11. Wednesday: Philippe Berlatier (BetaFRA) 4. Thursday: Philip Alderson (Yamaha) 8. Friday: Steve Saunders (Fantic), John Lampkin (Beta) 5. Saturday: Glen Scholey (Beta) 3.

Class Awards Best up to 150cc: No Award Best 151cc-200cc: No Award Best 210cc-250cc: Steve Saunders (Fantic) Best 251cc-350cc: Philippe Berlatier (Beta-FRA) Best Agents Rider: Harold Crawford (Hamilton Yamaha) Best Foreign Rider: Philippe Berlatier (Beta-FRA) Best Newcomer: Robert Crawford (Beta) Manufacturers Team Award: No Award

Machines Top 15 Tarres puts on a superb display, both of his talents and the new Beta, to the watching crowd in the weigh-in area – they loved it and they finished off with a round of applause.

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Results: Beta: 7; Yamaha: 4; Gas Gas: 2; Fantic: 1; JCM: 1

CLASSIC EVENT PRE-65 SCOTTISH

ONE-DAB

DAN Following in anyone’s footsteps is always a difficult task, and when it’s your father, you are following your aspirations are even higher. Everyone in any walk of life has a hero, and in Dan Thorpe’s case, it’s his father, Dave. The utmost admiration and respect come from the fact that he has seen him struggle for so many years with a serious back complaint that has just got worse. Ever defiant of his problems Dave has persevered with his constant success on two wheels – he can ride a motorcycle better than he can walk! A world round winner in his day for Bultaco and the most successful rider at the Pre-65 Scottish, Dave won in 1987 to 1990, 1993, and he took his last win in 1997, which was also the first two-day event. Parting with just one mark on the first of the two days Dan knew he would have to be at his very best on day two to emulate his father. When he came back to the finish, he was more than happy to tell anyone he bumped into that he had gone ‘clean’. When the results were confirmed and read out at the evening’s prizegiving there could be no one more proud than Dave Thorpe and his wife Carol when it was announced that Dan had won the 2019 Pre-65 ‘Scottish’; his wife Katy was just as proud to see her husband on the top step of the podium. They are the first father-and-son winners in the history of the event, dating back to 1984. Words: Classic Trial Magazine, John Hulme • Pictures: Trials Media

Dan Thorpe (Triumph) checks out the line on the famous Pipeline on day one.

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CLASSIC EVENT PRE-65 SCOTTISH

Dan encourages his father Dave at the end of day one. Dave has stated that this was his last Pre-65 Scottish; if it is, well done; we certainly enjoyed watching the skill and entertainment over the years.

As always, the rider parade ahead of the two days opens up the event. Once again it had a very international ‘feel’ about it, with Javier Gil (BSAESP) proudly displaying his national flag.

an Thorpe: “It goes without saying that I’m delighted to win this fantastic event. I might have put on a brave face last year, but to have gone round clean and still only finish third due to the tie-deciders was tough. Don’t get me wrong, I totally understood the rules on the tie decision, but this year more than makes up for last year’s disappointment. It makes it extra special to achieve this at the same time as my 73-year-old father managed to finish the event for possibly his last time.

Ben Butterworth (Ariel): Taking the award for the best rider on day one parting with just one mark lost, he repeated the single-mark loss on day two but was still denied victory by Dan Thorpe.

Gary MacDonald (Triumph): Very graceful in defeat Gary went around clean on day two but in a low-scoring event he knew the opportunity of three consecutive wins had gone with the wrong choice of gear at Caolasnacon on day one where he parted with his two marks in total.

Best Foreign Rider — Stephen Murphy (BSA-IRE): This will be one very happy Irishman who went home with this much sought-after award.

Best Scottish Rider — Calum Murphy (BSA): On a good day there is a win waiting in this event for young Callum, we will just have to wait and see when it comes out.

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“This year’s event was made more difficult because once again, I didn’t get a chance to ride the Triumph beforehand. Knowing that I had possibly the more difficult loop including Cnoc-a-Linnhe, Pollock Hill and Caolasnacon at the start of my day, I knew I needed to be switched on straight away. Cnoc-a-Linnhe looked okay as I was fairly early and managed to clean it without much fuss, and then came Pollock Hill. It was the section where I made my ill-fated second gear attempt in the past, so despite wanting to use it again, I selected bottom gear. Despite having a few early cleans, it had just started chewing up, and I went for it without being totally happy with my line. The back wheel spun on a loose rock, and I needed a big dab to keep moving. It is where I thought my challenge had ended, by losing a dab so early on in the trial. “Rather than sulking too much thought I would knuckle down and managed a good clean on the tricky looking Caolasnacon. Despite being painfully slow on the bottom part, first gear proved to be the right choice on Pipeline as I flew up to the top. Seeing the results overnight gave me hope that if I could clean the next day, I would stand a good chance of finally managing to win.”

FLASHBACK 1979 SCOTTISH SIX DAYS

Viva Montesa

No one could have predicted the titanic battle between good friends Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa) and Martin Lampkin (Bultaco) at the ‘Scottish’. Riding close together all week at riding numbers 114 (Rathmell) and 123 (Lampkin) the close-fought action would finally be resolved in Rathmell’s favour, as Lampkin crashed out with one hand on the famous trophy in the final hazards of the day on the slopes of Ben Nevis. The weather had been very mixed, but the action was as hot as ever, with each day’s action delivering some very interesting scores. A foreign rider had never won the SSDT, but what was interesting in 1979 were the overseas riders and the fact that the other European manufacturers such as SWM were beginning to make inroads into the Spanish reign in Scotland. For Montesa, it was a case of ‘Viva Montesa’ as they recorded their first win, much to the delight of the official UK importer Jim Sandiford. Words: John Hulme, Mike Rapley, Motorcycle, Morton’s Archive and Motorcycle News • Pictures: Colin Bullock, Yoomee Archive, Eric Kitchen, The Nick Nicholls Collection at Morton’s Archive and Iain Lawrie

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FLASHBACK 1979 SCOTTISH SIX DAYS

Martin Lampkin (Bultaco): In the sixth hazard on Ben Nevis Lampkin hits a rock, which throws him and his Bultaco almost to the floor. The spectators could not believe what they were witnessing. Martin Lampkin (Bultaco): A three-time winner of the event from 1976 to 1978, could he become the first rider to be a fourtime consecutive winner? Try as he might he finally conceded defeat with one hand on the trophy.

The Vesterinen brothers from Finland were out in force at the event. Here we see the youngest, Anttoni, in the car park meeting Jock Wilson, on the left. He would ride his Bultaco to 50th position.

Monday: 32 sections, 80 miles The event had started in cold but dry conditions before a small fall of snow gave the riders an indication that they were in for a cold week as they rode to the first group of hazards at Callart Falls. The early drama had already started in the car park at the start though, as one of the pre-event favourites, Malcolm Rathmell, collected a five-mark penalty when his Montesa would not start up in the allocated time. As the results came in it was the five-time winner, Mick Andrews on the Ossa, who had taken an early lead from Rob Shepherd on the mighty 360 Honda, followed by Martin Lampkin who was bidding for a record fourth consecutive win on the Bultaco. Rathmell had kept his nerve and his feet on the footrests after the earlier setback, and rounding off the top five was Finlandâ€™s Yrjo Vesterinen who was attempting to become the first foreign winner of the event. On a difficult opening day, only ten riders had retired, with a further two excluded for exceeding the time limit. Monday Leaders: 1: Mick Andrews (Ossa) 9; 2: Rob Shepherd (Honda) 10; 3: Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa) 11; 4: Martin Lampkin (Bultaco) 11; 5: Yrjo Vesterinen (Bultaco-FIN) 12; 6: Jaime Subira (Montesa-ESP) 14; 7: John Metcalfe (Bultaco) 15; 8: Nigel Birkett (Montesa) 15; 9: Nick Jefferies (Bultaco) 17; 10: John Reynolds (Suzuki) 18.

CLASSIC TRIAL MAGAZINE 2019 â€˘ ISSUE 29

Ever the perfectionist, Yrjo Vesterinen had exchanged the experimental Bultaco rear shock absorbers for the French Fournales ones in his pursuit of becoming the first foreign rider to win the SSDT. The man on the hand pump is his brother Jussi. The machine he rode at the event was not his world championship-chasing one.

SPECIAL KAWASAKI

Four-stroke Out and about, many trials machines catch your eye for different reasons, and this green four-stroke Kawasaki was one of them. Roy Palmer from the RAS Sport trials dealership is well known on the trials scene as he has been around in the motorcycle world for quite a while. He has ridden so many different and sometimes odd machinery – who remembers the 305cc Fraser Hondas in the late 70s? Roy claims this machine ruined his career! The Kawasaki project goes back a little further than you would have thought, as we are about to find out after a recent visit to his workshop.

Article: CTM with Roy Palmer • Pictures CTM and Bob Gollner Motorcycles

Roy makes a splash on his special Kawasaki.

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SPECIAL KAWASAKI

It looks good and appears to handle very well.

he original Kawasaki trials project in the early ’70s, headed by Don Smith, promised so much but delivered so little. His vision of a trials motorcycle was not what the buying public wanted; it’s as simple as that. Speaking with the few works riders who rode them, we soon found out that they ‘secretly’ altered the frame to improve the handling and modified the engine to make it perform something like they had expected. It was the same story with the production two-stroke KT 250. The vast remaining stocks of production models were parked up, and it never sold well.

In this picture you can see how tall the four-stroke engine is.

Gollner Kawasaki The only Kawasaki trials models that were any good had seen the engines placed in a very tidy tubular chrome-plated frame. A quick phone call to my good friend Mick Whitlock confirmed that the frames were fabricated by Robin Rhind-Tutt, who is famous for their own Wasp motorcycle kits. The Gollner Kawasaki, as it became known, used the KT 250 engine, suspension and wheels and gained moderate success in the south of the country selling though Bob Gollner Motorcycles at Denmead, near Portsmouth in Hampshire. The super-enthusiastic Bob Gollner would make a one-off special using the four-stroke Kawasaki KL250 engine, which nicely leads us on to this Kawasaki we look at here.

We think you will agree that from this side it looks very professional.

A four-stroke start Encouraged by his father, Phillip, Roy’s trials life started back in the early ’70s on a four-stroke Honda TL 125 before he progressed, as many young riders did at that time, into trials just before the schoolboy scene was up and running. In a career that’s covered close on 40 years, he has ridden in all the trials events on offer, including the world rounds. A very handy rider, he also has eight treasured Scott Trial spoons under his belt. Around the time that the RAS dealership came to life just

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Hutchy PROFILE BRIAN HUTCHINSON

When John Hulme asked if I could catch up with Brian Hutchinson for an article in Classic Trial Magazine, I said it would be very unlikely, because in all the years of competition both in trials and scrambles he was almost uncatchable! But I did finally manage to nail him down for a few words – he must be steadying up! Over the many years involved in off-road motorcycle sport, I have counted myself lucky to have met many characters including riders, officials and helpers, and there are many from all backgrounds and differing walks of life, but I have never encountered such a unique character as Brian Hutchinson. A ‘Sackfull’ of stories emanate around the man from relatives, friends and rivals; some hilarious some, Brian says, mischievous – and most would make for a fantastic book. But for this article, I shall have to stick to the printable ones! Article: John Watson • Pictures: John Watson, Allen Collier, Malcolm Carling, Alan Vines, Motorcycle News, The Nick Nicholls Collection at Mortons Archive, Yoomee Archive and Barry Robinson

CLASSIC TRIAL MAGAZINE 2019 • ISSUE 29

PROFILE BRIAN HUTCHINSON

It’s the 1973 Scottish Six Days Trial, in the snow at Edramucky on the Montesa Cota 123.

farmer from Stokesley, Brian was one of the most talented and wellrespected riders ever to throw a leg over a trials or scrambles motorcycle. In a fantastic riding career that spanned more than three decades from the early 60s through to the 80s, staying at the top of the trials scene for most of those 30 years and riding his last SSDT in 1986 on a Bultaco which came to an ignominious end when, he says, “I got washed away crossing a bloody river”.

You win some, you lose some

This very early picture has Brian in action on, we think, a DOT.

Article author John Watson believes the machine in this picture of Brian is a Butler.

CLASSIC TRIAL MAGAZINE 2019 • ISSUE 29

Nicknames, such as Bunny or Hutchy; he answers to all of these and believe it or not I think he is even a contradiction unto himself, because once on a motorcycle the easy-going, laid-back description does not do him justice as there is no-one more competitive. But either winning or losing, Brian’s philosophy has always remained the same throughout his career: ‘You win some, you lose some’ he says. And that says it all to me, along with his God-given talent, because I never saw anyone on a trials motorcycle that could match him for finding grip, which places Brian amongst the great riders of his era. What also amazes me – not sure if Brian would agree with this – is that I don’t think he ever actually realised just what a special talent he possessed. To witness his infinite skill of balance and throttle control to find that elusive grip in almost impossible conditions was an absolute treat unless competing against him, as then it could and did destroy the best of riders. Brian admits he felt the most confidence when conditions were slippery (in other words, almost impossible), thus proving the learning of his craft came from those early winter trials. Born at Stokesley in 1943 and brought up on the farm within a stone’s throw of the famous Carlton Bank scrambles circuit, his early experiences did not define him as a child prodigy on a motorcycle as they were not very successful. Asked when he started riding: “I would have been about 15 years old, I think. When my elder brother Keith nipped off on holiday, I borrowed his old DOT out of the shed, thinking he would never know. I rode to Carlton Bank and coming down the steep bank I had a right ‘tank slapper’ and was pitched over the handlebars, knocking the wind out of me. I couldn’t get my breath and thought I was going to die! Luckily, there was no damage to the machine, and I got it home and back in the shed. Keith never did find out.”

FLASHBACK 1969 BRITISH TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP

Cotswold Cup Trial Scott Ellis (BSA): Staying loyal to his beloved four-stroke BSA, Scott had made his way to a solid second position to keep the ailing British flag flying amongst the invasion of the ‘Micro’ and Spanish trials machines. This was the only four-stroke machine in top awards after years of dominating the sport.

Lawrence Telling (Montesa): Loving his move to Montesa, ‘Sparkie’ was part of the Spanish team that had three riders in the top five. People were gaining confidence in this alternative machine to the all-conquering Bultaco and soon this would start to show in the machine sales as they gathered momentum.

Don Smith (Montesa): Having closed his motorcycle business at the start of March, Smith had a lot going on in his life but still managed to put this all behind him with a welcome win after a recent loss of his usual high standard of riding. Furthermore, all was not well between himself and the Montesa factory behind the scenes as they continued with the development of the machine. Smith had his own ideas and Montesa theirs.

Starting and finishing at the Leighterton Garage near Nailsworth in Gloucestershire, the Cotswold Cup Trial in the Western Centre had moved from its traditional December date to the early spring month of March for its 10.30am start time. On a cold but bright day this third round of the British Trials Championship had not attracted such a large entry with just 41 solo riders, but it was a massive increase over the four sidecars who entered the 1968 event as 13 assembled to tackle the traditional single-lap, 28-mile roadbased course taking in 39 hazards around the Dursley area. Words: Classic Trial Magazine with support from Mortons Archive Pictures: Brian Holder

Derek Adsett (Greeves): Having finished third in the 1968 ACU British Trials Championship he had been very underrated but was now making an impression in the results. His only problem was with the ageing two-stroke Greeves, which was getting very long in the tooth and the manufacturer did not appear to have a replacement model in the pipeline in the immediate future.

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FLASHBACK 1969 BRITISH TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP

Gordon Farley (Montesa): After finishing as the runner-up in the 1968 ACU British Trials Championship on a Greeves, Farley has his eyes on knocking Sammy Miller off the top spot in 1969. He had started the season with a superb win at the Vic Brittain Trial in January, followed by another win at the Colmore in February. Now with a Duckhams oils contract, who had been very influential in getting the 1968 European round of the ground with financial support along with Miller, Duckhams were more than happy to have the top two riders using their products.

fter the heavy fog conditions in December 1968 had created many problems for the organisers, the change of date to March in 1969 would see the ground frozen as solid as in the previous year. It would later change though as the heat of the sun brought the thawing out of the ground as the event progressed, leaving wheel grip at a premium in the mud. In a competition that favoured the earlier numbers, the event turned out easier than expected as just six marks separated the top half-dozen riders with some tie-breaks deciding the positions. The action would open at the upper, and lower Court sections around the Cotswolds scrambles track at Nymphsfield after a very cold ride from the start; with no sun out the riders were all well wrapped up.

Adsett’s only clean The move to the Spanish machinery by many riders was now gaining more and more momentum as the once great British machines, which had been the mainstay of the trials world for so many years but were now looking very long in the tooth, failed to keep pace with the likes of Bultaco, Montesa and later Ossa. One of the loyal riders was Derek Adsett on his Villiers engined Greeves who was the only rider to remain ‘feet-up’ in the opening hazards on his way to an eventual fifth position. Very slippery drops and climbs made worse by the frozen conditions spoiled the observers’ scoreboards of all the entry apart from Adsett, who was showing very good early form. On hand to witness the action was the Western Centre president Chris Stagg, who had plotted out these early hazards. His work managed to extract a single mark each from both Don Smith (Montesa) and defending British Trials Champion Sammy Miller (Bultaco). An awkward drop into the rock-filled gully had seen them both take precautionary ‘dabs’ as Tony Davis (Bultaco), Gordon Farley (Montesa) and Ian Haydon (Cotton) joined them. Lawrence Telling (Montesa) and eventual lightweight cup winner Dennis Jones (Gaunt Suzuki) left the opening groups on three marks lost followed by the new Montesa rider Gordon Farley and, riding further down the entry list, Scott Ellis on the four-stroke BSA.

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Sammy Miller (Bultaco): Presented with the award in February 1969 as the Caltex Motor Sport Star winner in 1968 as Ireland’s top contender in two- and four-wheel sport, it was a disappointed Miller with his results at the Cotswolds Cup, having been on top form only one week earlier winning the European championship round in Sevenoaks in Kent on the Saturday and then the Victory Trial the day after in Wales.

Paul Dunkley (Cheetah): Even in 2019 you have to admit that the Cheetah with the Villiers engine looks such an attractive machine. Dunkley was in superb form in the Southern Centre, where the machines were becoming more evident amongst many trials riders who still believed ‘British’ was the best. Dennis Jones (Gaunt Suzuki): On his way to winning the up-to-200cc cup ‘Jonah’ and his carefree attitude delivered so much success on the little Gaunt Suzuki. He was constantly under the scrutiny of the late great Ralph Venables, who in secret marvelled at Jones and what he achieved on the small-capacity machine.

BIRTHDAY NORTHERN BRITISH BIKE

Pre-65 Road Trials Championship

It’s a fact that the ever-expanding classic motorcycle trials scene continues to grow year on year. The Northern British Bike Championship, which caters for Pre-65 machinery, is a very well-established series which in 2019 celebrates 20 years of the championship. It prides itself on road-based events, very much like the trials scene was back in the day, and the riders love it. The ever-enthusiastic Mike Gallagher, who is very much behind the championship’s success, thought it was about time to tell the story of the Northern British Bike Championship. Words: Mike Gallagher • Pictures: Errol Gowshall

A good organising team keeps everything running smoothly.

Everyone’s welcome!

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BIRTHDAY NORTHERN BRITISH BIKE

Adrian Clarke (Greeves) exits the top of Hawk’s Nest. Using old traditional hazards has been the secret of the success of the series.

Ossy Byers (DOT) is a staunch supporter of the series as well as being a sponsor. The event has attracted many riders back to off-road motorcycling, such as Mark Pearson (DOT). After enjoying the Pre-65 scene Mark can now be found competing in Enduros.

In this picture the bottom of Hawk’s Nest is very reminiscent of the old trials scene in the ’60s and ’70s.

ow time flies! In 2019 we see our championship’s 20th birthday, so we thought it might be interesting to let you know how we got here.

Early days Prior to 2019, The Poachers Bag, Reliance Cup Trial and The West Riding Trial were part of the ‘British Bike Series’ before all the British Pre-65 Road Trials were to come under the new Sammy Miller series umbrella. It soon became evident that the geography of the northern events didn’t quite fit within the Miller Series, and they were eventually left out for 1999. That is when Errol Gowshall and Mark Francis stepped in to form a new northern-based road trial championship which became the NBBC with two other northern clubs joining, Midland Classic and Red Rose, to form five events within the championship. Sponsorship was sought from Morton’s Motorcycle Media in the form of ‘Old Bike Mart’ and PJ1 Oils, and it soon became colloquially known as OBM PJ1 Championship. As Morton’s created a dedicated

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off-road magazine in the guise of Classic Dirtbike and Richard Thorpe’s sponsorship came to an end, the championship patronage changed to its current standing of Classic Dirt Bike – Rock Oil.

More clubs During the last 19 years, we have welcomed other clubs to host a championship round and have had the Lincoln Motorcycle Club’s Molly Johnson Trial for three years within our series. In addition, The Dales Club ran the ‘Dalesman Trial’ for two years. In 2009, Llangollen and DMC joined us with the Croesi’r Ddyfryn Dyfrdwy Trial, which was voted the best round in 2009 and more recently in 2015. Castleside became part of the championship with ‘The Stanhope Classic’ which in 2018 impressed the majority of riders with their newfound stream sections. The championship now consists of seven of probably the best Pre-65 road trials in the country and each club, in turn, puts a tremendous amount of effort in hosting their

round; for this, we thank them. Over the years we have consistently averaged just over 80 riders per round. My first year riding the series was in 2002, and I became the third co-ordinator in 2009. During my involvement with the events, I have been impressed by the commitment of riders to support the NBBC, many having ridden the majority of the rounds right from the beginning. A few names spring to mind: Eric Boocock, Eddie Bull, Neil Anderton, Chris Gascoigne, Graham Howes and Carl Winstanley, to name but a few. We must also thank all the clubs and officials again as we have a regular group of volunteers that ensure our events run like clockwork. We would like to thank our sponsors and friends of the championship, who are undoubtedly some of the most active companies in off-road sport, for their support and patronage with our awards and prizes for 2018. As part of this review, we have asked one of the trial partners to give his thoughts on our events.

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What’s the story: WTC 1981

Flashback: Bernie Schreiber Profile: Gustav Franke

Classic Event: Highland Two Day

Mystery Machine: Heuser Trials

Let’s Travel: Andorra

Factory: Rob Shepherd Honda

Development: Ossa Mar

Conversion: Honda TLR 250

New Event: Leven Valley Two Day

Who Is: Toon Van De Vliet

Classic Competition: 1969 SSDT

Flashback North: 1968 Bemrose

Interview: Jaime Subira

Flashback South: 1968 Cotswold Cup

Lost Treasure: The Trials Detective

Product Focus: Rockshocks

International: Robregordo

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MOTO VILLA RARE

V I L L A

Everest 348

Looking slim and trim: an early prototype Moto Villa Everest model from 1977–1978.

There are many times when you have to ask yourself where the time goes. In 1979, almost 40 years ago, I had a ‘Quick spin’ on an Italian-built Moto Villa motorcycle called the Everest 348 made by Francesco Villa, the brother of the world-famous road racer Walter Villa. The first appearance of this new trials machine was a couple of years earlier, at the Milan show in Italy. Walter himself introduced this new model which very much mirrored that of the world famous Montesa Cota 348. At least the machine looked very similar, and the model name of the Moto Villa Everest 348 was not very original, of course. In reality, the only connection between the Montesa and Moto Villa was the number 348. The other question asked was, ‘is it just a dummy with no engine internals’, as many trials fans thought at the time. After many questions concerning its reality I picked up the new ‘working’ machine just before Christmas 1979 with the stern instructions: “Do not damage this machine as it’s the only one we have and it’s going to be displayed at the Milan Show” “okay”, I replied… Article: Toon Van de Vliet • Pictures: Toon Van de Vlie, Moto Villa, Trials Media, Yoomee Archive, Mauri/Fontsere Collection and the Giulio Mauri Copyright

CLASSIC TRIAL MAGAZINE 2019 • ISSUE 29

MOTO VILLA RARE Toon Van de Vliet on the very first production Moto Villa Everest 348 in late 1979.

From the left the machine looks very un-finished, with no gear-box sprocket protector and no rear chain guard.

alter Villa (1943–2002) was a great motorcycle road racer who died of a heart attack at the tender age of 58. He started racing when he was just 13 years old on a Moto-Morini, then later on, a Montesa 125cc and, of course, on Moto Villa creations from his brother Francesco Villa. Road racer Walter will always be remembered though for his four FIM World Championship titles in the 250cc: 1974, 1975 and in 1976 adding the victory in the 350cc class riding the Harley Davidsons. In these fantastic years between 1967 and 1980, he took 24 Grand Prix wins and stood on the podium on 36 occasions. Part of this success was off the back of the support from his brother Francesco, with his high standard of technical excellence in both design and engineering. After working for many manufacturers in Italy in 1973, Francesco Villa decided to produce his engines for off-road use.

Why a trials machine? The first off-road motorcycle produced with the Villa engine was the Moto Villa CR, motocross model. Produced in both 250cc and 450cc versions, the engines made use of the mechanical know-how that Francesco had inherited over the years from his Moto GP experiences. The CR model went into production in both Enduro and Motocross and remained there until 1976 with only minor changes. Over the next few years, water-cooling would be introduced and, most importantly, was successful. Moto Villa was now firmly established in the off-road world, so why not produce a trials model to complement the range?

You can see here just how tall the engine unit appears.

CLASSIC TRIAL MAGAZINE 2019 • ISSUE 29

A larger physical size is what you can see from this right-hand side picture.

The interest of Italian motorcycle manufacturers in trials was now gathering pace at a very fast rate. The Spanish motorcycle industry had been slowed down by strikes and workers’ demonstrations. Montesa was still quite strong and came out with the successful Cota 349 that would present them with their first FIM World Title in 1980 with Ulf Karlson and the Scottish Six Days Trial win with Yrjo Vesterinen, but both Bultaco and Ossa where nearly bankrupt and Bernie Schreiber moved to the Italian Italjet and Martin Lampkin to SWM. Don Smith was involved with Fantic with the FB Minarelli engines and later with Jaime Subira and their own 240 and 300 models. SWM utilised the Austrian Rotax engine and further Italian interest in trials came with Cagiva (Merlin), Aprilia, Garelli and of course Beta, the only Italian brand still standing in the trials world. The next natural progression for Francesco Villa was to produce a trials model next to his existing off-road models in both Enduro and Motocross.

This close-up engine picture shows the Enduro inspired cooling fins on the cylinder barrel.

INTERNATIONAL 1979 TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP This picture shows just how many riders were at round two of the world championship. Number 92 Bernie Schreiber warms his cold hands on the engine!

PICK A

WINNER Finland’s three-time FIM Trial World Champion Yrjo Vesterinen was at the top of his game riding for Bultaco, having taken three consecutive titles after Martin Lampkin had first won in 1975. On paper it looked very much like the ‘Old Guard’ were going to take some knocking off the top spots as the world series gathered momentum. New riders such as American Bernie Schreiber and Marland Whaley along with some younger Spanish riders such as Toni Gorgot were now gaining experience and wanted a piece of the action. The world rounds were hard work, as you will see from the riders’ scores in the results. Throw in the very early start to the season with the opening world round in Ireland in February, and you also had to deal with the harsh weather conditions such as rain, snow and ice! Here we take a look back at the first half of the season with events in Ireland, Great Britain, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain and France. With six rounds down of the twelve to be ridden ‘Vesty’ would still be on track for a record-breaking fourth world title, but with five different winners it was still very much a case of ‘Pick a Winner’. Words: John Hulme, Motorcycle, Morton’s Archive and Motorcycle News • Pictures: Toon van de Vliet, Yoomee Archive, Rappini/Commeat, Eric Kitchen, Malcolm Carling, The Nick Nicholls Collection at Morton’s Archive

FIM World Trials Champion from 1976–1978. Finland’s Yrjo Vesterinen on the Bultaco would be the most consistent rider in the opening six rounds to hold a healthy 12 point lead.

After winning the opening round of the 1979 championship in Ireland the four-stroke Honda of Rob Shepherd was not running well at all in the arctic conditions at round two in Wales. The lubrication oil was changed twice at the start, before a change of contact breaker points and the ignition advance and retard mechanism was carried out under the watchful eye of his mechanic Mike Ember Davies. ‘Shep’ would finish just outside the points-scoring positions in 12th place.

CLASSIC TRIAL MAGAZINE 2019 • ISSUE 29

INTERNATIONAL 1979 TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

After the move from SWM at the end of 1978 John Reynolds was now riding the 325cc Beamish Suzuki. Concentrating at 100% he finished runner-up at round one in Ireland. This would be his best result all season.

he first six rounds had a wide mixture of terrain and weather to contend with. There were no set criteria for the world rounds as in Ireland they rode three laps of 24 hazards, Great Britain one lap of 45, Belgium three laps of 20, Netherlands two laps of 20, Spain two laps of 25 and in France two laps of 25. Championship points were awarded to the top ten finishers. What always played an important factor in the competitions was the time element as the riders had no time to hang around, it was a case of get going and get on with the job. With the opening six rounds all contested by the end of March, we would soon see who were the men on form before the focus changed, for all the riders and manufacturers, to the Scottish Six Days Trial in May.

Round 1: Ireland, Newtonards. 10/02/1979. Entry: 42 Riders This event is always very tight on time and with very unforgiving hazards, and for most riders, they started in full attack mode. With wide-open options in the hazards, many had a choice of line for the riders to take. It was a cold but dry day, and the word was that the hazards would get harder as the day progressed. The man on form was Rob Shepherd on the four-stroke Honda. He was looking much happier with the Japanese machine where much work had been carried out on it in the closed season to sort out the lubrication problems that had caused engine seizures the previous year. The 360cc engine never gave any problems during the day, and ‘Shep’ took the first win of the season from John Reynolds on the Beamish Suzuki. These two were well clear of Martin Lampkin and Malcolm

CLASSIC TRIAL MAGAZINE 2019 • ISSUE 29

Wrapped up against the ice and snow at round two in his TT Leathers riding kit, Great Britain’s Martin Lampkin had been very consistent despite not taking a single round win. The Bultaco rider had won the first FIM World Championship in 1975 and was looking to add another world title in 1979.

Rathmell who had made the return to Montesa after a difficult season in 1978 on the Beamish Suzuki. Yrjo Vesterinen came home fifth, but the biggest shock in the results was the retirement of American Bernie Schreiber. He had a massive crash on the second lap when he looped the Bultaco off a seven-foot step, and it landed on the fork leg, jamming the slider in the locked down position. He returned to his support van but with the very tight time limit was forced to retire, much to his disappointment. Results: 1: Rob Shepherd (Honda-GBR) 79; 2: John Reynolds (Suzuki-GBR) 84; 3: Martin Lampkin (Bultaco-GBR) 95; 4: Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa-GBR) 96.5; 5: Yrjo Vesterinen (Bultaco-FIN) 100.4; 6: Toni Gorgot (Bultaco-ESP) 100.6; 7: Nigel Birkett (Montesa-GBR) 105; 8: Jean Marie Lejuene (Montesa-BEL) 108.2; 9: Ulf Karlson (Montesa-SWE) 111.3; 10: Manuel Soler (Bultaco-ESP) 112.6. Championship: 1: Shepherd 15; 2: Reynolds 12; 3: Lampkin 10; 4: Rathmell 8; 5: Vesterinen 6; 6: Gorgot 5; 7: Birkett 4; 8: Lejuene 3; 9: Karlson 2; 10: Soler 1.

Round 2: Great Britain, Rhyader. 17/02/1978. Entry: 79 Riders Once again, as in 1978, snow and ice had hit the area around Rhyader and the Elan Valley in Wales, forcing the organising club to put salt down in the hazards! Defending world champion Vesterinen looked very much at home, but for some of the other foreign riders, it was a nightmare. Used to the warmer foreign climates many were used to riding with no gloves, but in the snow and ice were forced to wear them.

The man on form was Malcolm Rathmell, who managed to outpoint ‘Vesty’ and Martin Lampkin by a clear margin once again. As in Ireland, the time limit left no time for hanging around, and the ice-cold weather conditions helped with this! Behind the leading trio was Nigel Birkett, who used his delicate throttle control to take a nice haul of points as he won the tie-break over French champion Charles Coutard. It was a very welcome result for the Italian SWM machines, who were trying to break the Spanish domination. Joe Wallman had a superb ride followed by Bernie Schreiber and the diminutive Eddy Lejuene from Belgium. Riding a 200cc fourstroke Honda the Belgian rider was not eligible for points as he was only 17, and the FIM rules stated the minimum age was 18. Behind him and happy with his day in the cold conditions was Spanish rider Jaime Subira, as Jean Marie Lejuene and Spain’s Toni Gorgot rounded off the points scorers. Results: 1: Malcolm Rathmell (MontesaGBR) 27.1; 2: Yrjo Vesterinen (Bultaco-FIN) 36.2; 3: Martin Lampkin (Bultaco-GBR) 37; 4: Nigel Birkett (Montesa-GBR) 38; 5: Charles Coutard (SWM-FRA) 38.1; 6: Joe Wallman (Bultaco-AUT) 45; 7: Bernie Schreiber (Bultaco-USA) 47; 8: Eddy Lejuene (HondaBEL) 50.2; 9: Jaime Subira (Montesa-ESP) 50.6; 10: Jean Marie Lejuene (MontesaBEL) 51; 11: Toni Gorgot (Bultaco-ESP) 51. ×Eddy Lejeune (Honda-BEL) not eligible for Points× Championship: 1: Rathmell 23; 2: Lampkin 20; 3: Vesterinen 18; 4: Shepherd 15; 5: Reynolds 12; 6: Birkett 12; 7: Gorgot 6; 8: Coutard 6; 9: JM Lejuene 5; 10: Wallman 5.

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Trial Magazine, in association with motorcycle trials literature specialist Yoomee, can now bring you a selection of books dedicated to motorcycle trials. 01 20 Years of Twinshock Trials, Vol. 1 A pictorial look at the men and machines in trials from 1965 – 1985. The book is 120 pages in A4 size and comes in the semi hardback format.

02 20 Years of Twinshock Trials, Vol. 2 A pictorial look at the men and machines in trials from 1965 – 1985. The book is 124 pages in A4 size and comes in the semi hardback format.

03 20 Years of Twinshock Trials, Vol. 3 A pictorial look at the men and machines in trials from 1965 – 1985. The book contains 126 pages in A4 size and comes in the semi hardback format.

04 Spanish Trials Machines

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01 20 YEARS OF TWINSHOCK TRIALS, VOL. 1 02 20 YEARS OF TWINSHOCK TRIALS, VOL. 2 03 20 YEARS OF TWINSHOCK TRIALS, VOL. 3 04 SPANISH TRIALS MACHINES 05 A COMPLETE GUIDE TO MOTORCYCLE TRIALS 06 MOTORCYCLE COMPETITION SCOTLAND 1975-2010 07 LOCHABER SSDT 1909–2011 08 PRE-65 ‘SCOTTISH’ 2019 DVD

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The history of Spanish trials machines between the years 1965 – 2010 contains 128 pages. The book is A4 size and comes in the semi hardback format.

05 A Complete Guide to Motorcycle Trials Produced by Yoomee for Steve Saunders it covers every aspect of the sport. The book is A4 size in full colour, 134 pages and comes in the semi hardback format.

06 Motorcycle Competition Scotland 1975–2010 100 pages covering all aspects of the motorcycle sport in Scotland. The book is A4 size and comes in the semi hardback landscape format from the Trials Guru, John Moffat.

07 Lochaber Scottish Six Days Trial 1909–2011 Yoomee produced this superb collection of over 200 images with over half in full colour. The book is A4 size and comes in the semi hardback landscape format.

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