MOTORCYCLE • SIDECAR • CLASSIC • COMPETITION • FEATURES
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Spring 2023
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Classic Trial Magazine is published by: CJ Publishing Limited, registered in England Number: 5947718. Classic Trial Magazine: ISSN: 2049-307X 4
Front Cover: 1982 ACU British Trials Champion Yrjo Vesterinen (Bultaco-FIN) • Credit: Eric ‘EK’ Kitchen Summary Picture: 1974 Kickham Trial Mick Andrews (Yamaha) • Credit: Alan Vines
Spring 2023 • Classic Trial Magazine
Welcome • Classic Trial Magazine
FEATURES WINNER
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PROJECT
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INTERNATIONAL
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VINTAGE VINES
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THANK YOU
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1982 ACU British Trials Championship Fantic Twin-Shock 2022 Costa Brava Two Day Yamaha 1972-1975 1983 FIM World Championship 1973 Sidecar and Solo TMX – Mike Rapley
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News • The world of Classic Trials
2023 CLASSIC DIRT BIKE SHOW challenge. You can also pick up some pre-loved parts in the autojumble and get your hands on an off-road bargain. Gates to the Classic Dirt Bike Show, sponsored by Hagon Shocks, opens at 10.00am on both days, but you can go for a rumble in the autojumble from 9.00am before the show halls open. Save £2.00 when you buy your ticket in advance for just £14.00, and those under 16s go free. For more information about the show and to get your tickets, head to the website: www.classicdirtbikeshow.co.uk
CLASSIC TRIAL MAGAZINE AT THE CLASSIC DIRT BIKE SHOW: HALL 2, STAND B64
The UK’s biggest classic off-road show, The Classic Dirt Bike Show, sponsored by Hagon Shocks, is back at Telford International Centre, Shropshire, TF3 4JH, over the weekend of 11-12 February. The annual off-road show is known for attracting the biggest names in the scene, and this year is no exception, as the three-time FIM World Motocross Champion and ’80s and ’90s racing icon, Dave Thorpe, has been confirmed as the star guest. You can also get stocked up for the season ahead as hundreds of traders will offer a broad spectrum of goodies ranging from spares, parts and accessories to riding gear and even project machines if you’re up for a
SAMMY MILLER MUSEUM
For those who have yet been to the fantastic Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum or even fancy going again, this is one of the best motorcycle museums you can visit. Situated in the heart of the New Forest, the Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum is home to around 500 rare and exotic motorcycles from all over the world, including factory racers and exotic prototypes. Unlike most other museums, this is more than a static collection to be dusted and polished at regular intervals. Rather, almost every single motorcycle on display represents a full-scale renovation by Sammy, Jim and the workshop team. The Museum has undergone several extensions over the years to increase its capacity. The most recent of these was the Upper Gallery, opened in 2021 by the Duke of Richmond, which boasts panoramic views of the Museum complex and beyond, to the Isle of Wight. With a cosy Tea Room on site, why not treat yourself and the family to lunch? Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum, Bashley Cross Roads, New Milton, Hampshire, BH25 5SZ. Opening times and a motorcycle events calendar can be found at www.sammymiller.co.uk.
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Come and see us at the Telford International Centre over the weekend of 11-12 February, where we will have some free goodies and merchandise to give away with every order we take. We will have current issues and back issues of both Trial Magazine and Classic Trial Magazine and, of course, the hugely popular binders. You can also take out new subscriptions or resubscribe if you wish. We will be in our usual stand location in Hall 2, stand B64. Look out for the Classic Trial Magazine flags and come and have a chat.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ERIK ‘EK’ KITCHEN
On 6th January 2023, one of our best friends at Trial and Classic Trial Magazine, Eric ‘EK’ Kitchen, hit the ripe old age of 90. A lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, Eric has taken possibly the best motorcycle trials pictures ever seen and has been a regular contributor to the magazine since its inception in 2006. John Hulme: “It is a pleasure to call Eric a good friend. Since my early days of taking pictures back with the Nikon D70 right up into the present day, moving to mirrorless format with the new Nikon Z range, he has been a mind of information at all times, always encouraging me to take the best pictures; I think you will agree he has done a pretty good job of educating me! Mike Rapley supplied the picture here of ‘EK’ with the cake he was presented with by lifelong friend Dougie Lampkin at the recent DL12 Indoor trial.”
Spring 2023 • Classic Trial Magazine
on stage with commentator John McCrink
Spectacular collection of classic off-road machines Hundreds of trade and outdoor autojumble stands Cracking club displays
SAVE £2 IN ADVANCE! Discounted advance ticket: £14 Under 16s go FREE *Discounted tickets close 8:30am Monday, February 6, 2023.
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Spring 2023 • Classic Trial Magazine
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Classic Trial Magazine • Spring 2023
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Winner • British Trials Championship 1982
BRITISH TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP 1982
VICTORY FOR VESTY When the news broke that Finland’s three-time FIM World Trials Champion from 1976–1978, Yrjo Vesterinen, had applied – and been accepted for – an ACU competition license and announced plans to compete in the 1982 ACU British Trials Championship, it rocked some areas of the establishment. His contract was with Comerfords, the official UK importers for Bultaco, and he would compete the entire tenround season. He was already spending more and more time in the UK with his girlfriend, Diane Hadfield, whose father, Gordon, was the Chief Medical Officer for the ACU; he had first met her at the Kick Start Trial in June 1981. Comerfords had always been very supportive of ‘Vesty’. As Bultaco was going through a very tough time in Spain, he wanted to repay them for their investment in supporting his efforts on his return to Bultaco in 1981. He officially took residence in West Byfleet, Surrey, where Diane lived with her parents, and then applied for the ACU licence. After some public controversy played out in the press, he was granted the licence. At the close of 1982, he won the ACU Championship, taking the title with one round remaining. It was a case of ‘V for Victory’ for Finland’s Yrjo Vesterinen and Bultaco. Words: John Hulme and Mike Rapley • Pictures: Trial Magazine, Alan Vines, Yoomee Archive, Toon Van De Vliet
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Spring 2023 • Classic Trial Magazine
British Trials Championship 1982 • Winner At the opening round of the 1982 ACU British Championship, the Colmore Cup. It was a close victory over Steve Saunders.
In 2012, Yrjo invited Trial Magazine to take pictures of his newly restored 1982 ACU British Championship-winning Bultaco. As Bultaco finally folded in 1983, leaving him without a job, Yrjo and his lovely wife Diane married in June before introducing a third party to their relationship, Apico!
In 1981 his best result came in his native Finland, where he won the FIM World Round. History books tell us that this was his last victory at the highest level; it was also the last one for Bultaco. In hindsight, whilst the 1981 season was not entirely what he and Bultaco had been hoping for, it was nevertheless a reasonable season. He had finished third in the FIM World Championship, second at the Scottish Six Days Trial and had won the Scandinavian Championship. It was time for a change, though. During the off-season, he had made genuine progress improving the Bultaco; it now also carried a UK registration, and Reg May helped prepare it for the UK championships. Colin Boniface, whom he met through Comerfords, where he worked, became instrumental in making plans for the season ahead; he knew all the trials as he had previously ridden. ‘Vesty’ knew that getting the right start number for each trial was extremely important. Colin gave him the advice, and Diane ensured that the entries were posted precisely at the right time, as it was now time for the competition to begin.
With the 1982 ACU British Trials Championship now under his belt, he would close the door on a hugely successful career. He won the following: FIM World Trials Championship for three consecutive years, 1976, 1977 and 1978, taking 17 individual round wins and 54 podiums; the Scottish Six Days Trial in 1980; and a Finnish Champion from 1970 through to 1980. The picture is of his restored winning machines, taken in 2012. Working alongside the legendary Comerfords’ mechanic Reg May, the Bultaco had been modified and was at its very best.
This is one of the most serious faces of 1982 that we have seen of ‘Vesty’; he was on a mission to win!
Classic Trial Magazine • Spring 2023
At round two, the Cotswolds’ Cup, he showed he meant business when he beat the previous ACU British Trials Champions Martin Lampkin (1973, 1978 and 1980) and Malcolm Rathmell (1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979 and 1981) in a very close finish.
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Brand • Fantic
FANTIC
RED DEVILS In a sport first dominated by motorcycle trials machines manufactured in Great Britain up until the mid-to-late ’60s, before the Spanish Armada of Bultaco, Montesa and Ossa arrived, it looked like they would stand at the top of the sales chart forever. The Spanish were joined by the Japanese in the ’70s, who enjoyed quite good sales, and then the tide would return to Europe with the Italians in the early ’80s. It is a fact that in 1982 the Italian motorcycle manufacturer Fantic sold more trials models than any of its rivals. They survived the ground-breaking years of the trend-setting mono-shock Yamaha and a substantial financial crisis in 1985 before joining the ‘single-shock’ trials market success later in the 80s. Just over ten years later, the dream was over as the factory doors were closed on the production of trials motorcycles in 1997. In the first of this two-part article, we look at the twin-shock years of the red devils, Fantic trials machines. When they first arrived, people were sceptical of the small-engined, full-size models, but in a very short space of time, they became the new trials models to have. The recent passing of the gentleman, Roy Carey, was a very sad day; with his company South Essex Leisure, he changed the face of motorcycle trials in the early ’80s in Great Britain when he started to import the small-engined Fantic trials machines. Words: Trials Media • Pictures: Fantic Yoomee Archive Iain Lawrie
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Fantic was all about family.
Spring 2023 • Classic Trial Magazine
Fantic • Brand
Founded in 1968, Fantic started out with 220 employees.
PASTA AND PIZZA
It’s a trip to the ‘Pasta and Pizza’ land of Italy in 1968 to start the Fantic Motor story of manufacturing and exporting a small range of motorcycles. These would include mini-bikes and go-karts; the moped market though was huge during these times, and Fantic wanted to be a part of it. Founded in 1968 with 220 employees, they went head-on into production and, by the end of 1969, had produced 50,000 mopeds in a ten-model range and 10,000 lightweight motorcycles in a four-model range. Whilst producing the models, they generated a large parts inventory to keep the machines serviced in what was at that time one of the most modern motorcycle production facilities in the world. Their reputation for service in a huge marketplace soon became second to none. Two-wheeled motorcycles were still very much in demand, and to extend their market potential Fantic was introduced to the United Kingdom in 1972 through Barron Eurotrade Limited. The legislation was changing in the UK, and manufacturers took advantage of the law that barred 16-year-old motorcyclists from riding machines up to 250cc. A tidal wave of European and Japanese motorcycle manufacturers exploited a loophole that allowed them to export their under-50cc engine machines fitted with pedals to be classed as a moped to meet the legislation. Suddenly, we had 16-year-olds attending high school on a range of two- and four-stroke machines; it was moped mayhem! Fantic were typically Italian, and a ‘chopper’ model was introduced alongside a sporty and lightweight alternative model. The Italian machines used a tried-and-tested Italian Minarelli 49cc engine which came with a bulletproof reputation and was soon making inroads into this attractive new market. With it, the sales took off at an alarming rate. Classic Trial Magazine • Spring 2023
In 1968 Fantic was one of the most modern motorcycle production facilities in the world.
This aerial picture of the factory in April 1979 shows just how much Fantic had grown.
In 1978 Steve Saunders won the ACU Youth B Class Championship on the 125cc Fantic.
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Vacation • Costa Brava
COSTA BRAVA TWO-DAY TRIAL
FUN IN THE SUN
As you are about to read, one of my annual working vacations is a trip to the Costa Brava Two-Day Trial, representing Classic Trial Magazine. It may all look like fun in the sun, but behind the scenes, there is quite a lot of work to take on board for my five-day trip. I have been attending the event every year since 2016, only interrupted by the pandemic in 2021. Joan and Nils Comas are supported by a very keen, enthusiastic team who put the event on, and my work with them for the following year will start immediately after the one I have just attended. The team in Spain totally understands the promotional side of gaining both entries and sponsorship to make the event happen; this is something I will work with them on over the next 12-month period after the trial. Since I started working with them, the entries have increased year after year to the point that they now have to use the dreaded ballot system; such is the ongoing success of this event! Article: Classic Trial Magazine
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Spring 2023 • Classic Trial Magazine
Costa Brava • Vacation
The Winning Team
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John Hulme, Dan Clark and Nils Comas
t is a fact that I am very passionate about my job and, fortunately, I thoroughly enjoy it, albeit on the other side of the section marking. I am often asked why I do not compete in these fantastic events, but riding, taking pictures and reporting at 62 years old is just a little too much to ask. I enjoyed a rewarding riding career that started in 1974 with my first ever trials competition before finishing my competitive days in 2006 when I began our sister publication Trial Magazine. In this article, I will briefly outline what my five days in Spain involve on my trip to the Costa Brava Two Day.
THURSDAY
This is a ‘check and check again morning’ for my camera and computer equipment, some to go in the case for the checked-in bag and some vitals taken as hand luggage in case the checked-in bag goes missing, as it did a few years ago on a trip to Japan. Trial time
Classic Trial Magazine • Spring 2023
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Project • Yamaha
YAMAHA
AN EYE ON THE FUTURE Growing up as a young boy in Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire, and having a motorcycle trials-mad father would – unbeknown to me at the time – mould my future life from a very young age. As my mother Joyce would always tell you, there were three people in her marriage when she married my father Ron and his passion for motorcycles, the two-wheelers being the third party. Mick Andrews had been a family friend since his father Tom introduced him to my father Ron in the late ’50s. I had watched Mick go through the Ossa years before Tom Andrews told us a secret in late 1972: Mick would be moving to Yamaha. After our usual dose of trials on a Sunday, the talk around our dinner table in the evenings would be so exciting, as we knew something no one else did! When Mick let me ride on his new 250cc Yamaha in 1973, Tom mentioned that Mick had many new ideas that he wanted to bring to the trials world. That eye on the future would come to life later in the same year when we were allowed to see the new single-rear shock Cantilever Yamaha for the first time — talk about excited. Words: John Hulme, Mick Andrews, Yamaha • Pictures: Alan Vines, Erik ‘EK’ Kitchen, Motorcycle News, Bauer Media, John Hulme, Mick Andrews, Yamaha Motor Company Limited, Mark Weston, Jill Andrews, David Wood, Barry Robinson
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Spring 2023 • Classic Trial Magazine
Yamaha • Project
1973: Japanese Yamaha mechanic Jurou ‘Cookie’ Kukiyama works on the Yamaha at the Kickham Trial.
1973: With no Yamaha ready the Ossa was ridden in the Hurst Cup Trial, round one of the FIM European Championship in February.
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n 1972, for the first time in a very long while, the huge success of the Spanish Armada in motorcycle trials of Bultaco, Montesa and Ossa was about to come under threat. These three Spanish manufacturers had enjoyed a spike in motorcycle trials sales and a general interest in the sport, which moved to a higher level when Sammy Miller first moved to Bultaco in 1965. Montesa would follow in 1966 with Pedro Pi, who would soon be joined by Don Smith, whilst Mick Andrews would lead the way at Ossa. The innovative brains of the trials world would still rely on Great Britain for its new ideas and this is where the Japanese believed they could find their way for the future in motorcycle trials development. As Don Smith parted ways with Montesa in 1970, it emerged that, two years earlier, he had written a letter to Kawasaki in Japan about the sales potential for them in the trials market. In January 1972, it was rumoured that Yamaha had approached both Sammy Miller and Gordon Farley to join them, but it was, in fact, Don Smith who became the first rider to sign for a Japanese motorcycle manufacturer when he put pen to paper with Kawasaki in May 1972 to develop a new trials model. In September, Don Smith rode a prototype 450cc twostroke Kawasaki in round six of the ACU British Trials Championship, the Mitchell Trial, where his was the only Japanese machine in an entry of 112 riders. Classic Trial Magazine • Spring 2023
1973: In Spain, the doorstep of Ossa, the crowd were very hostile to their former hero now riding a Yamaha in the European Championship round.
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International • 1983 FIM WTC
1983 WTC
SPAIN
With the loss of Bultaco as a motorcycle manufacturer, the 1983 FIM World Trials Championship would start without them, after a long contribution that had been rewarded with five wins: 1975 Martin Lampkin (GBR); 1976–1977 Yrjo Vesterinen (FIN); and finally, 1979 Bernie Schreiber (USA). The new powerhouse on the world scene were the Italians with Beta, Fantic and SWM, with the Spanish flag flown by Merlin and Montesa. Of the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, only Honda had a presence, with Belgium’s new superstar Eddy Lejeune; Japanese rider Kiyoteru Hattori supported him. As Martin Lampkin and Malcolm Rathmell bowed out of full-time rides in the world championship, Great Britain had two new exciting riders: John Lampkin (Fantic) and Steve Saunders (Armstrong). John Lampkin, the son of Arthur, had been rewarded for his hard work and results with a factory-supported contract to ride the new 240 model. In an interesting turn of events, Saunders had taken his vacant seat at Armstrong, and this would be his first entire season at a world championship level. The 1983 FIM World Trials Championship would be contested over 12 rounds, starting in Spain on 20th February before concluding in Germany on 2nd October. We start this article with a look at the first four rounds, which opened in the snow of Spain. Words: Classic Trial Magazine Pictures: Erik ‘EK’ Kitchen, Mauri/Fontsere Collection and the Giulio Mauri Copyright
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Bernie Schreiber (SWM-USA)
Spring 2023 • Classic Trial Magazine
1983 FIM WTC • International
John Lampkin (Fantic-GBR
Would you believe snow greeted the riders in Spain for the first round of the 1983 season at the opener, but this did not take any of the heat out of what was going to be a hotly contested opening round. Many riders had already been out in Europe in preparation for the start of the world rounds, and for some, it had not been an easy time, including Great Britain’s Steve Saunders. He was travelling with John Lampkin and Peter Cartwright and, just one week before, whilst competing in a trial, he had crashed heavily without injury – but the same could not be said for the machine’s front end as it was totalled! They were staying with Fantic development rider Jaime Subira in Spain. Without his help, Steve would not have been ready for the trial, the Armstrong sporting a heavily influenced Fantic front end.
Pedro Olle (Beta-ESP)
Classic Trial Magazine • Spring 2023
Gabino Renales (Merlin-ESP)
RAZOR SHARP SCHREIBER
With no Spanish winner in Spain on a Spanish machine for the second year running, a jubilant Bernie Schreiber started his year, giving SWM the first win for its new mighty Italian two-stroke ‘Jumbo’ machine. A sure sign of a man on form, the 25-year-old American didn’t concede a single five-mark penalty for a stop all day in his winning score of 56 marks lost. He looked razor sharp from the start, and his two lap scores of 27 and 29 told their own story of the confident ride. It was not an easy victory as Toni Gorgot came very close to emulating Manuel Soler’s winning ride for Montesa in 1981. However, Gorgot was on form, as was the 1981 FIM World Champion Gilles Burgat on the Fantic, both finishing on 58
Andreu Codina (Montesa-ESP)
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Vintage Vines • 1973 Sidecar
1973
COLMORE CUP: SIDECAR We open this article on the Colmore Cup Trial with a six-page focus, starting with the sidecar scene and the solos beginning on page 88. The 50th running of this excellent trial was celebrated in 1973, and it continues to this day, despite the loss of the sidecar class. Unfortunately, along with many events that would have opened the year’s sporting season, it had been postponed from its usual first week in February due to the Swine Fever epidemic. But, on 1st April, the 31 sidecars assembled at the start at Moretonin-March in Gloucestershire for round one of the ACU British Sidecar Championship. On a very dry, clear day, the trial produced a good fight for the wins in both classes, which took in six groups of sections and 40 hazards on the single-lap road-based course. Words: Classic Trial Magazine Pictures: Alan Vines, Yoomee Archive
Steve Kenworthy – Frank Griffiths (500 Triumph)
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Mike and Moira Wellman (500 Lavariel)
Dennis Brown – P Rance (360 REH)
Spring 2023 • Classic Trial Magazine
1973 Sidecar • Vintage Vines
Jack Matthews – Ray Armstrong (510 CCM)
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n paper, the fight for the maximum points haul in the opening event for the right to be called the ACU British Sidecar Champions at the end of the year looked as though it would be among Steve Kenworthy, Jack Matthews and Arthur Lampkin. However, the 1972 champions Ray and Derek Round would not be contesting the series, and their BSA outfit they rode was up for sale. So, we would be looking for a new winner. The previous year’s runner-up Jack Matthews was a recent sidecar convert over the previous few seasons. He had purchased Alan Clews’ 600cc motocross machine to improve his results. He had attached a lightweight sidecar to the machine and softened the four-stroke engine for trials use by reducing the engine capacity to 510cc. First, having used his friend from the Manchester 17 Motorcycle Club, Gordon
D and P Feeling (500 BSA)
Classic Trial Magazine • Spring 2023
Arthur Lampkin – Colin Pinder (500 BSA)
Ruffley, as a sidecar passenger, he now had Ray Armstrong keeping the third wheel down. In the first year, he had some notable results while also enjoying the social part of the sidecar scene. When looking through the programme for this event, along with some thoughts whilst researching this article from the memories of the riders and passengers who have ridden in this class, it was still apparent that large capacity four-stroke engines provide the best power for the job. A mixture of Ariel and BSA machines, many of pre-65 origin, were ridden by strong-minded individuals with passengers brave enough to be the ones not holding the handlebars! This period of domination from the likes of Ariel and BSA machinery would soon be coming to a close, but back in ‘the day’, the sight of these powerful machines controlled by just as powerful men was always a superb sight to witness.
WELLMAN WINNERS
As it happened, the fight for the top five positions was split into three groups: the first for the win between the eventual winner Mike Wellman and Steve Kenworthy, a small gap for third between Dennis Brown and Jack Matthews with the oldest of the three Lampkin brothers, Arthur, in close contact. Warner’s Wood was a good opening group of sections but did not cause any problems for most of the 31 sidecars before the action got more intense in Weston Wood with its tight wooded twists and climbs. Both Wellman and Kenworthy matched each other mark for mark, with many attempts resulting in either a stop or a clean ride due to the dry nature of the hazards. At the next group, named ‘Saintbury’, the terrain changed to open and rock-filled gullies. The second section was a particular stopper with an awkward approach deep in the rockfilled gully before trying to pass over a deep hole
Walter Bullock – P Beswick (500 BSA)
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WINNERS
Picture Credit: Trials Media.
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Adam Raga
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