Issuu

MOTORCYCLE • CYCLE • SIDECAR • CLASSIC • COMPETITION • FEATURES trialmaguk.com

UE • 1 0 0 t h

IS S

•1

UE •

1 0 0 t h IS S U E •

IS S

10 0

1 E•

h IS S t 0 0

100

E• U S S

1 0 0 t h IS S UE • 1

E•

10 0

t h IS S

UE • 10 0 t h IS

U E •

1 9 771753 004072 9 771753 004072

ISSUE 100 • UK: £5.99

00> 00>

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023

t 0 0

0 t h I

FILM

1993

IN SAFE HANDS • 6 7 3 FAT B A R ® • T O N I B O U • 3 2 x W O R L D C H A M P I O N •

RENTHAL ® 673 FATBAR ®

www.renthal.com

PHOTO CREDIT : TRIAL MAGAZINE

TRIAL MAGAZINE • WELCOME

CONTACT Online: www.trialmaguk.com Email: england@trialmag.com Address: 48 Albion Road, New Mills, High Peak, Derbyshire, SK22 3EX United Kingdom

THE TEAM

Co-Managing Directors John Hulme & Charles Benhamou Executive Director Philippe Benhamou

FEATURES

Editor John Hulme (NUJ No: 949620)

Proof reading Jane Hulme and Davina Brooks Commercial Manager John Hulme england@trialmag.com

1993 APPRENTICE

FOCUS

SPORT

REMEMBERING

FILM

ONE MOMENT

RETRO

102

Dougie Lampkin

Japan TWC ACU British Championship

David Page

The Making of EM-2022 SSDT 2003 SSDT

SSDT Small Capacity Engines

REGULAR SECTIONS

Design and Production Dean Cook, The Magazine Production Company www.magazineproduction.com Printing Buxtons Press Distribution Warners Group Publications

© 2023 CJ Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publishers. 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.

Trial Magazine: ISSN: 1753-0040.

INTERNATIONAL FIM TrialGP

Subscriptions Cath Rogers cath@trialmaguk.com 01663 744766

Trial Magazine is published by: CJ Publishing Limited, registered in England Number: 5947718.

Trial Magazine 100

Editorial Staff Cyrille Barthe, Phil Disney, Nick Shield, Matthew Heppleston, Heath Brindley and John Moffat. Photographers Colin Bullock, Eric Kitchen, Cyrille Barthe, Josh Turner, Yoomee, Trials Media, Barry Robinson, Don Morley, Mauri/Fontserè Collection and the Giulio Mauri Copyright, Andy Gregory, Toon Van De Vliet, Brian Holder and Leah Robinson.

CELEBRATION

TRIAL MAGAZINE • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023

NEWS 8 TALK TRIALS: TONI BOU 12 TALK TRIALS: TOBY MARTYN 16 PADDOCK 18 SHOPPING 22 POSTER 58 SUBSCRIPTION FORM 104 DEALER LOCATOR 110

102 5

117 YEARS OLD

TRIAL2 WORLD CHAMPION 2021 BRITISH CHAMPION 2021/2022

125 | 250 | 280 | 300 TRRS ONE R 2024

250 | 300 £6499.00 Electric Start 250 | 300 £6999.00

Visit our website for more information.

TRS Parts UK

ALLOY TECH FORKS REIGER REAR SHOCKS

NEW PARTS ORDERING WEB SITE NOW LIVE OFFICIAL UK IMPORTER TRS Motorcycles UK, Cheltenham, Glos.

T: 01242 675015

MOS BOOTS NOW AVAILABLE

125 | 250 | 280 | 300 TRRS ONE RR 2023

125 £6699.00 250 | 300 £6999.00 Electric Start 250 | 300 £7275.00

GOLD TECH FORKS REIGER 3 WAY REAR SHOCKS www.saundersextremesports.com www.trsmotorcyclesuk.com E: sales@trsmotorcyclesuk.com

CELEBRATION • TRIAL MAGAZINE

TRIAL MAGAZINE

NUMBER 100 Excited may not be the correct word as I produce and write the 100th Trial Magazine, but pride. It is more appropriate for my contribution to the sport I am passionate about — motorcycle trials. My enthusiasm comes out in a wave of mixed emotion, a reflection of enjoying watching trials from a very young age, with my memories going back to 1967 through to competing at all levels of competition. Observing and setting out sections as a young boy gave me immense satisfaction before competing took over my life in my early teenage years at 14 years old, just as youth trials started to take off. The sport has played a major part in my life, and now, at the age of 63, I reflect over the next few pages on my life as the Trial Magazine editor, which started in 2006 – on 12th May to be exact – a celebration of producing my 100th issue of Trial Magazine. Words: John Hulme Pictures: Eric Kitchen, Barry Robinson, Nicky Martinez, Mike Rapley, Pep Segales and Joan Valls 26

Philippe and Charles Benhamou, two lovely people who gave me the opportunity to produce Trial Magazine here in the UK – Thank You. AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

TRIAL MAGAZINE • CELEBRATION

te and Philippe Benhamou. 2010: My ‘New’ parents, with Elyet

will not bore you too much about the past; it has been a life that has always been around motorcycle trials since I entered the world on 5th August 1960. I was the second-born to my proud parents, Ron and Joyce Hulme, and I have an older brother Alan. I was never an academic; school was always an interruption of motorcycle trials, but my parents put me into the education process where, would you believe, I excelled in Religious Education — the teacher, Miss Skidmore, came to watch motorcycle trials, I might add.

2007: With my ‘new’ younger brother Charles Benhamou at the SSDT.

WORK, MY SON My father’s words, not mine, ‘work, my son,’ and on Monday, 9th August 1976, I started an apprenticeship as a pipe fitter, plater and welder at a local firm Kenfab, which meant I would have to attend Stockport College on day release for four long years. On reflection, it did me a world of good, and those early lessons growing up in the welders’ world were some of the happiest times of my life and educated me more about life than you would ever believe. Travel became the new normal, working on sites thought out the UK, and in 1986, would

you believe, I found myself working in Bermuda! Fantastic times with super people. In March 1987, it was a change of direction and a move into the factory at Chapel-en-le Frith, the home of Ferodo Brakes on a mass production line; boring, but good money. My early engineering and welding skills were picked up by the management team, who promoted me to work on what was new robot technology in 1992. Doing as I am told has never sat comfortably with me, and after yet another brush with the management in September 1997, I was put on ‘gardening leave’, suspended on full

2007: Pushing Trial Magazine at the FIM World Round at Hawkstone TRIAL MAGAZINE • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023

Park. 27

INTERNATIONAL SPORT • FIM TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

TRIAL GP

TONI TAKES CHARGE Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP)

With five rounds and ten points-scoring days completed, one thing remains the same as it has been for the last 16 years — Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP) looks to be moving closer to his 17th consecutive FIM TrialGP World Championship. As Andorra celebrated its 25 years of world championship events, dating back to 1998, Bou delivered two emphatic victories, to which no one had an answer. Jaime Busto (GASGAS-ESP) remains inconsistent with his riding to challenge Bou regularly, and Gabriel Marcelli (Repsol Honda-ESP), despite moving up to third in the championship due to Raga’s absence, has yet to move his riding to another level. With Adam Raga (TRRS-ESP) out through injury in Andorra, will he rise back to the high level we’ve seen before? We will see. Back on the Beta, Italian rider Matteo Grattarola has found good form and moved back to the podium positions. Great Britain’s Toby Martyn (Montesa Honda UK) remains out of action with his back injury; could he have been challenged for the top five in 2023? We think so. Article: Trials Media • Pictures: Trials Media, Pep Segales, Christian Valeri

ROUND 3: JAPAN

Torrential rain on Friday resulted in the sections being altered for the opening day of action, which resulted in a close opening lap as Jaime Busto led the way on 36 marks lost, with Toni Bou and Adam Raga on 39 each. On a warm day, conditions began to rapidly dry out on lap two, which was reflected in the scores. Bou pulled in front with a clean on section four, where Busto parted with three, and as Bou cleaned section seven, Busto had another singlemark loss. Once ahead, the defending champion eased clear to win by 13 marks after Busto incurred four-time penalties. On day two, Busto once again took the lead on lap one by three marks in drier conditions, and as the sections continued to dry out, a huge battle started between himself and Bou. On the second lap, Bou came charging back, losing just eight marks, only 32

to lose the win in the very last section of the trial as Busto nearly blew his victory chances with two stops in the final two hazards. Busto took the victory and the championship lead, completing the course 30 seconds faster than the defending champion. As on day one, no one else was on the same pace as the top two, with Adam Raga outpointing Gabriel Marcelli to take the final step on the podium.

2023 FIM TRIALGP ROUND 3: JAPAN

DAY 1 RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Repsol HondaESP) 46; 2: Busto 49; 3: Raga 66; 4: Marcelli 78; 5: Grattarola 93; 6: Gelabert 96; 7: Bincaz 96; 8: Casales 103. DAY 2 RESULTS: 1: Jaime Busto (GASGASESP) 33; 2: Bou 33; 3: Raga 47; 4: Marcelli 49; 5: Casales 64; 6: Gelabert 68; 7: Grattarola 73; 8: Bincaz 75.

Jaime Busto (GASGAS-ESP) - Japan AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

FIM TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP • INTERNATIONAL SPORT

Gabriel Marcelli (Repsol Honda-ESP) - San Marino

Matteo Grattarola (Vertigo Beta-ITA) - San Marino

ROUND 4: SAN MARINO

Huge, polished boulders in a steep riverbed made up the majority of the event, as recent heavy rain in the area meant the sections had running water and no shortage of mud. On day one, no one could get near Bou with a first-lap score of 13, including three-time penalties as Gabriel Marcelli and Jaime Busto fought their own battle for the runner-up position. Marcelli took the second step on the podium for the first time in his career as he matched Bou’s second-lap score. The sun shone again on day two, but the sections remained just as severe. Overnight rain would increase the riders’ scores as Busto came out to fight Bou for the win, and what a fight it was. Busto started at his brilliant best as he fired the GASGAS up the huge under-cut step on section two and recorded the only clean ride on the opening lap of the trial to take the early lead with a nine-mark advantage over Bou. On the second lap, the fightback began for the 16-times world champion at the troublesome section, with a stunning feet-up ride as Busto stopped. For the remainder of the lap, Bou continued to pile on the pressure, and at section ten, Busto incurred a maximum five as Bou’s single loss secured the victory. Back on the Beta, Matteo Grattarola took the final step on the podium.

2023 FIM TRIALGP

ROUND 4: SAN MARINO DAY 1 RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP) 25; 2: Marcelli 38; 3: Busto 41; 4: Matteo Grattarola (Beta-ITA) 45; 5: Raga 46; 6: Aniol Gelabert 56; 7: Miquel Gelabert (Vertigo-ESP) 63; 8: Fajardo 75; 9: Petrella 80; 10: Bincaz 81; 11: Casales 82. DAY 2 RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP) 45; 2: Busto 47; 3: Grattarola 59; 4: Raga 61; Marcelli 38; 5: Aniol Gelabert 74; 6: Marcelli 74; 7: Miquel Gelabert 89; 8: Petrella 92; 9: Casales 97; 10: Bincaz 110; 11: Fajardo 116. TRIAL MAGAZINE • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023

Adam Raga (TRRS-ESP) - Japan 33

APPRENTICE • DOUGIE LAMPKIN

DOUGIE LAMPKIN

1993: ON THE WAY UP I feel very privileged that my parents introduced me to motorcycle trials, which opened up a huge door in my life over a 50-year period. My earliest recollections go back to 1967; since then, I have witnessed some great moments in motorcycle trials at all levels of the sport. One name was always so prominent, not just in trials but in the whole arena of the off-road world. The surname of Lampkin has been talked about for most of my life, and I have witnessed some of the very high points and some of the lowest. As a young boy, I chased the three brothers for their autographs before witnessing some of Martin’s greatest trials victories. I became good friends with John Lampkin in the early ’80s, a friendship that remains today. Alan is a mine of information when researching the many articles I generate for my publications. I had watched Dougie Lampkin come through the various youth classes before I first noticed him again at a Sheffield and Hallamshire Yorkshire Centre Championship trial in January 1991, as he won the A Class award at the tough ‘Back Tor’ venue, usually found in the national Peak Trial. In March 1993, he would move into the adult world of trials and start the chapter of another famous Lampkin name. Words: Yoomee Pictures: Eric ‘EK’ Kitchen, Peter Beardmore and Heinz Schlumpf 48

The first BTC ride at the Jack Ashworth. AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

DOUGIE LAMPKIN • APPRENTICE

he Lampkin family have been, quite rightly, well documented in the off-road world for many years, based on the success that started with the oldest of three brothers, Arthur, followed by Alan and the youngest, Martin. Success had come to Arthur and Alan earlier in the off-road scene, in scrambling and in trials. Both were winners of the Scott and Scottish Six Days Trials, and gold medals were won at the International Six Days Trial. Martin’s major success came in trials, winning the 1975 FIM World Trials Championship along with numerous ACU British Championships and Scottish Six Days Trial and Scott Trial victories. Arthur’s son John, the Beta UK importer, also tasted success in trials, winning many events, including the American FIM World round in 1983, as a fully supported Fantic team rider.

WAITING A winner in the ACU Youth classes, Dougie is Martin’s son and Harry’s older brother. It was a natural progression for Dougie to move into the adult world of trials to learn the ropes if he was to get on the ladder of success to become a future British and world championship contender. Due to his age, the restrictions on what he could compete in would make him wait and miss the opening three rounds of the 1993 ACU British Championship. Riding Italian Beta machines, the year would be even more challenging as he would make his debut in the Scottish Six Days Trial, European and FIM World Championship and at the year’s end, the Scott Trial. It was a steep learning curve but one he would have to embrace if he was to follow in his father’s footsteps with an eye on the future. His employment was as a building and roofing labourer, but he was eager to get started in the adult trials world in early 1993, competing in a selection of Yorkshire centre events. His 17th birthday, on Tuesday, 23rd March opened the door for his first official ride in the ACU British Trials Championship. The following day, he passed his motorcycle test and just a few days later, he would be at the Jack Ashworth Trial staged by the Bolton Motorcycle Club on Sunday, 28th March.

Winning the Jack Wood BTC. TRIAL MAGAZINE • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023

At the Mitchell BTC on the new ‘Factory’ Beta.

Steve Saunders (Gas Gas) in full flight on the River Kwai. 49

ISSUES

UK TEST DAY TOUR 2023 WE'RE ON THE ROAD VISITING ALL CORNERS OF THE UK OFFERING FREE TEST RIDES ON THE LATEST EM MODELS! FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA FOR UPDATES ON OUR NEXT LOCATIONS.

SCAN TO SEE THE FULL EM RANGE AND MORE!

2023 EPURE RACE

LAST FEW REMAINING!

LOW RATE FINANCE ON ALL NEW AND USED EM'S!

ENQUIRE NOW AT WWW.ELECTRIC-MOTION.CO.UK, ON 01200 613185 OR EMAIL SALES@ELECTRIC-MOTION.CO.UK

FOCUS • JAPAN

YAMAHA JAPAN WORLD ROUND EXTRA

Taking the long-haul flight to Japan is well worth it as it can be a rewarding experience to see what is going on in the world of trials so far away from Europe. The exciting news in 2023 was the showing of the latest Yamaha TYE, which got even better with the result on day two, Sunday, where Kenichi Kuroyama missed the first podium for an electric-powered motorcycle in the supercompetitive Trial2 class by just three marks. The paddock can be a mine of information as we take a closer look at the 2023 FIM trial World Championship round from Japan. Words: Trials Media, Todo Trial • Pictures: Pepe Segales

The two Yamahas in Japan: the four-stroke and the electric.

here else would be better to start than the trip to the Yamaha pit to check out just what has been going on from the Japanese manufacturer and its trials development programme?

electric motorcycle prototype, the TY-E 2.1. In the very capable hands of Kenichi Kuroyama, he finished the first day in 16th, but then, on day two, took a magnificent fourth place, just three marks from the podium positions. Yamaha surprised the public for the first time in a while at the Tokyo motor show in March 2018 with its new electric trials motorcycle. This latest evolution of the TY-E model was

LOOKING AT 2025 Yamaha appeared again in the FIM Trial World Championship and, for the first time, in the Trial2 class with the latest evolution of its 62

presented in May. The most interesting part of this project is the change of strategy for the 2023 season, as now its appearance is not limited to testing but, for the first time, it is competing in a complete Japanese championship. Yamaha developed and presented the first TY-E model in 2018, and in 2019, they entered their prototype in the FIM TrialE World Cup, a series dedicated exclusively to electric motorcycles. They took victory in France with AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

JAPAN • FOCUS

Kenichi Kuroyama on the new model, the TY-E 2.1.

Kenichi Kuroyama, but in the second round held in Belgium, he was second behind French rider Loris Gubian on the Gas Gas, who took the title in 2019. In 2020 he again finished second, behind Albert Cabestany (ESP). Work was carried out over the next two years to the TY-E, which incorporated a series of improvements over the first version. It included a new monoshock chassis made of composite material, using a battery with 2.5 times more capability. New positioning of components has given a lower centre of gravity with optimisation of weight and rigidity.

2023 PLANS Toyoshi Nishida – Director of Yamaha Motor Company: “In 2023, Yamaha will go one step further to participate in the Japanese Championship in the new highest category 1A Super with Kenichi Kuroyama on the new model TY-E 2.1. This new machine has gone through a rigorous testing period that has been monitored at the highest level. The ultimate goal is to win the title by 2025 whilst providing technologies and insights in the process that will lead to the creation of electric models with levels of performance and values comparable to motorcycles that use internal combustion engines. “Motorcycle competition, including trials, has always been a good testing ground, with the ultimate goal of finding a single control unit that perfectly synchronises all the sensations for the rider so he has total control. “With little time between the Japanese championship rounds, it is a project of continuous development in the medium and long term, which will accelerate the development of the objectives set by Yamaha at the beginning of the 2023 season. With the goal to win in 2025, the development of technologies achieved during this period should guide us to the next stage of the production of electric motorcycles. “The production of the new model TY-E 2.1 has yet to be considered at the moment. However, it still serves as an experimental prototype for numerous projects, and in the long-term future, it could make a production trials motorcycle.” TRIAL MAGAZINE • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023

‘Race Ready’

It certainly looks the business. 63

SPORT • ACU TRIAL BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP

Jack Peace (Sherco)

TRIAL GB

PEACE IN CONTROL Despite a lowly fourth place for Jack Peace (Sherco) in round six of the 2023 ACU Trial GB championship, he remains on track to take this much sought-after trophy this year. With only the best seven rounds counting from the eight on offer, Jack has won four and had one second, but the extra five points for the best individual laps has put him virtually untouchable with two points-scoring days remaining. Article: Trials Media • Pictures: Trials Media and Neil Sturgeon

Jack Peace has dominated this series until round six, very much a home round for him, where he missed the podium on the tie-break decider. Close victories at rounds four and five have gradually allowed him to pull away from the round six winner Billy Green (Scorpa) and Harry Hemingway (Beta). Neither Green nor Hemingway (in his first Trial GB year) have been consistent enough to challenge Peace. Undoubtedly, the first win of his career for Billy Green in Trial GB at round six will inspire his confidence in the championship as he and Hemingway fight for the silver medal. Hemingway has been outstanding in his first year, and his three secondplace finishes will no doubt keep him fighting for a win before the series concludes. After the back injury incurred in the FIM Trial World Championship, it was a welcome return to action for Toby Martyn (Montesa Honda UK) in round six, having missed the previous two rounds. It was evident that time away from riding and training has left him off the winning pace, but no doubt, as the year progresses, he will be back up fighting for the wins at the remaining two rounds. 68

Billy Green (Scorpa) AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

ACU TRIAL BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP • SPORT

TRIAL GB CHAMPIONSHIP

ROUND FOUR: INCH PERFECT TRIALS, CLITHEROE, 28 MAY 2023 RESULTS: 1: Jack Peace (Sherco) 51; 2: Harry Hemingway (Beta) 54; 3: Billy Green (Scorpa) 60; 4: Jack Dance (GASGAS) 93; 5: Harry Turner (Scorpa) 143.

ROUND FIVE: BROUSENTOR FARM, 25 JUNE 2023 RESULTS: 1: Jack Peace (Sherco) 15; 2: Billy Green (Scorpa) 21; 3: Harry Hemingway (Beta) 24; 4: Jack Dance (GASGAS) 34; 5: Harry Turner (Scorpa) 49. Harry Hemingway (Beta)

Jack Dance (GASGAS)

ROUND SIX: BRIMHAM ROCKS, 9 JULY 2023 RESULTS: 1: Billy Green (Scorpa) 45; 2: Harry Hemingway (Beta) 63; 3: Toby Martyn (Montesa Honda UK) 64; 4: Jack Peace (Sherco) 64; 5: Jack Dance (GASGAS) 78; 6: Harry Turner (Scorpa) 107.

TRIAL GB CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER SIX OF EIGHT ROUNDS

Toby Martyn (Montesa Honda UK)

THE BEST SEVEN FROM EIGHT TO COUNT POSITIONS: 1: Jack Peace (Sherco) 110 + 5* = 115; 2: Billy Green (Scorpa) 97; 3: Harry Hemingway (Beta) 92 +1* = 93; 4: Jack Dance (GASGAS) 72; 5: Harry Turner (Scorpa) 53; 6: Toby Martyn (Montesa Honda UK) 52; 7: Dan Peace (Sherco) 9. * Extra championship points for the best laps on observation.

ELECTRIC

HOME WIN

Contested at the UK home of the French motorcycle manufacturer EM, Chris Pearson again out-pointed Will Brockbank as he had in round one of this championship. It is worth noting that this Electric class rides the same route as the Experts and that Pearson’s score would, once again, have been good enough for third overall.

ELECTRIC CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP

ROUND TWO: INCH PERFECT TRIALS, CLITHEROE, 28 MAY 2023 RESULTS: 1: Chris Pearson (EM) 69; 2: Will Brockbank (EM) 101.

ELECTRIC CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER TWO ROUNDS POSITIONS: 1: Chris Pearson (EM) 40 + 2* = 42; 2: Will Brockbank (EM) 34. * Extra championship points for the best lap on observation. TRIAL MAGAZINE • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023

Electric Class — Chris Pearson (EM) 69

REMEMBERING • DAVID PAGE

BRAVE HEART DAVID PAGE

It is hard to believe that 12th August 2023 will mark the 30th year since the passing of David Page, the oldest son of Ernie and Elizabeth Page. David Page, aged 19, was undoubtedly the best youth trials rider to emerge from Scotland, regularly beating adult riders at Scottish events, and was unbeatable amongst his peers. The closest to his abilities was probably Gary Macdonald. Gary was in a different era but will openly admit to being inspired by David Page’s history. David was quite small for his age as a child but soon mastered the art of trials riding. He became the prominent winner in Scottish Youth events.

Words: John Moffat, Peter Stewart, John Hulme Pictures: The Page Family, Eric Kitchen, Barry Robinson, John Dickinson, Colin Bullock 82

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

DAVID PAGE • REMEMBERING

Ernie Page in Pre-65 Scottish action.

1985: David on the hybrid ‘Monyam’ at a Scarborough youth trial.

avid’s father, Ernie, was the 1967 Scottish Scrambles Champion, an ISDT Gold medallist, a successful trials rider and a highly successful motorcycle dealer and businessman from Edinburgh, Scotland. David started competitive trialling on a Montesa Cota 49, which Ernie had fitted with a Yamaha TY80 motor. The extra power of the Yamaha engine in the small Montesa chassis perfectly suited David’s stature and ability. Following the ‘Monyam,’ as it was labelled, David rode a specially built Yamaha with fullsized wheels as he was now too big for a TY80 or Cota 49 chassis. Again, the machine was constructed by his father.

A LOVELY YOUNG MAN While on a trip to an Italian world round with Ernie in 1992, David started to feel unwell and was rushed home to Edinburgh to be diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, to which he eventually succumbed on 12th August 1993. Having just received the new water-cooled Yamaha TYZ model, David Page had several outings on the machine when he felt well enough to ride, scoring ACU British Championship points at the Jack Ashworth Trial on 28th March. Sadly the trials world and the Page family were cruelly robbed of a highly talented competitor and an exceptionally polite young man, who is missed by all who knew him to this day. David’s funeral and subsequent burial at Hillend Cemetery, Dalgety Bay, was attended by a veritable ‘who’s who’ of the UK trials community. The funeral cortege consisted of many trials riders on their machines escorting the funeral procession all the way from Bathgate, West Lothian, to Dalgety Bay in Fife.

EARLY YEARS Born in July 1974, David progressed to an experimental 80cc Fantic provided through Roy Carey of South Essex Leisure, the Fantic importers, from the factory in Italy. Ernie and David jointly developed the prototype from a bare frame, wheels and engine. This machine went into production as the ‘Junior Trial’, using much of the Pages’ feedback directly to the Fantic factory. Having had a growth spurt, David then started to ride in adult trials on the Yamaha TY250R, on which he made a name for himself by winning the 1992 Scottish Trials Championship at 18 years of age, one of the youngest riders to do so. He also secured a place in the growing Hamilton Yamaha UK trials team along with Rob Crawford, Phil Alderson, Adam Norris, Paul Rose and Dave Thorpe. Page was, without doubt, in the league of Jarvis and Colley and was a young man to watch as he was a natural trials rider. The late Martin Lampkin coined it perfectly in 2015: “David spent a lot of time riding with my son Dougie in the early years. I would often say to Dougie, ‘hold on a minute, watch where David goes here’, especially on a section that no one was cleaning or even getting through. David had the right attitude, skill and tenacity — heaps of it; in fact, all the ingredients a good trials rider should have. David was always willing to give sections a proper go. I’m sure he would have been up there with the best of them”.

Another Ernie Page special. This Yamaha was built with full-sized wheels as he was now too big for a TY80 or Montesa Cota 49 chassis.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023

FILM • THE EM REVOLUTION

THE RISE OF ELECTRIC TRIALS ON FILM

Motorcycle trials films or documentaries on the Scottish Six Days Trial are few and far between. I am sure many will remember the ones produced by Castrol and Yamaha in the 60s and 70s to help promote their products, in Yamaha’s case, the new TY trials range. We have worked closely with the official EM UK importer Matthew Alpe for quite a while with the range of motorcycles he brings from France. Before the pandemic, he had the infrastructure to compete in the Scottish Six Days Trial. In 2022 he made the dream a reality when he and the French rider Gael Chatagno completed the full six days on the EM machines, the first for an electric-powered motorcycle. Behind the scenes, the whole adventure had been captured on film, headed by a young man named Tom Pope, someone we had met previously whilst developing articles on the EM machines. In May this year, Matthew Alpe was excited to announce the launch of their first documentary, The EM Revolution – The Rise of Electric Trials, which showcases the ground-breaking first electric trials motorcycles competing in the Scottish Six Days Trial. We wanted to find out more about the making of the film. Words: Trials Media, Tom Pope and Matthew Alpe Pictures: Tom Pope and Rachel Mulford 88

Matthew Alpe (GBR) the official UK importer for all EM products. AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

THE EM REVOLUTION • FILM

Gael Chatagno (FRA).

Tell us a little about how you became involved in this ambitious project. Tom: “I’ve known Matthew for over 20 years; we used to play out on the farm when we were kids. One of the first video jobs I did at the start of my career was for Matthew at the SSDT in 2017. I remember it was one of the warmest events on record; many stream sections were bone dry! I then filmed for him each year following that until covid. We had spoken about producing a documentary for a couple of years but with the pandemic, we put those plans on pause until 2021, when we began planning for 2022. This was my first documentary, so it was a learn-on-the-job process. “I had been filming videos for four years, so I was confident in my ability to capture everything; it was more the task of managing a team who didn’t know much about motorcycle trials or even the SSDT. Luckily, having attended and filmed at the SSDT for multiple years, I understood the event, challenges and logistics involved. The project was slightly more complicated because I was working on a Supercar driving tour in Tasmania the week before. I landed back in Manchester after 23 hours of flying, drove straight home, picked up my Scotland suitcase, which I had packed before leaving for Australia, and then drove the seven hours to Fort William, arriving late in the evening on Sunday! Luckily my team had already arrived on Saturday, so they were able to capture the parade and event build-up.”

How many people made the film come to life? Tom: “I had worked with some of the team who are now part of TNG Productions on previous projects, the others I met for the first time. Sam East and Keith Eccles were my main camera operators, filming on BlackMagic Pocket 6K cameras. Filming on a Sony A7S, Ted captured the content behind the scenes and acted as a ‘C’ camera during interviews. Rachel Mulford captured the still photography throughout the event. I mainly acted as director, looking after logistics, but I also filmed in the sections and did all of the drone footage you see in the documentary. “Having been at the SSDT for four years, I knew the challenges faced with navigating the highlands to find the sections and following Matthew and Gael so that we didn’t miss them. Added pressures came about trying to keep up with them, especially when they miss out the road completely and head over the moors. “Up until that year, I had filmed the event on my own, which meant I could only manage to get to a handful of sections each day. We had two vehicles and two main cameras for the documentary, which meant I could split the team up and cover more ground. Each morning I would organise the team so they knew which sections they needed to be at and roughly what time they should expect to see Matthew and Gael come through.”

Team: Gael Chatagno (FRA) and Matthew Alpe (GBR).

Interacting with the spectators.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023

ONE MOMENT • SSDT 2003

JOAN PONS BEST NEWCOMER

Spain’s Joan Pons is still the only newcomer in the more than hundred-year history of the SSDT who managed to win the event at the first attempt. Curiously, however, he was only presented with the winner’s trophy at the time, not the prize for the best newcomer. In error, it went to Frenchman Bruno Camozzi instead, and he is still listed as the best newcomer in the official results list. This mistake has not yet been corrected by the organisers, neither to Joan Pons nor to the public. We put the record straight in issue 98 of Trial Magazine. We found out more from the winner himself. Words: Hans Greiner/Trial Magazine Germany and Trials Media • Pictures: Eric ‘EK’ Kitchen 94

Styling it at Lagnaha on day one. AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

SSDT 2003 • ONE MOMENT

2003 Winner and Best Newcomer: Joan Pons (Sherco-ESP).

ans Greiner, the editor of Trial Magazine Germany, came across our article ‘Reflection’ on the 2003 Scottish Six Days Trial. It was a coincidence that he had spoken with Joan Pons recently and discussed his experiences and winning ride. How did you prepare for the Scottish; did you have winning in mind? JP: At the time, I was riding a Sherco. I didn’t have plans to go to Scotland at all in 2003. Josep Paxau, the Sherco development engineer at

Andreu Codina: Sherco export manager.

the time, had entered the event but cancelled the trip 15 days before the SSDT started. His place in the entry became free. Sherco export manager Andreu Codina contacted me and offered me the opportunity to ride. I didn’t prepare specifically for the ‘Six Days’, but I was in training. In April, I rode the Three Days of Santigossa in Spain, a trial where there are a lot of river sections similar to the ones in Scotland. I already had my eyes on winning the ‘Scottish’ though, because whenever I competed in an

event, the goal was to win. Andreu Codina told me on the plane to Scotland that winning as a newcomer in Scotland was impossible. After all, no rider had managed to do that before, and no other rider has done it up to the present day, except for me. The past winners in more recent times were all entered, including from 1999: Graham Jarvis (Sherco-GBR); 2000: Steve Colley (Gas Gas-GBR); 2001: No Event Foot and Mouth; and 2002: Amos Bilbao (Montesa-ESP). It would be a challenging event to win, but I was ready.

1999 SSDT Winner: Graham Jarvis (Bultaco-ESP). The rejuvenated Bultaco machine would become the Sherco in early 2000. TRIAL MAGAZINE • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023

RETRO • SSDT

SMALL-CAPACITY ENGINES SSDT

This year’s Scottish Six Days Trial had some very hot new talent in the category for the Best Newcomer award and some very young riders, with the youngest, Jack Dixon, turning 17 just a few weeks before the event. Over 250cc power appears to be the norm for the top riders and winners in this trial, be it on two- or fourstroke machinery; in fact, very much the trend as far as you can look back in the event’s history. In 1954, George Fisher on the two-stroke 122cc Francis Barnett finished just two marks behind the winner Artie Ratcliffe on the four-stroke 500cc Matchless. Times were changing. If our records are correct, the first Up To 200cc trial SSDT winner was Roy Peplow on the four-stroke 199cc Triumph Tiger Cub back in 1959; there were 54 Up To 200cc capacity machines in the entry. In 1967, Dave Rowland ran riot on a two-stroke 175cc BSA Bantam, finishing second behind Sammy Miller. In 2023, the event would see five first-time riders finish in the top 30: Harry Hemingway (Beta) 6th, Jack Dance (GASGAS) 7th, Jamie Galloway (TRRS) 14th, Franz Kadlec (TRRS-GER) 16th, Ben Dignan (Montesa) 25th and Alfie Lampkin (Vertigo) 28th. Interestingly, three of the five were on 125cc capacity two-stroke machines due to the age restrictions of what they could compete on; Kadlec on the two-stoke TRRS and Dignan on the four-stroke Montesa were both on 300cc capacity machines. Words: Trials Media • Pictures: Scottish Six Days Trial programme 1960, Brian Holder Trials Media, Nigel Pearson, Alan Vines 102

Dave Rowland with the 175cc BSA Bantam in 1967 AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

SSDT • RETRO

1959 SSDT Class Awards.

John Hemingway winning a Best Daily Award and the 151cc–200cc class on the Montesa Cota 172 in 1974.

ith age limitations of motorcycle riding licenses, riders who want to compete in the Scottish Six Days Trial at 17 years of age would be limited to 125cc capacity machines; we wanted to find out more.

HOW DO YOU GET A MOTORCYCLE LICENCE? We did not know this, so it was time to learn about the criteria. To ride on public roads, you must first get a provisional licence and then complete your basic training (CBT) to obtain a certificate. You must pass both parts of your practical test within two years of taking the theory test. The motorcycle theory test follows a similar format to the standard driving theory test. On the other hand, the progressive route allows you to progress up through the motorcycle licences, gaining riding experience along the way to attain your full A licence at a younger age. If you begin riding at 16, you can work your way through the categories consecutively, which will eventually mean a rider can attain a full A motorcycle when they are 21 instead of waiting until 24. Providing you adhere to the right number of years of experience and your theory test certificate is valid, this route entitles you to the following: TRIAL MAGAZINE • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023

All the 125cc capacity machines are very good. 103

LOCATOR • FIND YOUR LOCAL DEALER

DEALER LOCATOR 01 2T-Offroad

10 Doble Motorcycles

18 OHA Motorsport

Tel: 01592 772867 Email: trials2t-offroad@Hotmail.com Area: Kirkcaldy, KY1 4DE

Tel: 020 8668 8851 Email: sales@doble.co.uk Web: www.doble.co.uk Area: Coulsdon, CR5 2NG

Tel: 028 9131 0297 Email: office@ohamotorsport.com Web: www.ohamotorsport.com Area: Bangor, BT19 7PD

02 AB Motorcycles Tel: 01685 382100 Email: barrie-ab@hotmail.com Web: www.abmotorcycles.co.uk Area: Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 2SR

03 Acklams Motorcycles Tel: 07957 148588 / 07540 591410 Email: sales@acklamsbeta.co.uk Web: www.acklamsmotorcycles.com Area: Harrogate, HG3 2BG

04 AG Bikes Tel: 01748 886356 Email: gebrownson@f2s.com Area: Reeth, DL11 6NH

05 Andy Metcalfe Motorcycles Tel: 01287 638030 Email: andymetcalfemotorcycles@gmail.com Web: www.andymetcalfemotorcycles.com Area: Guisborough, TS14 7DH

06 Birkett Motosport Tel: 01229 716806 Email: nigel.birkett@talk21.com Web: www.birkettmotosportukltd.com Area: Broughton in Furness, LA20 6EZ

07 BVM Moto UK Tel: 01453 297 177 Email: sales@bvm-moto.co.uk Web: www.bvm-moto.co.uk Area: Stroud, GL5 5EX

08 Camio Moto Tel: 01246 792033 Email: sales@camiomoto.co.uk Web: www.camiomoto.co.uk Area: Dronfield, S18 7SD

09 Craigs Motorcycles Tel: 01924 488117 Email: aaron@craigsmotorcycles.com Web: www.craigsmotorcycles.com Area: Dewsbury, WF13 1HX

11 East Neuk Trials Motorcycles Tel: 01333 311744 Email: duncan.wood@btconnect.com Area: Fife, KY10 2RB

12 Inch Perfect Trials Tel: 01200 448130 Email: sales@inchperfecttrials.co.uk Web: www.inchperfecttrials.co.uk Area: Whitewell, BB7 3AU

13 Inta Bikes Tel: 01622 688727 Email: intabikes@btconnect.com Web: www.intabikes.co.uk Area: Maidstone, ME15 6HE

14 John Lee & Sons Motorcycles Tel: 01933 312827 Email: johnlee.mc@btconnect.com Web: www.johnleemotorcycles.co.uk Area: Higham Ferrers, NN10 8BP

15 John Shirt Motorcycles Tel: 01298 766 813 Email: mail@johnshirtmotorcycles.com Web: www.johnshirtmotorcycles.com Area: Buxton, SK17 9JL

16 Michael Brown Racing Tel: 01723 371597 Email: michaelbrownracing@yahoo.com Web: www.michaelbrownracing.com Area: Scarborough, YO11 1SR

17 Mickey Oates Motorcycles Tel: 0141 332 7374 Email: sales@mickeyoates.com Web: www.mickeyoates.com Area: Glasgow, G4 9XP

19 RCM Trialsport Tel: 01209 820896 Email: rcm-trialsport@hotmail.com Area: Redruth, TR16 5PN

20 Road and Trials Tel: 01226 391557 Email: sales@roadandtrials.co.uk Web: www.roadandtrials.co.uk Area: Barnsley, S75 1JU

21 SJ Trials Tel: 028 2548 3175 Email: sam@sjtrials.com Web: www.sjtrials.com Area: Ballymena, BT42 1LJ

22 South West Trials Tel: 01395 514287 Email: southwesttrials@gmail.com Web: www.swtrials.co.uk Area: Sidmouth, EX10 9DN

23 St Blazey MX Tel: 01726 816181 Email: sales@stblazeymx.co.uk Web: www.stblazeymx.co.uk Area: St Blazey, PL24 2RN

24 Tom Adamson Motorcycles Tel: 01343 550 600 Email: info@tomadamsonmotorcycles.co.uk Web: www.tomadamsonmotorcycles.co.uk Area: Elgin, IV30 1HZ

25 Trail & Trials UK Tel: 01334 840414 Email: john@tytrials.com Web: www.tytrials.com Area: New Gilston, KY8 5TF

26 Trials UK Tel: 0113 281 8242 Email: sales@trialsuk.co.uk Web: www.trialsuk.co.uk Area: Horsforth, LS18 5NX

FOR THE LATEST PRODUCTS AND DEALS, HAVE YOU 110

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

FIND YOUR LOCAL DEALER • LOCATOR

25 01 11 17

21 18

26 09 20

15 08

07 10

22 19

VISITED OUR ONLINE SHOP AT TRIALMAGUK.COM? TRIAL MAGAZINE • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023

111

Get there whatever the weather!

The everyday Van Tyre. Optimal traction and safety in all weather conditions. For all your demands!

www.michelin.co.uk

TWO GREAT MAGAZINES BOTH AVAILABLE FROM

www.trialmaguk.com

12.5R 16.0R

MX-10

! Y A D O T S R U O Y ORDER

OSETBIKES.COM