Trial Magazine Issue 72 December 2018-January 2019

M OTORC YC L E • CYCLE • SI DE-CAR • CLAS S IC • CO MPE TITIO N • FEAT U R E S

SECTION

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72 QUICK SPIN

2019 MODELS ADVENTURE

TRIAL OR TRAIL

TRADITIONAL

LAMPKIN’S SCOTT EDITION 01 | YEAR 2018

NEW

A PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR ANY MOTORCYCLE ENTHUSIAST. GET YOUR LIMITED EDITION COPY — SEE PAGE 60

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A PICTORIAL HISTORY OF MOTORCYCLE SPORTS

THE GOLDEN AGE 1965-1985

1753-0040 ISSUE 01: 2018 • UK: £8.99

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s a m t s i r h Merry C Go

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TRIAL MAGAZINE

SECTION

WELCOME

72 WELCOME FEATURES INTERNATIONAL

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Trial2 Italy 2018

QUICK SPIN

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2019 Starts Here Gas Gas – TRS Scorpa - Beta

CATCH UP

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Tom Minta

HISTORY

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Scorpa TY 125F

TRADITIONAL

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Scott Trial

ADVENTURE

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Trial or Trail

SPORT

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British Championship Solo/Ladies

YOUTH FOCUS

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Mitch Brightmore Elite Youth BTC

SPORT

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Jersey Two Day

CLASSIC COMPETITION

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Manx Two Day

FLASHBACK

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1968 Perce Simon

SECTIONS

COVER PHOTO: DOUGIE LAMPKIN 2018 SCOTT TRIAL WINNER. PICTURE CREDIT: JOHN HULME

CJ Publishing Limited is a Company Registered in England Number: 5947718. © 2018 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 is published by: CJ PUBLISHING LIMITED 48 Albion Road, New Mills, High Peak, Derbyshire, SK22 3EX. UK Telephone: 01663 749163 Email: england@trialmag.com Co-Managing Directors John Hulme & Charles Benhamou Executive Director Philippe Benhamou Editor John Hulme (NUJ No: 949620) england@trialmag.com

TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

TALK TRIALS: TONI BOU NEWS SHOPPING PADDOCK SUPERSTORE DEALER LOCATOR SUBSCRIPTION FORM

Editorial Staff Cyrille Barthe, Jean Caillou, 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, Brian Holder and Andy Gregory.

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Commercial Manager John Hulme england@trialmag.com Design and Production Dean Cook The Magazine Production Company www.magazineproduction.com

Printing Buxtons Press Distribution Warners Group Publications Plc

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Mail Order www.trialmaguk.com

Jane Hulme and Davina Brooks

TRIAL MAGAZINE: ISSN: 1753-0040.

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TALK TRIALS TONI BOU

PRIVILEGED I would describe my life as very privileged. Yes, I work very hard to fine-tune my riding and the time in the gym is relentless.

Competition time is where I have to perform and deliver, and it’s something I have been very good at for the past twelve years! You have to sacrifice a ‘normal’ life to do my job and be the very best.

The reward is to be at the very top of your game and also to be surrounded by a fantastic team who in turn are also prepared to give their very best at all times. The opportunity to ‘Put on a show’ for these people and also the supporters of Montesa is something I look forward to every year at Montesa’s grand fiesta, La Montesada.

WORDS: TONI BOU WITH JOHN HULME • PICTURES: JOAN VALLS

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espite the injury problems that affected me during a tough 2018 season I am now very much back to feeling close to my very best. When you get an injury you have to look at damage limitation, as at times during the season you have no option but to keep riding; Belgium was a good example of this. I have to thank the Repsol Honda team doctor Joaquim Terricabras and all his medical staff, who have been a very important part to helping me recover from my injuries.

Looking ahead to 2019, just before the Montesada Day we spent a very successful few days working with the team, which was very productive as we had the opportunity away from the competitions to test some new development ideas on the four-stroke Cota 4RT. You may all think I have the best machine, but with Honda it’s always a case of looking for perfection and the more feedback we as a team give the engineers the better they can make the machine. Montesada Day has now been running since 2001 and this year was a fantastic occasion with the 50th year of production of the Cota model; Montesa I take my hat off to you.

Before I close the column for 2018 I would like to thank everyone who keeps Toni Bou at the top of his game and my many fans around the globe; have a good Christmas and Happy New Year.

Until Next Time – Ride On! – Toni

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DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

TWENTY FOUR WORLD TITLES: DONE

UNDISPUTED CHAMPION

With 12 consecutive TrialGP titles and 12 consecutive X-Trial indoor titles Toni Bou and the Montesa Cota 4RT have dominated the world of trials. Recognised for its exclusive technological features, as well as superior quality and proven reliability, the Cota 4RT260 and the Cota 4RT260 Race Replica are born with the same competitive spirit that the amateur Trial enthusiast can get the most out of.

honda.co.uk

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NEWS

TRIAL NEWS ROUND-UP

2018 TDN

take the runner-up spot in front of France. The scores in the Men’s World Class were: 1: Spain 83; 2: Great Britain 122; 3: France: 133.

Men’s World Class

Women’s World Class

Men’s International Class Riding in front of a patriotic home crowd the Czech Republic took a very popular clear victory in the cold and wet conditions. The team, which consisted of Dominik Wunsch, Martin Matejicek

Emma Bristow, the undisputed number one ladies’ trials rider in the world, headed the team

This year, the end of season event moved to Skolov in the Czech Republic in an event which suffered from cold and wet conditions. Leaving no doubt as to which country is the king of trials, Spain once again romped to their 15th consecutive FIM Trial Des Nations trophy in the men’s catergory. The team consisted of Toni Bou, Jeroni Fajardo and young Jaime Busto. With the best two scores counting from each of the 15 hazards over the two laps their closest challengers were Great Britain: James Dabill, Jack Price and Toby Martyn, who came back from a poor first lap to

to guide her fellow team members Donna Fox and Jess Bown to the top spot of the podium.

They totally dominated the event with the best scores on both of the two laps to head home the defending champions from Spain Sandra Gomez, Beta Abellan and Neus Mercia. The scores in the Women’s World Class were 1: Great Britain 46; 2: Spain 48; 3: Germany: 85.

S3 Series

Jake Eley (Beta)

Scott Trial: thank you

Richard Sadler (Acklams Beta)

Proving very popular once again was the S3 supported 2018 series.

These road-based events attract the rider looking for a more traditional type of event.

S3 EXPERTS: 1: Richard Sadler (Acklams Beta) 152; 2: Guy Kendrew

(The Lakes Beta-UK) 134; 3: Luke Walker (Sherco) 99; 4: John Crinson (Beta) 89; 5: Sam Yeadon (Acklams Beta) 59.

S3 CLUBMEN: 1: Darren Wasley (Gas Gas) 84; 2: Dave Clinkard (Beta-UK) 60;

3: Richard Fraser (Sherco) 51; 4: Andrew Jackson (Honda) 37; 5: Simon Hiscock (TRS) 36.

S3 125: 1: Jake Eley (Beta) 112; 2: Andrew Eley (Beta) 88; 3: Ronnie Day (Gas Gas) 20.

AB MC's TrialMag 0918.pdf 1 03/09/2018 BEST OVER 40 CLUBMEN: Darren Wasley (Gas Gas)

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and Martin Kroustek, headed home the team from the USA of Patrick Smage, Samuel Fastle and Daniel Blanc Gonnet. The scores in the Men’s International Class were 1: Czech Republic 55; 2: USA 93; 3: Austria:111.

Pictures: Makoto Sugitani

Once again the Scott Trial run by the Richmond Motor Club Yorkshire Ltd was a huge success. The official Scorpa UK importer and 1984 Scott Trial winner Nigel Birkett was invited to present the awards as the event closed on the Saturday evening.

The Trials Guru, John Moffat, was supported by Charlotte Brown for the auction, which once again raised a very welcome amount of money for local charities and the club would like to thank everyone who supported this. Nigel Birkett, on the left here, is with the winners of the Eris S. Myers Trophy for the best club team, the Yeadon & Guiseley A of Jack Price, Richard Sadler and James Dabill.Trial Mag 1118.pdf 3 17/11/2018 22:46 Paul Nash Motocycles

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

NEWS

TRIAL NEWS ROUND-UP

Montesa Special Edition

International Trial dates 2019 FIM Trial World Championship

Round 1: 25th-26th May, Italy TrialGP / Trial2 / Trial125 Round 2: 7th-9th June, Japan TrialGP / TrialGP Women / Trial2 / Trial125 Round 3: 22nd-23rd June, Netherlands TrialGP / Trial2 / Trial125 / TrialE Round 4: 29th-30th June, Belgium TrialGP / Trial2 / TrialE Round 5: 13th-14th July, Portugal TrialGP / TrialGP Women / Trial2 / Trial2 Women Round 6: 20th-21st July, France TrialGP / Trial2 / Trial125 Round 7: 31st August-1st September, Great Britain TrialGP / TrialGP Women / Trial2 / Trial2 Women / Trial125 Round 8: 21st-22nd September, Spain TrialGP / TrialGP Women / Trial2 / Trial2 Women Trial Des Nations: 27th-28th September, Ibiza 2018 was a very special year for the Cota model produced by Montesa as it celebrated its 50th year of production! To mark this occasion a Montesa-Honda Cota 300RR 50th Anniversary Special Edition has been produced. Based around the Cota 300RR it has a gold frame and special white aesthetics; it’s certainly a machine to add to the collection as only 50 units will be built.

FIM X-Trial World Championship

Sadler joins JST Gas Gas UK It was a very happy John Shirt Jnr who announced that the 2018 ACU British Expert Trials Champion Richard Sadler has joined the JST Gas Gas UK team for 2019.

John Shirt Jnr: “I am naturally very pleased and excited to have Richard in the team because he is at the forefront of the UK trials scene and competes almost every weekend. Richard will team up with fellow JST Gas Gas UK team rider Dan Thorpe and the other members and hopefully we will see some good competitive riding through 2019. He has reached the stage in his riding career where he simply fancies a change after a good few successful years with the same brand. He has just collected a new 2019 TXT300RACING and will start competing on it straight away”.

Richard Sadler: “I want to thank John Lampkin at Beta UK and Paul and Joel Sadler at Acklams Beta for all their support as I look forward to the move onto the red machine”.

Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP) Round 1: 20th January, Hungary, Budapest Round 2: 3rd February, Spain, Barcelona Round 3: 16th February, Spain, Bilbao Round 4: 23rd February, Spain, Granada Round 5: 8th March, France, Marseille Round 6: March date TBC, Russia, Moscow Round 7: 6th April, Costa Rica, San Jose Round 8: 27th April, Andorra, La Vella Trial Des Nations: 12th April, France, Vendee All dates are provisional and subject to change.

Motorcycle Retro Replay

EDITION 01 | YEAR 2018

NEW

Classic Trial Magazine We went to print before we could include the 2018 Costa Brava Classic Trial in Spain but you can be sure to find an extensive report with pictures in the next issue of Classic Trial Magazine, our sister publication.

In the winter issue, which will be available for Christmas, you will also find a full report of the new classic trial in Scotland, The Leven Valley Two Day. Enjoy Christmas with the gift of a year’s subscription at: www.trialmaguk.com

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THE GOLDEN AGE 1965-1985 Yes, you have read it correctly.

It is a new exciting publication Motorcycle Retro Replay available and ready as the ideal Christmas gift for motorcycle enthusiasts to enjoy. It is a one-off special to be published just once a year from 2018 onwards and will be in A4 format, semi-hardback, covering road racing, motocross, trials and enduro with features on riders, engineers and races from a period of 1960-1985 using superb quality images. The majority of the photographs have never been seen before.

It’s available in selected retail outlets, but it’s just as easy to go to www.motorcycleretroreplay.com and order a copy delivered directly to your door in time for Christmas.

A PICTORIAL HISTORY OF MOTORCYCLE SPORTS

ISSUE 01: 2018 • UK: £8.99

ENDURO

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MOTOCROSS

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ROAD

RACING

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TRIALS

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

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PHOTO CREDIT : TRIAL MAGAZINE

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING WHAT’S NEW

Acerbis Jet Arai Crash Helmet

Jitsie Fuel Breather PVC Tube

Motorcycle Retro Replay Magazine

CJB 2018 Classic Trials Review

www.acerbis.it

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S3 Riding Jacket-Softshell

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www.trialendurodirect.com www.s3parts.com

Jitsie Omnia Pants www.jitsie.com

Jitsie TRS Swingarm Protector www.jitsie.com

TRS E Bike

www.trsmotorcyclesuk.com

CJB 2018 Trials Review www.trialmaguk.com

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DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING WHAT’S NEW

Mots ‘Rider 3’ Junior Riding Kit www.trialendurodirect.com

Hebo Race Pro 111 Shirt & Pant www.apico.co.uk

Hebo Tech 10 Shirt & Pant www.apico.co.uk

Apico Elite Forged Rear Brake Pedal. Available for all models

S3 Racing Team Shirt & Pant www.trialendurodirect.com www.s3parts.com

www.apico.co.uk

Birkettmotosport Rainer Boots www.birkettmotosport.com

TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

Kappa Waterproof Trials Rucksack www.kappamoto.com

Mots Stone 4 Jackets

www.trialendurodirect.com

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PADDOCK

CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Thanks to Nigel Pearson and Joan Valls for some extra photos

GO ANYWHERE

PARK IT

KNEE DEEP

PRECIOUS

ENJOY

RODEO

A DAB

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EXCUSE ME!

FUEL STOP

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

PADDOCK

CAUGHT ON CAMERA

START

SUCH FUN

SHOWTIME

SINKING

TEAM

TIME TO ENJOY TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

SUPPORT

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INTERNATIONAL FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

The top three riders in the 2018 FIM Trial2 World Championship: (2nd) Toby Martyn (Montesa-GBR), (1st) Matteo Grattarola (Honda-ITA), (3rd) Gabrielle Marcelli (Montesa-ESP)

Who won?

First and foremost, before I go further with this article, I want to say a massive thank you to all the organisers, promoters, marshals and observers around the globe who make the world of trials happen. Just remember all those as mentioned above when you have a lousy ride, maybe a bad day, and that the vast majority are unpaid and out to enjoy their day just as much as you, during my time in trials, I have seen some very good decisions and some very bad ones, at all levels of the sport. During my competitive riding days, I have had some decisions go against me, some that I have benefitted from and others I have not. What I saw unfold right in front of my very eyes at the 2018 final world round in Italy left me wondering just who had won! In the end, history would record it was Italy’s Matteo Grattarola who was crowned the 2018 FIM Trial2 World Champion.

WORDS AND PICTURES: YOOMEE

The scene is set in the 2018 Trial2 World Championship class for a fantastic finale to see who would become the world champion.

Having moved down from the TrialGP class Italy’s experienced Matteo Grattarola started the eight-round series, meaning nine points-scoring days as Japan was a two-day event, on a high where he dominated all the way through to round four in Andorra with three wins from four starts. The only interruption was Toby Martyn from Great Britain, who won in Japan on day two. The points were in favour of Grattarola on 77 to Martyn’s 59. Dan Peace won in Portugal on the Gas Gas at round

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five, the only two-stroke to win in 2018 in this class. Both Grattarola and Martyn were off the pace, but Martyn started his fight back here as he finished in fourth position compared to Matteo in tenth! In France, Toby was bang on form to take another win, as Grattarola once again finished behind him as the advantage closed. Martyn won again in both Belgium and Great Britain to bring us to the last round in Italy. If Grattarola won and Toby was second, it would be the English rider who would take the title, but if he finished third they would tie on points and the Italian would take the title, it was that close.

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

INTERNATIONAL

FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Sporting gentleman They both shook hands in a very sporting manner as they set off on their quest to win the 2018 Trial2 World Championship. Fair dues to Grattarola, he was in fantastic form parting with a single mark on each of the two laps of 15 sections to take a convincing, clear victory.

For Toby Martyn he was on the back foot from section one, with a five-mark penalty recorded as things went from bad to worse with another five in section two – his title hopes were already slipping away. Throw the talented Spanish rider Gabrielle Marcelli into the equation. Martyn held second position after the opening lap with Marcelli in third, but on the final lap the Spanish rider produced the form that he had been promising all season as he approached the final hazard on four marks lost to Martyn’s nine, and it looked like it was all over for the Englishman. All Marcelli had to do was clean the last section, and he would finish second.

Matteo Grattarola – 2018 FIM Trial2 World Champion

‘Pause’ For Thought Now get this clear in your mind: Marcelli rode into the final hazard and after a pause, was awarded a ‘feet-up’ five by the observer who held the board up and blew the whistle; Toby Martyn was the 2018 Trial2 World Champion!

By the time Marcelli had finished the hazard, Matteo Grattarola was the 2018 Trial2 World Champion though, as the observer – remember the unpaid guy having a sporting day out observing at an FIM Trial World Championship round – had changed his mind.

The patriotic Italian crowd had verbally demonstrated about the five-mark penalty, and the observer had buckled under the pressure; maybe anyone else would have done, imagine this at a world round where the home rider is being denied the championship title. At the prize-giving ceremony, Matteo Grattarola was crowned the 2018 Trial2 World Champion as Toby Martyn graciously shook his hand in a very professional manner.

Before I close this article remember that none of the three riders involved – Matteo Grattarola, Toby Martyn or Gabrielle Marcelli had anything to do with the observer’s decision.

On the podium, they at all times remained very professional with one another, and the 2018 season was over.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

Toby Martyn

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QUICK SPIN

2019 GAS GAS TXT RACING 250cc

Red alert

It’s a very bold, strong, vibrant colour scheme that gives the potential owner the ‘Red Alert’ on the all-important showroom floor for the 2019 Gas Gas TXT Racing range. Component-wise it sells itself; such is the high-end specification of aftermarket products fitted as standard equipment. It’s available in a wide range of engine capacities from 125cc, 250cc, 280cc to the 300cc. 2018 has been a very good year for the Spanish brand, taking wins in the TrialGP class in Japan with Jeroni Fajardo and Jaime Busto on the TXT 300cc as the only riders to defeat the world champion, Toni Bou. In the Trial2 class, which is limited to a 250cc two-stroke or 300cc four-stroke, Great Britain’s Dan Peace was the only rider to break the grip of the Montesa/Honda machines. Six feet tall and finely tuned, he showed just how good the performance of the 250cc Gas Gas is with a win in the intense heat of Portugal. It’s the new 2019 model which we have carried out the ‘Quick Spin’ on. Still, a regular rider in all major events having spent a few years on the world championship scene, Dec Bullock now competes on a 300cc Gas Gas. With less power on hand than the 300cc, we wanted to see how the 2019 250cc model would cope with a good selection of hazards.

ARTICLE: TRIAL MAGAZINE WITH DEC BULLOCK

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DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

QUICK SPIN

2019 GAS GAS TXT RACING 250cc

Machine feedback to the rider is very controlled and precise.

Gas Gas TXT Racing 2019 – what’s new

With two new riders in the Trial World Championship in 2018, further innovation and development complement the 2019 machine range with refinement in key areas. Both Jeroni Fajardo and Jaime Busto have influenced the 2019 model range, along with vital input from the various global importers. Improvements in both performance and maintenance have proved vital to keeping it at the cutting edge of machine sales.

In the case of the engine, you cannot see what has been changed, but it’s good news for general servicing as new crankshaft bearings that ensure the correct lubrication is delivered have been fitted, and can now be changed without splitting the crankcases.

To improve performance and reliability of the clutch new Kevlar discs are fitted, with a new spring and new variable preload for better adjustment.

The clutch cover is now two-piece, which facilitates the ease of removal and inspection of the clutch assembly and discs by simple removal of the outer cover.

Detail

Attention to detail is also evident around the new rear swinging arm, which has a new more effective brake master cylinder and a new disc protector anchored directly to the brake calliper with a new guide for the rear brake hose along with a new sprocket protector. The side stand is now designed to be applied more easily by the rider’s boot, and the chain ‘slipper’ can be replaced without removal of the swinging arm assembly. The all-important chain tensioner is also easier to maintain and has even better protection from exposed rocks etc.

The new relationship between the frame and swinging arm for the progressive linkage suspension system provides a perfect balance between stability TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

In the heart of this machine is the superb diaphragm clutch. Access is further improved with a new two-piece clutch cover, which facilitates the ease of removal and inspection of the clutch assembly and discs by simple removal of the outer cover.

and traction. The reaction capacity of the high-end performance Ohlins rear shock absorber in the most demanding and uncompromising hazards for the rider has to be a massive plus point. The redesign of the linkage improves suspension reaction and also incorporates new double seal bearings.

Also new is the rear brake lever, which has a better mounting bolt and location. As with all new models new ‘Racing’ aesthetics and a new front mudguard brace finishes off the Gas Gas package for 2019.

Quick Spin with Dec Bullock

After some minor changes for rider comfort we handed over the red steed to Dec to put it through its paces: “The main attraction of the Gas Gas, be it any of the models in the range, is that everything is easy to use. Easy access to the fuel tap and the

choke lever may not seem important, but it really is. Carburetion is easy to adjust, as is the engine tick-over screw; all little things, but quite significant ones. The ease with which you can flick the new rear-mounted side stand up with your boot, the rear brake pedal position, the gear selection all tells you that someone back at the Spanish manufacturer’s headquarters is listening to just what the rider requires. I moved the handlebars slightly forward and adjusted the front brake and clutch lever positions for my rider comfort, but that was about it. The aluminium kick-start lever is a little high, but it fires into life very easily from hot or cold with a strong sharp ‘prod’.

“Gear selection is very smooth and clean, which I like. Once the gear required is selected that’s it; it’s in gear with a nice feel to the lever. This 250cc we were 29

QUICK SPIN

2019 GAS GAS TXT RACING 250cc

Red dynamic lines of the Gas Gas are further enhanced by the new swinging arm.

Ridden to the very edge on this demanding hazard the machine performs at its very best, as Dec Bullock demonstrates here.

using was taken from the official Gas Gas UK importer John Shirt Jnr. The suspension settings were left as they were supplied after the pre-delivery inspection (PDI) had been carried out.

“Despite the use at a recent test day it still looked very new, which is always a good sign.

Wash and go is the way forward, and it’s always satisfying for any owner of a new machine that it looks this way for as long as possible”.

Strong and solid

“Anything that looks well usually goes well, and the ‘Gasser’ is no different. Rider comfort is second to none, and you do feel confident very quickly. I rode up and down the original Hawk’s Nest gully a few times to warm everything up before moving down to the river. It’s surprising, even while riding up and down here, just how neutral the whole package feels, it’s a kind of strong and solid feel between your feet encouraging you to bend your legs and work with the machine as one.

“Everything is found very easily, such as the rear brake pedal, and the clutch action is second to none when they are used together for machine positioning.

“Onto the larger rocks and steps in the river at this demanding venue you will always be rewarded the more effort you put in. The suspension works very well as a package with the aluminium Tech branded forks at the front and the Ohlins at the rear. With river levels very high at the Scott Trial my 300cc model, which has the same suspension was excellent as, on many occasions, you could not see what you were hitting, and it absorbed it very well. The feedback from the Ohlins to the rider is very consistent, aided by the superb cooling features achieved by the extra amount of oil it contains.

“With a small, compact feel, body positioning can be achieved in a very comfortable manner and is rewarding to the rider. In the river at our test venue the slippery rocks highlighted just how good the precision of the clutch action is when feeling for grip or just wanting to ‘nip’ the clutch before jumping up a step or over a rock; yes I was very impressed”.

Is a 250cc for you?

“Many riders are riding machines with more than enough power for them. Anyone who attended the Trial World Championship round at Silsden and the big rocks at Addingham Moorside earlier in the year will have seen just what can be achieved in the Trial2 class on a 250cc. The power of a modern two-stroke is very rider friendly, and it’s more of rider technique where the difference is made.

This 250cc we had for the ‘Quick Spin’ today is very much at the top of its game. If you’re not sure about which capacity machine to go for, then try them all, but I can guarantee that this 250cc will tempt you back time after time”.

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2019 GAS GAS TXT RACING 250CC SPECIFICATIONS

Motor Single Cylinder Two-Stroke Liquid Cooled – 247.7cc – Bore and Stroke 72.5mm x 60mm Carburettor Keihin PWK 28 Ø 28mm Clutch Hydraulic Diaphragm System

Gear Box Six Speed Ignition Twin Spark System.

Frame Tubular Steel Chrome Moly, Swinging Arm Aluminium Suspension Front: Tech Aluminium Ø 39mm – Travel 180mm; Rear: Ohlins – Travel 174mm – Two Way Adjustable Brakes Disc Ø 185/150mm – BRAKTECH, 4 (Front) and 2 (Rear) Piston Callipers.

Seat height 630mm Wheelbase 1,320mm Weight 67.5kg Fuel capacity 2.4 Litre.

Price £6,249.99

Price includes VAT. Price correct at time of print.

GAS GAS MOTO UK

T: 01298 766813 E: mail@gasgasuk.com W: www.gasgasuk.com DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

QUICK SPIN 2019 TRS XTRACK

You choose

We all enjoy a good ride around on our trials machines; it’s a fact.

Easy to ride and very nimble in difficult situations, the enjoyment factor is right up there with the best. Take it a step further, to where you choose whether you want to combine the trials ride with a trail ride? Confused? Well, you should not be as TRS have taken the reins to introduce a dual discipline off-road motorcycle to suit the all-around, fun-loving trials rider. By introducing the new XTRACK, 2019 model TRS intend to set the benchmark for a new emerging segment of riders looking to fulfil their leisure time to the maximum on a dual purpose motorcycle. Before we go any further, we need to point out that this is not an enduro machine – fact! The theme behind it all is the bringing together of a wide range of users and fans that increasingly demand this type of motorcycle which is ideally suited to tackling the longer rides more comfortably. Where the emerging Spanish manufacturer has been very clever is in the fact that they have combined the best technical features of their ‘One’ model which still allows the owner to attempt most trials hazards that will ever be put in front of them.

Adventure ready.

ARTICLE: TRIAL MAGAZINE WITH STEVE SAUNDERS • PICTURES: TRS AND TRIALS MEDIA

Trials ready.

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DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

QUICK SPIN 2019 TRS XTRACK

In the right hands yes, the XTRACK can go anywhere, as demonstrated by Adam Raga.

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efore we go any further with this article, let’s take a look at what exactly the new 2019 XTRACK model is all about.

What is the XTRACK?

First impressions give you the dual purpose look, but maybe it’s a trials machine; yes you are nearly correct. This new model is based around the ‘One’ trials model as it still carries the majority of the superb attributes the yellow machine can offer.

The main change is the aluminium frame colour from silver to black and the addition of the extra capacity fuel tank which holds 3.5 litres, as well as side covers and a larger seat. The other cycle parts are very much part of the TRS family. You will still find adjustable Tech branded 39mm Ø aluminium front forks and, to control the rear, an Olle shock with new settings and progressive hydraulic system allowing setting for spring preload and extension.

The Braktec hydraulic stopping power is attached to the 150mm Galfer brake discs, complemented by aluminium Morad wheels.

Other nice touches include the use of the adjustable S3 footrests to aid rider comfort. Stylingwise the aesthetics give it real ‘Street’ credibility.

The model is supplied with a quick and easy-to-fit smaller fuel tank — but we will tell you more about that later. It is available in other engine sizes, but for the moment only the 250cc model will be available through the official UK importers TRS Motorcycles UK headed by Steve and Sarah Saunders.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

It was a very happy TRS UK importer Steve Saunders at the Scott Trial with the first XTRACK to arrive in his safe capable hands.

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QUICK SPIN 2019 TRS XTRACK

A new emerging area

The TRS brand as a motorcycle manufacturer has quickly emerged in its short life to challenge for the very top FIM Trial World Championship honours. It has been achieved by the fact that the man at the head of the TRS brand is seven-times world champion Jordi Tarres. He has seen his trials career pass through Beta and Gas Gas before arriving with what he has today. Jordi has applied the same dedication to his ‘Baby’ as he did during his successful riding career.

With Adam Raga on board in the Trial World Championship success has already come the way of the brand. Any production issues have been quickly addressed, and already the name TRS carries an assurance of quality with it.

On the continent, the top riders have gone for ride outs to practice away from the prying eyes of the media and other riders or many years. Take a backpack and put some fuel containers in it, a few small spares and some food and drink and away you go for the day; that’s the theme behind the XTRACK. As you can see from the pictures, the XTRACK holds no boundaries in the capable hands of both Tarres and Raga. Trial Magazine has seen Raga attempting world championship standard hazards on the new machine and believe me, for once we were speechless!

Out of the box

The machine that Steve Saunders is seen on here came from the first production batch of the new model and is a 250cc. Steve takes up the story: “When the box arrived with the new machine inside I did not know what to expect. Yes, they had told me all about the new model, but only when you see it in the flesh in your workshop and physically in front of you can you begin to become excited.

“They arrive very easy to assemble, and the first impressions were ‘wow, this looks good!’ After a play around I then decided to see how easy it was to convert to trials trim. It’s easy, trust me, as it takes only six easily accessible screws to allow the fuel tank, side covers and seat to be removed. It exposes the rear mudguard and ‘seat’ arrangement and the smaller fuel tank that sits between the aluminium frame rails; I was very impressed. I decided to take it to the Scott Trial. It took around 15 minutes to reassemble to the trail model. It was so easy I let my daughter Izzy put it all back together!”

A day out

“As has been well documented the Scott Trial was, shall we say, a wet day. I had all my new Hebo TRS riding kit on and kept warm and dry throuhout the event. The TRS is a dream to ride. At the request of the organising Richmond Motor Club, I only went where we were allowed during the trial and had an excellent day out.

“The XTRACK is so easy to ride, and what’s good is the fact that the large seat and fuel tank does not interfere with your riding.

It’s also a very useful machine on some of the more demanding parts where on a larger endurance machine you would have to get off and push. It retains all its trials attributes, but with the more relaxed riding position afforded by, the larger seat trail riding becomes a pleasure. I had intended to ride the day after the Scott in a closed-to-club trial, but it was cancelled due to the heavy rain in the area near where I live.

“Look out for a trials test coming soon as I try and tempt Mr Trial Magazine John Hulme back behind the handlebars of a motorcycle”.

2019 TRS XTRACK MODEL RANGE SPECIFICATIONS

Motor Single Cylinder Two-Stroke Liquid Cooled – 247.7cc – Bore and Stroke 72.5mm x 60mm Carburettor Dellorto PHBL 26 Ø 26mm – Reed Valve Induction Clutch Hydraulic 3 Disc Diaphragm System

Gear Box 5 Speed Ignition Hidria CDI Twin Spark System.

Cycle Parts Frame Double Forged Cradle Type Aluminium Swinging Arm Aluminium Suspension Front: Tech Aluminium Ø 39mm – Travel 175mm; Rear: Olle R16V – Travel 168mm – Two Way Adjustable Brakes Disc Ø 185/150mm – BRAKTECH, 4 (Front) and 2 (Rear) Piston Callipers.

Seat height 800mm Length 2,015mm Width 830mm Height 1,125mm Weight 67kg Price £5,899

Price includes VAT. Price correct at time of print.

CONTACT

TRS MOTORCYCLES UK The new exciting 2019 TRS XTRACK. 34

T: 01242 675015 E: sales@trsmotorcyclesuk.com W: www.trsmotorcyclesuk.com DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

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CATCH UP TOM MINTA

Orange… all the way The Minta family is a trials family, one I have seen around for as long as I can remember. Supported by his family their son, Tom, has gone through the youth scene and (and I use this word very loosely) ‘matured’ into a good fun-loving trials rider, one always ready to crack the joke and join the fun. This year he has won three nationals, something he is quite rightly very proud of.

Riding the orange Scorpa for Nigel and June Birkett, the UK importers at Birkettmoto Sport, he has set his heights even higher for 2019, where he intends to make his mark in the British Championship.

ARTICLE: TRIALS MEDIA WITH TOM MINTA PICTURES: TRIALS MEDIA, BARRY ROBINSON, JOHN AND MATT AND MIKE RAPLEY

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2018 has resulted in three national wins.

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

CATCH UP TOM MINTA

Wet through at the 2018 Scott Trial!

Tell us about your Scott Trial day

I was happy with my number 190, which put me right at the back. The primary objective of the day was to get back with as few problems as possible, and with myself and the Scorpa in one piece. Due to the high river levels, this was a hard day just keeping going. I was too cautious about drowning my machine in the sections, so I paddled my way through most of them with no confidence in attacking them to get a clean. I had a steady speed all day with no problems until petrol stop six, where I got my first of two punctures. I fixed this quickly, but I still lost a good amount of time. Everything returned to normal, and I upped my pace to make up for lost time. With ‘Rotten Wood’ insight, I knew I was nearly home. A second puncture just after the sections meant I lost more valuable time after the rear tyre almost came off the rim, but I managed to repair the puncture and had a steady ride back to the start field. Overall I was disappointed with my result due to having such a good result last year. On a plus point, the Scorpa never missed a beat all day.

How good is the 2019 Scorpa, why do you like it?

The most significant change on the 2019 Scorpa is the clutch, which is finger-light and easy to use.

The power of the machine is a lot smoother, which personally makes it a nicer one to ride with more progressive power and phenomenal grip in the muddiest of conditions.

What’s your nine to five job?

I am a full-time level three mechanic. I have been working for my current employer for four years now. I started as an apprentice and worked my way to being fully qualified. I am going on to do my MOT certificate in December this year. I mostly work on cars and light commercial vehicles, camper vans etc. I work for a local family-run garage and get on well with my boss and my colleagues, it’s always a laugh throughout the day, and I thoroughly enjoy it. My boss does British Championship AutoGrass racing, and so we always try and better each TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

In the sun at Scarborough on the Gas Gas in 2012.

other at our sports. I feel that when I’m working throughout the week, I enjoy riding my machine more because I make the most of my riding time at the weekend. But then only being able to ride at the weekends means I am unable to ride at a top world championship level.

Did you enjoy school?

For me, school was tough as I was not very academic and struggled to pick things up as quickly as my classmates. However, my school put me on a ‘travel to learn’ course which meant I went to a local college every week to work towards my level one mechanic qualification. It meant that I already had qualifications when I left school, which helped massively in securing my apprenticeship and working my way to being fully qualified. I enjoyed Technology the most as I love working with my hands, I thrived at woodwork as it was a very hands-on subject. I also enjoyed PE and represented the school on the football and rugby teams. Unfortunately, I was not able to use Trials or any motorcycle sport as part of my GCSE PE coursework as according to the exam board it is not a recognised sport! It made one of my favourite subjects very difficult.

Youth trial action at Reeth on the Beta in 2008.

Rewind the clock to your early days, how did you come across motorcycles?

My grandad was very enthusiastic about me taking part in trials. He was involved in sidecar grass track racing but also followed his cousin, Chris Sutton (sooty), in the trials world. Because of my interest in the sport, my younger brother Sam started to ride too.

He developed into a good rider but eventually gave up because he was succeeding as a goalkeeper for a local football team, and is still doing it to this day.

My sister Alice — most of you will probably know her — started on a Yamaha PW50, she was mad and instantly took a liking to the sport. She didn’t have any sense of fear and took a crack at whatever was thrown her way! She is going to be a high-level lady rider, and I think she will be fighting for every championship whether it’s boys or girls!

Little sister Alice Minta is following in Tom’s footsteps.

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CATCH UP TOM MINTA

Let’s get the obvious question out of the way, what was your first motorcycle?

I started on an old Yamaha TY80, I loved it, and I remember it in the house on Christmas day. I couldn’t wait to get it out and take it for a spin. I will never forget I had purple Wolf Sports motocross gear and I thought I looked like a girl in it. I started out doing local trials and improving my skill set. Unfortunately, the TY80 was stolen. I remember my dad telling me he ran after them as they were pushing it across the field! A week later we went to the Bullock’s household, and we bought a Beta rev 50cc from them.

Tell us about your first trial

One of my first trials was a South Shropshire event.

Dad and I turned up not knowing what to expect, the only practice I had had was riding around a field. I think my dad spent most of the day picking me and the machine up! I loved it and knew I wanted to participate in as many as I could and improve my riding. I have been a member of South Shropshire MC since I started. They have helped me progress from the conducted route to all the way up to expert. I can’t thank them enough for what Gordon and the team have done for me.

The final A class years were ridden on the Sherco.

Did you go through the whole youth process in the British Championship?

As a youth rider, I rode from D class all the way to A class. I don’t I think I ever missed one.

Unfortunately (in a nice way) I grew up with Dan Peace, and I rode with him in all the classes, and he always beat me. I tried so hard to beat him; I remember beating him at the British Championship round in Scotland on the A class route on day one.

It was one of the most memorable rides in my youth years. I also remember going to the Isle of Man and winning the B class round, beating Billy Bolt who is a superstar now. I rode a variety of machines starting on a Beta in D Class. In C class I rode a Clipic, which was quite rare, and I enjoyed riding it as it was something different. But with all the hard work trying to get it to run as well as a Beta we couldn’t get it to where I needed it to be, so I ended up back on a Beta. In B class I rode a Gas Gas and in the last year a Beta for John Lampkin Beta UK. Then in A class, I rode for MRS Sherco. I thank you all very much for the support.

Looking good at the 2017 Scottish Six Days Trial, finishing in sixth position on the Gas Gas. Not sure what to ride, this Montesa 4RT was the first machine of 2016.

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What are your thoughts on the current British Championship?

In 2016, I won the Expert class, so the idea was to move up to the top route. I enjoyed riding the Expert class because it suited my type of riding and I didn’t feel any pressure. Since moving up to the Championship class I don’t have the connection and the enjoyment to ride, and I don’t know what’s missing. It might be due to a lack of confidence and me not enjoying myself at the events. Everyone else at a higher level than me is riding full time, which makes it harder to compete at that level when I am only riding at the weekends. I feel that the Expert class isn’t challenging enough for me. The new Masters class route could work, but there needs to be more people riding it to make it worthwhile.

Overall I feel that many top riders don’t enjoy it as much as they might. One of the most common reasons is that the rounds are always in the same venues with the same sections, so this is becoming boring for the older riders who have ridden the same section for the past 20 years where nothing has changed. Hopefully, this will change for next year otherwise I may not be there.

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

CATCH UP TOM MINTA

A strong fourth-place finish, at the 2018 SSDT on the Nigel Birkett Scorpa.

Winning the 2016 Expert Class British Trials Championship on the Gas Gas in 2016 with support from John Shirt Jnr.

It was a Dec Bullock loan machine with the Beta next in 2016.

Have you ridden abroad much?

I have ridden the Santigosa in Spain a few times, and in 2014 I rode a world round in France and Belgium in the 125 class. Belgium was my first world championship round, and I didn’t know what to expect. It was different riding over there, but not as difficult as I thought it was going to be. I rode well although not my best due to nerves, and I didn’t look at the scoreboard all day as I wasn’t expecting anything, but somehow I ended up finishing second!

The next world round was on home soil at Penrith. The pressure was on, but I rode well all weekend finishing second on both days; the feeling of being on a podium was something special. The next round was in France, at a high-altitude ski resort, and the machine was powerless! With the pressure on to perform, I was leading after the first and second laps, but a five on the last lap cost me the win and the championship — I was gutted!

You seem to ride better at more traditional events, having won three nationals this year, any reason why?

For me the S3 rounds and the national event are the best trials, due to the fact there’s no pressure. It’s good throughout the day enjoying the banter, just like it should be, and the ride around on the off-road tracks and roads make the whole TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

experience enjoyable. These hazards suit my style of riding, and when you enjoy riding your machine, which I do at these events, it reflects on your riding, and it gives you more confidence.

Is the Scottish Six Days Trial high on your list of favourite events?

It’s at the top of my list. I thoroughly enjoy this trial every year, and I am determined to win this event, as I think I am more than capable of doing so.

With a bit of good fortune hopefully one day this will happen.

It is such a great week, riding over the hills tracks and roads, and the views are incredible. Towards the end of the week, it gets tough, both physically and mentally. Everyone around you keeps you going as there is such a great atmosphere.

I must say a massive thank you to Martin Murphy at Leven Homes Ltd for helping throughout this event from when I started it last year. If it weren’t for him, this would be a lot tougher for me, and I am hugely appreciative for everything he has done for me. Not just out on my machine but also back at his home, he is incredibly supportive and is willing to help with everything, which is what you need when taking part in this event!

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HISTORY

SCORPA TY125F

The original 2003 model.

Indestructible It’s been modernised and restyled, and so for 2019, the TY 125F joins the ever popular Scorpa motorcycle range once again. First presented in 2003 this ‘Ladette’ of motorcycles offers itself to a very wide spectrum of potential owners. Versatile in every sense with its little fourstroke engine, it can be found nicely cruising along a trail or in a dead-easy or beginners’ trial encouraging its rider into our sport of motorcycle trials. Used and abused by many it remains on the scene with its ‘Bulletproof’ credentials enjoyed by all. So how did it all begin?

WORDS: JOHN HULME AND RODOLPHE SABATIER • PICTURES: SCORPA

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DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

HISTORY

SCORPA TY125F

The new model attracted riders of all ages and abilities and opened the door to a new generation of riders who wanted to venture into the world of trials.

It’s all systems go at the Scorpa factory, with production of the TY 125F in full flow in its early days of production.

This brochure dated 2003 offered the long-ride option with the comfier seat.

Special series

T

It’s 2019 and the Scorpa is still going strong, with a change of colour to orange and black.

he boss of Scorpa at the launch of the original Scorpa TY-S 125 F, Philippe Aresten, recalls that in France it sold 750 units in the first year, 650 in the second and 800 in the third. An average of 1000 units for three years to all countries combined with a maximum sale of 1200 units in 2005. The 175cc and 200cc models accounted for around just 10% of all sales; yes it was that popular.

Bright colours with an option of red or yellow were available from 2006–2007 with an upgrade to 175cc to make more power available.

It was very much a ‘go anywhere’ motorcycle, used around the globe for a multitude of uses and appealing to riders of all ages.

Scorpa decided to try and extend its clientele by providing a 175 version, with an actual capacity of 143cc, selling for the same price as the 125cc.

A special-edition model was made available as the model became so popular, which had the larger diameter 39mm Ø Paioli front forks from the two-stroke SY trials model. A coldstart choke was added for ease of starting in all conditions, as well as aluminium footrests, which were comfier to the feet. A hydraulically operated clutch using Magura components was also added. In some European countries such as France, dealerships opened out the mouth on the crankcases and re-bored the cylinder to 163cc, which became the 200 model. These can be still found in very limited numbers, with the 125 proving the most popular model by far.

Thank you, Yamaha

So why was it such a success, you may ask? The Yamaha TY model range is well known around the globe and was, in truth, the originator of mass production and sales of trials motorcycles in the 70s, using the trials legend Mick Andrews as its driving force. This Scorpa model is based around a very basic Yamaha 125cc single cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke engine used in the 125 TT-R. What Scorpa did was design a very robust and basic steel single-beam frame around this engine, with a plastic fuel tank hanging around the headstock in a horseshoe fashion. A Sachs rear shock absorber was fitted, with no linkage but direct to the swinging arm at the rear, which removed the maintenance need for the suspension linkage and its bearings, and a pair of 38mm Ø Paioli forks was fitted at the front. A Mikuni carburettor was fitted and a cable-operated clutch. The seat height complemented the machine and was a very comfortable 700mm.

A ‘Long Ride’ version was also available, with an appropriate, comfier seat which raised the height 80mm, and a five-litre fuel tank was added. The front fork travel was increased to aid handling, although this extended the turning circle making it not as easy to manoeuvre.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

Notice the change to the silver frame for the 2005 model.

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HISTORY

SCORPA TY125F

The production Scorpa TY 125F produced as a 2006/2007 year model.

With production problems and a change of ownership the Scorpa TY 125F was not seen for a period of time, but re-emerged in 2010 in a new colour scheme, orange!

Some engine tuning specialists offered a ‘Big Bore’ kit using a 150cc cylinder and piston as well as a new camshaft to upgrade the TY 125F.

We can clearly see the hydraulic clutch and the electric starter making the TY 125F an even better machine in the 2019 model ranges from Scorpa.

How good?

While the 125ccc machine had many plus points, it also had some minus points. The 175 kit transformed the machine and its performance, but it was still considered underpowered for more serious trail or adventure riding. Despite the robust Yamaha engine some of the smaller Scorpa-supplied components were criticised for their lack of quality.

Other downsides were the lack of throttle response from the carburettor with its small 20mm size. After a fall it was sometimes hard to start with its long kick-start lever which, on its longest stroke, caught on the footrest. Aside from that the quality of the wheel bearings, steering head bearings, swinging arm, etc. were all very good and the frame, air filter box and fuel tank were all very robust.

Maintenance wise it was excellent.

If anything, the most important thing to check was the valve clearance which was essential to maintain its performance but was easy to carry out and adjust for many riders.

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Still going strong

Since its introduction in 2003, even the older machines can still be found going strong around the globe as the model has not changed very much over the years. Marc Tessier now owns both the Scorpa and Sherco brand names, and he introduced a similar machine which is more or less a replica of the Scorpa dressed up as a Sherco in more recent years.

The bulletproof engine is no longer manufactured in a Yamaha factory in Brazil but China, under license. It’s still very much the same with the addition of the electric starter the most obvious and popular change. An AJP hydraulic clutch is fitted as standard, and the front fork yokes are now opened up to accommodate a fork Ø of 39mm.

When looking at this machine as a second-hand purchase, always have a quick ride up the road to see if the clutch is slipping in the higher gears as the clutch plates and springs could require replacement.

On the model years, 2003 to 2005 nothing much changed. In its early years of production, the frame colour was purple, before going to grey around late 2005/2006. Aesthetics have changed over the years, but they have all carried a predominately white frame, with blue and orange added over the years.

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

jet aria helmet w w w. a c e r b i s . i t 0044 (0)1582 491076

QUICK SPIN

2019 SCORPA TY 125F

A four-stroke sensation A trials motorcycle with an electric start, a press of the button and we are away! Yes, it’s as simple as that, a four-stroke sensation. It’s the bugbear of most trials riders; you’re tired, you have just had a five-mark penalty for stopping, and you have to kick-start the machine back into life. It is not the case with the latest offering from Scorpa with its new 2019 model TY 125F, as it’s a case of just press the button — oh, and the machine also starts in gear with the clutch lever pulled in – simples! I had spoken to the official UK importer of Scorpa products Nigel Birkett about this new model, which comes very much as a trial or trail-based machine. As you will see when you read the article we have generated on the history of this French model, it’s been around with a good solid reputation for many years. You can decide for yourself if it’s a trial or trail machine, as it has been used over the years in both forms of off-road motorcycling.

ARTICLE: TRIAL MAGAZINE WITH NIGEL BIRKETT

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It has been ridden in a few local trials by Nigel, and many others who have ridden it reckon it’s good enough for clubmen nationals!

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

QUICK SPIN

2019 SCORPA TY 125F

If it looks good it usually is good; welcome to the Scorpa TY 125F.

M

ention the name Nigel Birkett to any trials rider who has been around for a while, and they will know him. With knowledge of trials and the development of the machines that go back to the early ’70s he has been around for what seems like an eternity.

Off the back of building his own machines as a young apprentice he would go on to be involved with the likes of Kawasaki and Suzuki, in the RL 325cc, where he stands in the history books as the highest placed finisher on the Japanese machines in the world trials championship before moving to Montesa and Fantic with the 200 and 240 models. It would then be a move back to Japanese machinery with the Majesty Yamaha. Along with his good friend John Shirt Snr, they would then present the ground-breaking mono-shock Yamaha.

A new project

With the introductions over, it’s time for the man himself to speak, Nigel Birkett: “The focus over the last few years at Scorpa has been on the successful two-stroke model range, but I had made enquiries as to when a new production run of the four-stroke 125 model would begin.

“In September 2019, the new model Scorpa TY 125F would start to arrive, and my prayers answered. Once I had taken it out of the box, it looked so tempting that I had a ride around some Lake District country lanes on it, taking in the odd trials hazard, and what I found pleasantly surprised me. It still carried the same attributes of the older model but in a much more modern way. For it to be allowed into the country as a homologated model, it carries all the associated parts fitted to it such as the rear-view wing mirrors, etc. The engine very much replicates the older ones and is similar in so many ways in both quality and performance, but the rest of the machine is much more modern.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

Nigel uses the good old-fashioned body lean as the Scorpa finds its way up the river.

“My thoughts then turned to the trials side of the machine. It comes supplied with a change of gearbox sprocket from a fourteen tooth to a nine tooth, which in mechanical terms is quite a big difference. With this in mind, I decided to make it my new project”.

Entry level

“It would make an excellent entry level trials machine, one to get ‘bums’ on seats and started in the sport, and the price is attractive enough at £4,200 retail I think you will agree!

“The majority of the components come from the two-stroke range anyway. The rear end is very similar, with the seat and mudguard unit and the rear silencer. The wheels are the same, but the rear has a tube-type tyre fitted. The R16V front forks are

fitted, which have the steel sliders. At the rear, the aluminium swinging-arm comes once again from the two-stroke range and is attached to the frame via the linkage with the R16V single rear shock absorber.

“My first job was to turn my attention to the engine. It was trimmed and slimmed accordingly, with the kick-start lever, and gear change lever moved more in line and away from being caught on obstacles. The rear-view mirrors were removed and all the associated wiring, along with the front and rear lights. The exhaust front pipe had the ‘cat’ removed in a cut and re-weld job, which was another major weight-saving exercise. By the time I had finished I had knocked 2.5kg off the overall weight of 82kg, this brings it down to 79.5kg with a full tank of fuel onboard.

45

QUICK SPIN

2019 SCORPA TY 125F

Ready for action, the Scorpa TY 125F after Nigel Birkett has worked his magic on it.

“The all-important electric start button was moved closer to the throttle to make life easier on the hand. The machine comes fitted with the Mitas tyres front and rear, but I swopped the rear for a Dunlop to aid with traction and because the walls are better suited to trials than the Mitas. With the front competition, number board mounted I was very happy with my handiwork, and it was time for the test under the nose of Trial Magazine.”

Four-stroke fun factor

“Trial Magazine editor, John Hulme, had asked me to personally test the Scorpa so that I could explain the fundamentals of the machine as I tested it. I had already ridden the machine in a few local trials, and

so I was quite familiar with how it would perform.

“First and foremost, the fun factor from the machine has to bring some enjoyment into your riding time. It runs very well, and it puts me in mind of how over biked so many riders are; in real terms, they have too much power. You have enough power on hand with this machine and it ‘tracks’ very well, as I demonstrated in a very slippery Lake District river. The machine encourages you to develop your riding skills, but at a much more relaxed pace than a two-stroke counterpart.

“The suspension package works very well together, and the four-stroke power delivery is much softer, the exhaust note is pure music to most people’s ears. You can put the machine in first gear

and on tick-over speed with no throttle, complete the simplest of tasks in a car park to learn about balance, a much-needed attribute in low-speed trials. Second gear is slightly higher but still very usable.

“The plus-point, as we have already stated, has to be the electric start for any rider of any ability; the kick-start lever is simply a mechanical backup.

Swopping the gearing and the removal of the road-going equipment is easy enough to carry out by most people, but my thoughts are that once you have mastered the art of trials you can upgrade your Scorpa by way of spending money on it, something we can carry out in-house at Scorpa UK to each rider’s requirements”.

2019 SCORPA TY 125F SPECIFICATIONS

Motor Single Cylinder, Four-Stroke, Air-Cooled – 123.70cc – Bore and Stroke, 54mm x 54mm Carburettor 25mm Ø Ignition Electronic CDI Clutch Hydraulic Wet Multi Disc

Gear Box Five Speed.

Frame Delta Box – Chrome Molybdenum Steel Suspension Front: Steel 40mm Ø – Travel 170mm; Rear: 16V – Travel at Rear Wheel 165mm Brakes Disc Ø 185/150mm – 4 (Front) and 2 (Rear) piston callipers.

Seat height 700mm Wheelbase 1,308mm Ground Clearance 320mm Weight 79.5kg - Wet Fuel capacity 2.1 Litre.

Price £4,200

Price includes VAT. Price correct at time of print.

CONTACT

BIRKETT MOTOSPORT If the machine has the Birkett Motosport sticker on it you can guess it goes very well!

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T: 01229 716806 E: nigel.birkett@talk21.com W: www.birkettmotosport.com DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

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Photograph courtesy of Red Bull Media

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QUICK SPIN

2019 BETA EVO 300cc

In at the deep end My first point of contact for this quick spin was, of course, the official importer of all Beta motorcycle products, John Lampkin.

“Can we have a new 2019 Beta 300?” was the first question; “Yes no problem” followed by; “Dan Hemingway has a new one he is riding in the Scott Trial, why not use that as it kills two birds with one stone?” ‘Okay’ was my answer; the ‘kill’ bit and the Scott Trial, okay… I have known both the Hemingway brothers and, as you will know, we had the younger brother Ben test the 300cc four-stroke at the start of the year. A phone call to Dan confirmed what John had already spoken about. Talk about ‘In at the deep end’, the 2018 Scott Trial would turn into an epic battle for survival as the heavens opened on the event. Would Dan finish? Read on to find out.

ARTICLE: TRIAL MAGAZINE WITH DAN HEMINGWAY PICTURES: THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT NIGE PEARSON, TRIALS UK AND JAXX LAWSON

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Feet-up and avoiding the deep water!

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

QUICK SPIN

2019 BETA EVO 300cc

A strong experienced ‘dab’ is needed at Whaw Bridge in the deep water.

The 2019 Beta Evo 300 – what’s new

Coming with a good solid reputation the liquid cooled, single cylinder two-stroke has a cylinder with new exhaust port geometry for 2019 and new timing curves designed to improve engine control at small throttle openings right at the ‘bottom end’ and to help stabilise the power delivery.

Aiding rider performance even further, a new CDI control unit with dedicated mapping is fitted.

For cleaner gear selection and a more positive feel, a new gear selector cam has been designed which was used in the earlier Factory models.

Suspension-wise, new features have been included on the technical side with new rear shock absorber port geometry which is now higher and more progressive, with increased suspension sensitivity and progression. The new piston generates decidedly more grip, making it more forgiving in the event of rider error. A new pump on the mechanical side of the front fork ensures more progressive impact absorption. On the aluminium swinging-arm, a new chain tensioner offers better adjustment range while making adjustments easier.

To enhance the machine’s looks red and black graphics finish off the package.

Quick Spin – Sorry six hours, five minutes and 23 seconds of punishment!

With two of the hottest young trials talents on the planet in his two sons Harry and George, no doubt they had pushed Dad to train hard for this legendary event but as always work got in the way, resulting in zero training.

With the rain hammering down we were approaching the start field when I mentioned to my wife that we were going to have Dan Hemingway testing a machine in the event for us, and I asked her what the odds would be on him finishing, such were the difficult conditions? The answer came back very TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

The 2018 Scott Trial: we are ready.

quickly from the Scott oracle: “As a winner of 15 Scott Silver Spoons and one Gold Spoon, what do you think?” Enough said! Talk about testing a trials motorcycle to the limit, what was about to unfold was a true testament of man and machine pushed to extremes.

I met Dan as he was finishing his preparation for the event in the back of his van. He mentioned full waterproofs would be needed and I noted a spare front inner tube attached near his waist, which endorsed the fact that he did want to finish the event. The machine was the standard out-of-the-box Beta 300 with sponsors’ products fitted and some

of his modifications applied to basically keep the machine in good ‘fettle’ for the day’s action.

Snorkel and submarine

Yes, two words that came to mind when I spoke with Dan about his ride in the event. Over to you Dan: “As John has already explained, I had prepared as well as I could and maybe some time on the machine would have helped. My 2019 model 300 Beta came out of the first batch, and apart from my own fine-tuning and the odd Scott Trial ‘mod’ that was it, I was as ready as I could ever be.

“It was obviously going to rain all day, and with 49

QUICK SPIN

2019 BETA EVO 300cc

That’s another Scott finish under the belt, these two cannot wait!

For a smoother ride a new pump on the mechanical side of the front fork ensures more progressive impact absorption.

New exhaust port geometry for 2019 and new timing curves designed to improve engine control at small throttle openings right at the ‘bottom end’ help stabilise the power delivery.

this in mind, I rode down the start ramp and straight into it. The Beta soon warmed up, as I am sure you can imagine, and the new gear selector cam certainly does provide ‘slick’ changes, which would prove very helpful during the day.

“It was soon clear that river crossings would be a problem all day, but I was quite happy as I had Billy Bolt riding near me for entertainment; I did offer to let him pass, but he declined, and we took turns to be at the front. It’s often quite funny what you see in other riders, and the ‘Bolt’ is at all times entertaining.

“The suspension on the Beta has always been very good, and in my mind, I knew I was having an easier time than most with the new suspension modifications working very well. In this type of ‘speed’ event, you do hit many unseen obstacles, but I was more than happy riding at a slightly faster pace than normal.

“Riding at number 161 and roughly 90 minutes from the start I had my first encounter with water problems when I hit a crossing too fast. The machine spluttered, and I decided to stop. With some swift spanner work, I was away again. At Bridge End, I could not see the end of the hazard and rode up the step before the machine literally disappeared under the water in a deep hole!”

Drowned

Yes, the Beta had stopped and had taken in water.

I dragged the machine out of the deep water with the help of Joel Sadler, and on the side of the river bank, I started to get some life back into the stricken machine. First I stood it on the back 50

For cleaner gear selection and a more positive feel a new gear selector cam has been designed which was used in the earlier ‘Factory’ models.

wheel to drain as much water away as possible.

John Lampkin had suggested to the factory the fitting of an air-filter box drain screw and, with this removed, all the water came out without removing the assembly. A deflector plate inside the air-filter box keeps the water away from the filter. One 17mm spanner removed the carburettor drain plug, and with the sparking plug dried I soon had it back into life.

“The superb gear ratios on the Beta allow you to motor on over the moors, with fourth ideal for the long muddy grass sections and fifth for the open tracks. Despite the constant abuse, the clutch worked to its full potential all day. Making good progress, I then managed to let the Beta smack me in the chest and glance off my head!

“After a small period of working out where I was, I continued at a steady pace, keeping my eyes on Tom Minta who was in front of me. I had one more drowning episode with the machine. With a damaged front disc, making braking exciting, to say the least, and a rear wheel puncture in the closing stages but, unlike 120 other riders from the 200 starters, I came home in 33rd position.

The damage

The Beta had a good wash and after a good fettle in the workshop and the fitting of a new front brake disc it fired up and in my mind is as good as new.

My highlight of the new machine has to be the power delivery. It’s certainly smoother off the ‘bottom end’, and I am convinced that with the new CDI unit it grips better than the 2018 model.

Rider-wise, the smack in the chest left me with a

broken rib, so the result has to be Beta: 0 – Dan Hemingway: 1!

2019 BETA EVO 300CC

SPECIFICATIONS

Motor Single Cylinder, Two-Stroke, Liquid-Cooled – 296.5cc – Bore and Stroke 79mm x 60.5mm Carburettor Keihin PWK Ø 28mm Ignition Hidria Electronic Clutch Hydraulic Wet Multi Disc with Cush Drive Rubber

Gear Box Six Speed.

Frame Single Wave Beam in Aluminium Suspension Front: Beta Hydraulic Fork 38mm Ø – Travel 165mm; Rear: Sachs Hydraulic 62mm Stroke Mono-Shock – Travel at Rear Wheel 180mm Brakes Disc Ø 185/160 mm – 4 (Front) and 2 (Rear) piston callipers.

Seat height 660mm Wheelbase 1,305mm Ground Clearance 310mm Weight 71.5kg Fuel capacity 2.9 Litre.

Price £5895.00

Price includes VAT. Price correct at time of print.

CONTACT

BETA UK LTD

T: 01756 793521 E: sales@beta-uk.com W: www.beta-uk.com DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

TRADITIONAL THE SCOTT

Lampkin walks on water Showing no signs of slowing down at the ripe old age of 42, Yorkshire’s Dougie Lampkin showed his younger rivals once again how to literally walk on water at this year’s Scott Trial as he took his sixth win. Riding with number 198 on his machine he pushed himself to the limits of his pain barrier to pass all but one of the 200 riders to the finish flag, and with the time and observation element of the event taken into account he was once again victorious.

Battling with the toughest of conditions as high winds and heavy rain fell on the event he also posted the best observation score. Pushing the many rivers to bursting point it was a relentless battle over the sodden moors for the opportunity to have your name put on the prestigious and much sought-after Alfred A. Scott Memorial Trophy.

The event carries a sporting heritage of over 100 years and the Lampkin family name and the Scott Trophy are very closely associated, as the name can now be found for the 14th time etched into the history of motorcycle trials.

Between 1960 and 1966 it was Arthur – 1960, 1961 and 1965, and Alan in 1966 who won before Dougie’s late father Martin won in 1977, 1978, 1981 and 1982. Dougie’s first win came way back in 1994, followed by 2006 and 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2018. The fact that he has now repeated his winning feat of 2017 when he won both the Scottish Six Days Trial and the Scott puts him quite rightly in the ‘Legends’ bracket of motorcycle sport – well done that man!

WORDS: TRIALS MEDIA • PICTURES: JOHN HULME, BARRY ROBINSON AND NIGEL PEARSON TRIALS UK

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DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

TRADITIONAL

THE SCOTT

It was second position for Jack Price (JST Gas Gas UK).

Gas Gas won the manufacturers’ team award with: Jack Price, Michael Brown and Dan Peace.

James Dabill (Beta) steadies himself at Whaw Bridge.

A proud Dougie holds the Alfred A. Scott Memorial Trophy and is joined in the celebrations by his son Alfie.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

We will have to wait a further 12 months to see if Jack Price can win this trophy.

This iconic Barry Robinson picture from 1981 captures Martin Lampkin with his two sons.

On the right is Harry, a Scott Silver Spoon winner and on the right Dougie.

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TRADITIONAL THE SCOTT

In fantastic form and obviously up for the challenge, will we have a new challenger in 2019 for the Alfred A. Scott Memorial Trophy in Jack Price (JST Gas Gas UK)? We certainly think so.

Having now retired from mainstream trials competitions, the 2012 Scott winner Michael Brown (JST Gas Gas UK) was charging all day.

CRUISING TO VICTOR Y

Captain Lampkin Any rider who finishes the legendary Scott Time and Observation Trial – whether in or out of the allocated time limit – will have a tale to tell. Every year the conditions can change, and it’s not until Race Day that you can actually start to have an idea of just how hard the day is going to be. Feldom Range, near Marske above Richmond in Yorkshire, is a very exposed piece of land farmed by the Wallis family including secretary of the meeting Ken Wallis. Working in the pouring rain on Friday as he prepared the start ramp for the following day I asked the stupid question: “Will it be wet tomorrow?”. I could see what he was thinking as he dried his hand and shook mine in a very warm, welcoming way, with one of them handshakes that you know has done some hard graft. He replied: “Every Scott Trial is a tough one, and the rain will be about tomorrow, but we are in the hands of a very dedicated team of enthusiasts who will do everything in their power to keep the event running”. I have ridden in some tough Scott Trials, including the one that Dougie Lampkin first won in 1994 and that was a wet one. With rain coming down like a continuous waterfall, 200 riders assembled themselves on Saturday the 13th October to attempt the 76 hazards on the close-on 80-mile single-lap course. The rivers had enough water in them to float a boat, but it was that man ‘Captain’ Dougie Lampkin who would take the Alfred A. Scott Memorial Trophy after a day full of fun and frolics as he piloted his machine to victory once again.

WORDS: TRIALS MEDIA • PICTURES: JOHN HULME AND NIGEL PEARSON TRIALS UK

The first Southern based rider home was Sam Haslam (JST Gas Gas UK), looking good here at Bridge End 1.

Using all his experience Ross Danby (TRS UK) takes a dab in the deep water at Whaw Bridge, with this excellent Nige Pearson picture capturing just how tough the day was.

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DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

TRADITIONAL

THE SCOTT

This was a well-deserved ride for Guy Kendrew (Beta-UK). Along with many others our thoughts are the same; on a good day he could take a win at the Scott.

Taking the accolade of the first four-stroke machine home Ben Hemingway (Beta-UK) as always gave his very best to take him to his 13th Silver Spoon.

A

Using the experience passed on by his sponsor Nigel Birkett, Andy Chilton (BMS Andy Metcalfe Scorpa) aimed for the top ten and he was unlucky to lose out on a three-way tie for 9th and end up 11th, overall collecting his second silver spoon.

Check out YouTube to see Sam Connor (Beta-UK) as he executes another excellent clean ride a few minutes after this picture was taken at Bridge End 2.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

t this year’s Scott, we had six past winners in the entry. The oldest is Philip Alderson who has won four times: 1987/1988/1989/1991 then Dougie Lampkin: 1994/2006/2007/2013/2017; James Dabill: 2010/2014/2016; Jonathan Richardson: 2011 and Ian Austermuhle 2015. In 2017, young Jack Price led the way only to fall at the final hurdle when his machine succumbed to hours of full-throttle abuse. On paper, and now with some Scott Trial experience under his belt, he was going to be the one to watch.

Currently, the best rider from Great Britain in both the World and British Championship, three-times winner, James Dabill, would be at the cutting edge for the win, but what about Lampkin’s chances? In 2017 he had done the double, taking both the Scottish Six Days and Scott wins. Having won the 2018 SSDT could he make it another double-winning year? No longer a regular competitor in trials, he had to do more work than anyone else to get up to the fitness level required for this event and had applied himself to the job in hand by getting as many hours on the machine as possible on the run-up to the event.

The last ‘young’ rider to win this event was Jonathan Richardson in 2011; could one of the new breed of younger riders show his true metal and take a win? With only around 25 per cent of entries being first-time riders there was also plenty of experienced ones chomping at the bit for the win, but could they do it?

At 09.00 it would be a lady rider Katherine Sharp who would lead the 200 riders off at 20-second intervals from the start ramp as local councillor, John Blackie from the Richmondshire District Council, flagged them away for a day to remember.

No doubt Billy Bolt (Harrogate Van Centre Beta) will be back in 2019 as he pursues the dream of setting standard time.

With strong determination written all over his face Richard Sadler (Acklams Beta) walks on water at Whaw Bridge.

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TRADITIONAL THE SCOTT

He will be disappointed with his result but the 2011 winner Jonathan Richardson (Beta) still has the years in front of him to challenge for another Scott victory.

Next time you see John Sunter (Inch Perfect Montesa) ask him about the banter during the trial between himself and eventual winner Dougie Lampkin. Apparently no one wanted to lead the way!

Wet and windy For the first time in many years, the early water crossing under the waterfall hazard at Orgate had been left out, and the riders experienced for the first time on the Hurst Moor that it would be a very wet day as they rode through the high water levels in the rivers. The high winds on the moors added to the problems with the sodden going, and soon word started to come back of riders marooned with engines stopped dead full of water. The more experienced riders soon had them back into life, but for many, it was an early retirement from the day’s action.

As it does every few years, the course was run backwards with the first major spectating hazards at ‘Reels Head’. Open and exposed on Fremington Edge high above Reeth, this rock-littered steep hazard had the rain lashing on the grip-less surface. It generally gets harder as the day progresses and an early number can be used to the rider’s advantage. It was the case of the early pacesetter from Barrow, Dan Johnson, as he stayed feet-up to a round of applause from the wet spectators on his ageing ten-year-old Gas Gas at just after 10.00. It was then the turn of the majority of club riders to scramble their way through and who were more than happy with a three-mark penalty before the later numbers, and the faster riders started to arrive. This is an early indication of who is on the pace, and Dec Bullock was holding his own, followed by number 194 Jack Price (JST Gas UK) and Welsh rider Iwan Roberts (TRS UK).

With the riders and machines showing signs of abuse and covered in mud as they tried to proceed to the front, Dougie Lampkin arrived in pursuit of the leaders for a perfectly executed feet-up ride. The action remained thick and fast, as the Scott Trial rule allows any number of riders in a hazard at any one time. The top riders and potential winners have to use their judgement and have to take the gamble of attempting the hazard as soon as it’s displaying a clear passage.

I don’t know why it is but we always seem to catch Jack Stones (Beta) on full throttle.

56

At this early stage, the most notable absentee was James Dabill (Beta). He had filled the Italian machine with water early on, and although he had got it going again, he had dropped some ten minutes off the pace.

The wind had now whipped up the rain as the riders headed out onto the aptly named ‘Booze’ moor for more punishment.

Bridge End carnage Arriving at the hazards at Bridge End early it was soon evident that the water level was rising as the observer Stuart Blythe noted the arrival time at 10.35 of the first rider, once again Dan Johnson who was still on a mission. The hazard rode very well, and despite looking difficult, many clean rides were recorded.

Now making a name for himself in Super Enduro, Billy Bolt was one of the more notable five-mark penalties despite a very forceful attempt.

Just across the road at Bridge End Two it was carnage. The hazard was made up of a short run up the river and over the huge rocks. What no one realised, until it was too late, was that the water had turned to a Newcastle Brown Ale colour – yes, that famous drink – and you could not see how deep it was! Looking very shallow, rider after rider tested it at their peril only to find it was handlebar deep!

Some good rides were recorded by the likes of the experienced Sam Connor (Beta-UK) from down south, who kept a tight line to the right-hand side for a clean. For many though, it was the end of the road, including last year’s third-placed-finisher James Stones (Acklams Beta). The entry was rapidly reducing as riders struggled to empty their machines of water and decided to call it a day, but for the potential winners there was no choice as they headed off over towards Shaw Gutter with its two hazards and its steep rock-strewn gully, and onto the moors across to Faggergill Mines and down to Whaw Bridge.

Another rider learning every year is young Tom Minta (BMS Scorpa) who took a Scott Spoon for his efforts.

Despite a year spoilt with illness Iwan Roberts (TRS UK) tried hard all day.

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

EDITION 01 | YEAR 2018

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A PICTO RIAL HISTO RY OF MOTO RCYC LE SPOR TS

THE GOLDEN AGE 1965-1985

ISSUE 01: 2018 • UK: £8.99

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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. The majority of pictures have never been seen in print before.

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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.

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Anglo-American Match Races 1971

PHOTOS | PETER J BEARDMORE

1

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 and Dave (6) Castro (5), Dick Mann (4), Don Emde 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)

UNSEEN IMAGES 70 | EDITION 01 | YEAR 2018

Motorcycle Retro Replay Issue 1.indd

70-71

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.

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TRADITIONAL THE SCOTT

Having, according to our records, become the only female winner of a Scott Spoon a few years ago Emma Bristow (Sherco) has nothing to prove. With World and British championship titles by the bucketful she showed just how determined she is after dropping the machine into the raging torrent at Whaw Bridge. Behind on time she clawed her way back up the order to finish in 34th position – Respect!

Relentless

Are you ready to surrender?

The punishment was relentless with water at seat height once again at the two hazards at Whaw Bridge.

Ladies’ Trial World Champion, Emma Bristow, succumbed to the deep water as her machine stopped, but showing pure grit and determination the machine was dragged out of the river and nurtured back into life with the help of some enthusiastic spectators.

The long trek over the moors to the rocks at Blackhills, Tank Trap and the long ride up Grand Canyon were taken in before arriving at By Pass. The fuel stop and refreshments for man and machine was most welcome. The three hazards at By Pass witnessed some good strong teamwork from the Clerk of the Course Paul Robinson and his fellow club members. With all the hazards waterlogged they quickly rerouted the first one before plotting out two new ones in rapid succession, high on the hillside away from the deep river. The ultimate test was now in front of the riders as they headed out onto Grouse Moor. No doubt tears and tantrums played a major part of the crossing for many riders before the next fuel stop just above the bridge at Surrender. This hazard has been in the event for many years and is very much a part of the trial’s history.

Many were ready to surrender, as the entry continued to fall by the wayside with water induced problems. It was still Dan Johnson leading the way as he arrived at 13.43 for Surrender and its single section climb up the rocky stream.

With machines looking very clean due to the river crossings Price was next at 13.46 followed

by Lampkin at 13.49. Hot on his tail was John Sunter (Inch Perfect Montesa) at 13.50 and fellow four-stroke rider Ben Hemingway (Beta-UK) at 13.58. Still in the hunt was the 2012 winner Michael Brown (JST Gas Gas UK) at bang on 14:00. Iwan Roberts was next on the same minute along with Barry Kinley (Gas Gas) from the Isle of Man, Callum Murphy (TRS) from Scotland and then Michael Burton (Beta) from Ireland. At 14.01 young Jack Peace (JST Gas Gas UK) arrived at the hazard looking fresh and ready for the final race home. The fight to be the first back and set standard time was now very intense as both Price and Lampkin eventually reeled in Johnson in the closing stages. Price had a fright with a front wheel puncture on Fremington Edge, but this was all sorted before Lampkin arrived. It was over the road to Underbanks and then the trawl back to pick up the route to return home from the way out in the morning.

Gwynedd Jones (Beta) went back home to Wales a very happy man with the Best Performance on time and observation for a first-time Scott rider – well done.

This was the worst performance for the 2015 winner Ian Austermuhle (Beta-UK) since his first Scott Trial way back in 1997 when he finished 14th on the Scorpa.

Talk about a wakeup call for Aaron Holmes (Craigs Motorcycles Montesa) who arrived back from his honeymoon in Bali to finish just ten minutes out of time!

Finishing at the bottom of the trials results was no disgrace in a very hard event for Patrick Palmer (Sherco).

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After enjoying last year’s event James Dabill’s minder, Jiri Svoboda (Beta-UK-CZE), came back for another attempt at the event and finished 56th.

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

TRADITIONAL

THE SCOTT

With a record 19 Scott Silver Spoons to his name Graham Tales (Montesa) still comes back for more punishment, year after year.

As tough as they come, Chloe Richardson (Beta) put another finish under her belt in 77th position.

Who won?

The long view down the finishing field Jack Price was the first to be spotted.

He crossed the finish line first, some five hours, seven minutes and nine seconds after he started. Next up was Lampkin seven minutes later, but with the corrected time taken into account, Price was the fastest.

As they congratulated one another on the day’s action, they both applauded Dan Johnson across the line as the third-placed man home, still looking fresh.

Next was local rider John Sunter followed by Ben Hemingway, Jonathan Richardson and James Dabill who was stuck in third gear, having lost his gear change lever in Rotten Wood’s steep dark gully.

‘Trials Guru’ John Moffatt listened carefully to rider after rider as they finished with very similar stories, which all included engines full of water and punctures — the bind of any Scott rider.

As the weather calmed down after the storm, there was one question left unanswered: who had won? A warm welcome came from the crowd as the 1984 winner, and the first on a Japanese machine (Yamaha), Nigel Birkett was introduced to present the awards.

As is usual at the awards presentation later in the evening the results are read in reverse order. Michael Brown was happy with fifth position for his efforts, and then Jack Peace was announced as fourth, a superb effort for such a younger rider. With James Dabill announced as the third-placed finisher it was silence from the crowd. Jack Price was then announced as the rider setting standard time finishing on a total of 66 marks lost, and a clearly moved Dougie Lampkin was the 2018 Scott Trial winner – he had done the double again! Captain Dougie Lampkin we all applaud you – Well done!

How many? Is the question from John Moffat to Dougie Lampkin and Jack Price.

THE SCOTT 2018 GOLD SPOONS RESULTS: 1: Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) 56; 2: Jack Price (JST Gas Gas UK) 66; 3: James Dabill (Beta) 80; 4: Jack Peace (JST Inch Perfect Gas Gas UK) 85; 5: Michael Brown (JST Gas Gas UK) 87; 6: Guy Kendrew (Beta-UK) 92; 7: Sam Haslam (JST Gas Gas UK) 100.

SILVER SPOONS RESULTS: 8: Ben Hemingway (Beta-UK) 100; 9: Ross Danby (TRS UK) 113; 10: Sam Connor (Beta-UK) 113; 11: Andy Chilton (BMS/Andy Metcalfe Scorpa) 113; 12: Richard Sadler (Acklam’s Beta) 116; 13: Billy Bolt (Acklam’s Beta) 116; 14: Jonathan Richardson (Beta) 119; 15: Ian Austermuhle (Beta-UK) 126; 16: John Sunter (Inch Perfect Montesa) 126; 17: Dan Thorpe (JST Gas Gas UK) 128; 18: Thomas Minta (BMS Inch Perfect Scorpa) 138; 19: Iwan Roberts (TRS-UK) 140; 20: Rob Waite (Beta) 142; 21: Tom Affleck (180 Offroad/Cloburn Vertigo) 149; 22: Dan Peace (JST Inch Perfect Gas Gas UK) 150; 23: Luke Walker (Sherco) 150; 24: James Fry (Sherco) 154; 25: Chris Pearson (SplatShop Sherco) 159; 26: Jack Stones (Acklam’s Beta) 159.

STANDARD TIME: Jack Price (JST Gas Gas UK) 5.07.17 BEST MANUFACTURERS TEAM: Gas Gas A LAST OFFICIAL FINISHER ON TIME: James Johnson (Beta) 7.33.03 BEST ON OBSERVATION: Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) 51 BEST UNDER 21 RIDER: Jack Peace (JST Inch Perfect Gas Gas UK) BEST LADY RIDER: Emma Bristow (Sherco) BEST FIRST TIME RIDER: Gwynedd Jones (Beta) BEST OVER 40 RIDER: Graham Tales (Inch Perfect Montesa) BEST 125CC RIDER: No Finishers THE ENDEAVOUR TROPHY: Daniel Johnson (Gas Gas) The leader at the front of the event for most of the time was Dan Johnson (Gas Gas) and won the Best Endeavour award for his efforts.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

TOP 26 MACHINES: Beta: 10; Gas Gas: 6; Sherco: 3; Scorpa: 2; TRS: 2; Vertigo: 2; Montesa/Honda: 1

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ADVENTURE TRACK AND TRIAL

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alternative RIDE

My adventure days started early in 2018 at the Scottish Six Days Trial. Despite the wet weather I had two good days out on the Montesa Cota 4Ride.

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DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

ADVENTURE

TRACK AND TRIAL

High above Kinlochleven on Blackwater Dam I was having a quick ‘breather’ when some of my old pals asked me about the 4Ride. And yes, they also wanted a picture taken with their machines in this remote part of the world!

Article generation for the magazines comes very easily to me as I am a dedicated motorcycle enthusiast. Since the tender age of 11, when I was introduced to my first motorcycle a BSA Bantam, I have just loved riding motorcycles. I have never owned a road machine; it’s always been off-road where the attraction is for me.

The opportunity to compete very much closed when I committed my time to magazine publishing which I really do miss if I am honest. In my world, you should always try and turn any negatives into a positive, and that’s how I arrived at this alternative ride article.

Through my relationship with the Shirt family, the official UK Gas Gas importers, I have over the years come into contact with the Pampera model. It was basically a trials model converted more to trail use, a superb machine. Wind the clock forward to 2018 and the Leven Valley two-day trial. My good friends at Honda UK had arranged, through Mickey Oates Motorcycles, to supply me with a new Montesa Cota 4Ride to use as transport at the event.

WORDS AND PHOTOS: JOHN HULME

TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

Magazine publishing had put an end to my competitive riding and yes, I do miss it. With the job of riding around on these adventure machines at the events reporting and taking pictures I still feel very much a part of the trials ‘Family’. These are close family members I have known for years.

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ith an official ‘Press plate’ on the machine I was very privileged to find myself riding on the Mamore Road, an iconic part of the world famous Scottish Six Days Trial high above Kinlochleven. The rain was lashing down but, you know, I was happy as a pig in shite! The sheer pleasure of feeling the open elements on my face is one I always treasure, enjoying the feeling of freedom. This new-found enjoyment of the press plate and the machine has given me a way of once again joining in with the competitors and enjoying the day’s action. Yes, I may only be taking pictures and reporting but the camaraderie amongst the trials ‘family’ is one I very much enjoy.

A new beginning

These versatile trial/trail off-road motorcycles have been around for longer than I can remember. Our sport actually started with converted road models made suitable for off-road riding. With highs and lows of these types of models from the manufacturers, they have come and gone over the years. We have seen the Gas Gas Randone model, but in fact, it’s the Beta Alp and Scorpa TY125F that seem to have been around the longest in more recent times.

In 2016, I was invited to the press launch of the newly introduced Montesa Cota 4Ride in Spain. It was very much a new beginning for the magazine in this sector of the sport. I really enjoyed the day on the four-stroke machine as it was very trials orientated, easy to ride and all-round good fun. In my opinion, the only spoiler on the machine was no electric start. All motorcycles should have an electric start; it’s a simple as that. If you stop or get stuck and stall the engine, you press a button and the engine fires back into life, and you’re on your way.

In more recent times the trials manufacturers have looked at new areas to increase sales and, off the back of this, we have seen more models become available. Owners want more out of a motorcycle than something that can be only ridden in trials events.

NEW MODELS

Here we take a quick overview of the models available for your days of adventure and fun.

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Beta

Out of all the models available in this new-found sector, the Beta Alp is the only one which is not a trials-based model. This four-stroke model is very much a more trail type machine, a very good one I might add, and one we have used to cover events in the past.

The Alp story goes back to the late nineties with a two-stroke water-cooled model based around the steel frame trials machine, which in Europe was very popular. The four-stroke Alp has been around for a long time, firstly as a 125cc before the move to the 200cc since 2003, and has a very good reputation for its all-round use and versatility. It was a worldwide success story, and soon the choice of engine sizes moved to a 200cc or 400cc depending on what your ambitions were, but this single cylinder four-stroke engine comes with a superb reliability record. With the option of a mechanical start with a kick-start lever and the electric option of the press of a button, it has ticked all the boxes for many riders over the years.

I know from experience that you can purchase a ‘long-ride’ seat which fits the successful Evo trials model, giving you an option for the Italian two-stroke machines.

I actually remember seeing one of these Beta Alp two-stroke machines at a world round. They were produced around the end of the 90s, I think this is the 1997 model.

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Beta UK Telephone: 01756 793521 Email: sales@beta-uk.com Web: beta-uk.com

Left: This is a good all-round motorcycle and is very rider friendly with its soft 200cc four-stroke power. These models have endured the test of time and with the addition of the electric starter is a superb machine to follow an event around on. Another plus point is the strong residual value, such is the demand. Right: For those riders wanting to be more adventurous the Beta Alp is also available as a 400cc model, once again as a four-stroke.

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DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

ADVENTURE TRACK AND TRIAL

In at the deep end, literally, testing the 2017 Gas Gas Contact in March 2017. This is the pre-electric-start model.

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If my memory serves me correctly, the Pampera models were made available in the midnineties, as I certainly had one before I got divorced in 1997.

Over the years, these were available in 125cc, 250cc and 300cc and had a strong reputation as a ‘go-anywhere’ machine. Trials based, the main changes with the Pampera model were a comfier seat, larger fuel tank and the gear ratios more suited to trail riding.

In 2011, we tested the little 125cc Randone four-stroke model. For such a small-capacity engine the performance was quite good, but the icing on the cake was an electric start. Just like the Beta Alp you had the choice of a kick-start lever or the electric option. It was also supplied with two sets of sprockets, one for trials and one for trails.

Like the Beta, it was not based around its two-stroke trials models but a more trail-type chassis. A long-ride seat was easily removed to lower the set height to the trials seat; quite clever actually.

In late 2017, we witnessed the return of a Pampera type model, with the new Contact available in both 250cc and 280cc engine sizes. Based around the TXT trial models the Spanish manufacturer had listened to what was needed and, you have probably already guessed, it’s got an electric start option along with the mechanical one. A larger fuel tank and long-ride seat with the ‘Easy Move’ option if you want to use it as a trials machine was also added.

Gas Gas UK: Telephone: 01298 766813, Email: mail@gasgasuk.com Web: gasgasuk.com

The new 2019 Gas Gas Contact model.

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Wow did I have some fun on this early 250cc Gas Gas Pampera! This was my first venture into this type of machine. I actually rode this from my home to a ‘Dead Easy’ trial and back home on it, the win was a bonus!

If my memory is correct this picture is from around 1995/1996.

Yes they listened… You can see the electric starter motor at the front of the engine.

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

ADVENTURE TRACK AND TRIAL

Aftermarket hard parts and clothing manufacturer Jitsie gave a new Montesa Cota 4Ride to Dani Comas.

As part of an adventure feature he rode it from Gava, Spain to the world championship round in Andorra!

Montesa

With a production record of 50 years for the Cota model in 2018, it’s no wonder that Montesa is strong in this area of off-road. My earliest recollection of their trail-type models was the Cota 247T in the mid-seventies, which basically was the trials model with a larger seat and fuel tank fitted.

In the early nineties, the new ‘Evasion’ model, based off the back of the Cota 310, became available. As with the 247T model, it was very trials based. With the move to four-stroke trials machines in late 2004, with the Cota 4RT, word soon got around just how robust the machine and its engine was. Over the following years, we would witness some variants of the machine with larger seats and fuel tanks made available as aftermarket products.

In 2016, Montesa, using the four-stroke Honda engine, introduced the Cota 4Ride as a production model. Based around the trials model, it featured many small but significant changes to make it much friendlier to the all-round offroad rider. A larger fuel tank and seat along with suspension changes enhanced its go-anywhere features. Montesa’s Spanish development rider, Amos Bilbao, rode one in the 2017 Scottish Six Days Trial to show its all-round capabilities; he also won a Special First Class award.

Even though it starts easily on the kick-start, it misses the all-important electric start, which when you are tired and need to start the machine from dead is sometimes hard work for the rider.

The choice is yours! Here you can clearly see the connection between the Montesa Cota 310 and the ‘Evasion’ model with its larger seat.

Honda UK: Web: honda.co.uk

This ‘Two Wheel Jeep’ Montesa Cota 348 was an early attempt to capture the adventure rider after the Cota 247T model.

In early 2016 Trial Magazine was invited over to Spain for the official launch of the new Montesa Cota 4Ride model; yes, we approved, it was ace!

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Carrying the theme over from the four-stroke Montesa Cota 4RT on the right is a very early 4Ride in this 2015 brochure.

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

ADVENTURE TRACK AND TRIAL

When you have a seven-times world trials champion in charge you can expect exciting things to happen. Spain’s respected Jordi Tarres shows just how good the new TRS X-Track model is, he can still ride a bit!

TRS

This exciting new Spanish manufacturer arrived on the trials scene in 2016 as the brainchild of Jordi Tarres. In a very short space of time, they have established themselves as a strong manufacturer in the trials market.

New for 2019 is the X-Track. As this is an entirely new machine with no history. You can read more about it on page 32.

The studio shots are good, just wait until you see it in the flesh.

TRS Motorcycles UK, Telephone: 01242 675015 Email: sales@trsmotorcyclesuk.com Web: trsmotorcyclesuk.com

With a clear orange-and-black colour scheme the 2019 Scorpa stands out for its individuality.

Scorpa

As you will find on page 44 in this issue, we have had a very close look at the Scorpa TY125 F. It is because the official Scorpa UK importer, Nigel Birkett, has reversed the trend and made modifications to this trail model to turn it into a competitive trials model for the beginner or competition entry-level rider. On the two-stroke front, Scorpa over the years has also offered the ‘LongRide’ option with a larger seat and fuel tank on its SY range.

Scorpa UK Telephone: 01229 716214 Email: nigel.birkett@talk21.com Web: Birkettmotosport.com 74

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

SPORT

ACU BTC SOLO

James Dabill (Beta)

ACU BTC SOLO – CHAMPIONSHIP CLASS

Dabill’s Domination

The closing events of the 2018 series would be contested with round six in Wales and rounds seven and eight in Scotland.

The Hafren Club would organise what was voted by the riders as one of the best events in the 2018 calendar. Using some new trials ground, it was a very traditional event which tested the riders over a good selection of trials hazards. The result was still the same though, as James Dabill and the Beta proved to once again be the best. The series would conclude at the excellent Bob Macgregor Trial in Scotland, where a good variety of man-made and natural hazards would test the riders. The man on form was Toby Martyn on the Montesa as he took the scalp of Dabill to take his first series win in this class. A very determined Jack Peace was second but Dabill’s third-place finish was enough to give him his eighth British Championship title. With Dabill absent on day two both eventual winner Jack Price and Toby Martyn fought one another all day, with the verdict eventually going to Price as Jack Peace finished third. As for Martyn, his second-place finish moved him up into third place overall in the final championship positions, much to his delight.

ARTICLE: TRIALS MEDIA

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Toby Martyn (RG Montesa-Honda UK)

ACU BTC SOLO: MASTERS CLASS 2018 FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS RESULTS: 1: James Dabill (Beta) 135; 2: Jack Price (JST Gas Gas UK) 129; 3: Toby Martyn (RG Montesa/Honda UK) 111; 4: Dan Peace (JST Inch Perfect Gas Gas UK) 110; 5: Jack Peace (JST Inch Perfect Gas Gas UK) 99; 6: Jack Sheppard (Sherco) 84; 7: Andy Chilton (BMS/Andy Metcalfe Scorpa) 66; 8: Tom Minta (BMS Inch Perfect Scorpa) 56; 9: Iwan Roberts (TRS UK) 51; 10: Billy Green (Beta-UK) 48; 11: Sam Connor (Beta-UK) 24; 12: Hugo Jervis (TRS UK) 23; 13: Jack Challoner (Craigs Montesa) 20; 14: Dec Bullock (Gas Gas) 20; 15: Alexz Wigg (JST Gas Gas UK) 16.

ROUND RESULTS ROUND 6, WALES: 1: Dabill 25; 2: Price 49; 3: Roberts 55; 4: Martyn

56; 5: Dan Peace 67; 6: Jack Peace 72; 7: Sheppard 83; 8: Chilton 90; 9: Green 91; 10: Minta 94.

ROUND 7, SCOTLAND: 1: Martyn 12; 2: Jack Peace 14; 3: Dabill 20;

4: Dan Peace 27; 5: Price 27; 6: Sheppard 33; 7: Minta 60; 8: Chilton 66; 9: Green 74; 10: Roberts 78.

ROUND 8, SCOTLAND: 1: Price 9; 2: Martyn 13; 3: Jack Peace 24; 4: Sheppard 25; 5: Dan Peace 32; 6: Roberts 45; 7: Green 63; 8: Chilton 64; 9: Minta 91; 10: Jervis 103.

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

SPORT

ACU BTC SOLO

Jack Peace (JST Inch Perfect Gas Gas UK)

Jack Price (JST Gas Gas UK)

Iwan Roberts (TRS UK) TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

Andy Chilton (BMS Andy Metcalfe Scorpa) 77

SW Trials TrialMag 1118.pdf

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EAST NEUK

TRIALS MOTORCYCLES • Congratulations to Andy Anderson winning the 2018 Scottish Championship on his Scorpa 300 Factory bike

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SPORT

ACU BTC SOLO

Tom Affleck (180° Vertigo)

Ross Danby (TRS UK)

ACU BTC SOLO – MASTERS CLASS

It’s TRS Time In its first year of competition, this new ACU Masters Class was expected to attract more entries. With its new format for the riders, who take in 50% of the easiest Championship sections and 50% of the hardest Expert sections, it was the combination of Ross Danby and TRS who have proved the winners of all the rounds he contested. With a full #house of wins including round six in Wales he had to miss the final two rounds due to ill health, but we doubt anyone would have beaten him in this class. Has this series format got a future?

Over to you at the ACU! ARTICLE: TRIALS MEDIA

TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

Duncan MacColl (Beta)

ACU BTC SOLO: MASTERS CLASS 2018 FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS RESULTS: 1: Ross Danby (TRS UK) 120; 2: Tom Affleck (180° Vertigo) 77; 3: Sam Haslam (JST Gas Gas UK) 68; 4: Duncan MacColl (Beta) 55; 5: Gwynedd Jones (Beta) 54; 6: Adam Milner (TRS UK) 30; 7: Connor Hogan (Gas Gas) 13; 8: Oliver Smith (Gas Gas) 13.

ROUND RESULTS ROUND 6, WALES: 1: Danby 39; 2: Sam Haslam 48; 3: Jones 94; 4: Milner 121.

ROUND 7, SCOTLAND: 1: Duncan MacColl (Beta) 83.

ROUND 8, SCOTLAND: 1: Duncan MacColl (Beta) 98.

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ACU BTC SOLO

Richard Sadler (Acklams Beta)

ACU BTC SOLO – EXPERT CLASS

Richard’s Revenge

Having tasted defeat at the hands of James Fry in 2017, Richard Sadler (Acklams Beta) made sure of the 2018 Expert Class title with a clear victory over his rivals. Consistency has been the key factor for Sadler with four wins from the eight-round series, three seconds and one third place, which has allowed him step by step to pull away from his rivals.

His clear victory in round six in Wales over Chris Stay (TRS UK) put one hand on the trophy before he tied up the series with a second place behind his old adversary James Fry on day one in Scotland at the Bob Macgregor trial. Richard’s dominant win on day two at the same venue over Sam Yeomans (JST Gas Gas UK) shows just why he is the 2018 British Champion.

ARTICLE: TRIALS MEDIA

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James Fry (Sherco) DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

SPORT

ACU BTC SOLO

Guy Kendrew (The Lakes Beta-UK)

Guy Kendrew, Richard Sadler and Luke Walker

ACU BTC SOLO: EXPERT CLASS 2018 FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS RESULTS: 1: Richard Sadler (Acklam’s Beta) 146; 2: Guy Kendrew (The Lakes BetaUK) 111; 3: Luke Walker (Sherco) 97; 4: James Fry (Sherco) 96; 5: Dan Thorpe (JST Gas Gas UK) 93; 6: Chris Stay (TRS UK) 90; 7: Sam Yeomans (JST Gas Gas UK) 77; 8: Emma Bristow (Sherco) 60; 9: Conrad Atkinson (Sherco) 40; 10: Joe Baker (Active Sherco) 20; 11: Ben Morphett (Montesa) 20; 12: Craig Houston (East Neuk Scorpa) 10; 13: Lloyd Price (TRS) 20; 14: Josh Hanlon (Beta) 19; 15: Andrew Anderson (Easy Neuk Scorpa) 15.

ROUND RESULTS ROUND 6, WALES: 1: Sadler 11; 2: Stay 26; 3: Kendrew 29; 4: Thorpe 29; 5: Fry 35; 6: Walker 41; 7: Price 47; 8: Yeomans 57; 9: Bristow 57; 10: Atkinson 77.

ROUND 7, SCOTLAND: 1: Fry 20; 2: Sadler 25; 3: Walker 27; 4: Thorpe 32; 5:

Yeomans 43; 6: Stay 46; 7: Kendrew 54; 8: Anderson 54; 9: Houston 56; 10: Bristow 69.

Chris Stay (BVM TRS UK) TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

ROUND 8, SCOTLAND: 1: Sadler 14; 2: Yeomans 32; 3: Stay 32; 4: Fry 35; 5: Thorpe 35; 6: Kendrew 39; 7: Walker 39; 8: Atkinson 61; 9: Anderson 62; 10: Bristow 64.

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LADIES’ AND GIRLS’ BTC

Jess Bown (BMS BVM Scorpa)

Emma Bristow (Sherco)

LADIES AND GIRLS BTC

Top Trial For some time now the Ladies’ British Trials Championship has remained a series that has sat in the backwaters of offroad sport, very used to seeing low-scoring rounds that didn’t really show the true differences in abilities between those at the sharp end and the rest of the entry. Without a doubt, this year has put to an end to that as the Chelmsford, and District Auto Club staged the last round for the 2018 season at the superb venue: The Trials Park, Corton, Suffolk. A small but regular and dedicated entry from all over the UK tackled 12 sections of varied and very challenging terrain; add in an extra ingredient – the weather – and you’ve got the perfect season finale. With the overnight rainstorms easing by the start time, the ground was looking very greasy as the entry made nervous attempts at the rocky and tree-root climbs in front of the large crowd.

WORDS: CHELMSFORD AND DISTRICT AUTO CLUB

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Jess Bown, Emma Bristow and Hannah Styles From the start the current world champion Emma Bristow started to show her pure brilliance by laying down some truly dominant rides, however, she joined the majority of the entry on section two, Banbury Banks, when she slid off the tricky cambered crossing covered in thick tree roots.

Jess Bown is looking very much like the contender that will be able to make sure Emma doesn’t have things all her own way next year. She executed some great rides with pin-point accuracy, which enabled her and Emma to slowly pull out an early lead on the chasing pack of Donna Fox and Hannah Styles.

Both these girls have been neck and neck all year and ended up only 12 marks apart after a day-long battle with each other, neither rider realising just how close they were all day yet again.

It is what championships are about!

Alice Minta, this year’s B class winner, and Alecia Robinson were very close to Donna Fox and rounded off the Championship class with some truly gritty riding. On the Championship 50/50 course, it was Bethanie Dunning who took top place after another closely fought day with her adversary Chloe Baker.

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

OFF ROAD RACING PARTS CSP parts are distributed in the UK by:

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SPORT

LADIES’ AND GIRLS’ BTC

On route two, which catered for the intermediate A and B riders, the focus has to be on the B class group. It is not to take anything away from the A winners of Sarah Bell, Libby Martinez and Molly Mayhew who all rode their socks off, but just look at those scores; Kaytlyn Adshead, Daisy Parsons and Elizabeth Tett all finishing under the 100-mark barrier, showing how strong this class is right now.

Big favourites with the crowds of supporters were without a doubt the C class contenders of Florence Baldrick and Gemma Kerruish, as these girls showed no signs of nerves or fear as they both demonstrated how much skill they already have, both ready to give it everything they had for those elusive cleans. The enthusiasm of their team supporters was to be admired, giving the girls hi-fives at the end of each tough section.

It can’t be emphasised enough just how much passion and commitment were given by all the riders; coupled with the encouragement from team members and keen spectators this really did demonstrate that the UK women’s trials scene is producing some extremely worthy young contenders all keen to take that top spot in the future.

LADIES’ & GIRLS’ BRITISH TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP 2018 LADIES’ ROUTE 1 1: Emma Bristow (Sherco) 31; 2: Jess Bown (BVM BMS Scorpa) 61; 3: Hannah Styles (Vertigo) 103.

LADIES’ 50/50 ROUTE 2 1: Bethanie Dunning (Colin Appleyard M/cs Beta) 98; 2: Chloe Baker (TRS UK) 109.

GIRLS’ A INTERMEDIATE ROUTE 2 1: Sarah Bell (Checkmate Group

Beta) 103; 2: Libby Martinez (Beta) 167; 3: Molly Mayhew (Off Road Moto Beta) 176.

GIRLS’ B ROUTE 2 1: Kaytlyn Adshead (Station Garage Beta) 80; 2: Daisy Parsons (Beta) 81; 3: Elizabeth Tett (TT Beta) 98.

LADIES’ INTERMEDIATE ROUTE 2 1: Jazz Hammond (Sherco) 104; 2: Catherine Alford (JST Gas Gas UK) 107; 3: Charlotte Kimber (Beta) 122.

Hannah Styles (Vertigo)

GIRLS’ C ROUTE 3 1: Florence Baldrick (Beta) 89; 2: Gemma Kerruish (Oset) 126.

GIRLS’ D ROUTE 4 1: Matilda Arbon (Offroad Beta) 49.

2018 CHAMPIONSHIP WITH 6 ROUNDS OF 7 COMPLETED. LADIES’ ROUTE 1 1: Bristow 140; 2: Bown 119; 3: Styles 97.

LADIES’ 50/50 ROUTE 2 1: Dunning 129; 2: Baker 123; 3: Stephen 67.

GIRLS’ A CHAMPIONSHIP 50/50 ROUTE 2 1: Alice Minta 97; 2: Olivia Brooksbank 74.

LADIES’ INTERMEDIATE ROUTE 2 1: Alford 129; 2: Hammond 128; 3: Kimber 88.

GIRLS’ A INTERMEDIATE ROUTE 2 1: Bell 120; 2: Mayhew 85; 3: Amy Clarke 62.

GIRLS’ B ROUTE 2 1: Tett 126; 2: Adshead 121; 3: Parsons 102.

GIRLS’ C ROUTE 3 1: Summer Peters 100; 2: Kerruish 49; 3: Baldock 32.

Alicia Robinson (Beta)

Alice Minta (Beta)

GIRLS’ D ROUTE 4 1: Arbon 140; 2: Summer Brooksbank 68; 3: Edie Baldock 34.

Everyone’s a winner 84

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

YOUTH FOCUS

Mitch Brightmore Many things catch your eye in the trials world, and it was on a photo shoot at Hawk’s Nest that this article first started to take shape back in December 2014. The tough rock-strewn venue is a favourite practice venue for many young riders. Some soon master the slippery unforgiving gritstone rocks, and others do not, it’s as simple as that!

I had seen one of my old pals, Chris Brightmore, and we got talking; I had a new camera and ‘when are you going practising again?’ was the question. He mentioned he would soon be at Hawk’s Nest with his two boys, and so the date was set to test the camera with Ashton who was six years old and Mitch who was twelve. What happened next, really opened my eyes. There’s a big rock that many riders will have been up, but when Chris suggested his elder son Mitch ride up it for the pictures I was ‘gobsmacked’ at how confidently he mastered it. Roll the clock forward to 2018, and Mitch has just been crowned the ACU Elite Youth A Trials Champion.

ARTICLE: YOOMEE

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YOUTH

FOCUS

Standing proudly on the top step of the podium as the 2018 Elite Youth British Champion.

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ot new to the motorcycle scene as he had his successful career, Buxton based builder Chris Brightmore was more than happy to see his two sons Ashton and Mitch take to motorcycles at a very early age.

The first Youth class British Championship came from the younger of the two brothers Ashton in the D Class Medium Wheel in 2015. In this article though, we turn our focus to the elder brother Mitch.

Four wheels first

As with many young riders, the quad machines have kick-started the youth adventure, and Mitch was no different. At the age of three, the Suzuki quad was the introduction under the guidance of his father.

Speeding around in local fields fuelled the need for speed, and he loved it. It was a rapid transition as the four-wheel support was not needed any more and it was a move over to two wheels and a Yamaha PW 50.

It was then a short period of motocross on a KTM Mini Adventure, but Chris knew that a move to trials would help with throttle control, not to mention the bank balance!

At the age of seven, it was a Gas Gas 50 that gave him the trials bug. After many hours spent at Hawk’s Nest, and with encouragement from the Robinson family a few local trials were contested, and the love of the sport became a family addiction.

Wanting to progress away from the local venues and with him practising more than ever Chris started to take him to the superb YMSA events in 2012.

As we all know Barry Burton and his wife have been very instrumental in encouraging many riders into the YMSA trials on their land and Mitch Brightmore was one of these riders who benefitted, something the family is eternally grateful for. It was at this stage that new friendships would be made with other young riders and families which have endured the test of time.

Riding with these new-found friends over the next few years, they would encourage one another, which, in turn, gave them the confidence to compete in the very competitive youth class.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

A learning curve

The first Youth class British Championship in the Brightmore family came from the younger of the two brothers Ashton, in the D Class Medium Wheel in 2015 on the Beta.

Now mounted on the little Beta 80, the years flew by and, in 2014, Mitch did his first full season in the Youth British Championship. He came third but knew he could do better. He knew that the key to success was to practice as much as possible, which he did. Not just everyday practice, but on harder hazards to improve his ability, which he did with younger brother Ashton acting as ‘Minder’. 2015 was rewarded with fourth overall in a very competitive British Championship class.

As with many young riders, other interests were taking up more and more time and so, in 2016, he

had a year away from the British Championship.

It was a fresh start in 2017 and a move to the Gas Gas for the return to the British Championship.

Growing in stature and with some intense training both on and off the machine moved him up into second overall as the season closed.

To prepare for 2018, he competed in some A Class events to see what the hazards would be like and also the opposition. It was a steep learning curve but one he wanted to pursue, and he knew that it was once again back to the grindstone and practice, practice and more practice if he was to succeed in 2018.

Looking good on the 125cc JST Gas Gas UK in the early part of the 2018 series in the Lake District.

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YOUTH FOCUS

came training and tuition from the ‘Mighty Atom’ himself, Mr. Brown.

In 2018 a new youth class was introduced, the Elite Youth A, where they would compete at the same events as the main adult championships. After some intense training with Brown, it was now time for round one of the new series. The Hooks Woods venue near Guildford was a tough day, and Mitch just missed the win to championship rival Gus Oblein with the scores 107 to 114.

At round two in the Lake District rain Mitch put the hammer down with a very convincing win on 107 marks lost to Brett Harbud on 137, and again he won in Wales at round three. In round four it was Oblein who took the win at Kelly’s Farm, but Mitch was 2nd to hold the championship lead.

Younger brother Ashton is a man of many talents, seen here on Minding duties for Mitch a few years ago.

Team

Always on the lookout for new young talent, Mitch was invited by John Shirt Jnr at Gas Gas UK to join his youth team for 2018. Also in the JST Gas Gas UK team were his good friends Jack Dance, Harry Turner and Brother Ashton.

As part of the team, they would also receive the much-appreciated support from Gas Gas UK and the sponsors’ products. After they had agreed to join the team, the riders were then introduced to their new youth team manager, Michael Brown.

John explained that along with the sponsored ride

Team family.

Crash

With Jack Price on the left.

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Mitch then had the crash you all dread, in practice when he fractured and dislocated his collarbone at the end of July. With some expert help, he was soon back up and running though, to take a convincing win at round five to open up a championship advantage. As they say, the rest is history, and he was more than happy to take the 2018 Elite Youth A British Championship at the last round in Scotland.

He is quick to acknowledge that it is a team effort from all the family with dad Chris looking after the machinery, mum Sally for the food and washing and of course younger brother and training partner Ashton.

Education still plays an important part in Mitchel’s life as he attends Buxton Community School. He is in his final year studying Construction, French, Resistant Materials, Maths and English. Out of school he enjoys Mountain Biking, Dirt Jumping and Cycle Trials and hanging out with his friends – oh and annoying his brother, Ashton!

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

SPORT

ACU BTC SOLO

Mitch Brightmore (JST Gas Gas UK)

ACU BTC SOLO – ELITE YOUTH CLASS

Magic Mitch

Despite at times showing to be a little nervous on his first lap, Mitch Brightmore has soon settled down to improve as the day’s action has progressed, in this year’s series. This was the case at round six at the Hafren Trial in Wales. Just off the winning pace on the opening lap he applied his skills to move up to the top of the leader board to eventually take a clear win from Charlie Smith (Inch Perfect Beta) and his nearest championship challenger Gus Oblein. With his eyes on the title he went to Scotland knowing exactly what he had to do to take the title. Two tough days decided the championship in Brightmore’s favour as he won by a clear advantage on both days. The final championship points tally tells its own story.

This new series where the youth riders compete with the adults has hopefully given them an early stepping stone on the path to success in the trials world, which becomes much harder as you move up through the classes.

ARTICLE: TRIALS MEDIA

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Gus Oblein (Sherco) DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

SPORT

ACU BTC SOLO

Brett Harbud (BVM Beta)

Adam Juffs (TRS UK)

Charlie Smith (Inch Perfect Trials Beta

Ryan Brown (Beta)

Gus Oblein, Mitch Brightmore and Brett Harbud

ACU BTC SOLO: ELITE YOUTH 2018 FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS RESULTS: 1: Mitch Brightmore (JST Gas Gas UK)

154; 2: Gus Oblein (Sherco) 130; 3: Brett Harbud (BVM Beta) 116; 4: Charlie Smith (Inch Perfect Trials Beta) 88; 5: Adam Juffs (TRS UK) 70; 6: Joshua Wright (Beta) 68; 7: Ryan Brown (Beta) 50.

ROUND RESULTS ROUND 6, WALES: 1: Brightmore 71; 2: Smith 83; 3:

Oblein 88; 4: Harbud 104; 5: Wright 115; 6: Juffs 148.

ROUND 7, SCOTLAND: 1: Brightmore 71; 2: Oblein 101; 3: Harbud 128; 4: Wright 131; 5: Juffs 154.

Joshua Wright (Beta) 92

ROUND 8, SCOTLAND: 1: Brightmore 67; 2: Harbud 91; 3: Oblein 101; 4: Wright 124; 5: Juffs 156.

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

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Andy Metcalfe Trial Mag 0318.pdf

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DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

SPORT

JERSEY TWO DAY

An island experience Elisha Benstead (Beta)

Two- and three-day trials are most certainly among the best ways to enjoy your trials riding, and the annual running of the Channel Islands-based Jersey Motor Cycle and Light Car Club two-day trial once again attracted a good strong entry with many riders making the journey from the mainland of Great Britain. It also highlighted that these events are not just for the riders. Offering excellent hotels and restaurants as well as tax-free pre-Christmas shopping all the family can enjoy the island of Jersey. Despite the stormy weather that had been predicted all the riders arrived by air and sea, with the first day of action managing to beat the rain and the second day ending up, even more, inviting with sunshine and blue skies. Before Sunday’s action got underway, all the riders and officials observed two minutes of silence to respect Remembrance Day. Clerk of the Course Dennis Le Breton and his hard-working team had laid out two separate days of action for the entry of just over 70 riders. Each day would take in two laps of 15 hazards at two separate locations on the island. With a five-hour time limit and the threatened rain on day one, the riders did not hang about. The heavy rain on the run-up to the event had made the surface very slippery, with wheel grip at a premium keeping the entry moving along nicely all day. To keep the queuing down to a minimum the riders start in three separate groups. On day one it was the Expert route riders who started first followed by the Clubmen and then the Novice route riders; this would be reversed on day two. The three routes were made up of ten riders on the Expert route, 30 on the Clubmen and 29 on the Novice route.

REPORT AND PICTURES: TRIALS MEDIA

TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

Thomas Mollet (Gas Gas)

Expert route With an opening day’s score of 16 marks lost, Jersey rider Richard Pallot (Beta) held a handsome lead over Thomas Mollet on 34 marks lost followed by a previous winner, Nick Life (Beta).

Eventual Best Over 40 rider, George Edyvean (Beta), had a very inconsistent day and was way off the pace at the front.

Day two would see a superb fight back up the leaderboard for Edyvean, who used his years of experience to post the best single lap score of 14, but it was not enough to catch young Richard Pallot. Looking on form all weekend his second day’s score was just one more than the previous day, and his final winning margin told its own story of a dominant win. The best Guernsey rider was Thomas Scott (TRS), who finished sixth on 105 marks lost.

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SPORT

JERSEY TWO DAY

Glen Hamel (Beta) Richard Pallot (Beta)

Dai ‘Keith’ Bedford (Montesa)

Novice route

Chris Berry (Beta)

Clubman route With the best score on both days, Chris Berry (Beta) managed to keep his calm and make sure of the victory despite the pressure. Riding as both a teacher to his son Greg and as a potential winner himself his opening score of 18 marks lost in front of eventual second-placed rider Glen Hamel (Beta) was where the winning advantage was gained. Third position was very hotly contested, with Neil Saffin (Scorpa) on his ageing Yamaha engine Scorpa having the edge on 72 cleans to the 68 of Richard Morin; yes it was that close. In fifth position was Toby Fry (Sherco) who after having his father Richard in close competition on day one pulled away to take the family honours as his father slipped down to seventh after the two days of riding.

Languishing way down in fifth place after day one, the eventual winner Steve Kenny came fighting back on day two to post the lowest lap score over the two days. On day one it was the Welsh rider, Dai ‘Keith’ Bedford on the Montesa who was the man on form, holding a single-mark advantage over Paul Le Rougetel (Beta). Alan Lloyd (Yamaha) was next on eight, followed by the eventual Best Lady Rider award winner from Guernsey Elisha Benstead (Beta) who was tied with eventual winner Kenny on ten marks lost.

Under the warm skies on Sunday it would all go out of the window for Bedford as two stops pushed him away from the win and down into sixth position. Nick Coote showed good form to move into the top five as Paul Le Rougetel remained consistent to finish second, three marks behind a very happy winner Steve Kenny.

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Steve Kenny (Scorpa)

DAY ONE RESULTS EXPERT ROUTE: 1: Richard Pallot (Beta) 16; 2:

Thomas Mollet (Gas Gas) 34; 3: Nick Life (Beta) 37; 4: George Edyvean (Beta) 45; 5: Lee Rogan (Beta) 51.

CLUBMEN ROUTE: 1: Chris Berry (Beta) 18; 2: Glen

Hamel (Beta) 21; 3: Toby Fry (Sherco) 27; 4: Richard Fry (Sherco) 28; 5: Richard Morin (Beta) 28.

NOVICE ROUTE: 1: Dai Bedford (Montesa) 6;

2: Paul Le Rougetel (Beta) 7; 3: Alan Lloyd (Yamaha) 8; 4: Elisha Benstead (Beta) 10; 5: Steve Kenny (Scorpa) 10.

FINAL RESULTS EXPERT ROUTE: 1: Richard Pallot (Beta) 33; 2: George Edyvean (Beta) 56; 3: Thomas Mollet (Gas Gas) 58; 4: Nick Life (Beta) 62; 5: Lee Rogan (Beta) 96.

CLUBMEN ROUTE: 1: Chris Berry (Beta) 28;

2: Glen Hamel (Beta) 34; 3: Neil Saffin (Scorpa) 47; 4: Richard Morin (Beta) 47; 5: Toby Fry (Sherco) 49.

NOVICE ROUTE: 1: Steve Kenny (Scorpa) 13;

2: Paul Le Rougetel (Beta) 16; 3: Elisha Benstead (Beta) 20; 4: Alan Bertram (Gas Gas) 22; 5: Nick Coote (Sherco) 23.

Paul Le Rougetel (Beta) 96

George Edyvean (Beta)

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John Hulme: “Once again the JMC & LCC organised an excellent two-day event enjoyed by all who attended. I cannot emphasise the enjoyment and social aspect of visiting Jersey, and I would encourage anyone thinking of entering in 2019 to get the date in your diary. The event always runs over the Remembrance Day weekend.

The club would like to thank the following for their continued support: BVM Moto, Hotel Ambassadeur and Holeshot Signs, and of course all the riders and families who attended.”

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

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CLASSIC COMPETITION MANX INTERNATIONAL

Stephen Lace (Triumph)

Blowing a gale The 2018 Manx International Classic Trial suffered from some of the poorest weather in its 22-year history, which was disappointing after the hot dry summer the island had enjoyed. However, the good natured Twinshock and Pre65 trials competitors took it all in their stride and enjoyed what has become, for many, their ‘must-ride’ event. Entries were over-subscribed as usual, with the 230 lucky recipients including almost 50 overseas riders and former World Champion Yrjo Vesterinen setting off from the Southern 100 race paddock on Saturday morning from 8.30.

WORDS: IAN LEES AND TRIALS MEDIA • PICTURES: MIKE RADCLIFFE PHOTOGRAPHY

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DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

CLASSIC COMPETITION MANX INTERNATIONAL

Darren Wasley (Fantic)

Nick Shield (Triumph)

W

ithin the large overseas entry was 74-year-old Roger Galpin making the long trip from Australia, a 14-strong German and Swiss contingent, and no fewer than 26 Spaniards! The Spanish crew were organised as ever

by Albert Bergada Laseca, who with his son Freddie are regular and welcome visitors to the event, bringing over some beautiful and well prepared Bultacos and a handful of Pre-65 machines. Team Germany, led by regular Michael Ernst, always enjoy their weekend on the island and help make this a truly international event.

Saturday This day-one route primarily centred around the south and west of the island and included some locations not used for quite a few years, together with old favourites Glen Rushen Gulley and the spectacular coastal rocks at Scarlett. The single-lap route of 32 sections was slightly longer and tougher this year, which seemed to be welcomed by the majority of riders despite the drizzly and misty weather.

After the first day, twice former winner James Harland (Triumph Twin) and five-time Twinshock winner Ulsterman Stephen Murphy (Drayton Bantam) were joint leaders of the Pre-65 Premier class on a loss of four, both losing marks on the tricky stream beds at Scard Farm and the muddy section at the top of Cringle Plantation. Scotsman Jim Tennant (Francis Barnett) led the Pre-65 Clubman class on seven. Darren Wasley (Fantic) had the best ride of the day and led the Twinshock Premier class, which runs at the head of the field, having only lost one mark in the stream bed at Scard Farm. Martin Gilbert on his little Honda TM 60 led the Twinshock Clubman class with a solitary five on the relatively easy third section of the day at Poyll Vaaish.

Frank Borchers (Jawa-DEU) TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

Roger Feather (Ariel)

Rob Bowyer (Triumph) 99

CLASSIC COMPETITION MANX INTERNATIONAL

Steve Martin (Majesty)

Sunday The trial moved north on day two, starting from St John’s, but unfortunately the weather was even worse with much of the route shrouded in mist, denying riders the spectacular views the island offers. This poor weather made some sections a little bit tougher than intended, but all enjoyed the well thought-out and marked route which kept roadwork to a minimum. The 30 sections included slippery stream beds at Eairy Beg, Little London and Ballaugh Plantation and the signature group at Cluggid Gate.

Stephen Murphy kept his cool, apart from a momentary lapse when he incurred a five on the relatively easy second section through the trees at Ballaugh Plantation, to drop only nine which was equalled by 2017 winner Phil Houghton (Triumph).

Murphy held on by four in the overall final standings to win the Manx Classic Premier Award from Houghton, with leading newcomer Ian Peberdy (BSA Bantam) moving to third overall on 21 with an impressive second-day loss of only 11. John Chatto grabbed the Pre-65 Clubman class honours with an excellent day-two score of one dab dropped in Colden Plantation, giving a total score of nine to beat newcomer Josep Puig (BSA Bantam) from Spain, who stayed feet-up all day to finish on 11 with Jim Tennant slipping to third on 13. Darren Wasley (Fantic) again produced a very good ride to seal the Twinshock Premier award with a Sunday score of 21 giving a final loss of 22, but local man Wayne Wardell pushed him on Sunday with a loss of 25 to jump to second overall on 44 with Steve Martin (Majesty) in third on 54. Martin Gilbert (Honda) successfully defended his lead in the Twinshock Clubman class with a day-two loss of four, giving him nine for the weekend, with former winner Miguel Angel Garcia Cuesto (Bultaco) of Spain second on a total of 18.

This International event is the finale to the Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling, so anyone visiting the island for the trial can also take in some Classic and Modern road racing with the Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix taking place just before. Here's hoping for much better weather for next year!

Eckehard Wienstroer (Yamaha-DEU)

Tony Swidenbank (BSA)

Victor Martin Bordonau (Bultaco-ESP)

2018 MANX INTERNATIONAL TWO DAY TRIAL PRE-65 PREMIER - 1: Stephen Murphy (Drayton Bantam) 13; 2: Phil Houghton (Triumph) 17;

3: Ian Peberdy (BSA Bantam) 21; 4: James Harland (Triumph Twin) 26; 5: Kiaran Hankin (James) 26; 6: Paul Dennis (Triumph Cub) 30; 7: Nick Shield (Trifield) 33; 8: Rob Bowyer (Triumph Twin) 35; 9: Michael Irving (Ariel HT) 36; 10: Chris Gascoigne (Francis Barnett) 40.

PRE-65 PREMIER UNDER 35: 1: Carl Batty (James) 17; 2: George Emmott (Triumph Twin) 52; 3: David Heys (Triumph) 61.

PRE-65 CLUBMAN: 1: John Chatto (James) 9; 2: Josep Puig (BSA Bantam) 11; 3: Jim Tennant (Francis Barnett) 13; 4: Mick Chapman (BSA Bantam) 13; 5: Mervyn Powell (Matchless) 16; 6: Mick James (Triumph 3TA) 16; 7: Alan Brown (Triumph Cub) 17; 8: Gary Shaw (Triumph TRW) 19; 9: Carl Winstanley (Ariel) 23; 10: Paul Kirkby (BSA Bantam) 25.

PRE-65 CLUBMAN UNDER 35: 1: Frederic Bergada Laseca (James) 36.

TWINSHOCK PREMIER: 1: Darren Wasley (Fantic) 22; 2: Wayne Wardell (Yamaha Majesty) 44; 3: Steve Martin (Yamaha Majesty) 54; 4: Graham Christian (Yamaha Majesty) 62; 5: Tony Gush (Yamaha Majesty) 71; 6: Jose Buixo (Bultaco) 72; 7: Dave Wood (Garelli) 73; 8: Dave Knaggs (Bultaco) 73; 9: Miquel Ramon (Honda) 75; 10: Mariano Gomez (Bultaco) 86.

TWINSHOCK PREMIER UNDER 35: 1: Russell Rooksby (Fantic) 23; 2: Matthew Lund (Fantic) 82; 3: Daniel Smith (Fantic) 131.

TWINSHOCK CLUBMAN: 1: Martin Gilbert (Honda TLM) 9; 2: Miguel Angel Garcia Cuesta

(Bultaco) 18; 3: Ignacio Carro (Bultaco) 21; 4: Victor Martin Bordonau (Bultaco) 22; 5: Sergi Balague Gonzalez (Bultaco) 25; 6: Nigel Woods (Honda) 32; 7: Paul Norman (Fantic) 32; 8: Ludvig Granby (Fantic) 38; 9: Michael Ernst (Yamaha Majesty) 38; 10: Ralf Goerlich (Yamaha Majesty) 40.

Stephen Murphy (BSA) 100

TWINSHOCK CLUBMAN UNDER 35: 1: Kieran McDaid (Fantic) 35 DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

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DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

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Turns heads and keeps them there

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TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

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THE MARTIN LAMPKIN TRIAL

The world’s No 1 Indoor Arena Trial featuring the world’s top riders TONI BOU

World No 1 & 24 times World Champion

JERONI FAJARDO World No 2

ADAM RAGA

World current No 3 & six times World Champion

JAIME BUSTO World No 4

JAMES DABILL World No 7

JACK PRICE World No 10

TOBY MARTYN Trial2 World Championship No 2

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Trial2 World Championship No 5

SATURDAY 5 JANUARY SHEFFIELD FlyDSA ARENA 7pm

THE BEST RIDERS IN THE WORLD WILL BE HERE AGAIN TO THRILL AND AMAZE YOU WITH THEIR SKILL AND BRAVERY, AS THEY ATTEMPT TO RIDE A MOTORCYCLE OVER THE IMPOSSIBLE. WITH 4 HOURS OF NON-STOP BREATHTAKING ACTION, SHEFFIELD IS A SUPERB NIGHT OUT FOR ALL THE FAMILY. PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT, AND REMEMBER THE VERY BEST SEATS ALWAYS SELL QUICKLY! TICKETS ADULTS £32.50 UNDER 14s £22.50 (MAY BE SUBJECT TO A BOOKING FEE) Presented

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FLASHBACK 1968

Sammy Miller (252 Bultaco): With the Bultaco back in one piece it’s a bloodied Sammy who continued on, to take his fourth consecutive win in the Ringwood Motorcycle & Light Car Club’s Perce Simon Trial. Broken ribs and severe bruising were diagnosed after the trial on a visit to the local hospital.

Derek Adsett (250 Greeves): Keeping the Greeves flag flying, the future of the manufacturer in trials was taking its directors to the Puch factory in Austria.

The supply of Villiers engines was rapidly drying up. In the showrooms a new 250 Greeves Anglian was priced at £295.00 and a Bultaco at £275.00.

With Miller’s continued success the writing was on the wall for Greeves.

Perce Simon Trial

Paul Dunkley (250 Cheetah): It was not to be a double winning weekend for the Dunkley and Cheetah combination. Despite the crash and the subsequent injuries Miller was still a class act and, in truth, no one had an answer to his riding skills.

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The Hoad and Perce Simon national trials took part over a weekend of trials action and were made up of very similar conditions.

Steep, sandy, tree-rutted climbs and masses of bottomless mud with not a rock in sight.

Throw the first three gears away as it’s all usually full throttle and flat-out action. The area for the two days of action had seen heavy rain, making for a real ‘mud plugging’ weekend. The combination of Sammy Miller and the Spanish Bultaco were coming to the event having won on the previous three occasions, could he make it four in a row?

Who would bet against it! At the Hoad Trial the previous day he had to play second fiddle to an on-form 21-year-old Paul Dunkley on the Cheetah taking his first national win, pushing Miller down to second. He arrived along with 109 solo riders who would attempt 20 hazards over two laps and 17 sidecars who would cover 20 hazards but only take in the one lap.

ARTICLE: CLASSIC TRIAL MAGAZINE WITH SUPPORT FROM MORTONS ARCHIVE • PICTURES: BRIAN HOLDER

DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019 • TRIAL MAGAZINE

FLASHBACK 1968

Chris Cullen (250 Cheetah): A good quality of finish and the use of superior rear and front suspension were some of the attractions to the Cheetah trials models.

Based in the south of the country they proved very popular in the local centre events. Some of the trials models also sported a disc front brake conversion.

Miller had started very strong and was holding a clear advantage in the early part of the first lap when disaster struck. Enjoying the autumn sun on a cloudless day and with a very low sun Sammy was cruising along one of the many New Forest tracks when he failed to see a diversion sign for the trial and a road block which consisted of scaffolding poles. It stopped him and the Bultaco dead, resulting in some sore ribs and a gash on the bridge

Mike Jackson (250 Montesa): A sales manager for both Greeves and AJS, it was time for Mike to try one of the new Montesa Cota 247 models in 1968. When he was appointed General Sales Manager for the Norton Villiers Corporation in 1970 he moved to the USA and raced AJS motorcycles in West Coast Desert events. of his nose. Battered and winded from the impact he got back to his feet to find the Bultaco with a broken top yoke, bent handlebars and twisted front forks; the gate was a write off! He struggled back to his vehicle where the broken parts were replaced, and a cup of coffee and some pain killers were taken. In a show of sheer determination he battled on to take a well-earned victory in front of Derek Adsett with a clear winning margin.

Gordon Farley (250 Greeves): That’s another five for the observers to record.

The ground was sodden with the previous week’s rain adding to the deep muddy bogland in the New Forest. With rider after rider attempting the hazards a deep groove opened up on the section ‘line’ and despite a fast attack it stopped Farley in his wheel tracks.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

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FLASHBACK 1968

Roy Peplow (125 Sprite): The former Triumph factory rider in trials, motocross and the ISDT had remained loyal to the very end. A winner of the 1959 SSDT, he moved to the Sprite 125 ‘Micro’ model.

This is one of his first outings and if you look closely you can see that he wanted some more power by the size of the rear sprocket.

Reg May (250 Greeves): Spending a working life in the competition department at Comerfords, Reg was very instrumental in the preparation of many top rider’s machines in off-road motorcycling, as well as being a very well-respected man.

PERCE SIMON TRIAL 3RD NOVEMBER 1968

SOLO: 1: Sammy Miller (252

Bultaco) 16; 2: Derek Adsett (250 Greeves) 28; 3: Chris Cullen (250 Cheetah) 34; 4: Paul Dunkley (250 Cheetah) 37; 5: Gordon Farley (250 Greeves) 45; 6: Geoff Chandler (250 Wasp) 47; 7: Chris Leighfield (250 Sprite) 58; 8: Mike Jackson (250 Montesa) 62; 9: Derek Cranfield (250 Greeves) 63; 10: Roy Peplow (125 Sprite) 66.

SIDECAR: 1: Ginger Budd (500 Bob Gollner (175 Gollner BSA Bantam): Despite the success of the Cheetah trials models he was involved in, he still believed the market needed a small-capacity, easy to ride machine. The BSA Bantam engine was housed in a modified frame and sold very well. They could be supplied in kit form where the customer could install his own used engine, making it a very cost effective way of entering the sport.

TRIAL MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2018-JANUARY 2019

Ariel) 10; 2: Bob Colein (734 TriBsa) 20; 3: Alan Morewood (500 Ariel) 20.

109

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23 South West Trials 01395514287 southwesttrials@gmail.com Web: www.swtrials.co.uk Area: EX10 9DN Tel:

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JAMES DABILL - TRIALS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, ROUND 5 - AURON, FRANCE

IMAGE CREDIT - TRIAL MAGAZINE