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SSDT

SSDT Ale is a first

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News has just been released that for the first time, the Scottish Six Days Trial have a speciality ale fermented in it’s honour!

The award-winning craft brewery is based in Daviston, Cromarty and called the Cromarty Brewing Co, who have produced ‘Trials & Tribulations’ as its 2019 SSDT Ale which will be available during the event 6th – 11th May in Fort William.

Obviously riders won’t be able to drink it during the event, but once their day is finished, then we are sure many will be sampling the brew.

Cromarty Brewing supremo, Craig Middleton is actually taking part in this years’ SSDT, riding number 218 on his Cromarty Brewing Sherco, he has been riding trials in the Inverness & District club since he was a youth, but this is his first attempt at the SSDT.

Craig told Trials Guru: “I am happy to put a little sponsorship towards the SSDT from my company and I hope that the new Trials & Tribulations brew goes down well”.

We all wish Craig an enjoyable SSDT.

Current stockists for the SSDT Ale 2019 are: Grog & Gruel, Fort William; Clachaig Inn, Glencoe and the Arisaig Hotel, Arisaig.

Cromarty Brewing Company

Cromarty snip

Trials News

Richmond continues charity drive

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Richmond Motor Club (Yorkshire) Ltd were delighted to recently present representatives
of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance with a cheque for £500. This service has, on occasion been used by riders of the club, as well as the local community.

Air Ambulance Donation 04-2019 RMC - CEB - RED

It is important to give back as much as possible to continue to support this charitable organisation.
The funds were raised from a raffle at a dinner held in December for all
the landowners, gamekeepers and farmers at The Garden Rooms at Tennants,
Leyburn.

Picture: Olga Ashton, representing Yorkshire Air Ambulance, accepting a donation of £500 for the charity, presented by Chris Wallis, on behalf of Richmond Motor Club (Yorkshire) Ltd

Photo: Charlotte E. Brown

Bultaco

669NHO for sale

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Front RHS
The pre-production Bultaco Sherpa T reputedly used by 11 times British Trials Champion, Sammy Miller is on sale at an undisclosed price.

The machine, which has been advertised with all relevant documentation for UK registration number 669NHO, is not the machine in Sammy Miller’s New Milton Museum, but is believed to be one of two used by Miller when he was developing the Sherpa T for the Bulto factory in 1964/65.

It is believed the machine will be sold for a significant figure given its history in trial sport.

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SSDT

Carlos is numero uno!

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Popular Spanish trials rider, Carlos Casas from Olot, Catalunya is to ride with the SSDT number one plate and lead the 2019 Scottish Six Days Trial on day one of the annual event which starts on Monday 6th May in Fort William.

Since the 1960s it has usually, but not exclusively been led away by a Scottish born rider, although there have been exceptions, in 2000 it was given to multiple winner, Mick Andrews (Gas Gas).

Carlos Casas has been given the number one plate in recognition of 2019 being his 30th start in the event and also for promoting the SSDT in Spain and the Catalan provinces over the years.

Carlos spoke directly to Trials Guru on hearing the SSDT committee’s decision: ” John, I am delighted and feel very priveledged to be given the riding number, it means so much to me. Of course, I love the Scottish, it is my favourite trial in the whole world and for many years I have told everyone I meet in trial that they must do the Scottish, even if they only try once. I am so looking forward to being at the 2019 edition and to celebrate my 30 rides in the Scottish – Slainte!”

It was in 2002 when Trials Guru’s John Moffat was SSDT Secretary that the phrase “The SSDT Ambassador” was first muted at the Highland Council Civic Reception on the Tuesday evening and it has applied to Carlos since then.

SSDT 2019 sticker

Trials Guru wish Carlos and all the SSDT riders a safe and enjoyable week at this years event. Fulol details of the entry list can be found on: http://www.ssdt.org

Be sure to listen in “live” to the trial every morning (GMT time) 07:00 to 11:00 daily on Nevis Radio, Fort William. This can be on your radio at the event or on your mobile or PC device. www.nevisradio.co.uk

Carlos

Remember to purchase a programme for the event from the local stockists, available during the week commencing Monday 22nd April, priced £4.00 which has very useful information about the trial, including rider lists, maps and routes, features and articles about the most famous of all trials.

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Trials News

Ilkley Grand National 2019 Report

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Report: Barry Robinson

Photos: Lucy Ayrton

Lucy Ayrton
Lucy Ayrton our photographer covering this article competes on a 125 TRRS, seen here with her grandfather Brian Ayrton.

Glasshouses electrical engineer Danny Gamble lit up the moors above Beamsley on  Saturday afternoon to ride his Sherco machine to overall victory in the Ilkley Grand National time trial. Only Gamble and Barnoldswick engineer Anthony Ayrton broke the two hour time covering three laps of moorland without an inch of tarmac. Ayrton, well into the over forties age category, won the Inter class just four minutes and three second behind the winner. Finghall youngster Robert Weatherill really hit the moors with a vengeance His descent down the face of Beamsley Beacon was awesome in speed. Bellerby’s Ryan Brown was also rapid but a sliding front wheel saw man and machine cartwheel into the into the heather. Ryan was up in a flash and motored off into distance at about the same speed. The actual times have no effect on the results as both expert three lap route and the shorter two lap club route are calculated of the average of the fastest ten finishers.

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Steve Wilde in action at the 2019 Ilkley GN – Photo Lucy Ayrton

The expert time average was 2hrs,5mins,45secs. The Clubman figures were 1hr,34mins,3 secs. Gamble, Glusburn builder Nathan Wrigglesworth, Robert Weatherill, and Anthony Ayrton did not incur time penalties. The coveted Freddy Clayton Trophy was won by Richmond Over 40’s contender Chris Tett.  The shorter Clubman route was equally difficult as the entire entry rode all twenty section but only twice. Consett visitor Chris Barnett won the class with a best on observation and no time penalties from Coverdale’s Sam Lambert who was riding his first Grand National. Time penalties dropped Howard Gulley and Ian Myers down the results order the third and fourth. British Ladies Inter class national champion Bethanie Dunning finished in ninth place beating her father Jason by two penalties. Only seven retirements were posted from a total of fifty seven starters.

Joe Bradley
Joe Bradley (Beta) fires some Ilkley moor in the general direction of Barry Watson – Photo: Lucy Ayrton

Despite recent adverse weather conditions the ten mile lap was moderate underfoot and wheels. As in past years, a west wind and some sunshine lifts the moisture off the terrain.

The sting in the tale was section twenty where Airedale & Pennine Motor Club official John Rhodes spent much time lifting the section marker flags and washing them in any available pool of water. One spinning rear wheel in the swamp negated all John’s efforts!

Results.

Danny Gamble (1)
Danny Gamble (Sherco) was the winner of the 2019 Ilkley Grand National – Photo: Lucy Ayrton

 

Best performance: Danny Gamble (Sherco) 10 observation/0 time = 10 (Ilkley Trophy), Expert: Nathan Wrigglesworth (Beta) 21+ 0=21. (Scott Trophy). Novices: 1 Robert Weatherill (AGB Beta) 29 + 0 =29, 2 William Tolson (Beta) 33 + 2=35, 3 Arron Dugdale (Scorpa) 37+5 = 42. Best First Time: Chris Tett (Montesa) 58 + 29 = 85. Best Over 40: Anthony Ayrton (TRS) 39 + 0 =39. Team prize: Bradford A: Ayrton/Wrriglesworth/Aaron Dugdale (Scorpa) 102.

Fastest time: Danny Gamble 1hr-51 min-2 sec. Clubman class: 1 Chris Barnett (Montesa) 32 = 0 = 32 (G.A. Reed Trophy) 2 Sam Lambert (Beta) 39 + 0 =39, 3 Howard Gulley ((TRS) 35+5 = 40. Best First Time: Lewis Black (Montesa) 42 + 0 = 42. Best Over 40: John Bannister (Beta) 37 + 11 = 48.Best Over 50: Ian Myers (Sherco) 37 + 5 = 42.

Fastest Time: Chris Barnett 1.27.22.

Trials News

Richmond awards TY Ted

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Katie Astwood (Presidents Lady); Ted Harston & Vicky Andrews (RMC Awards Coordinator) – Photo: Barry Watson, Richmond

Ted Harston is a living legend in Richmond Motor Club circles.

For over three decades the Craythorne, Yarm, man has overseen the tuition and trial riding activities of youngsters from the age of four years and upwards.

His nickname is ‘TY Ted’ coined from the original TY 80cc Yamaha machine on which many riders learned their craft.

Ted has marked out trials routes suitable for beginners and observed their activities. For his services the Richmond Motor Club (Yorkshire) Ltd presented Mr. Harston the Captain’s Cup.

Photo: Barry Watson, Richmond

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Trials Guru Info

The oldest five year old

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Trials Guru is now five years on the web!

Opened in March 2014, Trials Guru was a new venture, dedicated to motorcycle trials the world over. It’s popularity has grown and so has it’s follower base.

We don’t claim to be the biggest trials website in the world as we are just happy to bring you information and news from the world of trials.

Still free of any subscription or charges, Trials Guru is still doing what it set out to do with no frills, no hassle and no politics. We are still forum free, which allows us more time to bring you information and photos from the sport.

Made by trials riders and enthusiasts, for trials riders and enthusiasts

We are the oldest five year olds in the sport! Happy Birthday to us!

TRIALS GURU – Dedicated to the Sport!

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SSDT

SSDT warm up

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SSDT 2019 sticker
SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL 2019:
Main photo credit: Nigel Pearson/Trials UK Media
Excitement builds as the 2019 Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) gears up to continue its long history when it takes place from Monday 6th May through to Saturday 11th May.
280 riders from the far corners of the world will descend on the loch side town of Fort William to face the annual challenge that this iconic event delivers in the rugged Scottish Highlands every year.
This unique and hugely popular competition remains the most famous and one off event in the international trial calendar more than one hundred years after it was first run.
The complete entry list has been released by the Edinburgh and District Motor Club organising committee including the most successful SSDT rider of all time, reigning and twelve times winner Dougie Lampkin.
Doug said recently, “I am burning to win another Scottish to equal a record of World Championships set by Spanish racer Angel Nieto. He won thirteen titles but being superstitious he called it twelve plus one. It would be really cool to have 12 plus 1 Scottish Six Days victories.”
However, The stage is now set for another epic head to head with fellow British rider, James Dabill but there is a very strong line-up with the likes of brothers Dan and Jack Peace, Jack Price and Michael Brown.
The Continental threat looks like coming from young Spanish rider Francesc Moret while countryman and former winner, the ever popular veteran Amos Bilbao will ride a factory Montesa in the event. Bilbao won the event in 2002.
No fewer than nine Ladies are proud to take their places including World Champion Emma Brisow and German challenger Theresa Bauml.
The Scottish Six Days Trial’s standing in the World attracts an eclectic overseas invasion. 2019 is no different and no fewer than 58 riders from outside the British Isles representing a total of 12 countries.
The largest foreign country represented is Spain which boasts 20 entries, led by the popular Carles Casas who this year, along with lesser-known countryman Cesar Lopez, will be competing in his 30th SSDT. Francesc Moret, an experienced Spanish rider on the European and World Championship scene will certainly be a contender for a top 10 place.
Another interesting newcomer is Italian Beta rider Filippo Locca.  Vet Dennis Sweeten is a regular from the United States and other familiar faces include Swiss Dominique Guillaume, German Jan Peters and former SSDT winner and World Champ Gilles Burgat from France. 
Kevin Gundry and Gary Samson represent New Zealand while fellow Antipodeans Luke Anderson and Connor Hogan fly from Australia. Stir in several entries from Costa Rica and Daniel Santos representing Guatamala and you have a truly International field heading for Scotland in May.
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Obituaries

John Brittain dies

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 Johnny Brittain with Gordon Blakeway; Sammy Miller & Nick Jefferies at the Centenary Scott Trial in 2014. – Photo copyright & courtesy of: Barry Robinson, Ilkely.

John V. Brittain 1932 – 2019

It is with great sadness that Trials Guru has to announce the passing of one of the UK’s finest trials and ISDT riders, former Royal Enfield works rider John Brittain.

John Brittain, or ‘Johnny’ as he was affectionately known, was a regular national trials winner on the swinging arm framed Royal Enfield Bullet, when most riders were still preferring to compete on rigid framed machines. It was not until 1955 when Bob Manns won the West of England national on his AJS scrambler fitted with his trials motor, that the other factories strated using swinging arm frames on their trials machines. Brittain won the SSDT in 1952 & 1957 and the Scott Trial in 1955 & 1956 on the Redditch built machines. He was also a regular in the ISDT.

The SSDT committee made Brittian the ‘official starter’ of their centenary event in 2011 to honour his achievements in the sport.

Son of legendary Vic Brittain who was a pre-war factory rider and rode for Sunbeam, winning the Scott Trial in 1929 and 1931. John started riding on a DMW then a James, his first Scott Trial was 1949, but quickly secured factory support from Enfields in 1950.

In 1956, John won the ‘ACU Trials Star’, the equivalent of the British Championship.

Brittain competed in fifteen consecutive International Six Days Trials winning thirteen gold medals for his country.

Trials Guru extends sincere condolences to John’s younger brother Pat and the extended Brittain family.

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Scott Trial

Scott Trial Charities Benefit

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Photo: Charlotte Brown, Richmond.

Richmond Motor Club’s Scott Trial committee were pleased to host their annual Charity Presentation evening on Friday 8th March 2019 at The Buck Hotel, Reeth.

The evening started with John Fraser, Scott Trial Chairman, welcoming everybody and giving a résumé of the history of The Scott Trial and how Richmond Motor Club came to take on the running of it some 28 years ago. John thanked all involved in the running of the Scott Trial and also the landowners, tenants, farmers and gamekeepers for their continued support. He then introduced local trials legend and former factory rider, Richard Sunter who, along with his family, has competed in numerous Scott Trials.

Richard presented the cheques to representatives of the various charities, many of whom expressed their gratitude and explained how the donation would be used.

A total of £10,000 raised from the 2018 Trial was given out on the night. This brings the grand total of charity money raised by the Scott Trial since RMC took it on in 1991 to a fantastic sum of over £180,000.

Beneficiaries of this year’s donations are (in no particular order):

Swaledale Scouts, Swaledale Mountain Rescue, Friends of Reeth and Gunnerside Primary Schools, Reeth and Gunnerside Schools Fund, Ravensworth C of E Primary School, Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Great North Air Ambulance, Reeth Young Farmers Club, Swaledale Seedlings, The Bridge (previously St. Johns Community Centre), Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, Hambleton and Richmondshire MS Society, Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Luncheon Clubs Association, Richmond Cricket Club Youth , Moorland Association, St. Teresa’s Hospice, Deaf Education Through Listening and Talking, Holmedale Pre-School, Richmond Cricket Club, Wensleydale Rugby Club Development Fund, Gamekeepers Welfare Trust , ACU Benevolent Fund, The Mowbray Suite at the Friarage Hospital, The Alistair Bullen Memorial Fund, Homestart, Just The Job, Robert Dent Memorial Fund, Marrick Parish Council Village Hall Fund, The British Lung Foundation, Reeth & District Community Transport Ltd, Rape & Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre CIO, Dementia Forward, Upper Wensleydale Sports and Recreation Association and Reeth Literary Institute Trust.