Organised by the Bexleyheath & District Motor Cycle Club, the ‘Battle of Burwash’ trial has been running for around seven years. It’s been named after the Battle off Hastings (1066) as it’s only down the road from the famous battle.
Held on 2nd and 3rd June, it’s run on a brilliant piece of ground over seventy acres of streams, rocks and high banks, which makes a challenge for all abilities.
Run over two days starting on the Saturday at noon with four laps of eight sections with results and awards that same afternoon.
Sunday is three laps of thirteen sections, which are different from the Saturday, the results being compiled that night and up on Motorbiketrials.com by Monday morning.
Camping is available with plenty of room for campers, caravans and tents. Easy access via concrete path so no getting stuck problems. There will be toilets and fresh water available on site. Event postcode TN218XA. Camping available from the Thursday afternoon.
Fifteen minutes with former Scottish trials rider – Donald Buchan.
By far the most unusual machine in the 1968 SSDT was the 50cc Sachs powered Heldun ridden by Perth & District clubman, Donald Buchan. He finished in 119th position and a second class award on 508 marks lost – Photo: Ian Robertson, Midlothian
Interviewed by Grandson, Callum Buchan
Photos: Buchan Family; Ian Robertson
Special thanks to the Classic Racing 50cc Club UK for link to their article on Heldun.
Where and when were you born?:
I was born on the 1st of February 1940 in Perth, Scotland.
What is the family history in relation to motorcycles and can you tell us about Jimmy Buchan’s achievements in racing?:
My father, Jack, rode in the TT, the Scottish Six Days and the International Six Days. My brother Jimmy was in my father’s sidecar for the International Six Days at sixteen years of age in 1951 in Italy!
Jimmy rode the Isle of Man for the first time in 1954 and won the Clubmans TT in 1955 riding a BSA Gold Star. Then in 1956 he won the Manx Grand Prix double riding a Manx Norton.
Tell us about the retail motorcycle business you owned in Perth?:
‘Buchan Motorcycles’ was opened in 1960 by my father on Rannoch Road, Perth. In 1972 I took over the business, not because my father had decided to pack it in, retire and play golf all day, but because he felt you’re never too old to travel and got on his bike.
He planned on going from the foot of Argentina to the tip of Alaska. Off he went on his bike with insufficient cash banking on his charisma to be his currency and his iconic tam o’ shanter to explore the other side of the world.
Unfortunately, having reached as far as Mexico, he took ill before making it to the U.S and couldn’t complete his journey.
By the mid 1970s I opened a branch of the business in Forfar and in the next decade another in Perth Town Centre.
As you sold Bultaco and Montesa, did you deal directly with Comerfords and Montala Motors/Jim Sandiford?:
Yes, I dealt with all them directly and also dealt with Greeves Motorcycles, Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki directly.
You rode a 50cc Heldun (mistake in SSDT programme saying 60cc Heldun) in 1968. Tell us about the Heldun and how did the SSDT ride come to pass?:
Having spoken to the Heldun representative at the 1967 Motorcycle Show, chatting about trials, they suggested I visit the factory at Birmingham for a test ride. This lead to me being offered a bike for the SSDT for the following year. The Heldun was powered by a Sachs engine.
The official ISDT souvenir badge given to riders and officials in 1969
You rode the ISDT in 1969. Tell us about the bike you rode on? None of the Scots finished in 1969, not even Ernie Page, what put you out of the event?:
I rode on a Greeves, it was a Comerfords International Six Days model, 250cc, part of the British Vase B team. I was hit by an Italian rider, I think on day two and fractured my ribs causing my premature departure from the event.
Donald Buchan’s 1969 British Vase B Team badge from his Barbour Jacket
How many times did you ride in the SSDT?:
I think it was five or six times.
Any favourite events in trials in Scotland?:
Any Scottish champion trial, none in particular. I competed in the length and breadth of Scotland, from Rogart to Ayrshire. Riding various bikes from the aforementioned Heldun to Triumph 500cc.
Were you a member of Scotland’s oldest motorcycle club the Perth and District Motor Club?:
Yes, I was a member from the late 1950s until the late 70s.
Did you organise any events?:
Yes, I was the trials convenor for a few years of the Perth & District MC.
Did you scramble or road race at any time?:
Yes, I road raced on a 50cc in Errol 1958 and at Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy in the early 60s. I took part in various organised scrambles and hill climbs.
Many thanks to Donald and his family for putting this interview together.
The article on Heldun, linked to in this article is the copyright of the Classic Racing 50cc Club UK.
Billy Maxwell, seen here Bultaco mounted in the Aberfeldy Two Day Trial in 1980 – Photo: Jimmy Young, Armadale
It is with great sadness that Trials Guru reports the death of North-East trials rider, Billy Maxwell.
Born on the 14th December 1942, Billy was a big man with a big character and a very good rider in his day. Originally from Biggar in Lanarkshire, he emigrated to the North East of England in 1966 and set up in business as a demolition contractor in 1972 as Maxwell’s Demolition.
As well as riding in his ‘native’ north-east he regularly rode in Scotland especially the Loch Lomond and Aberfeldy Two Day events. His best friend was John Noble of Candie-burn, Biggar.
Billy Maxwell’s Atkinson with Cummins Diesel engine and a Tasker four-in-line low-loader trailer – Photo: Maxwell Demolition, Newcastle
Trials Guru’s John Moffat knew Maxwell for over 40 years and said: “Billy was a great guy, always willing to help an unfortunate rider. This he demonstrated to me as a young rider when in 1975, I rode my first Loch Lomond 2 Day and had not adjusted my drive chain properly, it kept coming off the rear spocket when traversing the moor. Billy arrived with Jimmy Ballantyne close behind. They stopped and Billy got wired in about my stricken Bultaco and properly adjusted the chain cams and soon I was on my way. When I came into the finish, he came over and rechecked the chain and asked if I got round alright.
Billy Maxwell (Montesa Cota 247) at Scottish Experts & National Trial, Achallader, Bridge of Orchy 1978 – Photo: Jimmy Young
Moffat continued: “I once asked Billy why he didn’t properly buckle up his Alpinestar trials boots, he always seemed to ride with the straps flailing about. He said in his Geordie accent, ‘It’s simple John, they don’t make boots wide enough to get around me calves’. I looked and sure enough Billy had the thickest calves I have ever seen and there was no way they could ever have buckled up properly.”
Billy owned a number of classic motorcycles, an Ariel HT5 which he rode in the Pre’65 Scottish and the ex-Ron Thomson Gold Star BSA, PFS916. He certainly loved his bikes.
Ron Thomson in 1964 at Achintee Farm on the 500cc BSA Gold Star PFS916, which many years later became the property of Billy Maxwell – Photo Courtesy Mrs Ron Thomson, Fort William.
Moffat added: “Billy Maxwell was a big built, tough hard working man, but he also had a heart of gold there is no mistaking, he was one of the sports true enthusiasts.”
Here’s to you Billy!
Funeral Arrangements:
The family have asked Trials Guru to include the following intimation.
Bill Maxwell’s funeral will take place on Wednesday, 14th March at 1.15 pm at the West Road Crematorium, Newcastle Upon Tyne – NE5 2JL. Followed by a celebration of Bill’s life at the South Gosforth Club, Gosforth, -NE3 1RS
The Westmorland Motor Club, established in 1910, which makes it one of the oldest clubs in North West England, will be out in force at this year’s Telford Off-Road Show (17/18 February) at the International Centre (TF4 8RH).
The members will be promoting the ‘Bultaco Revival Nostalgia’ trial which takes place on 16th June at Holme Farm Sedbergh, Cumbria, a week after the Highland Classic Two Day which is already a sell out.
Guest of honour this year is Alan R.C. Lampkin, better known perhaps as ‘Sid’ Lampkin, former Bultaco works rider who was a winner in the SSDT and Scott Trials in 1966 on a works BSA C15T.
Alan Lampkin (325 Bultaco) – Photo: Mike Rapley
This year there will be team awards for teams of three riders competing for the Martin Lampkin memorial award.
Also attending is American Bernie Schrieber who won the World Trials title in 1979 on a Bultaco. Bernie now lives in Zurich but is really looking forward to riding in Cumbria.
The main sponsors are Coniston Brewery, BMW – Lloyd South Lakes and LSS Waste Management. The prime mover is once again Peter Remington who rode a Sapphire Motorcycles sponsored Bultaco back in the late 1970s.
Event Secretary is Mike Rapley and the forms are now released, with the entry limited to the first 120 places.
Last year was the inaugural event and was a great success, raising money for cancer charity.
There are many classes at the event which is not solely for Bultaco machinery, albeit that is the theme.
The annual Off Road Show at Telford is here again.
Over the weekend of 17/18th February the International Centre at Telford (TF3 4JH) will once again host a mouth-watering display of off-road motorcycles along with on-stage interviews and more parts and accessories than you can see in one day!
Many of the show-goers are repeat customers as it has become one of the most popular shows in Europe and it is also a huge social gathering.
Originally hosted by super-enthusiast Alan Wright or ‘Wrighty’ as he is known to all, he sold on the rights to Mortons Media some years ago, but he still attends with his own stand.
This year there are some new Scottish based events being promoted at the show, the first being the Drumlanrig ‘Scottish Grand National Two Day Scramble’ which will take place at the majestic Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfriess-shire, near Thornhill. This will be promoted by the re-formed Galloway Motorcycle Club on 14/15 July.
The club will have a stand in Hall 3 Stand A34.
Later in the year, a new Pre’65/Twin-shock trials event is planned for Kinlochleven in Argyll. This event will be promoted by the reformed Kinlochleven & District Motor Cycle Club, whose chairman is the well-known local businessman, Martin Murphy, who spoke to Trials Guru.
Murphy: “I am delighted to announce the new Leven Valley Two Day Trial on 29/30 September. Many people have been asking for such an event and it will be run by local villagers as was the norm back in the 1970s.
It has been a long time in planning, but our club has affiliation to the Scottish ACU and full permissions received from the local landowners and SNH who control the Leven valley SSSI.
The event being run in the late summer presents no issues for the other three national events held in the area, the largest being the Scottish Six Days of course.
We have been working closely with members of our neighbouring club, the Lochaber and representatives form the Edinburgh & District.
We aim to satisfy the demand for a good long trial for twin-shocks which are seen by many as the class to take over the reigns from Pre’65. Many of the twin-shock bikes are over 40 years old now, so it seems a natural progression.”
Trials Guru will be at the show, but not with a stand, John Moffat will be there all weekend chatting to friends and enthusiasts from both trials and motocross, he aims to be on the Galloway stand on Saturday for a while, meeting up with their members and main sponsors, AMD Contract Services from Dumfries.
Author Ian Berry will also be there promoting his new biography, ‘Jeff Smith – Trials Master, Motocross Maestro’, Jeff Smith will be there signing copies, so look out for him too!
Ulf Karlson (Montesa 348) in 1975 at the German Round of the World Championships at Gefrees – Photo Rainer Heise
It is with sadness that we report the death of the 1980 World Trials Champion, Ulf Karlson aged 65 years.
It is believed that he fought a battle with cancer and passed away on 6th February 2018.
Born in Alvangen, Sweden on March 6th 1952, Karlson will be always associated with the Montesa brand to which he gave the Barcelona company their first World Championship victory in 1980.
Ulf was winner of fifteen trial Grands Prix, his first was in 1974 when it was still a European Championship and was on podium forty times during his European/World series career, which began with the then European Championships by winning his native Sweden round at nineteen years of age in 1971, on Montesa.
Ulf Karlson was not a flamboyant character, but was one of the quieter riders who merely got on with the job in hand without fuss. He was regarded as a true professional rider who, like many learned their craft in their domestic sport before launching onto the European and then World stage of trials sport.
Karlson retired from top line trials in 1983.
Miquel Cirera Lamarca, Team Manager of the Montesa/HRC Trials Team stated on the HRC website: “Today, all the Montesa family are in mourning. We have lost a great friend, an athlete and a great world champion. We are really sorry for the loss of Ulf Karlson, who had a long-lasting professional relationship and friendship with us for many years. We send our deepest condolences to the family and all the friends in the world of trial. Rest in peace.”
Ulf was eight times Swedish Trials Champion and twice Scandanavian Trials Champion.
Trials Guru conveys sincere condolences to the Karlson family.
Photos copyright:
Rainer Heise, Germany
Toon van de Vliet, Netherlands
Ulf Karlson was the 1980 FIM World Trials Champion – Photo: Toon van de Vliet
The film crew charted Ross Noble’s first attempt at the 2017 SSDT – In the background are Nevis Radio’s John Weller and Trials Guru’s John Moffat (on microphone) before one of the daily runs. – Photo courtesy of Trials UK Media
Trials Guru features a local radio station that covers the Scottish Six Days Trial and is the only media radio station to do so – Nevis Radio, Fort William
Nevis Radio is a community Radio station based in Fort William in the Highlands of Scotland. It has been operating for 25 years and started out by giving ski report information for the Nevis Range Ski Centre. Over the years the output grew until it had a full time schedule without needing a service from Inverness based MFR and in turn became its own entity.
Nevis Radio has two staff, one full time, and one part time, with everyone else including the board of directors being volunteers. With this in mind, the stations’ drive and overall output is driven by a passion for what they do.
Did you know … Nevis Radio was one of the first UK radio stations to broadcast on the internet? Because they love what they do, they are always looking for new ways to raise the bar in how they work – with everything.
In recent years – Nevis Radio have covered the SSDT with a four hour show daily. One year they added global streaming, and then added the ability to chat to the studio in real time. They also tried to live stream video from the SSDT Parc Ferme which proved a hit. So much so they have worked hard every year to improve this option and always try to bring along something new every year to enhance what they can offer.
2018 will be no exception with ideas currently in testing. NR are proud to say last years’ result of a fully streamed Video service on ‘youtube’ and online listener figures as well as FM output exceeded 250,000 people which by any length is an amazing achievement for a small team.
They have also covered other events in the area like Christmas festivals, live music events and farm shows all with varied content and their own challenges but the main aim is to give a window on the event to the people of Lochaber or wherever anyone is tuned in online. The sense of achievement to hear feedback on their efforts is immense as 90% of the External events is generally produced and run by a team of three or four people at most – even of that three of those people are generally volunteers with no ‘professional’ experience.
Despite the tags of ‘Volunteer’ and ‘professional output’, NR always do their very best to give the best output they believe they can offer which has been noted on many occasions, even by others in the television and radio industry. Recently being involved in the ‘Biggest Little Railway’ on Channel 4 and more prominently on Ross Noble’s OFF ROAD SSDT effort on the Dave channel. Both production crews were suitably impressed with what a small station and a handful of dedicated people could achieve.
To listen on the good old wireless – You can get NR across Lochaber on 96.6, 102.3 and 102.4. They have never managed to get an accurate idea of listener figures but they were given an estimation in the region of 12,500 daily from others in the industry, however NR have no way to say if that is accurate or not. In terms of the content they listen to, they are open to everything and anything as they don’t have a larger corporate network to follow! Anything from bikes, to fitness and wellbeing, farming to getting the best of your technology – as long as it’s interesting Nevis Radio will take a look. This also applies to music with a fully independent playlist containing music from today’s top forty, a number of other not so well known popular tracks, upcoming and independent artists and they always support local artists too. Because of this approach to cater from anyone from the age eighteen to eighty, Nevis Radio are a very diverse station who like to cater for everyone in our community.
Looking at the SSDT Coverage – this will be the second year the current team have done this using this format:
Studio Anchor: Simon Abberley known as ‘Sy’ aka ‘Biscuit Boy’, plus other varied names.
Sy Abberley doing what he does
Sy is the Sustainability and Business Manager at Nevis Radio, in short the man behind the plan. In charge of all things technical and admin, Sy also creates the audio parts used and adverts for the station when he’s not on air broadcasting or coming up with another grand plan of how to enhance the service in some way. Sy has been with Nevis around ten years and started as a volunteer. He has a background in DJ’ing which is where the passion started for the music and as time passed it was noted he had good skills in all things technical and dabbled in production. After seven years of being the Production Manager at Nevis Radio, Sy undertook the transformation into the Sustainability Manager in January last year to steer Nevis to new heights in the 21st century with new ideas and take what Nevis can offer to the community.
On site Presenter: John Weller known as ‘JW’ aka Mr. Weller / Security.
John Weller (Left) is the lead presenter at the SSDT Nevis Radio outside broadcasts – Photo: John Hulme/Trials Media
John is a dedicated volunteer to Nevis Radio. Currently hosts four shows, is a Director and chairperson of the company, and also is the Head of Music. John has always been keen on the music and preents varied shows through the week of differing styles. But has always shown a keen interest in other events such as the SSDT. In previous years John has done the camera work, also assisted in getting information for presenters such as John Moffat – our ‘SSDT Guru’. And last year hosted the SSDT coverage alongside John Moffat.
John Weller has always assisted Sy with his ‘wonderful’ ideas and supports where possible, John is very much an essential member of not just the ‘SSDT Team’ but of Nevis Radio.
The 2017 SACU Scottish Trials Champions – Photo: Lorna Brackenridge
The Scottish ACU held their 2017 Trials Championship awards evening at Grangemouth, near Falkirk on Saturday 20th January.
Trials Guru’s John Moffat was there as Guest Presenter.
A one minute silence was obeyed in memory of Dalmellington’s Michael Anderson who passed away recently.
Trials Guru’s John Moffat with 2017 Scottish Premier Trials Champion, Criag Houston. Craig is the first Ayrshire born winner in the history of the series which began in 1955. Photo: Lorna Brackenridge
Brian Payne on his AJS 16C in the 1964 SSDT – Photo: Brian Holder
Words: Neil Anderton
Brian ‘Tiger’ Payne was a founder member of the Yorks and Lancs Classic Bike Club in 1982 and subsequently appointed an honorary life member of Yorkshire Classic Motorcycle Club.
Tiger was always passionate about motorcycling and spent part his National service with the RAF laid up with a broken leg as a result of a motorcycle accident. He became interested in trials riding and rode his first Scott Trial in 1958, his start number was next to Arthur Lampkin. Once the flag dropped Tiger never saw Lampkin again. Tiger rode the Scott many more times, and then took up an observer’s role every year right up up to 2017 with his son John.
He rode the International Scottish Six Days trial from 1961 to 1966. Starting in Edinburgh and covering a 1000 miles in the week. 1964 brought one of the wettest trial in its long history. The second day crossed Rannoch Moor, a most inhospitable place and a little river crossing they normally splashed through was a raging torrent and impassable. Sammy Miller tried to jump it and failed landing in the water and drowning the bike. So Tiger and his mates Arthur Lampkin, Bill Wilkinkson, Blackie Holden and Ray Sayer formed a chain gang and standing waist deep in the water manhandled every bike across one by one. Ironically on the final day he broke down only a few miles from the finish in Edinburgh with a cracked piston, a huge disappointment and spoiled one of his best ever rides. Made of stern stuff, he once rode his AJS from home in Burnley up to Edinburgh, did the trial and rode home again.
In those days, socialising was a big thing at the Scottish Six Days and no opportunities were missed to enjoy themselves. Drinking and trials riding don’t go well together but even though he took the trial seriously the daily lunch stop wasn’t complete unless he could find a pub for a pint with Billy Gray and Jim Wallace his north Yorkshire Mates who were similarly minded, they were then set up for whatever the afternoon could throw at them
He was a good Pub singer and raconteur, his famous renditions of ‘Eskimo Knell’ and ‘A Fine Old English Gentleman’ would keep everybody well entertained into the small hours particularly if Dickie Davies (the competition manager from Dunlop) was there on the piano.
He loved Trail riding and often had trips with his friends Blackie Holden and George Slinger visiting his old trials stomping grounds and then trail riding in the Torridon region of the North West Highlands. Following his retirement, he used to have an annual pilgrimage to Crete where he would hire trail bikes and in lovely warm weather explore the mountainous regions of the island.
His knowledge of the Yorkshire Dales became second to none over the years. He once organised a three day off road endurance event for the Army Dispatch riders from Catterick Camp all in the Yorkshire Dales. In 2016, Tiger laid on a couple of organised runs in the Dales for the York Classic club.
He was also an active member of the New Imperial Club frequently riding with them on the organised road runs with John going along as well to help with a bike that was often a difficult and reluctant starter.
As well as being an enthusiastic observer in recent years, he put in many hours laying out our trials at Rogerham Gate the moorland venue which became synonymous with Tiger. He loved to go to the Rogerham Gate Inn after the trial to chat about the day’s events.
Although he retired from closed venue trials over ten years ago, he continued riding his favourite event the annual Beamish Trial run organised by the Vintage Motor Cycle Club. He rode this event over twenty times winning it in 2011 and finishing every time .His final Beamish was in September last year. The weather turned bad, the last hour was ridden in torrential rain. Without doubt a major personnel achievement on his old rigid and girders Triumph Tiger 80 for someone battling a debilitating illness and yet he still won a first class award.
Tiger wasn’t a one trick pony he enjoyed many things. Not confined to two wheels he once had a go partnering his friend Peter Roydhouse as passenger in his trials sidecar outfit in the Ilkley re Union trial.
Away from Motorcycling, depite never learning to swim he was a keen sailor and in his youth, a completive rower. He was also an accomplished crown green bowler.
Yorkshire Classic club trail rides in the future will be Tiger’s Legacy and Rogerham Gate will always be our Remembrance Day.
RIP Tiger, you couldn’t have achieved more.
Neil Anderton is the Yorkshire Classic Motorcycle Club President
Post script: Tiger’s AJS YNC526 ended up in the hands of Scottish Six Days assistant Clerk of Course, Alex Smith who rode the 1965 SSDT on the machine. It eventually ended up in Rogart, Sutherland owned by the local postman, John Macdonald.
John Macdonald, the local postman on his ex-‘Tiger’ Payne AJS 16C (YNC526) on ‘Sonnys’ at Rogart, Sutherland – Photo Grant Family Collection, Rogart
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