Coming on to the bookshelves in February 2018 is a new biography written by Ian Berry on Jeff Smith, a man who really should have no introductions, he was of course not only World Motocross champion but also was a very good trials rider, who won the SSDT (1955) and Scott Trial (1954 & 1959).
The book, which is hardback and has 450 pages will be published by Motorsport Publications LLC and Ian hopes to have copies available for the Telford Off Road Show on the weekend of 17/18 February. Price to be announced shortly.
Guess the identity of the rider/modifier of this 340 Bultaco Sherpa!
The photo was taken at the SSDT in the early eighties – yes we know which year, but do you know who the rider of this modified machine was?
Bultaco enthusiasts will straight away notice the larger alloy air-box, different mudguard stays, additional length mud-flap on the front mudguard, different tank filler cap, much modified clutch casing and operating arm location!
Answer added at foot of page: 31/12/2017
Answer: Walther Luft from Vienna modified this Bultaco Sherpa 340 in 1982, photo taken at the SSDT the same year by Ian Gibson, Newcastle.
Up and running on Trials Guru is a special section dedicated to the trials stars of the South with the help of former Southern Centre Champion, Roger Johns.
February 17-18 at the International Centre, Telford TF3 4JH – is the place to be in 2018. It was originally the show created by trials enthusiast Alan Wright, now operated by Mortons (Classic Bike Shows), it is still the meeting place for trials and off-road motorcycle enthusiasts to meet, discuss machines and events and of course look at mouthwatering machinery and buy some parts.
The Scottish Six Days Trial which takes place on 7-12 May, 2018 was massively oversubscribed with 510 entrants for 280 places.
Given the excellent weather at the 2017 event, the organisers braced themselves for a bumper entry and it certainly lived up to that expectation.
Entrants began to be informed on Wednesday 27th December if they were successful or not by e-mail.
The organisers have a hard job when it comes to administrating the initial entries, but SSDT Secretary, Mieke de Vos told Trials Guru: “Unsuccessful entrants shouldn’t take it personally and we always have an attrition rate of around 10% pre-trial with 25 to 30 entrants dropping out for various reasons. We run the ballot to be as fair as we can, but as everyone knows we cannot fit 510 into 280, it’s as simple as that”.
Entrants are urged to check their e-mail spam filters to make sure that contact has been made, but please be patient and follow the instructions issued by the SSDT carefully. Please do not contact the organisers until after 1st January 2018.
Comedian, Ross Noble completed the 2017 event with mentor Jamie Burroughs, the event was featured in the three part television programme ‘Ross Noble : Off Road’ on ‘Dave’ channel in the December – Photo: Trials Guru 2017
Whilst Trials Guru is all about trials, we sometimes deviate ‘off piste’ and this was one of those moments we were asked to promote Classic Motocross. We were happy to oblige, especially when the Special Guest is Brad Lackey, 1982 500cc World Motocross Champion from the USA who will be flying in for this unique event in South-West Scotland on 14/15 July 2018 – ‘Racing at the Castle’ ~ The Drumlanrig Castle Scottish Classic Grand National Motocross.
Since it’s launch in 2014 Trials Guru has used the same layout throughout, but the time was right to have a little refresh using the same platform. The layout is a little different, but the content remains the same, it’s all about trial!
We hope that you enjoy the refresh, but it’s still TRIALS GURU – Dedicated to the Sport!
Trials Guru has been very fortunate to be able to showcase the work of C.H. Wood M.B.E of Shipley. Images from the 1930s courtesy of his son, David Wood a film-maker in his own right and a motorcycle enthusiast.
Yorkshire Centre Team Trial 1939 – Photo: C.H. Wood
TRIALS GURU - DEDICATED TO TRIAL 