Words by Matt Liberatore

Former World Trials Champion and Scottish Six Days Trial winner, Bernie Schreiber will return once again to the USA in 2023 to conduct another ZeroBS Master Class two-day trials school on May 13/14, 2023 in Tulsa Oklahoma.

The event will be hosted by one of the oldest clubs in the USA, the North Eastern Oklahoma Trials Team, founded in 1969 by one of the legendary names in US trials history Mike McCabe, who became the first American competitor in the Scottish Six Days Trial in 1972.

In 2022 a very successful ZeroBS trials school was held in Montana hosted by Rich Hilbun. This celebrated the 40th anniversary of Schreiber’s double US National Championship victories in 1982. For 2023 the school will be held in Tulsa, Oklahoma where it will be more central and accessible to students from across the USA.

This venue became a reality after conversations with Dr. David Klein of Texas at the FIM Vintage Trial Trophy in Monza, Italy on September 24, 2022. Klein put Schreiber in contact with his long-time friend, another US trials legend Kirk Mayfield of Oklahoma who competed in the 1973 Scottish Six Days Trial on one of Mick Andrews factory Yamahas. Mayfield and Schreiber competed together in the Turkey Creek US National in September of 1975, an event that included many of the best riders in US history.

Schreiber said, “I’m excited for this opportunity in 2023 to teach, ride and encounter friends again in such a memorable place. It really is an honor to host a school with Kirk Mayfield after all these years and he is someone that many people do not realize was such an excellent rider in the history of US trials. To revisit the famous Route 66 or Mother Road is always a special experience as well. Looking forward to meet many club members and current NEOTT President Jason Shackelford who leads one of the oldest Trials clubs in American history.”

Mayfield, who is one of only six riders to have been granted life time membership in the NEOTT Said: “We have hosted many prestigious events here at our club in Tulsa, but it is such a privilege to host the USA’s only World Trials Champion and my friend for so many years here in Tulsa. Everyone is really looking forward to this, because we can share all our experiences from riding overseas and have Bernie’s instruction on how he became a world champion!”

For information about the Schreiber Masterclass on May 13 & 14, 2023 contact: Kirk Mayfield at: kirkmayfield@gmail.com

Note: Limited Spaces Available.

Quite simply the biggest celebration ever staged of all things retro in the wonderful world of trial, we’re less than two months away from the inaugural FIM Trial Vintage Trophy which is scheduled to take place at the legendary Italian venue of Monza on September 24, 2022.

Trial fans from across the planet are invited to attend and it doesn’t matter whether you’re a rider or a fan, a feet-up ace or an also-ran – you will be assured of the warmest of welcomes!

Master of ceremonies will be the original American Idol and 1979 TrialGP World Champion Bernie Schreiber.

Still the only rider from the USA ever to achieve global domination, the charismatic SoCal superstar will oversee the day’s action with a packed programme of interviews with our sport’s historic heroes and major players.

“I’m excited,” said Bernie Schreiber. “This is going to be an amazing day and I can’t wait to meet up with my old rivals and friends and fans from back in the day as well as new, much younger enthusiasts. Vintage trial is booming at the moment and this is the event we’ve all been waiting for.”

Bringing old and new together, the FIM Trial Vintage Trophy will be staged over a course of two laps of 12 sections on the same weekend as the FIM Trial Des Nations. On top of this there will be an exhibition of classic trial machines at the Autodromo of Monza which will also be the base for a reservation-only Trial Des Nations and vintage cocktail dinner on Saturday after the TDN presentation.

Dinner reservations will soon be available at https://trialgp.com/2022-trial-des-nations-italy/

“Trial has such an illustrious back-story,” added Bernie, “and I’m delighted that the FIM wants to celebrate it in this way. It really is a must-not-miss weekend that encompasses the complete history of the sport we all love.”

The FIM Trial Vintage Trophy will play an integral part of the 2022 FIM Trial Des Nations so whether you’re a competitor or a spectator you’ll be given a never seen before, opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the greatest athletes this sport has ever produced.

There will be two main bits of silverware up for grabs – for best performance on a vintage motorcycle and best performance on an authentic vintage motorcycle. There will also be a support class that will compete over easier sections.

Entries will close 21 days before the event and you can register now at https://www.trialgp-registration.com to be part of this historic event.

The action kicks off at 9am on the Saturday with the start of the FIM Trial Vintage Trophy with official TDN practice getting under way one hour later. The following day the latest generation of trial heroes, both male and female, will showcase their sublime skills and bring you bang up to date starting from 8.30am.

Monza is situated around 10 miles north of Milan. There are three airports within 40 miles and road links are excellent.

For the full timetable and more information: https://trialgp.com/2022-trial-des-nations-italy/

For more practical information download the CTR Info letter 02 Trial Vintage available at the TrialGP Noticeboard.

Source: FIM Press Office

New, for the trials enthusiast, a forty years celebration since the only American to win a Trials World Championship, won the Scottish Six Days Trial, Trials Guru will present a new venture online!

“I’m very excited about this new venture in 2022 and you’ll hear untold stories with GLOVES OFF. I’ll be expressing my thoughts about the sport then and now.” – Bernie Schreiber

‘GLOVES OFF – Bernie Schreiber’, will launch in 2022 on TRIALS GURU as a regular and exclusive column in the news feed, and will be archived on a page for trials enthusiasts.

Gloves Off Archive link: WATCH THIS SPACE!

In an open letter issued on Monday 27th September, 2021 to Croft Trials Club and local enthusiasts of the sport, Croft Club Chairman, Bob Pickersgill has made an appeal following action taken by a neighbour who lives near the AMCA affiliated Croft Club’s trials ground, who is obviously opposed to the sport of trials.

The implications could be far reaching if the requirement for planning permission to change the layout of sections is imposed country wide.

Pickersgill’s open letter urged members to take immediate action and read as follows:

“Dear Member and supporter of Croft Trials Club,

You may be aware that the Club has been on the receiving end of a number of complaints, primarily from our neighbour at Clervaux, Mrs Sarah-Jane Burns.

Since she moved in about 6 years ago, she has been haranguing members, telling us that we wouldn’t be riding there much longer, and making numerous vexatious complaints to Richmondshire Council, the Environment Agency, the Public Rights of Way Officer, the Parish Council, the Police, the Woodland Trust etc. She even attempted to take possession of the land and caused criminal damage in doing so, to which she admitted and settled out of court.

Because of this, the Club has now been required to formally apply for Planning Permission for the creation of four new sections and the maintenance of the existing sections. If not granted, the facility could be under threat. Any support would be much appreciated. Supporters have until Friday 15th October to email: planning.enquiries@richmondshire.gov.uk or write to the Planning Manager at Mercury House, Station Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL10 4JX.

Please see below suggested points, but submit in your own words.

Croft Trials Club has been established in its location at Dalton Woods for the past 40 years. At its inception it was granted a Certificate of Lawfulness from Richmond District Council. – It is an important facility for members of all ages from 4 to 70+. There are more than a dozen female riders and many family memberships. It is one of few locations in the north east to offer off-road practice for youngsters who might otherwise use unauthorized public grounds. All riders must display their photo ID cards on their bikes and are fully aware of the need to respect our neighbours, not ride their bikes outside the grounds or run them in the car park. The club is fully regulated and affiliated to the AMCA, and is one of hundreds of clubs in the UK. – Trials riding is a popular low-speed motorsport which requires dedication, balance and skill, and enables its participants to spend time outdoors with their families and meet other riders. – Indeed, Yorkshire has produced the 8-times World Champion, Dougie Lampkin. The world champion female rider, Emma Bristow, who started riding at the age of 4, has been champion since 2015. – The Club is seeking approval for four new sections, out of more than 100 existing sections in its 66 acres. It is the only club in Yorkshire (and probably the UK) to be required to apply for planning permission for the creation of new sections with natural rock, which blends perfectly with the naturally occurring rocky sections already existing in the grounds.

Many thanks for your support.

Bob Pickersgill – Croft Trials Club – crofttrials.uk “

Following on from the UK departure from the European Union in January, the trials world woke up to the fact that transporting a trials machine to overseas events just took a leap forward in cost.

It was known that leaving the EU would bring new challenges, but few realised that it would bring higher costs as well. It is rapidly turning into a head-scratcher. It was universally known for some time pre-Brexit, that travelling overseas from the UK would require the obligatory ‘green card’ insurance document which can be obtained from the vehicle owners’ insurance company. There is also a requirement to purchase an International Driver’s licence from the Post Office to compliment the DVLA photocard driver’s licence scheme.

However, carrying additional vehicles inside a van or on a trialer, along with tools and equipment such as portable generators and spare parts poses new challenges for overseas competition plans.

This week the Auto-Cycle Union announced plans to try and smooth the process of taking competition machines over to European events.

Many argue that trials bikes are not ‘racing’ machines, but of course the word ‘racing’ is regularly used in place of the phrase ‘competition’ by the European countries. The terminology can cause concern amongst the trials fraternity and has done for many years. This has been increased over the years with trials motorcycle manufacturers utilising the word ‘Racing’ to promote higher performance or higher specification models for instance.

Given that trials machines can have a value of multiple thousands this could require a deposit of around £2,000 refundable after the machine has been repatriated to the UK after the event.

Most trials machines are no longer registered for road use, except for the Scottish Six Days and a handful of road based events which have been in decline since the 1990s.

Up until 2020, the process of loading up bikes in a big panel van and driving to Andorra or Costa Brava was very popular with British enthusiasts, but that has changed since January, not just because the Covid pandemic has closed borders and travel routes.

The realisation that expensive ‘carnets’ will be necessary and with border controls even more stringent, this means more expense and increased time spent at border crossings while paperwork is checked and perhaps machines are off loaded for inspection.

In short, a carnet is a customs permit allowing a motor vehicle, be that car or motorcycle, to be taken across a national border for a limited period of time.

Over the last month, the online social media chat rooms have seen increased traffic on this thorny subject with opinions traded like confetti.

In short the concessus appears to be that the cost while not totally prohibitive, may in fact limit the volume of riders prepared to shell out hard cash of several hundreds of pounds to allow them to ride abroad.

The ACU issued a statement on 10th January, the contents are reproduced below.

It will be interesting to see whether the costs really curtail British riders to compete on a more domestic level in future.

“On 31 December 2020, the temporary transition arrangements in place between the EU and the UK expired, affecting the movement of motorsport vehicles and equipment to the EU. Following advice, The Auto-Cycle Union understands that an ATA Carnet will be required to temporarily move motorsport vehicles and equipment across to the border. An ATA Carnet is an international Customs document that operates like a passport for your goods.  It allows the temporary importation of goods into countries that are part of the ATA Carnet system (the EU and 40+ additional countries) and avoids you having to pay unnecessary taxes or duties. ATA Carnets cover all goods that are leaving the UK and returning within a 12-month period.  They do not cover disposable goods (oil, fluids) that will be used while out of the country or items that will not be returning to the UK. The ATA Carnet simplifies the customs procedure into a single document and makes the importation process much quicker and easier to handle.  To avoid unnecessary border delays and customs checks the carnet should be acquired in advance of travel. There are two parts to the carnet:

• The processing/arrangement fee of the paperwork (VATable)
• The premium (non-VATable) The Auto-Cycle Union has secured a special deal with the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) for ACU members of a fixed price processing/arrangement fee of £240+VAT. This is discounted from the standard fee of £330+VAT that non-members of the GBCC would pay. Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce is appointed as part of a network of Chambers around the country to issue ATA Carnets. The second part of the fee is the Premium. This can either be a refundable deposit of 40% of the vehicle’s value or a non-refundable insurance premium to cover the 40% proportion of the premium.
• Applying for ATA Carnets: Carnets are applied for through an electronic portal called ‘E-cert’ and processed and posted out next day delivery or made ready for same day collection. A walkthrough of the process and further information for Auto-Cycle Union members is available here Please do not call The ACU with any ATA Carnet enquiries, but Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Carnet Specialist, Jonathan Crosbie, can be contacted by Auto-Cycle Union members on 0121 274 3217. GBCC also offer an express ATA Carnet service for Auto-Cycle Union members for a £35+VAT premium (normally £75+VAT), and if all the information is available and correct an express Carnet can be turned around in as little as one hour (Monday-Friday 0800-1600). To access the Auto-Cycle Union ATA Carnet discount with Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, please reference your 2021 ACU Club Affiliation Code and the name in which it is registered when applying.“

Source: Auto-Cycle Union

Due to the ongoing restrictions that limit sporting activities in Madrid, Spain due to Covid-19 pandemia, the Madrid based Federacion Madrilena de Motociclismo (FMM) has designed a new ‘local’ trials combined championship for modern and classic trials.

However, the go ahead ‘Moto Club Sotobike’ wanted to continue with some trials only for classic bikes with classic rules, as a result they will arrange for a new ‘Triangular’ trophy for classic trials.

The dates selected are 2 & 3 October, the Robregordo Classic and the 28th November for the ‘La Caleriza’.

This classic triangular series will also pay tribute to the memory of the club’s good friend and Robregordo competitor Manuel Soler, that passed away on 20th January.

The Auto-Cycle Union have pulled all permits and thus cancelled all their events in England and Wales, the Isle of Man and Channel Islands are unaffected but can only be run with caution.

In a statement issued by their Trials and Enduro Department on social media page on Tuesday 5th January, 2021 they stated the following:

“Coronavirus (Covid-19): PM Boris Johnson announces new national lockdown in England –

Boris Johnson has announced that England is to enter its third national lockdown, which means the government is instructing everyone to “stay at home”. The national lockdown is immediate, as of today 5th January and the Prime Minister also said in a televised address last night, the “weeks ahead will be the hardest yet”.

The announcement comes as government figures on 4th January revealed the UK has reached another record daily high of 58,784 new coronavirus cases, making it the seventh consecutive day in a row where there have been over 50,000 new Covid cases across Britain.

So, for motorcycle sport it is quite simple. Any planned ACU event in the next few weeks in England and Wales is now unfortunately cancelled.

SACU licence holders should follow the instructions issued by the Scottish Government and any information issued by the SACU. For those resident on the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, you can continue with ACU activity but follow any instructions issued by your independent administrations. Please adhere to and respect the UK Government advice and stay at home. Continue to support the NHS and follow the instructions issued by the Prime Minister.

There is light at the end of the tunnel in the form of the two vaccines which are now being administered in a planned UK Government vaccine programme, the Pfizer vaccine announced a few weeks ago and the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine which was rolled out today (4th Jan), but for the time being it is very important we do our bit to support the NHS. Do not do anything which may put motorcycle sport in a bad light. Further updates on when ACU activity can re-commence will be issued following further updates from the UK Government.“

New Ayrshire Club Donates

Report: Morton Sykes

The newly formed Ayrshire Trials Club promoted its very first trial on Sunday 8^th November and, being Remembrance Sunday, it was agreed that all proceeds should go to a worthy cause in memory of those who gave their lives in global conflict.

It was decided to raise funds for the Erskine Hospital for Forces Veterans, a charity that was set up in 1939 to provide support to forces veterans in Scotland, through four care homes and a Veteran’s Village.

The Ayrshire club was formed in August this year and were immediately affiliated to the AMCA and negotiated the use of a cracking new piece of land in Ayrshire at Blackcraig Farm, New Cumnock.

Chairman, Barry Watson said: “I have been involved in trials in Scotland for a number of years now and when the opportunity came along to run an event on Remembrance Sunday, we all thought it best to donate to charity as a mark of respect. We held a minute’s silence at the start and of course complied with all the ongoing Covid regulations and stipulations to ensure a safe and friendly event for all abilities. There were seventy competitors at the trial, it would have been more but around thirty did not travel because on the pandemic restrictions, which is understandable. The fantastic sum of £1,160 was raised and this has now been donated to Erskine who were both delighted and supportive of our enterprise in such difficult times for all charities. We hope to make this an annual event going forward.”

2020 Montesada!

The 2020 Montesada is reinventing itself to become more universal than ever!

The organizers of this popular event, which celebrates its 20th edition this year, have announced an online activity that will include Montesa fans from all over the world

Participate to be part of Montesa’s 75th Anniversary!

The 2020 Montesada was planned as a very special event, not only because it’s celebrating its 20th edition, but because it also coincides with Montesa’s 75th anniversary.

Although the health situation has forced the Montesa Club and the Moto Club Tona to cancel the Montesada as we know it, the organizers didn’t want to miss out on this very special edition. Thus, in 2020, the event has been completely reformulated to become an online event, which will give it a more universal character, that will make it easier than ever for all Montesa fans to participate, wherever they live.

The way it will work is very simple. From now until November 20th, all fans of the brand will be able to share, in video or photo format, their most special moments with Montesa (whichever the model or reason) through social media using the hashtag #Montesada2020. Furthermore, to make participation even easier, the organization has also considered fans who are not so used to using social media, providing them with a WhatsApp number (633 645 638) to which they will be able to send photos and videos, which will later be published on Montesa’s social media with the hashtag: #Montesada2020.

Everyone participating in this initiative will automatically become an active part of Montesa’s 75th anniversary celebrations, as the brand will make a selection of photographic and audiovisual material to create a special video of the 2020 Montesada and a commemorative 75th anniversary collage, which in turn will become part of the brand’s history.

But the surprises and activities don’t end here. All the participants in this online Montesada will also have the chance of winning fantastic prizes, such as trial courses with the Repsol Honda Team and the world champion Toni Bou, copies of the re-edition of the exclusive book ‘Montesa, The Art Gallery’, vintage Hebo t-shirts, Hebo Montesa shoes, tickets for the exhibition “Montesa, 75 years of an unforgettable adventure”, and VIP passes for the premiere of Montesa’s new documentary.

If you are passionate about Montesa, don’t hesitate, participate for free in this very special Montesada 2020 and become part of the history of the brand!

‘Viva Montesa’ 

#Montesa75Years

#Montesada2020

More information: www.montesada.com

On Thursday 5th November, after an absence of seven months, Trials & Motocross News (TMX) has made a very welcome return to the newsagents and doorsteps of thousand of trials, motocross and enduro enthusiasts across the country.

The popular weekly was delayed one day due to a distribution hitch, readers are delighted to see the paper return after weeks of speculation.

Readers overall prefer an actual ‘paper’ more-so than viewing at websites or online publications which just don’t seem to cut the ice.

A paper can be read with a nice cup of tea and be put down and picked up without logging on. Each to their own.

Obviously, the reports will be a little thin on the ground due to the Covid pandemic restrictions, but there is always something for the reporters and editor to write about.

So it’s a big ‘WELCOME BACK’ to the UK’s greatest coverage of off-road action, we MISSED YOU!