We have come a long way since March 2014 when Trials Guru was launched on the internet as a website and also facebook.
There are many pages of features, articles and information which records the history of motorcycle trials, the riders and the events.
It is almost impossible to record everything, but we hope that people the world over like what we do.
New features will continue to be released as they become available.
Remember to use the index and search panel to find what you are looking for!
A new feature under ‘Major Events’ has been opened on Trials Guru.
Entitled ‘SSDT Archive’, it has just been opened by showcasing the front covers of the Scottish Six Days Trial programmes from 1947 until now.
There are still a few to be displayed as their images are currently being worked on, but the full set will be online for all to see shortly.
Some of the programmes appear for sale on internet auction sites from time to time and the older editions command high prices for a piece of trials history.
Have a look, there may be one that quite interests you.
The trials world on the south east was saddened by the death of well-known trials rider, Alan Ketley.
Alan was an accomplished rider in the SE ACU centre and at one time worked for Comerfords/Bultaco UK as a sales representative, looking after the many Bultaco agencies throughout the UK.
He had been sufering from Parkinson’s Disease for some years and was from Erith, South East London..
Details of Alan’s funeral arrangements are:
Friday, 29th October 2021 at Beckenham Crematorium at 09.30 am.
Trials Guru wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to his daughter at this very sad time.
Tribute to Alan Ketley from his friend Bob Adams:
The passing of Alan KETLEY “ Ketters “ is a huge loss to the trials scene. We travelled the UK & continent in his mini pick-up as well as tackling National trials. His most remembered achievement was beating Sammy Miller to win his first National.
Al rode for the South Eastern Centre team many times but the North Kent combine was his favourite scene. He was a champ in every class, Ariel, James , B40. He was a wiz on long steep hills where throttle control was key. He was truly a class act Brands Hatch in 1965.
Al was asked to ride the Bultaco Sherpa and rode it brilliantly. His dad only ever came to one trial, Weavers Down, and Al finished on clean THATS the way to show your dad how good you are! He worked for Comerfords in his younger years selling Bultacos all over the UK and servicing the dealers. Parkinson’s put paid to a trials return in the last decade. Al leaves a daughter “Amanda” and two grandchildren.
Bob Adams
The Scott Trial official programme which is sold to raise money for the local Scott Trial charities is now on sale, priced £5.00 per copy.
Edited by Michelle Wilkinson, it is packed with information for the event and is a must have for any Scott Trial follower or enthusiast.
Copies are now on sale at the following outlets:
Brookes Garage, Richmond, Neeps & Tatties, Richmond, Reeth Post Office, Reeth Paper Shop, Copper Kettle Cafe, Reeth; CB Inn, Arkengarthdale; The Red Lion pub, Langthwaite; CJ Tennants, Richmond and X Lanes Store, Richmond.
The event is being held on Saturday 16th October 2021, starting from Feldom Ranges, Sturdey House Lane, Richmond, DL11 7LS.
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 “
The Scott Trial is a test of man and machine, on observation and time. It is regardest as the toughest one day trial in the UK and to compete in it year after year takes committment.
One such Yorkshire man has taken part in the annual event 39 times and 2021 will be his final attempt at the famous event.
His name is Graham Tales from Ilkley, West Yorkshire and 2021 will be his fortieth and final Scott Trial.
A painter/decorator by trade, Graham still loves his trials but feels that 40 attempts at the Scott is plenty.
He has had quite an innings: Graham has 19 Scott spoons; 16 certificates; 2 mechanical retirements and twice outwith the time limit.
We wish Graham well in his fortieth Scott and hope to see him at the finish line on October 16th.
Main photo: Graham Tales (Photo: Barry Watson)
The Richmond Motor Club (Yorkshire) Ltd’s Scott Trial committee have been working hard behind the scenes to kick start the return of the annual time and observation event which will make a welcome appearance back on the trials calendar on Saturday 16th October.
The event has been cancelled twice, due to the global pandemic and returns with a new Clerk of the Course, Nathan Stones who has been part of the organising team for many years. He will be ably assisted by Bruce Storr, himself a former Scott Trial Clerk of Course.
The event is run on behalf of the Yorkshire Centre, ACU by the Richmond club and 2021 marks 30 years of the club’s involvement, having taken the organisation over from the Darlington & District Motor Club in 1991.
There is always a lot to do in the organisation of this prestigeous event, with much negotiation with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and the many landowners, farmers and estate management representatives who give permission for the event to take place.
It is hoped that the usual Scott Charity auction will also make its return, prior to the prize-giving at Richmond School on the Saturday evening.
Entries closed on Friday, 10th September.
For more information on the famous Scott Trial, click HERE
(The ‘Scott Trial’ logo is copyright Richmond Motor Club (Yorkshire) Ltd.)
The Scottish Six Days Trial used to start and finish in Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh.
The start, up until 1976, was organised at Edinburgh’s Gorgie Market in the Slateford area of the city and finish at Blackford Hill, near to the Royal Observatory.
It has recently been announced in the Scottish press that the iconic landmark of the old Gorgie Market would be demolished to make way for student accommodation to cater to satisfy the demands of housing for a vibrant university city.
Currently occupied by ‘World of Football’ and ‘World of Bowling’, the bulding dates back to when it was used as a Corn Exchange and livestock market when animals and grain was transported into the area for the various markets up until the mid 1970s. Currently it provides indoor soccer pitches on a Astroturf surface.
Latterly part of the original Corn Exchange, the buildings were converted to a night club and entertainments centre, suitably called ‘Edinburgh Corn Exchange’ at 11 New Market Road.
The London based property developers, Watkin Jones, have applied to Edinburgh City Council for permission to demolish the site directly behind the Corn Exchange to make way for student accommodation. The site housed the large covered sheds which held the animals for market and also the ‘Weigh-In’ for the annual Scottish Six Days Trial from around 1955 to 1976.
The following press release was received from the SSDT Committee this morning. Regardless of the ongoing Covid pandemic, the club and committee have forced on with their plans to restart the annual Highland sporting holiday.
Riders and enthusiasts alike will rejoyce in the news.
A lot has changed over the two years that missed out on an SSDT, which includes the Covid outbreak and ‘Brexit’ which has caused its own issues, such as increased travel costs and also accommodation prices. The SSDT Committee statement reads:
“Following the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 Scottish Six Days Trials, the Edinburgh & District Motor Club have confirmed that the 2022 event will be held from 2nd to 7th May 2022 centred around Fort William.
The organising team have already started preparations and, although some work was completed for the 2020 event, there will be a lot of work required to make sure that the six daily routes over hundreds of miles are in a fit state to run the event.
The Edinburgh club look forward to getting this historic event back on the calendar and cannot wait to meet all of the competitors and fans in May 2022.“
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Scottish Trials rider, Hamish Combe a member of the Dunfermline & District Motor Cycle Club, he was aged 85 years.
Hamish was an active trials rider in the 1950s and 1960s and while not a Scottish Champion, he always finished well up in the championships and was a Scottish national trials winner.
He was the Scottish Experts winner in 1961 when the event was a qualifier for the ACU British Experts.
He owned for a time an ex-factory 250cc Francis-Barnett trials machine, MWK498.
Hamish was an active member of the Scottish Six Days Trial organising committee after retiring from competition. He was responsible for restoring the ex-Ron Thomson/Duncan Smith 500cc Triumph Trophy twin GAM686 which eventually became the property of Mike Bell.
His funeral will be held at Falkirk Crematorium on Monday, 23rd August 2021 at 2.30pm.
Main Photo: Scottish Clubman January 1959, shows Hamish Combe being presented with his winnings at an Edinburgh Southern MC award ceremony.
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