A facebook interest page has spawned a new event in Derbyshire, we catch up with Mark Trueman…

Words: Trials Guru – Mark Trueman

Photos: Nigel Ward

Facebook is of course a world-wide social media website and trials is becoming well catered for in that popular place, it now boasts over 5,000 members.

A general interest entitled “Hard to Find Twinshock Trials and Aircooled Mono” has now a large following, with members trading parts and complete machines. It is quite refreshing as it isn’t just another chat room, riders are helping other riders.

The result was the creation of a ‘Group Trial’ where members of the facebook group were invited to compete in a two day trial at two separate venues in Derbyshire.

Mark Trueman from Sheffield, England is the man behind this special interest group and puts a lot of time and effort into keeping it fresh and sensible. If people post inappropriate content or comment, he politely asks them to remove it, before it is removed. Most if not all, comply!

Here is the report on the third edition of the ‘Two Day Group Trial’ or 2DGT for short:

Hard To Find Twinshock Trials & AC Mono – Two Day Group Trial – 22^ND / 23^RD July 2017

Day One : Burycliffe Farm, Elton, Derbyshire

Day Two : Dudwood Farm, Elton, Derbyshire

The ever popular Facebook Group 2 Day Trial headed back to the rolling Countryside of Derbyshire over the weekend of the 22^nd and 23^rd of July, stageing its 3^rd edition.

Hosted and organised by the well known pairing of ‘YMSA’ couple of Barry & Sally Burton, with on the weekend assistance from facebook master, Mark Trueman, a weekend fielding over forty riders competed over the ten section, four laps per venue courses.

Classes were offered for Pre’65, Twinshock, along with a smattering of the comparatively modern Aircooled Monos.

Heavy pre-event rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the entrants, and sections were designed and set out by trials master, Mr Mick Andrews leading up to the event.

Camping and entertainment was provided on the Saturday, and riders came from as far and wide as Malta and the Isle Of Man, as well as a strong contingent from the Southern Counties, for what is fast becoming a popular yearly event.

Day one saw Dan Clark ride clean on his 1987 Honda RTL250 in the Expert Aircooled Mono class with an exceptional ride in the sticky conditions, as you would expect from a rider with his natural ability and experience.

Day one also saw Paul ‘Mac’ Houghton only lose 3 marks on his smartly turned out 1989 Gas Gas 250 in the Novice Aircooled Mono class, with Danny Littlehales riding well in the Pre’65 Expert category.

Andrew Bunton taking the spoils on the first day on his 1983 SWM 320 in the Twinshock Novice class.

In the Twinshock Expert class, a great ride also from Matt Spink on a 1980 Suzuki saw him clean all ten on the day.

With Richard Rogers riding a 1984 Fantic 300 and Jim Williams on board a 1983 SWM 350 ‘JUMBO’ cancelling each other out in the 50/50 Twinshock class.

Day two provided a few more entrants on the day, and complimented perfectly the great weekend had by all in drying conditions, providing a little more grip in the Rocky sections.

OVERALL RESULTS AFTER DAY 2

• AIRCOOLED MONOSHOCK – EXPERT – DAN CLARK – 0 MARKS LOST
• TWINSHOCK – EXPERT – MATT SPINK – 6 MARKS LOST
• PRE 65 – EXPERT – DANNY LITTLEHALES – 44 MARKS LOST
•  TWINSHOCK – 50/50 – RICHARD ROGERS – 39 MARKS LOST
• PRE 65 – 50/50 – SIMON SMITTS – 44 MARKS LOST
•  AIRCOOLED MONOSHOCK – NOVICE – PAUL ‘Mac’ HOUGHTON – 7 MARKS LOST
• TWINSHOCK – NOVICE – ANDREW BUNTON – 17 MARKS LOST

Well done to all involved, and the planning now starts for next year’s event to again be staged at Elton, Derbyshire. All details to be found when available on the ‘Hard To Find Twinshock Trials and Aircooled Monos’ facebook Page.

Playing with the Boys

Olga Kevelos (1923-2009) was a star of the UK motorcycle scene from the late 1940s until the 1960s, excelling best in the trials scene, but trying out both road racing and scrambles, both of which were largely denied to women at the time. She was well known in the ‘Scottish’ (SSDT) and ISDT events, competing in both over many years, with some success.

But Olga was more than just a motorcycle sportswoman – she was glamorous, adventurous, fearless and, above all, independent in nature. This book traces her life from its’ beginnings in the family home in Edgbaston, Birmingham, through her unusual wartime service with a small group of women volunteers on the canals, her motorcycle years, and finally, her time as a pub landlady and quiz expert.

Along the way the reader will learn about her vivacious personality and those who most closely shared her life. In order to provide context, a chapter covers the place of women in motorcycle sport in the pre and post war years. An appendix gives brief detail on some of the motorcycles most closely associated with Olga.

This A4 size 160 page book has over 250 illustrations, many of which have never been published before and many in colour. The author has self-published the book and it’s initial availability is limited. Copies cost £20.00 and P&P in the UK is an additional £4.00. Further details can be found on the Facebook page:  HERE or from the author : ctur282388@aol.com