Fort William business, Marshall & Pearson’s front window in 2016 with the 1964 AJS 16C on display.
By popular demand, the 2017 SSDT will see the bikes back in Fort William windows with the co-operation of local businesses, the importers and dealers and TRIALS GURU who have been negotiating between the parties involved.
Thanks to the local businesses and suppliers, the machines will be on display at the following businesses during the trial to add some atmosphere to SSDT week:
Off-Beat Bikes : TRS
Nevisport : Vertigo
The Whisky Shop : Montesa (Inch Perfect Trials)
The Granite House : GasGas Motos UK
Bank of Scotland : Beta-UK
Visit Scotland (Tourist Information Centre) : Scorpa – Birkett Motorsport
Mountain Warehouse : AG Bikes (Sherco)
Marshall & Pearson : 1981 Bultaco Sherpa.
Last year, only Marshall & Pearson had the 1964 AJS on display, but due to popular demand the trials bikes are back for 2017.
Chris Oliver who has had a long association with The British ISDT effort writes for Trials Guru:
Ian Driver first became involved with the International Six Days Trial in 1971 when it was run on the Isle of man by the ACU.
With his infectious enthusiasm and passion for whatever he undertook, he soon became the British Vase team manager.
He had a canny knack of making things happen and it wasn’t long before the ACU promoted him to the rank of British Trophy Team Manager where he fostered a fabtastic team spirit.
Ian was able to ensure that every rider knew what he had to do to achieve his riding time.
Past team members will no doubt mourn Ian’s passing.
The Bultaco Revival NOSTALGIA trial set for June 17 this year has had another boost. After 30 years in the back of his workshop, Alan ‘Sid’ Lampkin has pulled out his works Bultaco and after a couple of kicks it fired up. Sid said: “… mains were rumbling so I’ve fixed that and now it’s good to go.”
Sid’s son, James Lampkin is going to give it an airing at the event and will be raising money for Cancer Research in remembrance of the late Martin Lampkin who passed away last year.
Any body who is wishing to donate and ride under the Lampkin banner at the Nostalgia Trial should get in touch with Sid or myself.
100% of money donated will go to Cancer Care Research. Sid’s contact no is 07761 073368. Peter Remington: 01539 560695.
The Westmorland Motor Club are proud to be involved.
Trials Guru isn’t a website compiled by a just a writer, Trials Guru is compiled by a trials rider with a lot of help from his friends and likes to ride trials whenever time and opportunity arises.
John Moffat on his BSA at Castle Carr – Barry Pickard Photo
Photos courtesy of Barry Pickard
John Moffat writes: Back in January, I received a note from fellow enthusiast Steve Rayner when I put out an appeal for suggestions of where to compete on my BSA C15. Steve suggested that I should try the Yorkshire Classic MCC ‘Captain’s Trial’ held on the Castle Carr Estate, near Halifax. I was intrigued, I hadn’t ever been to Halifax before, now was my chance!
I had rarely ridden down south so I set about and filled in my entry form and posted it to event secretary Barry Pickard, not realising the popularity of the event, I was delighted to be quick enough to have my entry accepted. This was after forgetting to put my cheque in with the entry so that cost me the price of two first class postage stamps!
I travelled down on the Saturday and stayed over with my friends Nigel & Jill Greenwood at Huddersfield as it was around a half hour drive to the venue and Nigel insisted that I spent the night at his house.
When we arrived at Castle Carr, I wondered what kind of place it was as we drove through the arched gate-house and along the narrow estate road to the reservoir and the start area.
Speedway ace, Eric Boocock on his Triumph Cub at Castle Carr – Photo: Barry Pickard
All I can say is what a superb place to have a proper Pre’65 trial, sensible flowing sections and a very nice route. I caught up with Mick Grant, Eric Boocock and Robin Luscombe, plus a whole host of others I only see at Telford show or in Scotland around SSDT time.
I had entered in error on the hard route, but a quick phone call to event secretary Barry Pickard relegated me into the clubman category, as I was just out for a bit of fun and give my BSA a good airing after its winter slumbers.
Huddersfield’s Chris Haigh on his 350 Velocette gets stuck in – Photo: Barry Pickard
The weather conditions were atrocious, but that didn’t dampen my spirits, my bike ran faultlessly although I had noticed a weep from the fuel tank as I loaded her in my van on the Friday evening, other than that, no issues. The tank is now off and away for repairs and a re-spray.
The course consisted of three laps and was a great days sport; I cannot compliment the organisers enough. Folks back home that had ridden previously said that I would love this event and sure enough, I did. To the point that I can see me going back there next year if I get my entry in on time. It’s close to a 500 miles round trip, but it was well worth the effort.
Robin Luscombe on his Triumph Cub – Photo: Barry Pickard
To sum up, the Captain’s Trial is what a good Pre’65 trial should be, fair sections that cater for all comers, nothing daft, a nice run out on the machine and a friendly atmosphere at the catering wagon.
Ian Myers – Photo: Barry Pickard
I can safely say that Pre’65 is alive and well in Yorkshire!
David Emmott on his Triumph twin during the 2012 Pre’65 Scottish Trial on the section ‘Coalasnacoan’
DAVID EMMOTT
Barry Pickard writes for Trials Guru:
It is with deep regret that we inform you of the passing of our good friend, long time member and treasurer, David Emmott.
He died at his home during Sunday morning, the 2nd April. He was 60 years of age.
Our sincere condolences go to his sons George and Tom and to those closest to him.
As David had organised the annual dinner for many years it will go ahead as planned at the Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton this coming Saturday as a tribute to him.
He will be remembered by all in the Yorkshire Classic Motorcycle Club and beyond.
News has reached Trials Guru that Roy Peplow, former Triumph factory rider in trials, scrambles and the ISDT has died.
R.S. Peplow was a firm choice for many British Trophy teams for the annual International Six Days Trial, always Triumph mounted. His knowledge of the event was second to none and his machines bristled with special modifications learned from practical experience in the grueling event.
He won the 1959 Scottish Six Days Trial on his works-prepared 199cc Triumph Tiger Cub RUE 923 and was the first small capacity entrant to win the SSDT, which signaled the end of the ‘big bike’ dominance at the event.
Roy was instrumental in assisting Sammy Miller when he first went to Bultaco and accompanied Sammy for secret testing of the Spanish machine at Bulto’s ranch, ‘San Antonio’ when Miller was still contracted to Ariels.
Midlands based Peplow had a liking for Jaguar cars and was seen years after he stopped riding competitively at the SSDT in a fine example of the Brown’s Lane, Coventry built vehicles.
Derek Edgar (PUCH 125) in the ISDT in 1968 – Photo: Brian Catt
It is with much sadness that we report that the Edinburgh born trials and development rider, Derek J. Edgar has died this morning in St. John’s Hospital, Livingston on Tuesday, 28th March, 2017.
Derek had been ill for some time having been diagnosed with inoperable cancer and had been undergoing specialist treatment at Edinburgh’s Western General hospital for several months.
Younger son of Norman Edgar Snr who, with his brothers, ran the motorcycle sales and repairs business of Edgar Bros. in Edinburgh, Derek went to work for Steyr-Daimler Puch at their factory at Graz in Austria in 1970 as a development rider/engineer and then on to Montesa Motorcycles when he was based in California, USA.
He subsequently returned to his homeland Scotland and set up his own property development company called Derek Edgar Developments.
Derek’s older brother, Norman was three times Scottish Trials Champion and former Clerk of Course of the Scottish Six Days Trial an event in which Derek competed in on Puch, Bultaco and Honda machinery. His last ride was in 1977 on a Honda TL250.
Derek Edgar tackles Kilmonivaig section in the 1977 Scottish Six Days Trial on his Honda TL250 – Photo: Iain C. Clark, Fort William
Derek was an accomplished trials and scrambles rider who also excelled in the International Six Days Trial, riding Puch and Ossa machines from 1968 to 1972. He also took part in the Baja desert race in the USA.
John Moffat wrote: “I have known Derek Edgar from when I was a young boy, he dated a local girl called Theresa who later became his wife, who lived in my home town of Bathgate. He used to collect her in his Mini pick-up and would give me a friendly wave as he passed. Derek always had time to speak to me when I was a young rider and I never forgot that. He was one of a select band of Scottish competitors I looked up to and aspired to be like.
In Scottish trials, the Edgars were referred to in the same manner as Yorkshire-men referred to the Lampkins, they were a hard act to beat.
The Scottish trials world will be somewhat the poorer with Derek’s passing”.
A celebration of his life was held at Mortonhall Crematorium, Edinburgh on Monday 10th April at 12.30.
Sincere condolences go to the extended Edgar family at this time and his widow, Theresa, son Paul and daughter Kim.
1969 SSDT – Derek Edgar (250 AJS) tackles first day section ‘Culross’ in Fife – Photo: Bob May, Edinburgh
Past SSDT Secretaries, the late Ally Findlay (1997-2000) left with Trials Guru’s John Moffat (2001-2002) seen here in 2001 – Photo: Colin Bullock/CJB Photographic
Trials Guru has had a long association with the annual Scottish Six Days Trial as the site owner, John Moffat has been an observer, rider, event secretary and most recently guest commentator on ‘Six Days Radio’ hosted and supported by the local radio station, ‘Nevis Radio’ based in down town Fort William.
This year, 2017 Trials Guru website has gifted special decals to be given to all competitors and officials at the signing on formalities on Sunday, April 30th at the Ben Nevis Hotel.
Over the next few weeks, Trials Guru website will be counting down to this most famous of all motorcycle trials, which of course can trace its roots back to 1911 when the Edinburgh & District Club took over the running of the event.
Remember the ‘Trials Guru SSDT 2017’ decals are only available to 2017 SSDT riders and officials at Fort William and will not be available otherwise, so if you are riding the SSDT this year, keep the decal safe as it is unique!
As for the radio coverage, the only main media to cover the whole event, this will be every morning commencing at 07:00 GMT until 11.00 GMT (www.nevisradio.co.uk) and will be compared by Trials Guru’s John Moffat and Nevis Radio’s John Weller and Simon Abberley.
It is hoped that a roving microphone can be used to do some interviews at the afternoon sections with riders and spectators, so keep an eye out and of course listen in to all the action as it happens during the week from ‘Parc Ferme’ to ‘Section’.
Don’t forget to have a look in at our SSDT special section on Trials Guru: HERE
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Eddie Dow. Those in the BSA fraternity will, perhaps, be familiar with the name, since Eddie was synonymous with the marque, both as a factory rider during the 1950s, and also for his development work for BSA through into the 1960s.
However, it was as leader of the British Army motorcycle team during the immediate post-war period that Eddie first made a name for himself, winning many medals, not only individually, but also for the squad in International and National trials events.
From this he developed a close association with BSA, and found success and fame as a works rider through the 1950s, winning the Senior Isle of Man TT in 1955 just two years after a near-fatal crash. By profession, Eddie was an engineer, having been an apprentice to Rolls Royce during the War.
He used this knowledge to good effect, working with BSA to perfect the Gold Star, and ultimately being responsible for creating the Rocket Gold Star in 1962.
He opened a motorcycle dealership specialising in BSA, and continued to use his racing experience to develop after-market parts that significantly enhanced the performance of the bikes – often supplying them back to BSA who adopted many of his ideas.
When British motorcycle manufacturing hit hard times in the late 60s, Eddie’s dealership moved to four wheels; MG, then Renault, and finally to Volkswagen. He sold the business in 1991.
Aged 67, Eddie lived out a busy and fulfilling retirement both as a keen skier, a hobby he pursued until the age of 88, gardener and irrepressible motorsport enthusiast.
He died on Friday 17th March, and is survived by his wife, Diane; daughter Franca, and grandchildren Justin, Kate and Joshua. The funeral will take place on Monday 3rd April at 12 noon at Banbury Crematorium. Family flowers only.
– Trials Guru wish to pay respects to the immediate Dow family at this time.
On March 14th 2014, Trials Guru was created on the internet and social media (facebook and twitter) so it’s a BIG Happy Birthday to us here at Trials Guru and a BIG HUGE THANK YOU to you for reading this, the premier website which showcases the sport of motorcycle trials!
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