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!
Trials Guru – The Premier Trial Sport Website for photos, articles, news and the history of motorcycle trials
Peter Miltenburg (Sherco) on Kilmalieu in the 2016 SSDT – Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven
We are always looking for something different here at Trials Guru and our good friend and contributor, Toon Van De Vliet from the Netherlands has submitted this article from the Netherlands.
THE SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL DIARY – FROM ‘PM TRIALS’
Words: Toon Van De Vliet & Peter Miltenburg
Photos: Peter Miltenburg; Toon Van De Vliet & Iain Lawrie
‘PM Trials’ is a synonym for ‘Peter Miltenburg’ also known to his friends as ‘Pim’, the Sherco and Scorpa importer in the Netherlands. From his last participation (2016) he made a diary to try to make an explanation of what this phenomenal extreme event is. Seen through the eyes of a real trials man and a lover of the countryside.
Peter Miltenberg no.125 represented the Netherlands in the 2016 SSDT
Monday:
Heavy rain on the first morning. I start with the number 125 in the third group, nicely in the middle. At the start, I get the message some of the hills can’t be ridden because of the high water! There is so much water in the sections that all signs and arrows are no longer visible.
We can ride the route as normal and when I pass this first hill I indeed come to see thundering roaring water under a wooden bridge by flows. Further on the route we can do some sections. Here too a lot of water, but these sections I ride quite well, the beginning is there in any case. Then continue by the Moors. We are today on Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland, where snow is still at the top which is melting hard. This means that besides the abundant rain water also melting snow from the hills is coming down. In addition to the usual water and mud channels now also extra water gullies with extremely unreliable bottom. Usually I come pretty well through, full throttle in fourth gear but a number of times I got stuck in the mud – Up to the petrol tank in to it! Hard work you get it out and continue the route. I ride alone so I have to do this all by myself. The sections ride well despite the amount of water and the fact that you do each time to get used to the large smooth boulders and required type of riding. On Ben Nevis we need a river crossing of about 40 meters wide, the water hurling down from the mountain with a depth of about one meter. On the other side are five other riders with the bike upside down to pump the water out the engine, so better not cross here? I try downstream find a better place, I see a spot with at least ten large stones on the bottom. I manage standing next to the bike in the ice cold water to hops the bike from stone to stone with the engine running in second gear and after at least half an hour I got to the other side. But I can go on! Lost a lot of time but do to the ‘’missing’’ sections we could not ride I’m on time in and can do a little work to get prepared for the next day.
A steady ride, PM looking good!
Tuesday:
First day with more than 180 km. Drive went better than Monday, the Moors were better to do because this route is on another mountain and there is no additional melt water in the rainwater. Long hours on the bike working out. Few times bad luck in the sections with a kinked throttle cable that stuck and the stop magnet shoot lose on a big step. On three quarters of the day the clutch hose damaged, no clutch of the rest of the day. These last four hills, I had to ask for five penalties, too bad. I try to phone my followers and at least it works in the middle of nowhere and they provide a clutch hose and a throttle cable as well. Upon entering I deliver my time card in at Rhoda Rathmell (Sherco England) she counts than how much time I have left. The right parts are there and I start in the pouring rain to replace the damaged cables. Rhoda comes along with the card and I see I still have 25 minutes to do the job… I get everything back neatly mounted and deliver the bike on the minute. Pfff…only now just rest! Looking further back had a nice day with plenty of rain, sunshine and sun again. Tasty!
You have all to do it yourself.
Wednesday:
Today early start; at 07.50 I am allowed to go. Twenty minutes before starting time, I am allowed in the Parc Ferme to do some work on the bike. I only need to replace the air filter and that’s a quickie to do. At the first sections on Ben Nevis again I have some dirt in the gasoline and a jet is clogged. The Army refuels your all week, but they often are standing in muddy places and sometimes there can be an unlucky moment for them, but now it’s me…I parked the bike on a big rock. I have the carburetor adjusted that I can turn it a little so I can get to the main jet. Special drill (made at home) through it and off we go! The effort of the previous days are coming out now, no spirit left and I feel empty. So at the next stop I need a refueling for myself too. Grape sugar like Dextro Energy will help a lot. Today most beautiful sections can I reasonable do. At the beginning it is dry, later plenty rain again. On Monday I found on the route a client of mine with his wife in the middle of the Moors walking for some hours to see the sections, just for free! That’s the real spirit. Today on time within, new tire, brake pads, chain and air filter again. Sherco okay. I start in the last group tomorrow so only then at 8 a clock I’m off to go.(the riders rotate every 48 numbers, the first day number 1 at first, second day 49 and so on).
Rhoda Rathmell controlled Peter’s card so time to chat.
Thursday:
The ‘Longest Day’! At the end of the day eventually 212 km on the counter and the tongue on the boots, it was the most beautiful SSDT day so far and risen to place 186. For a change no rain, beautiful sections. A lot of heavy moors in the route that don’t get any better after the passage by 250 riders. I get the ‘reading’ of this landscape better and better in control. Fewer failures in the sections but in the last hill no rear brake left, the disc is bent. A lot of other riders are late, but my bike is already prepared for the next day and back in the parc Ferme.
Why cancelled?
Friday:
Just a heavy Friday. Sections are very difficult today but I was able to ride them all quite well ‘just be or just not results. Less moors on the route many miles on the road but the Sherco picked up a lot of dirt and at the end of the day the bike must have been 10 kilograms heavier. It still runs well. Only my own battery is nearly empty! Where is the end?
Old Dutch together! Peter has a chat with Mieke De Vos, Secretary of the Trial.
Saturday:
Were normal Monday and Saturday what easier, after the ‘’Killing Monday’’ on the last day were certainly no presents given away. After the second Hill I ’landed’ on my left hand. Could no longer operate the clutch handle as I’m used to do. And suffered on in the technical sections with some fives.. Uphill went better, no problem.
Lower Mamore in the 2016 SSDT – Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven
Again I’m happy with my bike preparation in advance; I ride with a small extra petrol tank to be sure that I always get the regular tank stops. Today I saw at least ten riders suffering without patrol on top of a mountain, not that nothing happens, also in the mountains I get lost on the route with a couple of Danes . Together we find finally the ride track. My followers, supporters and family are on top of Pipeline waiting for me. The first subs I do well. For the last sub section we have to start from the side. A rider in front of me advised to use third gear. He managed to go to the top, but not ‘without dabbing’. I’m not should have used second gear the bike runs out of stem – so do I. Pipeline is at the end of the trial, but the organizers decide that we had to do the sections on the Hill Monday were impossible. That’s really heavy stuff for me. Town Hall Brae in the middle of Fort William is for me the nicest thing to do! The end of mine third SSDT Second Class Award, place 179 at least 100 riders behind me in the results.
Thanks to all who helped me coming to the end of this really hard Six Days.
Thanks to my wife Marjan, she said; ‘Next year we go again!’.
Peter Miltenburg
With thanks to journalist, Toon Van De Vliet for supplying Trials Guru with this article and to Peter for his reminisces at the 2016 Scottish Six Days Trial.
Photos: Copyright: Peter Miltenburg; Toon Van De Vliet & Iain Lawrie
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