Trials Guru has been a bit busy recently with the annual Scottish Six Days Trial at sunny Fort William, but we hope to bring you some photos and comment from the event very shortly!

With just one week to go, Trials Guru reveals its’ special 2017 SSDT Logo. This will be given to all riders and officials of the event in their welcome packs on the Sunday weigh in at the ben Nevis Hotel, courtesy of Trials Guru, The Premier Trial Sport Website. Don’t forget to tune into Nevis Radio during Six Days week to hear live commentary from the Parc Ferme with rider interviews and much more! – NEVIS RADIO

David Cordle writes for Trials Guru:

It is with much sadness that we must announce the passing of former Eastern Centre and Norfolk & Suffolk group champion, Eddie Cordle at the age of 71 at the beginning of April.

Eddie was a former supported rider on James, Cotton, Montesa and Fantic Motor Cycles and was a member of Ipswich M.C.C.

He rode throughout the sixties and seventies, and one of his most proudest achievements was to get an equal best day with Mick Andrews at the Scottish Six Days Trial in 1971 and going on to take a special first class award at the end of the week.

He was also an accomplished scrambler and later went on to be a successful golfer. Eddie Cordle will be greatly missed by all.

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.

Ian Driver – 12.09.1936 to 08.04.2017

Peter Remington writes for Trials Guru:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I can safely say that Pre’65 is alive and well in Yorkshire!

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.