KIA Series 2016 Closes!

14657400_10208423017556301_5307685855075679527_n
Twin-shock Expert class winner 2016 – Richard Allen (Honda) at the final Knighton round – Photo: Lorna Brakenridge, Falkirk

Photos: Lorna Brakenridge, Falkirk.

Roger Kenyon on behalf of the Kia Twinshock series organisers writes:

With well over 1,000 entries spread over the nine rounds, the 2016 Kia Twin-shock series draws to a close. In its third season, it has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of the ‘must do’ competitions for owners of both twin-shock and air-cooled machines in the UK. Over twenty-eight different makes of machines took part throughout the season, ranging from virtually standard machines to some really tricked out specials.

The opening event of the year was hosted by the Congleton & DMCC at Mow Cop in March and the final event was at Knighton in October, organised by the Central Wales Auto Club. During the series, the championship visited, Cumbria, Gloucestershire, North Yorkshire, Scottish borders and Denbighshire. Next year’s competition will be visiting some new venues to keep the series fresh.

The popular format of no road work, two laps of twenty sections, with a lap of at least two miles gave the organising clubs plenty of scope. All the events proved to be both challenging and enjoyable in some of the best terrain in the country.

The organisers of the championship would like to thank everyone involved for making the series possible. This includes landowners, members of host clubs, observers, riders, and everyone who has contributed in any way to the smooth running of the series including Kia Motors for their continued support as main sponsors.

The class winners will be presented with their trophies at the Telford Classic Dirt Bike Show on February 18/19, 2017.

2016 Kia Twinshock & Air-cooled Monoshock Series Winners:

Air-cooled Mono Expert – Colin Ward
Air-cooled Mono Clubman – Colin Ward Jr
Pre 78/Historic Spanish Expert – Gary Younghusband
Pre 78/Historic Spanish Clubman – Gary Hawkins
Twin-shock Expert – Richard Allen
Twin-shock Clubman – Dave Wardell
Brit-shock Expert – Mark Stokes
Brit-shock Clubman – Peter Edwards

14716068_10208423009676104_7386598618383283732_n
Seven times TT winner Mick Grant on his BSA Bantam at the Knighton round – Photo: Lorna Brackenridge, Falkirk

Rob Edwards in CDB Issue 41

rob-edwards81-pipeline
Rob Edwards (Montesa) seen here on Pipeline in the 1981 Scottish Six Days Trial – Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochlven

In the latest edition of Classic Dirt Bike – CDB (Winter 2016, Issue 41) is an article penned by Trials Guru’s John Moffat entitled: An Hour with… Rob Edwards.

Moffat met up with Rob at the Centenary Scott Trial and over a cup of tea in the refreshment pavilion, Rob recounted highlights of his sporting career as a professional trials rider and brand ambassador for Montesa Motorcycles.

The article features fantastic action photographs taken from the Nick Nicholls Collection at Mortons Archive in Hornchurch, the owners of the CDB title.

CDB is available on subscription: HERE

Trials Guru Photographs

mick Andrews - Eric Kitchen - Nostalgia
Guest of Honour Mick Andrews receiving a momento at the Nostalgia event in 2013 from ace photographer, Eric Kitchen who has assisted Trials Guru with specific photos from the start

meatKelvinHall001
Jimmy Young who has his own archive on Trials Guru, captured at a Kelvin Hall Arena trial in the 1970s.
Since we started Trials Guru on the web followed by a facebook page, we have been able to display the work of photographers across the globe.

Rene Opstals Logo

Without the photographers, we would only be able to record trials history in words alone and as we all know, a photo tells a thousand words.

Iain Lawrie H&S
Iain Lawrie from Kinlochleven, an enthusiast of trials since the early 1970s.

So, to all our photographers, a huge thank you from Trials Guru and its readers!

Trials Guru Index of Photographers: HERE

linda-ashford-photos
Linda Ashford from Somerset is a keen trials photographer who supports TMX and Trials Guru on a regular basis.

Trials Guru moving into third year

jan-1979-whitburn-bultaco-199a
Trials Guru is the brainchild of John Moffat, aided by friends across the globe to bring you this website. Photo: Trials Guru/Moffat Racing
It is hard to believe that Trials Guru began almost three years ago. In March 2014 we launched onto the world wide web with some very minimal snapshots of riders some well known and some not so well known.
Initially it was a place to view some older trials photos from the personal archives of creator, John Moffat aided by friend Heath Brindley who was instrumental in getting Moffat’s idea which was thought up some years previously and which was turned down flat by another established trials website when the idea was first muted.
Brindley still helps from time to time to keep the website working properly.
alan-lampkin-james-dabill-50
50 years of Scott wins separate these two riders! Alan Lampkin (BSA) on the left won in 1966, James Dabill (Vertigo) winner 2016 – Alan Lampkin is a regular visitor to Trials Guru both here and on facebook! – Photo: John Hulme/Trial Magazine UK – 2016
What has happened in the intervening three years is just amazing. We have attracted many photographers, both professional and amatuer to exhibit their work here on a website that costs the viewer not one penny or cent to dip into when the urge arises.
It is amazing how many former factory riders actually regularly visit these pages, you the reader are in very esteemed company when you flick through Trials Guru!
Trials Guru is exceptionally grateful to the many photographers who have given permission and still continue to allow the use of their images to tell the history of trials on these pages.
We continue to respect the work and the copyright of our photographers, please do the same.
We hope that we continue to bring you good stuff from the sport because we are trials enthusiasts bringing information, articles, news and photographs of our amazing sport – free!
Our pages are rapidly becoming THE first call by people wanting to find out more about trials and its history, for that is what we are recording, the history of our sport, its people, its events and its achievements. In fact Trials Guru is trials sports’ encyclopaedia, all done with the assistance of like minded enthusiasts.
Moffat: “My late father always said that history is important, we can see where we have come from. He also said that if it was so important then it should be written down for posterity. This is why I wanted to start Trials Guru some years ago or something similar to it. By good fortune I had got to know Heath Brindley of R2WTrials, whom I trust and he said that everything was possible, so off he went and Trials Guru was set up, the rest, as they say, is history. We are recording the history of the sport, but also we are constantly looking to the future”.
tam-ll2dt-1975
Moffat: “My late father always said that history is important, we can see where we have come from. He also said that if it was so important then it should be written down for posterity” – 1975 Loch Lomond Dan Stewart 2 Day Trial. From Left: Chris Clarke, Dave Rowland and T. Arnott Moffat. – Photo taken by John Clarke, Sheffield.
Trials Guru does not and will not charge you the reader or our advertisers one penny or cent to use this website.
We hope that you will continue to support Trials Guru for years to come as it is simply – Dedicated to the Sport.

Trials Guru INDEX

Contact Trials Guru: HERE

meadowcroft-350-matchless-1947-scott-cw
Meadowcroft on his 350 Matchless in the 1947 Scott – Photo: Charlie Watson, Hull

Last of Sandham’s Honda book sold

Fourstrokefinale

Tommy Sandham who wrote many motorcycle trials books has been in touch recently and informed us that the last three copies of his world famous book, Four Stroke Finale – The Honda Trials Story have been sold to purchasers in Germany!

He said that there are no plans to print any more, having printed a further 100 copies, the very last copies were dispatched to German buyers with an interest in the Honda brand.

Original first editions were changing hands on online auction sites in excess of £100 a copy at one time.

Written in conjunction with Trials and Motocross News staffman, John Dickinson, Sandham also worked at the Morecombe based paper in the late 1970s and into the 1980s.

Sandham was fortunate to test Rob Shepherd’s factory Honda RTL305 along with fellow staffman, Mike Rapley.

Tommy assisted Trials Guru to compile the Honda Trials special section HERE

Tommy Sandham’s website: HERE

 

Honda ramp up Montesa supply for 2017

1

Honda (UK) has doubled the size of its specialist Montesa dealer network and appointed a new Off-Road Sales Manager to further support continued growth in the UK’s trial bike market.

Five new dealers have recently been awarded a Montesa franchise, extending the network across the UK to ten. Each franchisee has been selected due to its specialist knowledge and experience in off-road motorcycles, and is exclusively able to sell the revered Honda Montesa models loved by high-adrenaline two-wheel enthusiasts.

In a further move to focus more on the off-road market, Honda (UK) has also this month confirmed the appointment of new Off-Road Sales Manager, Graham Foster-Vigors, charged with supporting and developing the Honda and Montesa network. Working within Honda’s UK motorcycle business in various customer and dealer-facing roles since 2007, Graham also has experience in competing in and management of two-wheel motorsport including Enduro and MX. In his new role, Graham will be the principal contact for wholesale and retail performance for Honda and Montesa, as well as overseeing Off-Road Racing, Off-Road Experience Centres and events, such as the Dirt Bike Show, to deliver the best possible promotion for the two brands.

2

Nick Campolucci, Head of Motorcycles for Honda (UK) comments: “The Honda and Montesa brands are heavyweights in trial biking, and with the sector currently experiencing such strong growth we are in an ideal position to capitalise on this and continue to delight customers with the very best products and technologies from both stables. The expansion of the specialist Montesa franchise network underlines our ongoing commitment to offering our off-road customers the very best in advice, service and expertise; while the appointment of Graham to look after our dealers and keep a dedicated eye on our racing and other promotional activities ties our whole offering together very nicely.”

The five new dealers recently awarded the Montesa franchise are as follows:

Thunder Road Motorcycles, Hempsted, Gloucester

Colwyn Bay Motorcycles, Clwyd

Derbyshire Off Road Centre, Buxton

Kestrel Honda, Coventry

Marsh MX, Merthyr Tydfill

Honda (UK) currently markets four models bearing the revered Montesa badge – the Montesa Cota 4RT260, 4RT Factory Race Replica and 300RR, and the Montesa 4RIDE.

Each model is manufactured exclusively for worldwide distribution at the Montesa Honda facility, in Santa Perpetua de Mogoda, Barcelona.

The Montesa Honda Cota 4RT began a revolution in trial biking on its introduction in 2006, bringing the environmental benefits of four-stroke technology, along with strong power and torque, to a world previously dominated by two-stroke. The 260 model carries a reputation for performance, quality and proven reliability, while the Factory Race Replica offers the more demanding customer the exclusiveness of its superior equipment and the look of the race bike. Such is the reputation of the Cota 4RT, that of the last 17 Trial World Championships won by the Montesa team, the last nine were all achieved on this model.

Moving up the performance scale, the Montesa Cota 300RR (‘Race Ready’) is an exclusive and unique race-oriented machine which builds on the success of the 4RT models but with a focus on increased power and reduced weight to meet the needs of the most demanding racers, particularly those competing against two-stroke models.

Making up the Honda Montesa range is the most recent addition, the 4RIDE. This versatile off-roader, aimed at the ‘pure adventure’ seeker, is light yet strong, powerful yet manageable, and comfortable and easy to handle. Along with strong Dunlop tyres for plenty of grip, the front axle is light and agile with strong suspension to deal with the most uneven and demanding terrain.

3

For further information on the Honda Montesa off-road motorcycle range please visit www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles.

CJB Launch two DVDs for Xmas 2016

classic-box-2106
CJB Photographic’s 2016 Classic Review is now available.

Based in the Midlands, UK – CJB Photographic have just completed two new DVDs intime for Christamas, first their ‘Classic Review’ DVD for 2016.

Two hours in running time gives the viewer footage filmed at the 2016 Telford Show, Red Marley Trial and Hill Climb, the Scottish Pre 65, Kia Twinshock and Sammy Miller rounds, plus Hawkstone Park Festival 1970/80’s period.

Also available is the ‘2016 Scott Trial’ which took place on October 22nd and was won by Vertigo rider, James Dabill, all filmed with the permission of the Scott Trial committee.

2016-scott-cjb
The 2016 Scott Trial captured by Colin Bullock of CJB Photographic

For full details are available on the CJB Photographic website: HERE

And the full 2016 Titles are: HERE

Or telephone: 01564 703215

Rob Edwards’ Tribute to HM Lampkin

We are always looking for something different at Trials Guru, so here is something you won’t see in the shops, a hand-made tribute from one great rider to another.

It’s a wooden plinth with an aluminium half sided model of the 1975 factory Bultaco in tribute to the late Martin Lampkin who was of course the 1975 World Trials Champion.

It was made by none other than Rob Edwards of Montesa fame and a very close friend of Martin’s.

hml-1975-re
The hand-made tribute to Martin Lampkin in aluminium and wood by Rob Edwards

Photo courtesy: Rob Edwards.

Rob Edwards Story – Click: HERE

Lampkin of Silsden – Click: HERE

Pre’65 Scottish Trial Plans 2017

pre65-2017-layout

The Pre’65 Scottish Trial will take place on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th April in 2017, however it doesn’t magically appear year after year.

The official ‘setting out team’ have been busy this November looking for new routes and sections to keep riders on their toes and to stop the event becoming the same old event year in, year out.

The biggest challenge now is to test the top riders due to the massive improvements made to Pre’65 machinery, with very few original bikes being entered now as the Pre’65 scene has changed dramatically over the years.

Machines that would have been turned away ten years ago are now accepted, with four speed Bultacos being just one make that has come of age.

1959 - Paul Kilbauskas - Glenogle - JDavies
1959 Scottish Six Days Trial – Paul Kilbauskas with his 500 Royal Enfield – Photo: John Davies

Many say that it is sad that so many genuine machines have been assigned to the backs of sheds and garages once again as the Pre’65 movement evolved in the late 1970s to encourage the use of old trials irons. The Pre’65 Scottish unfortunately gets more attention than most events, purely because of its’ popularity and status as being still ‘THE’ event to get an entry accepted to.

image8
Ernie Lyons on his 250 Bultaco, a machine that is now accepted in the Pre’65 Scottish, seen here riding the sections known as the Moon in Glassamucky, Co Dublin – Photo: Pat Ewen, Dublin

However what hasn’t changed since 1984, the first year the Pre’65 Scottish was run as a one day event on a midweek, is that it still takes a team of dedicated individuals to actually put the trial on the ground.

3
Super-enthusiast from Olot, Carlos Casas loves the Pre-65 Scottish as much as he does the SSDT – Photo: John Hulme/Trial Magazine UK

Please be aware that riding in the Kinlochleven area without the full permission of both the landowners and the government agency, Scottish Natural Heritage is strictly prohibited. Many of the well-known Pre’65 Scottish sections are located on SSSIs.

Additional Information on Land use – HERE

Dave’s Yamaha Time-warp

Recently, we came across a real nice little story. From time to time, we are sure that stories are told of a brand new, unused motorcycle still in the manufacturer’s packaging crate – they do exist!

yamaha-ty250r-2
What is in this box? – Photo: Dave Smith

Dave Smith from Buckinghamshire recently had a look inside a box he has had for the last 25 years.

What is inside it? – A brand new unused Yamaha TY250R ‘Pinky’ model!

yamaha-ty250r-1
Surely not, is the box empty or? – it can’t be, can it? – Photo: Dave Smith

Bought brand new in it’s Yamaha box from John Lee Motorcycles, it was one of the very last batch made in 1992 and Dave thought because it was such an important machine in trials history he would get one of the last and keep it wrapped up.  Smith recounted: “I seem to remember at the time they had gone well out of fashion and they were discounted down to about £2,000. I’m sure I’ve got the original sales invoice somewhere. Judging by the reaction I have had, a lot of people remember them with fondness”.

The TY250R ‘Pinky’ was the last of the TY250 range which began with the twinshock Yamaha Trials machine in 1974. The TY250S and R models were developed with the direct input of Nigel Birkett and of course were monoshock (Yamaha Mono-cross system) suspension on the rear. The TY250R ‘Pinky’ was produced in 1992 as a single batch, just before the factory commenced production of the Yamaha TYZ, water-cooled, aluminium perimeter frame model.

The TYZ model signalled Yamaha’s ongoing committment to the sport of trials but ended the production run of the air-cooled TY250R which ran from 1984 – 1992.

So let us unwrap the time warp from 1993…

yamaha-ty250r-3
Brand new in box, they do exist! The original owner’s manual, handlebars and propstand – Photo: Dave Smith

yamaha-ty250r-4
Factory fresh, zero miles on the odometer – Photo: Dave Smith

yamaha-ty250r-5
Unused, with factory disclaimer decals on the rear fender – Photo: Dave Smith

yamaha-ty250r-6
Still in the original box, the Yamaha sees daylight from it’s time capsule! – Photo: Dave Smith

yamaha-ty250r-7
The caution decals on the plastic tank, completely empty and unused – Photo: Dave Smith

yamaha-ty250r-8
Not many left in original condition as this TY250R – Photo: Dave Smith

yamaha-ty250r-9
The front mudguard nestles on the rear tyre, still unfitted since being packed away by the factory dispatchers – Photo: Dave Smith

yamah-ty250r-10
Many thanks to owner Dave Smith for allowing us to look at his unused Yamaha TY250R

Many thanks to owner Dave Smith for allowing Trials Guru feature his quite unique Yamaha, the big question now must be… will he ride this precious time warp machine or simply return it to its’ slumbers for posterity?

Text: Copyright: Trials Guru/Moffat Racing 2016

Images: Dave Smith, Buckinghamshire

Trials Guru – we always bring you something new old!

The Premier Trial Website – Recording the History of the Sport 'Established 2014'