Missing out on the Scottish...
By TMX Archives on 14th Jan 11
Whether you are looking for a ride in the 100th SSDT or in the Pre-65 Two-Day you still have to crack the dreaded ballot...
THERE'S so much to go at this week, mainly on the trials front as it is the trials season after all, that it's hard to know where to start. The obvious point of interest is the Sheffield Indor trial, seeing as it happened just last Saturday, with lots of British riders on new bikes but there's also lots going on with the Scottish Six Days Trial as the entry list has just been released for the event's 100th birthday bash – as well as the accompanying Pre-65 Two-day event.
The Scottish entry list is certainly no stranger to controversy as over the years demand for entries has frequently exceeded supply and the dreaded ballot is brought into play. It was expected that the centennial event would bring about an unprecedented clamour for entries. There are 270 places up for grabs and around 450 applications so it stands to reason that whichever way the cookie crumbles there will be around 180 unlucky souls – and every one of them will be contacting the club with a cast iron reason why they should have a ride. Because they have ridden before, or because they haven't ridden before, because they are a competitive rider, or because they are a club rider. Because they have already booked their holidays, because they have bought a new bike, you name it – the club will hear it. And in every case the rider is absolutely right. He or she really should get a ride. Unfortunately, as we have just explained, however you pick your 270 entries there will always be 180 disappointed would-be riders.
Believe me, I know exactly how you feel guys and gals. I missed out on an SSDT ballot back in 1979 – and it took me nearly ten-years to get that sulk out of my system. So however hard you are taking it – I have been there! Forty years down the line I have no answer to the conundrum – because there really is no answer. I do believe, and always have, that certain riders who don't attempt all the sections or don't have the capability to properly attempt them, should be de-selected. It is a competition and in my book you should be able to make a genuine attempt at cleaning the sections. Having attended the trial every year for at least the last 30-years I do know that some people have used this International competition as a legal six-day trail ride.
The SSDT is a prestigious event, yet it remains one of the few trials where Joe Clubman can ride alongside World Champs. But many ‘Joes' are very capable riders and well worthy of their place. But even weeding out the ‘trailies' would only open-up half a dozen places, it certainly wouldn't accommodate an extra180. And they would argue that their entry fee is worth the same as anyone else's. I don't envy the secretary on the end of this one and I never have.
Truth to tell I am actually disappointed that the factories haven't sent their top stars to ride the 100th SSDT. It is THE best trial on the planet and World Rounds pale into insignificance when it comes to selling bikes and the factories ought to make the Scottish a priority. There are at least 270 potential CUSTOMERS riding the event – not less than 15, none of whom buy their bike...
MOVING on, the same problem continues to affect the Pre-65 Two-Day Trial which has always attracted way more entries than it has places.
There have been several radical suggestions to deal with this including running two separate entries on the two days – then let the top half of each of those days contest a third day! I haven't even looked at the entry list at the time of writing this but I have already been contacted by several would-be riders saying they have not made it through the ballot etc., etc.
The standard of rider isn't anywhere near as big an issue in the case of the Pre-65 as the main SSDT – except that you do actually need to be pretty fit and active to be able to complete the course as it is no easy ride. But the name of the game is nostalgia and the older riders and bikes are really what this event is, or should be, all about. Those at the sharp end of the field often disagree and still reckon that the result is everything.
And controversy is never far away where machine eligibility is concerned. I have virtually given up on this one. The club has set its stall out on a bike ‘looking' like it may have done originally and good on them for making a stand. But even those which ‘look' standard are often 100lbs lighter than they once were and fitted with trick frames and forks and brakes and electrics and clutches etc., etc. I actually admire the way that the club leans towards the older, maybe heavier, larger capacity machines and the variety of different marques on display always makes for an interesting parc ferme.
Does it really matter? Well, it does to those busting a gut to win the event and it does provide some sort of criteria for whittling down the potential entry. Fortunately I don't have to make the call. I'm of the opinion that "...its my bike and I'll do what I like to it!” – but as I'm not entering the event it matters not. In a perfect world I suppose all the bikes would remain standard. Thankfully we live in a competitive world – so get out the spanners and let battle commence...