Pre-65 fans in the know!
By TMX Archives on 6th May 10
It being May, the thoughts of the World's trials riders turn to Scotland - so today's editorial thoughts reflect exactly that...
THERE are several weeks in the year when a single event takes over T+MX: the British MXGP – regardless of who runs it or where it is held – is one, Weston Beach Race is another and then of course comes one of the oldest and most respected events in the calendar, the Scottish Six Days Trial.
And as this year marks the 99th anniversary of this classic event, many are already looking forward to the 100th birthday party next year!
There are very few motorcycle events, if any, in the whole world that are held in such awe as the Scottish. Trials riders from every country on earth dream of riding this epic event and a lucky few do. Each year there come riders from as far away as Australia, Japan, Canada, even Columbia while European riders arrive in droves. French, Swiss, German, Swedish, Norwegians etc are commonplace and many return year after year while these days you could almost run a Scottish Six Days Trial especially just for riders from Spain.
Spanish enthusiasm for the Scottish appears at times to be greater than that from the UK and a quick count of the entries in the 2010 event brought-up no fewer than 32 competitors from Spain and Andorra.
The same actually goes for the Pre-65 Two Day Trial which of course preceeds the Six Days. The riders from Spain (many are Catalans from the Barcelona area) love their old bikes and in truth there weren't many (if any) Spanish trials bikes prior to 1965.
They naturally love their old 60s and 70s Barcelona-built Bultacos, Montesas and Ossas, and some have extensive collections of all the myriad variations and models, but also have great affection for the British bikes of the Pre-65 era and more than a few well-sorted British bikes have recently made their way to sunnier climes.
If I was an old British bike that's spent its life having lumps knocked-off it in the cold and damp that's exactly how I'd like to end my days...
The Scottish Pre-65 Trial is definitely not the place to be if you think that you know everything about bikes. But if you are prepared to shut-up and listen to the right people you can do yourself a power of good.
It has always seemed to me that absolutely everyone you speak to in the paddock or up at the sections is an authority on one aspect or another of the sport. And that's because in the main they are.
I like to think I know a little bit about all kinds of things and I bow instantly to those who really do know what's what. It makes me very reluctant to offer an opinion when in such learned company, but I just love listening to people who are genuinely knowledgeable about the old days and the old bikes.
This year I was fortunate to walk to the Mamore sections on Saturday with legendary northerner ‘Nipper' Pattinson, the result of which was that I now know at least 100% more about BSA Gold Stars than I did previously. Which frankly was not a lot. What that meeting once again thumped into my head was how little I actually do know and how lucky we are that people like Nipper have all that stored-up knowledge.
You can't just go to night school to learn what they know, it takes a lifetime of experience.
There's a whole raft of people out there who, if there was any justice in the world, would be leading a rampant British industry. Take a look around the Pre-65 paddock (not just at the Scottish, go to any scramble or road race and the standard of preparation of the majority of bikes will take your breath away. Some may look a bit scruffy round the edges but look closer and you will often see a wealth of detail, the likes of which only come from a deep understanding of all things mechanical.
Some of these bikes not only run like a dream but look a million dollars as well. While others certainly look a million dollars but perhaps don't perform just like they should. Such machines were described to me, over a pint in the bar of The Tail Race Inn, by Robin Luscombe in his usual blunt Yorkshire vernacular following Friday's exertions, as "Shiny sh*t!” I laughed so hard I almost spilled my beer. Almost!
This was of course before I asked him how he felt about his big five on Pipeline an hour previously. The equally blunt response will remain between just us two and the 50 or so other people in the room.
Finally, the sheer number of different makes of machinery on display means you are never, ever in danger of running out of things to look at or talk about.
Whether you are into lightweight two-strokes or four-strokes, singles or twins, original models or highly tweaked ‘specials' they are all here. Newtownards rider Richard Griffiths made a supreme effort to finish on his ancient OK Supreme – complete with hand gear-change.
A competitor who shall remain nameless (mainly because I can't actually recall who whispered this gem to me at the finish, said: "We are all daft riding these things but it takes a special kind of madness to take on this trial on something like that!”