I recently had a trip out to Valasian Alps on the Southern Swiss border with Italy. Arriving at Genéve I had a train trip along the northern shore of Lake Genéve through Lausanne, Montreaux, Aigle and at Martigny I realised this was more or less the reverse of the final closing stages of the ISDT 1929 which had begun in Munich and finished in Genéve.

image – scanned copy of route map ISDT 1929

The only map I have of the course is a poor low-resolution copy taken from an old copy of the original programme. The results which were prepared by the Federation Internationals de Clubs Motorcyclistes (FICM) who when they were still based in Pall Mall, London the then offices of the Auto Cycle Union within the Royal Automobile Club. The results do not include details of where the checkpoints were and the low resolution of the map in the programme makes it difficult to enlarge and get any clarity so am resigned to simply listing the general flow of the event for now based on squinting at the pixelated text and staring at a google map of Central Europe. The route starts in familiar territory of the ISDT events of the 30’s which featured Garmisch Partenkirchen but then drift into unknown territory linked only by known place names. If anyone can help with a more detailed route map or itinerary I would be very grateful. Munich – ? – Parternkirchen – AUSTRIA – ? – Steeg – Lech – Flexen Pass –  Feldkirch – Vaduz – SWITZERLAND – Sargans – Glarus – Altdorf – Andermatt – Faido – Biasca – Bellinzona – ? – Locarno – ITALY – ? – Ivrea – Verres – Chatillon – Aosta – FRANCE – Borg St Maurice –  Moutiers – ? – Annecy – SWITZERLAND – Martigny – Lausanne – Geneve.

photo – four riders, one Sheperd #126 on a Scott sidecar, Steel #128 Brough Superior, Miss Herbet #122 Douglas and Mortimer #129 P&M Panther possibly passing along the Flexen Pass ISDT 1929 (Stilltimecollection)

The Speedtracktales team has now acquired an original copy of ‘the Motor Cycle‘ report on the ISDT 1938 report.

image – cover of ‘the Motor Cycle’ issue of 21 July 1938 with report on the ISDT 1938

The magazine is being carefully scanned to avoid damage to be posted here for the images. Here are some images of the issue whilst we await commenting further on the rediscovery of this classic Welsh event from the material contained within the pages.

image – report in ‘the Motor Cycle‘ issue of 21 July 1938 with report on the ISDT 1938

With a great image of the ISDT crossing the famous Bwlch y Groes in North Wales this is an important record of the last ISDT held under the FICM that took place in Wales during the halcyon days of British Motorcycling

It’s always a great moment when we find a reader who not only has a collection of ISDT images in their photo album but they are as keen as we are to share them with anyone keen to learn more about the history of the event and it’s development and the changes in the riders machines and styles of riding. I was therefore very pleased when Roger Newark made contact to offer us access to his images taken at the ISDT 1971 that he still cherishes. Featuring some of the star riders of the time and latest models of motorbikes taking part in this event in the near mecca of Motorcycle Sport since the sports earliest years – the Isle of Man. If any readers have anything extra to add to the people or places in these photos please let us know.

Photo – #208 RB Webster #210 JM Roberts USA Husqvarna ISDT 1971 (Newark Collection)

Photo – Timecheck at Glen Helen #196 Eddie Crooks GB Ossa [LEO812K] #208 RB Webster USA Ossa #209 N Casas Vila Spain Ossa ISDT 1971 (Newark Collection)

Photo – Gold Medal winner #221 Sammy Miller GB on Bultaco [HPC35K] ISDT 1971 (Newark Collection)

Photo – Silver medallist #63 R Jeckel [LWW679K] of USA ISDT 1971 (Newark Collection)

Photo – #18 is a 17 Year old Jack Penton of the famous American Enduro family at the start of his career ISDT 1971 (Newark Collection)

Photo – Park Ferme with the bikes of #225 Dai Jeremiah GB Bultaco [UDW889J] #239 Mick ‘Bonky’ Bowers GB Ossa #240 F Vergani Italy #253 D Thorpe GB Ossa ISDT 1971 (Newark Collection)

Photo – Gold medal winner #296 Mick Andrews and Cheney Triumph and the bikes of #288 Malcolm Rathmell who fettles on his bike and #289 Arthur Browning ISDT 1971 (Newark Collection)

Photo – Gold Medallist #78 Tom Penton KTM / Penton of USA talks with KTM Service personel ISDT 1971 (Newark Collection)

Photo – #120 J E Kelly Yamaha of Canada who retired on the first day arrives at a time check ISDT 1971 (Newark Collection)

Photo – Silver medalist #113 JL Figureau of France ISDT 1971 (Newark Collection)

Photo – Gold medallist #291 Herbert Scheck of West Germany with his BMW ISDT 1971 (Newark Collection)

Photo – The Glen Helen timecheck complete with team service vehicles and re-fuelling facilities ISDT 1971 (Newark Collection)

Photo – Gold medalist #266 Dave Randall BSA of the Met Police team with Inspector Alec Smith ISDT 1971 (Newark Collection)

Photo – Gold medal winner #271 Z Cespiva of Czechoslovakia prepares to drop the rear wheel for a tyre change ISDT 1971 (Newark Collection)

Photo – Gold medal winner #242 J Jasansky of Czechoslovakia at the end of the day fits new boots to his bike ISDT 1971 (Newark Collection)

Photo – #295 K Distler of West Germany with his BMW ISDT 1971 (Newark Collection)

Photo – #269 T Nishiyama of Japan’s Yamaha 350 [COU21K] ISDT 1971 (Newark Collection)

2014 sees the 50th anniversary of the holding of the ISDT 1964 in Erfurt, East Germany. The event is one which gets a lot of attention and is number one International when it comes to enquiries and hits on our web search.

image – route of day 1 ISDT 1964 (Google Earth)

Thanks to the help of our contributor STB who has sent the route maps for the event which we will add to the ‘mapping the ISDT project’ this winter. Keep watching this page to see how it progresses.

image – Course map Day 1 & 3 ISDT 1964 (Courtesy Harro Esmarch Collection)

image – profile of day 1 ISDT 1964 (Google Earth)

image – Course map Day 2 & 5 ISDT 1964 (Courtesy Harro Esmarch Collection)

image – route of day 2 ISDT 1964 (Google Earth)

image – profile of day 2 ISDT 1964 (Google Earth)

image – Course map Day 4 & 6 ISDT 1964 (Courtesy Harro Esmarch Collection)

Taff Isaacs, Site founder has passed on these images he recently acquired from a reader in Shropshire of the ISDT 1954 mostly featuring popular Birmingham motorcycle dealer sidecar jockey W ‘Bill’ T Howard (1914 – 1992). I would strongly recommend before reading any more of this page you check out Taff’s own web page dedicated to WT Howard and featuring these images and more as well as his Trophy Collection at his own website ‘taffthehorns‘

Photo – #50 WT Howard on the works entered BSA 350cc Sidecar outfit [POK 222] in Llandrindod Wells ISDT 1954 – (speedtracktales collection)

Photo – #50 WT Howard on the works entered BSA 350cc Sidecar outfit at time check ISDT 1954 – (speedtracktales collection)

Photo – two un-identifiable solo riders ISDT 1954 – (speedtracktales collection)

Photo – #50 WT Howard on the works entered BSA 350cc Sidecar outfit [POK 222] and a bit of fettling ISDT 1954 – (speedtracktales collection)

Photo – #50 WT Howard on the works entered BSA 350cc Sidecar outfit [POK 222] indulges in on track maintenance ISDT 1954 – (speedtracktales collection)

Photo – #50 WT Howard on the works entered BSA 350cc Sidecar outfit [POK 222] tackle a ford ISDT 1954 – (speedtracktales collection)

Photo – #50 WT Howard on the works entered BSA 350cc Sidecar outfit [POK 222] in open country ISDT 1954 – (speedtracktales collection)

One of our favourite and most helpful ISDT sources of original history of the event is the legendary Deryk Wylde. He knows because, as Max Boyce would say, “Because he was there”. Deryck holds a considerable original archive of images and experiences but rather than keep them gathering dust in his mind is keen to share them. Already he has passed onto us the original Clerk of Course and course markers maps for the post war Welsh ISDT events. We also frequently get source material from Deryck who writes regularly of the popular feet up trials centric ‘Trials Central‘ Website which also is a good source of ISDT material.

Deryck has a long history with journalism and has entered the world of e-publishing making his ‘Off Road Revue’ magazine now as an e-publication available from Trials Central for a very reasonable subscription fee ( we’ve already coughed up the dough its such good value). We are very keen that everyone not familiar with Trials Central gets the chance to catch up with this important magazine.

image – OFF ROAD REVUe issue 12 front cover

image – OFF ROAD REVUe issue 12 – editorial

image – OFF ROAD REVUe issue 12 – History ISDT Pt 2

OFF-ROAD REVUe is a digital e-Magazine created by Deryk Wylde, author of the original highly-popular Off Road Review magazines that were compulsive reading back in their day. Access to OFF ROAD REVUe does require a subscription, priced at just £12 per year or the discounted price of £10 a year for paid-up Trials Central Supporters. Trials central can be accessed at “www.trialscentral.com” and ORRe via the button at top right on the home page.

ORRe requires a relatively modern web browser to enjoy the full functionality. To ensure you meet these requirements, check out our sample edition here. If it works, you’re good to go! To sign up, just click here.  Another unique feature – when you sign up you instantly get access to ALL the back issues PLUS the next year’s issues – REAL VALUE FOR MONEY – and access to many photographs never published before from Deryk’s 30,000+ archive of images.

OFF ROAD REVUe is EXCLUSIVE to Trials Central. Poor copies published elsewhere are unauthorised and are in breach of Deryk’s copyright.

ISSUES INDEX

ISSUE 12	In this issue we take a reflective look at the ISDT up to the 1950 event, plus a feature on the machines in use at the 1979 Northern Experts trial. There is also a reference photograph of a 1981 works prototypeMontesa. ​  The major contribution in this issue is the continuation of the development story of the rigid AJS/Matchless competition machines – to the best of our knowledge the most comprehensive detail ever published.”
ISSUE 11	In Issue 11 we continue our story of the First Hundred Years of the Scott Trial and start a new series analysing in detail the development of the AJS and Matchless Competition Machines. We also have an illustrated feature of a uniquemonoshock BSA Gold Starscrambler, and a unique photograph of the very first development175cc BSA Bantam in action and with the story of the Sammy Miller trials series continuing we also take a look back at the trials scene in the Welsh valleys, including details of the super-sporting Mitchell trial.
ISSUE 10	Issue ten continues our story of the ‘First Hundred Years of the Scott Trial’.  Following our look at Rob Shepherd trying Mick Grant’s little Drayton Bantam we include a photo report from Barry Robinson of Rob’s first practice session on his own new Drayton Bantam.We start a new series, analysing the history of the International Six Days Trial, fully illustrated and, as the story develops we have unearthed archive photographs never previously published.  The story of the early years of the Sammy Miller series continues, again with many images seen for the first time – and a glimpse of what may well have been the first ever monoshock model seen in offroad competition – which will be featured in a full report in issue 11.
ISSUE NINE	In this issue we feature a rare machine, the Royal Enfield ISDT Bullet – normally Redditch offered Meteor twins – plus exclusive images of a brand new Mini-Otter.  We continue the story of the past hundred years of the Scott Trial and include a feature of the Celebrations at the Start of the 2014 event, we have a comprehensive analysis of the post-War Ariel competition models, a further look at the continuing story of the Sammy Miller Series plus the continuation of the serialised version of ‘Lochaber Rich Mixture’.​
ISSUE EIGHT	In Issue eight we take a first look at the Sammy Miller Trials Championship, which will be explored in full detail in forthcoming issues, we continue the serialisation of the Scottish Six Days Trial fully illustrated history and also the Scott Trial, as the Centenary approaches. Don Morley gives details of a Lost BSA Works 250 – with a twin-cylinder motor, no less – and we have details of a unique space-age framed Scorpion trials model plus a test of a current Drayton Bantam trials model.
ISSUE SEVEN	In issue seven ofORRe we continue our detailed look at the most famous of Trials, the Scottish Six Days and the Scott Trial over the years and also start a new series of features on sidecar Trials through the years. The troubled story of Dennis Jones, who rode Suzuki and Sprite works trials machines to considerable success in his day, is told and finally we answer the question: “When was Grey Mare’s Ridge first used as a section in theSSDT?”​
ISSUE SIX	In this issue we profile two characters who have contributed in different ways to motorcycle sport over the years.  Ian Pollock, theLochaber man who found many of the popularSSDT sections and Don Evans who rode works RoyalEnfields to many successes in the post-war years, including six national trials, four ISDT gold medals as well as representing Great Britain in theMoto-Cross des Nations. We continue the illustrated histories of the Scott Trial and theSSDT, look at some interestingly different machinery inKinlochleven – and follow that with details of two machines never described in publications before, a 250cc rigid Royal Enfield trials model and a revolutionary single-cylinder two-stroke 300cc Scott.
ISSUE FIVE	With 51 pages in this latest issue including, as usual, many never seen before photos, Issue Five takes a look at the life of all-rounder Dai Jeremiah, we have a new feature on some of the more famous sections of the Scottish Six Days Trial, our serialisation of theLochaber Rich Mixture book continues and with the Scott Trial Centenary getting ever closer we continue our history of this famous Trial. We also look at some of the more interesting machines spotted at the Scottish Pre-65 Trial over the years and review the 45 year riding career of GordonAdsett.
ISSUE FOUR	With 52 pages of Classic goodness, Issue four takes an extensive look at the Saracenmarque, we continue our serialisation of theLochaber Rich Mixture book, we look at the history of Cotton Motorcycles and, of course, we continue our history of the famous Scott Trial in the build-up to this year’s centenary event – all accompanied by many exclusive and never seen before photos.
ISSUE THREE	In this bigger 50 page issueDeryk pays tribute to the late Dave Bickers, we continue the serialisation of the popularLochaber Rich Mixture book, we take a look at the life and career of Eric Cheney and, of course, we continue our series on the history of the famous Scott Trial in the run-up to this year’s centenary.
ISSUE TWO	In Issue Two of OFF ROAD REVUe we take a look back at the British Experts Trial in the 1970’s, the serialisation of theLochaber Rich Mixture book continues, we look back at the history of the Greevesmarque, memories from the Scottish Pre-65 Trial and we continue our history of the famous Scott Trial as it approachesit’s centenary.
ISSUE ONE	In the 40 pages of this opening issue you will find features on Mr. Telford – Alan Wright, Personalities of theSSDT takes a look back at Bob Paterson, we start a series of articles on the famous Scott Trial in the run-up to this year’s centenary Trial, Don Morley’sTalmag Trial reflections, our first excerpt from the notedLochaber Rich Mixture book, which will be serialised though future issues, a look back at the 2013Reeth Three Day Trial and much more!

I would like to thank Jay Fichialos a follower of this site from Utah in the USA and who is a keen ISDT Collector and historian who found this video posted on Youtube by a Triumph fan who holds the original 16mm film which appears to be a collection of Triumph orientated material possibly originating from the factory which has now been added to our ISDT Tube page of event videos found on the internet.

Our thanks for this video goes out to Keith Cockayne a member of the Manchester branch of the Triumph Motorcycle Club for sharing his original 16mm home movie film taken in the early 60’s at the Triumph Motorcycle factory in Coventry featuring original shots of classic motorcycles and cars of the period including Edward Turner with a group of riders on their Bonnevilles in front of the factory.

Pure Triumph Nostalgia from the 60’s which finishes with 4 minutes of the ISDT 1961 starting at Llandrindod Wells and shows many riders including the following:

#53 J Konczarek SHL 173 Poland
#55 L Muller Hercules 175 W Germany
#121 FR Selling 248 Greeves Holland
#125 Driver CJ Cullen 199 Triumph GB
#171 DH Brooker 246 Greeves GB
#173 JA Sandiford 250 BSA GB
#178 W Autkthun 250 Maico W Germany
#201 IA Hillier 246 Greeves GB
#221 LJ Lawrence 200 Ducati GB
#236 O Hamrsmid 350 Jawa (Works) Czech
#268 BD Piggott 348 Matchless GB
#273 J Giles 500 Triumph GB
#280 RJ May 497 Matchless GB
#284 CG Moram 497 AJS GB
#287 GS Blakeway 490 Triumph GB
#294 Bud Ekins 650 Triumph USA
#292 BA Nash 497 AJS GB

If you spot any I’ve missed please let me know

The Bwlch y Groes (Pass of the Cross) and its side road Bwlch Eunant probably have a history as a road that lies back in the dark days long before things were ever thought of being recorded as existing. The road summit at 545m, (1788ft) is often claimed to be the highest public road in Wales, however, as far as surfaced roads go, that honour is held by the Bwlch yr Efengyl (Gospel Pass) 549m, (1801ft) in the Black Mountains of South East Wales also used by the ISDT in Wales although its approach is not as steep as the Bwlch y Groes. The unsurfaced Bwlch Llandrillo in the Berwyns, also used in the ISDT, crosses the 580m 2000ft contour at the summit of the pass. The ISDT, when on the Bwlch y Groes, never crossed the high summit as detoured to travel to Bala via the gnarly old tracks through the Euanant and Hirnant valleys.

History paints a picture of the route being in use by religious travellers passing between the early Celtic Christian sites and the many Monasteries, Abbeys, Friaries and Priories the church of Rome had established at Welshpool, Llangollen, Llanrwst, Holywell, Flint, Denbigh, Llaneltyd before the reformation. But it was mostly motorsport rather than tourism that rediscovered the opportunities the then many unsurfaced road provided in the early development of motoring on public roads.

C Smiths map of England and Wales 1806 clearly shows the route of the Bwlch y Groes and the Bwlch Eunant long before the construction of the Reservoir on the Vyrnwy by the Liverpool Corporation.

the First Series 1″ to the mile Ordnance Survey map using significantly greater accuracy surveying, than that used by Smith, shows the route in the late 1800’s with the traditional ISDT route marked in blue including the Bwlch y Groes, Euanant and Hirnant Valleys.

image – Map of Ordnance Survey – First Series 1″ late 1800s

image – Map of Ordnance Survey – Revised Series 1902

Image – Map of War Office 1940 Wales

Image – Map of Ordnance Survey 1″ New Popular Edition 1948

Image – Map of Ordnance Survey 1″ New Popular Edition 1948

The conventional ISDT route once passing Llanmawddwy headed north, to climb the Bwlch but before reaching the summit of the pass would turn off along another poor unsurfaced track to reach the firm road around Lake Vyrnwy and then travelling clockwise around the lake on reaching the next side road turned up it. This road is known as the Hirnant and heads towards Bala. These roads only became surfaced during the 1950’s.

image – profile view of route from Llanmawddwy up Bwlch y Groes to the Eunant and Hirnant finishing at Aber Hirnant

Image – Mapped route as shown in Profile

Image Modern aerial photography with route of profile overlayed

The History of Motor Sport and the Bwlch y Groes is nearly as old as motorsport. Early motoring magazines often mention that editorial staff hand car manufacturers had been testing on the Bwlch y Groes owing to its status of a continual and sever gradient to one of the highest moorland crossings by a road in the UK. This leaves us with a wealth of material describing the setting and condition of the road nearly a 100 years ago.

A Bwlch y Groes blog by Jorge Pullin on ‘My Royal Enfields‘ discusses an early report of the first motorcycle ascents of the Bwlch y Groes.

Photo – Photo of attempt to ascend the Bwlch y Groes on a solo motorcycle- ‘the Motor Cycle‘ 4th July 1912

Over 100 years ago it was clear there was a popular fascination for crossing the Bwlch y Groes by motor vehicle. Despite the lack of modern media news sources and reliance on the distribution of printed word through the specialist press, the matter received press coverage, for example the above photo posted in ‘the Motor Cycle‘ of 4th July 1912.

At the same time in the ‘letters to the Editors’ was this note from Mr Fredrick Wells
“Sir – Having read with interest the accounts of the various attempts to scale the famous Bwlch-y-Groes (Dinas Mawddwy) with a sidecar machine, my friend, Mr J. Mills, decided to attack the hill with his 6HP Enfield sidecar.
Accordingly, at 10am on Friday, June 21st, a start was made for Bala, the sidecar being occupied by George Yarnold, and I accompanied the party on a Triumph.
Bala was reached without incident, we pushed on and arrived at the summit of the pass, both machines having climbed the “easy” side without difficulty.
The Triumph was then abandoned, and descending as far as the gate on the carrier of the Enfield I sat down to wait.
The machine disappeared from sight, round a bend, and after what seemed an age, could be distinguished returning up the steep gradient at a good speed.
The first attempt was, however, doomed to failure, for on reaching the steep section, after the gate, Mills, in his excitement, fouled his levers, and the machine stopped dead.
A fresh start was made, and this time all went well, the J.A.P. engine pulling wonderfully, and after the worst patch was covered, accelerating to the summit.
The latter portion of the climb was witnessed by a Mr Hugh Morris.
I should like to say, in conclusion, that although this pass is without doubt an extremely steep and lengthy climb, we are of the opinion that the hill on the road from Llanfair Talhaiarn to Llansannan (the former village is five miles from Abergele) is considerably steeper, and the surface is much worse. This hill is about three-quarters of a mile long.“

The following note from R Lord appeared in the ‘Letters to the Editor’ feature of ‘the Motor Cycle’ in the July 11 1912 issue.
“With reference to my climb up Dinas Mawddwy, I made my first ascent at 9.45 in the morning, another at (?) then drove on to Bala, and on the way met Mr Mills (?) Enfield going to the hill, so I think it was clear (?) was first. After lunch, on going again with Mr (?) we met Mr Mills returning“

Any further examples of early attempts to take vehicles over the Bwlch would be welcomed for inclusion in this feature.

The November 1925 issue ‘Motorsport Magazine‘ reported

THE 14/45 ROVER ON BWLCH-Y-GROES.

An interesting trial of the 14-45 h.p. Rover Saloon has been made under the observation of the Royal Automobile Club and consisted of 50 consecutive ascents of Bwlch-y-Groes. The test occupied 12 hours of practically continuous running, and during that time a total distance in excess of 150 miles was covered. Needless to say, top gear was hardly ever used, third, second and bottom being in action almost exclusively. It is interesting to note that at the conclusion of the trial less than half a pint of water was needed to restore the contents of the radiator to their original level. The car carried a driver and an R.A.C. observer throughout and the total weight exceeded 31 cwt. Bwlch-y-Groes is the famous test hill on the road between Dinas Mawddwy and Bala, North Wales, and the length of the hill is roughly 1.6 miles.

Photos taken in 1924 for an event report in Autocar show it to be an unmade and rough road making the test event more a significant undertaking than had the road a tarmac surface.

Photo – Clyro takes part in the RAC Small Car Trials of 1924. The event covered a large area of Wales and here is seen on the Bwlch y Groes

Almost exactly the same view in 1929

Photo – A competitor ascends the Bwlch y Groes in the Welsh 24 Hour Trial 1929

Photo – A view of the western climb of the Bwlch y Groes Welsh 24 Hr Rally 1929

The 1925 Rover test came back to the attention of the motoring press when it was decided to retry the feat in a more modest modern car the Citroen 2CV which tells us more about the 1925 endeavour when reported in the June 1956 issue of ‘Motorsport Magazine‘.

2 C.V. CITROEN’S 100 ASCENTS OF BWLCH-Y-GROES

Air-cooling vindicated in R.A.C.-observed trial

IN 1925 the Rover Company was awarded the Dewar Trophy, that coveted award presented by Lord Dewar in 1906 to commemorate annually the most outstanding performance accomplished in Certified Trials observed by the R.A.C.

They were awarded the Trophy in respect of an endurance feat undertaken by a 14/45 Rover saloon. This was the then new model designed by Poppet. with a four-cylinder 75 by 120 turn. 2,121-c.c. engine having the unique overhead-valve gear with two high-set camshafts and cross push-rods to actuate valves inclined in the hemispherical combustion chambers. The car weighed approximately 28 cwt., or approximately 32 cwt in running trim with driver and observer, etc., and it pulled a bottom gear of 20.3 to 1. Bwlch-y-Groes was described as a mountain pass about 1+ miles long with gradient* ranging from 1 in 12.3 to 1 in 4.93 and this the Rover set out to ascend and descend fifty consecutive times on September 22nd, 1925.

At the top it was swung round, at the bottom reversed for turning. The test commenced at 7 a.m. and concluded at 7 p.m., the climbs and descents being as continuous as practical, the engine being kept running continuously, except for four stops on accidental occasions, when it was restarted immediately. Only three pauses were made on these climbs, once, on the third ascent, due to momentary popping in the S.U. carburetter, once through the presence of sheep and once to open a gate. Changes of driver and observer were made after 13 ascents; naturally, top gear was never engaged. Heavy rainfall fell most of the day. No work or adjustment was called for, descents were made in third gear (9.3 to 1) and at no time did the cooling water boil, the total amount of water consumed being slightly less than half-a-pint. The Rover was duly granted R.A.C. Certificate of Performance No. 610 and awarded the Dewar Trophy.

Last year the Editor of MOTOR SPORT suggested to Ken Beat, Competition Manager of the National Benzole Company, Ltd., that it would be instructive to see if a small air-cooled car could emulate the Rover’s task.

Consequently, on April 24th this year, a 2 c.v. Citroen was set at the gradient, again under R.A.C. observation, the object being to accomplish, double the number of ascents made in 1925 by a car of one-fifth the Rover’s engine capacity.

A start was made at 5 a.m. and the drivers. W. Noddy and K. Best, changed at three-hour intervals. The little Citroen climbed faultlessly in first (25.9 to I) and very occasionally second gear (12.55 to 1) and descended the steep, unfenced road at speeds exceeding 50 m.p.h., virtually coasting, as overdrive-top (5.17 to 1) was used for the descents and the automatic centrifugal clutch was fitted to the the car in question. The little 425-cc. air-cooled flat-twin engine was kept running continuously except for a period of two minutes when it was stopped to enable the oil-level to be checked. The Citroen was reversed vigorously each time at the foot of the Pass in order to turn it for the next ascent. The runs occupied about 18+ hours and during this time only three vehicles were encountered, one of them an Austin from Longbridge, for B.M.C. use BwIch-y-Groes for test purposes. The weather varied from sunshine to torrential rain and thunder and the last ascents were made with the car lost in mist at the top turn, its brakes now absent due to the effect of the rapid descents—Boddy handed the car over to Best to enable him to have the honour of driving the 100th ascent, and also, because he was aware of the complete lack of anchorage! R.A.C. observers travelled in the car throughout and found that the overall average speed up and down the Pass, with it’s average gradient of 1 in 7.3, and including the turn-rounds, was 16.52 m.p.h. The Citroen consumed National Benzoic petrol at the rate of 25.41 m.p.g. and required only half-a-pint of National Benzole Light s.a.e. 20 oil. It’s chassis and front-drive universal joints received no grease and after adjustment the following morning the brakes were pronounced satisfactory

This endurance test is a further tribute to the reliability and practicability of the little 2 C.V. Citroen, the smallest-engined saloon on the market, for it was running as soundly at the finish as at the start and its cylinders never missed a beat, or gave any evidence of overheating. The K.L.G. plugs, and Ducellier coil, stood up without a trace of protest, cooled, of course, by the benzoic fuel. Certainly air-cooling and front-wheel-drive were vindicated for strenuous and continuous Pass-storming. If you are not convinced, try ten consecutive ascents this summer in your own small saloon!

Motor Cycling has an equal rich history on the Bwlch y Groes. Apart from the attention the motorcycle industry gave it, there were also a number of motorcycle events. The Sangster Cup Trial took place in the early part of the 20th Century and started in Birmingham finishing in Abermaw ( Barmouth). In 1933 the ISDT made its first visit and it featured in each event until after 1954 when the Tarmac monsters had finely managed to tame the route into a civilised public highway.

Photo – #27 Mauer – Meyer with is very striking 750cc B.M.W outfit leading #78 J Swift (348cc Ariel) and #25 GC Harris (1096cc Morgan) on the descent of the Bwlch y Groes on Thursday ISDT 1933 (from Speedtracktales Archive)

Photo – #96 T Stewart (346cc Royal Enfield) and a non-competitor amidst some of Wales’s grandest scenery. They are climbing the famous Bwlch y Groes. ISDT 1933 (from Speedtracktales Archive)

Photo of crashed German Motorcyclists #85 J Forstner BMW 494cc #60 T Fleischman DKW 245cc on Bwlch y Groes, Bala in ISDT 1937

Two German riders with problems at the base of Bwlch y Groes, #85 J Forstner collides with 250 DKW rider #60 T Feischmann. Both went on to finish with a gold medal each.

Photo of #48 P Schafer on a Victoria 496cc Sidecar outfit climbing on unsurfaced road at Bwlch y Groes in ISDT 1937

Photo GW Sannes (122 Eysink) and P Scahfer (596cc Victoria Sc) rounding the hairpin at the Bwlch y Groes ISDT 1937 (Speedtracktales Collection)

Photo GW Sannes (122 Eysink) and P Scahfer (596cc Victoria Sc) rounding the hairpin at the Bwlch y Groes ISDT 1937 (Speedtracktales Collection)

Photo – #146 Ted Usher (Matchless) climbs Bwlch y Groes followed by #88 A J Humphries (Norton sc) ISDT 1949 (Courtesy Deryck Wylde collection)

Photo – #146 Ted Usher (Matchless) climbs Bwlch y Groes followed by #88 A J Humphries (Norton sc) ISDT 1949 (Speedtracktales Collection)

The following two images show the conditions of the road as it crossed the Eunant (Waen y Gadfa)

Photo – Waen y Gadfa, included on Thursday’s run C Merlo (Gilera) “in the country” as #135 Bob Ray (Ariel) passes ISDT 1949 (Speedtracktales Collection)

Photo – Waen y Gadfa, A Rudge on the rocks with Civil servant JH Lennon (Rudge) [DRW 911] ISDT 1949 (Speedtracktales Collection)

photo – #169 Jack Stocker (“350 Bullet”) carefully picks his way along the slippery bed on the Waen y Gadfa ISDT 1950 (Speedtracktales collection)

Photo of Austrian 175 Puch rider #74 F. Gnaser ahead of British entry #37 J.C.L. Bodenham on his 175 DMW, with a low cloud blanketed Bwlch y Groes near Dinas Mawddwy behind them in ISDT 1954

Photo of shows H Pelikaan of Holland wheeling his DKW down the narrows at Eunant Pass, Czech rider #126 J Kubes manhandles his JAWA along and in the background CZ rider, Czech J Hoffman waits for a clear run at the gulleys in ISDT 1954

photo – The Eunant pass holds no terrors for #220 NS Holmes (497 Ariel) [BOF 258]- a Thursday picture ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Archive)

Stage 6 1988 Milk Race on the Bwlch y Groes (Image – Johnny Pickles)

Aussie Neal Stephens battles Britains’s Adrian Timmis Stage 6 1988 Milk Race on the Bwlch y Groes (Image – Johnny Pickles)

Other Bwlch tales

An episode of ‘the Saint’ tv show in the 1963 included a trip along the Bwlch y Groes expecting viewers to believe it was on location in Mexico.

An episode of ‘the Saint’ tv show in the 1963 included a trip along the Bwlch y Groes, here descending towards Llanuwchllyn, expecting viewers to believe it was on location in Mexico.

It’s that time of the year, the first 2015 from Bonham’s, this time in Las Vegas 8th January 2015, which for any grown kid with a love for heritage motorcycles is the biggest candy store of all time. Often with prices so high it is an insight into what the multi-millionaries of the world like to do with their small petty cash.

image – cover auction catalogue Bonham’s Motorcycle Auction, Bally’s Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas 8 January 2015

As ever there is a wide range of quality Indians, Harley’s including Dirt trackers and other American makes but like always there is a very strong showing of quality British Classic hardware especially from Triumph but including Vincent, Brough, AJS and Matchless.

Bonham’s US Auctions never lack class and is often also a chance to see what the movie stars owned and buy a once cherished Hollywood toy. This year is no exception and apart from some items coming from Henry Fonda and Dennis Hopper two stars especially associated with motorcycles in the USA, there is not surprisingly a few ex Steve McQueen items thrown in to help ramp up the auction headline prices.

ISDT interest is limited but fairly well represented by a fairly immaculate original Jawa 250 ISDT replica of 1957. There are a number of interesting Jawa and CZ bikes up for sale too as the collection of ARMHA board member Fred Mork is broken up.

Photo – 1957 Jawa 250 ISDT replica to be auctioned at Bonham’s Las Vegas Sale 8 Jan 2015

For an US auction it goes without saying that with so many Triumph Trophies being exported to the US and very popular with US off-road, especially Desert, racers that a few good examples would be provided and we are not let down by this restored factory produced Triumph Trophy TR6C 650cc of 1966. This bike was produced at the Meridan factory by Triumph in order to meet the market they saw been created by the US racers who were butchering standard Trophies to meet the needs of flat-out high-speed desert racing and was specifically constructed to the designs of the modifications top racers were making.

Photo – 1966 Triumph Trophy TR6C 650cc Desert Racer to be auctioned at Bonham’s Las Vegas Sale 8 Jan 2015

The american passion of desert racing saw many production Trophies being modified that by recent times there are very few original untouched TR6B, which most often were adapted and so this full restoration of an original and complete Triumph Trophy TR6B of 1957 is a very unique opportunity to buy an example from the pinnacle period of Triumph engineering prowess.

Photo – 1957 Triumph Trophy TR6B to be auctioned at Bonham’s Las Vegas Sale 8 Jan 2015

One bike in the Auction is an original Triumph Trophy TR6 of 1965. The love of this bike by american motorcyclists, for its prowess on both paved street and dirt roads saw it being sold in significant numbers and this 1965 model is being sold having been kept by the same keeper since it was first purchased new.

Photo – 1965 Triumph Trophy TR6 to be auctioned at Bonham’s Las Vegas Sale 8 Jan 2015

As the ageing British iron started to loose its dominant competitive edge in the late 1960’s the US became a valuable market to the European off-road brands of KTM (Penton) and Husqvarna who like Triumph shipped a lot of units across the atlantic in the absence of any significant competition from American motorcycle manufacturers. Of the Huskies on auction there is a particularly nicely restored Husqvarna 360cc Enduro Cross of 1971 with its unique 8 speed gearbox.

Photo – 1971 Husqvarna 360cc EnduroCross to be auctioned at Bonham’s Las Vegas Sale 8 Jan 2015

One of the headline bikes for this auction will be this Husqvarna 250cc Motocross bike from 1971. Not only a very desirable bike in its own right but this bike is part of the fleet of Huskies personally owned by Steve McQueen, which when coming up for auction command a particularly significant premium over similar condition bikes of the same period.

Photo – 1971 Husqvarna 250cc MotoCross that previously was owned by Steve McQueen to be auctioned at Bonham’s Las Vegas Sale 8 Jan 2015

a copy of the catalogue as a pdf can be downloaded here

Photo – Climbing Bwlch y Groes between Dinas Mawddwy and Bala, which was the lunch stop on the Friday. #161 S Keepence on the 250 Triumph Special chases #159 H Tanner on a 250 Jawa. Bwlch y Groes is now a tarmac road – ISDT 1954

So after a great xmas you are all tooled up… leather driving gloves from the sister in law, Top Gear aftershave from the kids and a Barbour manage from the wife… as the novelty wears off why not treat yourself, if you have not already to Deryck Wylde’s great issue fourteen of OFF ROAD REVUe which is now online. Unique and notable articles is a feature on the post war Welsh ISDT events and as with anything coming from Deryck the images are not only great a number are originals unlikely to have been seen before.

Photo – British teamster Ted Usher with his Matchless Twin on a sharp climb. ISDT 1953

Photo – British Teamster #276 Johnny Brittain with his Royal Enfield Bullet in ISDT trim at the refuelling in Llandrindod Wells. ISDT 1954

You can access this, and all previous issues via the following link:

http://www.trialscentral.com/off-road-revue-magazine-index
We have moved the index page in front of the pay wall and added issue summaries so you can see a summary of each issue before logging in. You will be asked to log in after you select which issue you wish to read, but you won’t have to log in each time you want to read an issue – only when the session has expired.

You can access ORRe any time via the ORRe “button” on the front page top menu bar on Trials Central. This will take you straight to the issue index.

As usual, all feedback, questions and comments regarding ORRe or any of the content, please contact Deryk directly – offroarchive@gmail.com

Hluk is a town in the Zlin region of south-eastern Morovia in Czechoslovakia. Zlin was the host region for a number of ISDT events. Recently the town has developed a web site to create an archive of its history where it has posted this collection of photos from the ISDT 1953 event taken by a town resident.

These images will be largely unknown in the UK and will be the first time many of the scenes will be new to the Speedtracktales regular followers including Geoff Wagger who will not have seen this photo of his dad Reg before.

Photo – British Rider #46 Reg W Wagger BSA 348 with Sidecar [NOC 541] Gold medal at the Hluk time check ISDT 1953 (©Hluké Kroniky)

The images can also be viewed at the Hluk Chronicle web site

Photo – Unknown rider speeds near Hluk ISDT 1953 (©Hluké Kroniky)

Photo – Czech rider #65 Jaroslav Javurek CZ 150, near Hluk, who finished with a Gold Medal ISDT 1953 (©Hluké Kroniky)

Photo – Unidentified rider, possibly #91 Hardy Sprung IFA 125 near Hluk ISDT 1953 (©Hluké Kroniky)

Photo – Riders #100 Ivan Dursansky CZ 150 who lost 3 points and finished on silver and #98 JM Ivanov CZ 150 who retired on the 5th day ISDT 1953 (©Hluké Kroniky)

Photo – Crowds of spectators gather at Hluk Time Check ISDT 1953 (©Hluké Kroniky)

Photo – Riders gather at the Hulk time check #127 G Brouwer BSA 348 #129 Jan Janous Jawa 350 ISDT 1953 (©Hluké Kroniky)

Photo – many riders gather and wait to enter the Hluk time check ISDT 1953 (©Hluké Kroniky)

Photo – #51 George L Buck with Passenger and Ariel 357cc with Watsonia Sidecar #78 Ulrich Pohl Maico 175 wait at Hluk ISDT 1953 (©Hluké Kroniky)

Photo – Hulk time check and medical crew with nurses await riders ISDT 1953 (©Hluké Kroniky)

Photo – #102 Walter Winkler IFA 125 who retired on day 5 #129 Jan Janous Jawa 350 who finished with a Bronze medal after loosing time on day 6 ISDT 1953 (©Hluké Kroniky)

Photo – #100 Ivan Dursansky CZ 150 Silver Medal #126 Kurt Kempf IFA 350 Bronze Medal #128 Fritz Albert Jawa 350 retired day 3 #119 Dobroslav Frydek Jawa 350 Gold medal ISDT 1953 (©Hluké Kroniky)

Photo – Check crew at Hluk ISDT 1953 (©Hluké Kroniky)

Photo – #133 Eduard Beranek Jawa 350 Gold medal #134 Bengt Svensson NV 246 Gold medal ISDT 1953 (©Hluké Kroniky)

Photo – unidentified rider approaches time check Hluk ISDT 1953 (©Hluké Kroniky)

Photo – Spectators crowding the Hluk time check area to watch the riders in action ISDT 1953 (©Hluké Kroniky)

Photo – Hulk time check ISDT 1953 (©Hluké Kroniky)

Collecting mapping for the ISDT 1959.

So far located an official map for days 2 and 3. The Official Daily Route sheets and the programme maps for each day.

Any offers of route information for any ISDT always welcome.

Image – Colour map for routes of Day 2 and 3 ISDT 1959

Daily Route information sheets

image – Day 1 Route Sheet ISDT 1959

image – Day 2 Route Sheet ISDT 1959

image – Day 3 Route Sheet ISDT 1959

image – Day 4 Route Sheet ISDT 1959

image – Day 5 Route Sheet ISDT 1959

image – Day 6 Route Sheet ISDT 1959

Programme Map details

image – map of the course days 1 – 6 ISDT 1959

image – programme map of routes days 1 & 6 ISDT 1959

image – programme map of routes days 2 & 3 ISDT 1959

image – programme map of routes days 4 & 5 ISDT 1959

image – plan and profile of speed test circuit ISDT 1959

Thanks to Brian Catt who has provided this course detail from the event programme.

image – Map of course days 3 and 6 ISDT 1966 (Courtesy Brian Catt)

Route and checkpoint details with road times

image – Route and check details Day 2 ISDT 1966 (Courtesy Brian Catt)

image – Route and check details Day 3 ISDT 1966 (Courtesy Brian Catt)

image – Route and check details Day 5 ISDT 1966 (Courtesy Brian Catt)

image – Route and check details Day 6 ISDT 1966 (Courtesy Brian Catt)

Information about the ISDT 1925 is rather sparse. The event started at Southampton before heading for the first time ever to Wales. We recently discovered that an article published in Motorsport was available online and we reproduce that article below. The auto magazine Motorsport has an immaculate online archive with every article in every issue since 1924 available to be read.

Photo – #57 on Middle Down Hill – first severe hill of the ACU Six Days Trial – ISDT 1925 ( Motorsport)

“NOTES ON THE A.C.U. INTERNATIONAL SIX DAYS’ TRIAL.

ALTHOUGH not a “sporting event” in the strict interpretation of the term, the International Six Days’ Trial calls for more than passing comment as being one of the most strenuous events organised up to the present time.

Eliminating the trade element, which naturally forms the greater part of the entries for such a trial as this, we find it becomes an ultra sporting event for private competitors, the severity of which may be judged by frequent remarks as to the danger of fixing the average speed at 20 m.p.h. In fact, for sheer continuous excitement nothing could have surpassed Tuesday’s run when, with practically no main roads upon which to make up time, the route went along narrow winding lanes, up and down alarming gradients to say nothing of other baulks in the shape of cattle, lorries and occasional steam rollers. The Solo riders were the more fortunate, for they always had the chance of turning into a hedge or ditch, but the lot of the sidecar drivers was often very hard and extremely cautious driving was the order of the day, which left little or no margin for maintaining the average speed.

Last Minute Alterations.

The Trial commenced from Andrews’ Garage, situated at Southampton Docks, which was perhaps just as well for some of the foreign competitors who decided to do a little more tuning before the actual start. The air was filled with the bark of the Villiers’ engines fitted to some of the German machines, and all the riders appeared to be very excited and anxious. When J. Herzogenrath arrived late with an O.E.C. Blackburne complete with open exhaust and no front stand, he soon discovered it would be necessary to do some very quick thinking in order to get ready for the start The night was a very busy one for the German team and after much telephoning the required parts arrived next morning in time to be fitted. Considering this rider knew no English at all, it is surprising how he managed to get through the first two days. He got absolutely lost at the top of King’s Settle, thinking be was much further on the course. It is to be recorded that he and all other Continental visitors rode throughout in a very sporting spirit, and the writer who had to pass and re-pass continually was always given plenty of road, even by Moldenhaver, who was handicapped by his right-handed sidecar. This Norwegian was riding a Harley-Davidson with a flexible sidecar, and though some efforts were made to discourage him to attempt Lynton, he was quite optimistic, but nevertheless his machine proved very difficult to handle in the rough. Of the eleven German entrants, six at least had retired by Tuesday, which was unfortunate, but, as their Press representative remarked: “We do not have such hills in our country.” That is to say, they choose easier courses for their trials. Other foreign entries of interest were the D-rad machines and the Neanders, both of German origin. The former were very well driven and only one was observed to fail their sturdy construction appearing to be ideal for the conditions of the course. A Viktoria sidecar, a Solo N.S.U. and a Gillet completed the German entries. Australia pinned its faith to the A.J .S. machines, the Dutchmen rode B.S.A.’s and the Norwegians had two Harley-Davidsons and an Indian Chief.

Photo – #36 Miss Cottle with her Raleigh [AU8497] and smile – ISDT 1925 ( Motorsport)

Monday’s run started off fairly mildly, nothing of any consequence being noticed until Middle Down Hill was reached. Here there was some first-class team work, the Panthers, James and-Royal Enfields going up in single file and only a yard or so apart.

The cloud of smoke raised by Himberg (Neander) was rather distressing to some of the early competitors, as it obscured the hairpin bend entirely for a while. King’s Settle Hill, a picturesque landmark crowned by Alfred’s Tower, proved the undoing of three competitors, and the next hill—a sharp rise out of Bruton village for 50 yards—meant a quick change into bottom gear if failure was to be avoided. After lunch at Shepton Mallet everyone had checked in except No. I, Bahr (Neander), who had crashed. Another crash was reported, but this turned out to be a non-competitor who had rammed an official car.

Photo – #96 W Carr ( Morgan does well on Draycott – ISDT 1925 ( Motorsport)

In the afternoon Draycott Hill proved a long and trying climb, the gradient of I in 5 combined with a vile surface accounting for many failures; none of the British machines failed, however, which was partly due to correct judgment in selecting the best ascent and skilfully avoiding the loose portions. Draycott proved an excellent test for the machines, as after some 30 miles running in intense heat, the engines had a stiff job in front of them.

Wedmore, the next climb, proved very deceptive, and though the percentage of bad failures was small, good driving was essential if the turn at the top was to be taken in correct style. At the summit a regrettable incident, when Bullus (Panther) unaccountably upset the veteran Raleigh rider, G. J. Hamer, of Holland. He was severely injured in the thigh, but first aid was immediately forthcoming from a nearby cottage. Tuesday’s run began in almost tropical heat and the entire day was spent in traversing endless lanes, grassgrown tracks, steep ascents and alarmingly sudden descents arranged in quick succession. In the morning the famous hills of the past were climbed and here failures were few and far between, Porlock, Lynton and Beggars’ Roost all seeming quite simple for modern engines when the surface is dry. The ascent of Dunkery Beacon, the top of which was veiled in mist, was long and tortuous, small gullies and large stones helping the gradient to call forth great skill.

A hundred cars and odd vehicles were assembled at Beggars’ Roost and an enthusiastic audience cheered again and again as the famous hill was conquered by most of the riders, but it was not until Tuesday afternoon that the real piece de resistance of the whole trial came into view. Rising approximately 800 ft. in about half a mile, completely bestrewn with small boulders, Fingle Bridge is undoubtedly an excellent test for the modem motor cycle. The bends and twists are so numerous as to cause one to lose count, all one’s attention being needed to manoeuvre one’s machine over the surface, which only compared with the rocky bed of some mountain stream.

Here some of the most experienced riders were seen to throw out a tentative leg and the banks were struck by several riders who bounced off large pieces of rock. When this happened there was little chance of recovering as frantic wheel spin ensued and the unfortunate riders would find it impossible to continue the climb. It is good to observe that the majority effected good ascents, the performance of Sibley, on the Rudge, deserving particular praise, for, in spite of one stop, he managed to reach the summit with plenty of revs., if not too much wheel adhesion.

Those who fancied Fingle Bridge to be the conclusion of the day’s entertainment were mistaken, for the course continued over miles of rough ground until the main road was eventually reached at Wellington. Near the latter place a Matchless sidecar collided with a lorry, thus blocking the lane, so that for a long period all the sidecars were delayed, thus causing them to be caught in a violent thunderstorm., which certainly had the effect of washing away some of the dust the riders had collected during the day. At the conclusion of the day’s run the absence of W. A. Bouette was discovered, and it appeared that he had crashed near South Molton.

On Wednesday the weather broke entirely and what should have been a delightful journey turned out as a” London-Exeter over the Welsh mountains. At the moment of going to press:the trial is still in progress.

Copies of the article as well las other information connected to British Motorsport History can be obtained here:

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/september-1925/24/notes-acu-international-six-days-trial

Locations in report

Middle Down Hill,
Kingsettle Hill, Brewham, Somerset
Beggars’ Roost, Lynton, Devon
Dunkery Beacon, Exmoor, Somerset
Fingle Bridge, Dartmoor, Devon

Beggar’s Roost in Lynton with a 1 in 3 gradient saw it often feature in vintage Motorcycle circles appeared on the London – Lands’ End Run classic trial and had a reputation similar to the Bwlch y Groes in Wales which saw it feature in a number of ACU Maudes Trophy record attempts.

Footage of motorcycles riding up Beggars Roost in the 1925 London – Lands’ End Trial can be seen on British Pathé’s web site view here

Finally got around to scanning the copy acquired of the ISDT 1927 official event programme  prepared by the ACU. We will post a link to an online edition available at our issu.com library of ISDT material shortly. The event was based in Ambleside in the English Lake District between the 15 and 20th August 1927. The six days saw the riders cover over 700 miles with some 219 hills steeper than 1 in 7 gradient. The programme includes organisers details, history of the ISDT, regulations, final instructions, route map with course details, entry list and teams

You can view the whole programme at the Speedtracktales library at issue.com using this link

Future blogs on this material will include a “Mapping the ISDT feature”

Front Cover if the official ACU Programme ISDT 1927

Below is the list of riders in alphabetic order who had been entered. There is a separate list of riders in numerical order with team and bike details.

List of entrants in alphabetic order ISDT 1927

The programme tells us that the riders had to follow a course which featured 219 Hills which had a gradient greater than 1 in 7 and helpfully the programme provides a list. We would be pleased if anyone can share or point us to photos of those his either back then or now not seen in the existing magazine reports we have on the ISDT 1927

Index to hills steeper than 1 in 7 on the Keswick and Shap routes ISDT 1927

Index to hills steeper than 1 in 7 on the Bootle routes ISDT 1927

Bill Snelling, a living legend from the Isle of Man and the keeper of the history of the TT races as well as the ISDT on the island recently contacted me to say he was reducing his archive and was hoping Speedtracktales might be willing to take his collection of negatives for the ISDT events in the Isle of Man. Hardly unable to hold back my joy, I of course accepted and was told to wait for a package.

Photo – just part of the Bill Snelling collection of images from the Isle of Man ISDT events.

I was therefore amazed to find a large jiffy bag wrapped around a box the size of a shoe box full of 35m and medium format negatives and transparencies. Opening the box with enthusiasm I was amazed to see just how much material Bill had so generously passed onto us in order that we can prepare the images and add them as archive material to the site and indeed no one will be short of photos of riders and scenes from the many ISDT events in the Isle of Man when the work is completed.

Hopefully I can start this work shortly after a few more old magazines have been scanned but for now here is a very small taster.

Photo – scans of 35mm black and white negatives from the ISDT 1971

Having acquired an original copy of a 1927 Official Programme, we now have the route mapped out on Ordnance Survey base. In addition we also have the daily time schedule naming the stopping points and checks on the route. The pages also provided a listing of the hills steeper than 1 in 7 that the event encountered.

image – Course map ISDT 1927 (Speedtracktales Collection)

Daily Route Details

image – route table Monday ISDT 1927 (Speedtracktales Collection)

image – route table Tuesday ISDT 1927 (Speedtracktales Collection)

image – route table Wednesday ISDT 1927 (Speedtracktales Collection)

image – route table Thursday ISDT 1927 (Speedtracktales Collection)

image – route table Friday ISDT 1927 (Speedtracktales Collection)

Index to hills steeper than 1 in 7 on the Keswick and Shap routes ISDT 1927 (Speedtracktales Collection)

Index to hills steeper than 1 in 7 on the Bootle routes ISDT 1927 (Speedtracktales Collection)

I am grateful for the recent contact from a new reader to ask about persons appearing on a list of Autographs he had acquired that was signed during the ISDT 1928 in Harrogate. I am grateful for the further generosity in sending and allowing us to publish the image and would welcome anyone’s help in putting names to the undecipherable ones. I have endeavoured to put a name to each, although hard to read, the missing ones may be sidecar passengers not listed in the programme which can be checked here.

The owner of the document has indicated a willingness to sell this to any ISDT collectors and if anyone is interested let me know and I will pass your details on.

image – event autographs p1 ISDT 1928

image – event autographs p2 ISDT 1928

1 – Gustav Gothe, Sweden – #8 Husqvarna 245

2 – A Paster, Munich, Germany – #10 Zundapp 247

3 – H Van der Veen, Holland – #30 AJS 349

4 – Albert Reinhardt, Denmark – #89 Rudge Whitworth 499

5 – Marjorie Cottle, Great Britain – #26 Raleigh 348

6

7 – Louse McLean, Great Britain – #46 Douglas 348

8 – PHL Lamberts Hurrelbrinck, Holland – #54 BSA 493

9 – PG Nortier, Holland – #55 Sunbeam

10 – A Olsen, Denmark – #62 Rudge Whitworth 499

11 – RB Clark, Belgium – #61 Gillet 498

12 – C Weichelt, Germany – #85 D-Rad 493

13 – Herbert Adam, Germany – #79 BMW 494

14

15 – CJ van Marle, Holland – #67 Lady 490

16 – J M Valgaard, Denmark, – #81 Rudge Whitworth 499

17 – n/a – see 16

18 – A P Hammersveld, Holland – #93 Rudge Whitworth 499

19

20

21

22 – Edyth Foley, Great Britain – #86 Triumph 494

23 – M Polster, Germany – #88 D-Rad 493

24 – F Ischinger, Germany – #91 D-Rad 493

25 – B Malmberg, Sweden – #108 Husqvarna 490

From my early days riding in events, Dot and Jim Jones have always been an important part of the UK enduro scene both as riders, helpers and often importers of motorbikes most notably Moto Gori.

Dot and Jim who were responsible for organising the ISDT centenary Rally held in 2013 in Carlisle to celebrate the 100 years since the first ISDT have attended many ISDT events and are most familiar to UK team riders for their support to British National and Club team riders. Dot gathered a lot of unique material she had collected and recently produced a movie of her experiences at the ISDT 1975, which held in the Isle of Man. In addition to a lot of home movie footage Dot has added a very informative commentary detailing the background to the event, the persons involved in running it and other details of many of the local riders I knew as a youth around the North Wales and Merseyside area. Hopefully Dot will make more of her memories of the event available for the world community of ISDT fans

Filmed and produced for Penton Motorcycles this interesting Pro movie shows the changing nature of the ISDT as well as the technology that was being developed.

The below 2 videos were produced by Penton covering their riders involvement in the ISDT 1974

1 of 2

2 of 2

more videos like this can be seen on the ISDT Tube video collection