International Six Days Trial
INTERNATIONAL SIX DAYS TRIAL
THE International Six Days Trial, run this year in the Wales section of Great Britain, marked the running of the newest edition of what is probably the toughest motorcycle competition in the World. Run over the roughest terrain, at one of the worst times of the year, weather disregarded, it draws entries from all over the motorcycling world.
This year’s Trial was deemed by almost all to be the best ever. The West German team gained a clear cut victory by being the only six-man team among the eight that entered to finish without losing marks. It was the sixth German victory in the 36 I.S.D.T.’s held, and third since the war.
Runners-up were the Italians who came very close to gaining a win for the first time in 30 years. The Czechs, in keeping with their marvelous run during the post-war years, sent their four-man team in and took home the Silver Vase for the ninth time. Another Czech team was second. Englishmen were third and Finns fourth. All four teams were unpenalized but were placed in order by aggregate bonus points scored in 11 special tests, a new innovation at this year’s trials.
The bonus point system, tried experimentally in the 1960 trials, proved itself fully this year, much to the satisfaction of the English who pioneered the system. Riders from 16 nations competed; East Germany was one of the few not on hand as their visa was refused.
The course this year covered a total of an incredible 1,173 miles, run in six days. The first day covered 215 miles, the second 208 miles, the third 208 miles (a reverse of the second day’s course), fourth 230 miles, fifth the reverse of the fourth day’s 230 miles, and on the sixth day an 82 mile run to an airfield where speed trials were conducted. Points were given to competitors for arriving at check points late, though bonus points were gained for completing special tests throughout the course. Consequently the riders with the least number of points at the finish were the winners. With the bonus system in effect it was possible to make up for lost time between check points, due to mechanical failure or some similar time-consuming problem, by performing well at one of the special tests. These special tests consisted of such things as hillclimbs, speed to another check, acceleration and braking, etc.
One of the most amazing performances of the event was that of Britisher Alan Kimber who not only completed the course but gained a Gold Medal as well, on a Lambretta motor scooter.
Though primarily a team event, many individual riders fought for Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals, and winners were determined by the bonus point system. Team ‘awards were the International Trophy for six-man teams, the International Silver Vase for four-man teams, a Manufacturer’s Team Prize and the F.I.M. Club Team Diploma.
A significant entry from the United States was Bud Ekins. He was well on his way to a Gold Medal when approaching the very last check, running well ahead in points, his Triumph’s gear selector stuck and he lost 12 marks plus the Gold Medal. Bud brought home a well deserved Silver medal, however.
Great Britain's chances for victory were dashed on the very first day when they lost 50 points. AJS-mounted Colin Moran ran off the road and-Eric Chilton’s Triumph encountered mechanical trouble.
On the third day Russia’s chances went down the tube when Izhevsky rider Victor Pylajev fell down (and out of competition), leaving only three teams, West Germany, Sweden and Czechoslovakia, with clean scores. Italy’s Vase team lost only one mark but it was enough to drop the foursome from second to seventh place. The unlucky rider was C. Tosi on a Moto-Guzzi, who was late to a check.
On the fourth day, Poland fell out when R. Szcerbakiewicz on a W.S.K. retired with gear box trouble. At this point West Germany’s team man H. Schek on a Puch dropped it and bent the forks so badly he could not carry on; his failure put the West Germans from first down to tenth, an unfortunate accident.
On the fifth day no less than 70 of the 199 arrivals at the final check were late, due to the extremely slippery going throughout the day. Many riders dropped their positions as Gold Medal winners on this day but the six unpenalized National teams kept their positions. The only changes at this point, due to the bonus point system’s reckoning, brought the Czechs slightly closer to the West Germans for the Trophy and reduced the Czechs B team’s lead over the A Team in the Vase contest.
Relentlessly throughout the five days, the number of unpenalized club and manufacturer’s teams had been whittled down.
On the sixth day the Czechs were only 27.66 bonus points behind the West Germans. It looked, at this point, that as in years before the considered unfair speed contest would sort out the Trophy winners. Had both teams completed the final 82 mile run without mishap, and both covered the number of stipulated laps on the airfield course, it was just possible for the Czechs to get ahead on bonus points aggregate. But it wasn’t to be; Czech team man Sedina’s Jawa broke a chain and additional trouble left the lead alone to the Germans.
The 13A mile per lap speed course was rough and not too well suited to the contest but each team competed in one of the half hour races. In the last group to go out, West Germany’s BMW mounted Nachtmann led the field with polished ease and set the seal to the final efforts for the West German Trophy team. But, as a team in the speed contest, the Italians did so well they actually raised their total bonus points above the Germans. But Italian team man Tagli had lost in clockingin time thus costing them the victory, but not without the enthusiastic support of the spectators.
Number one man turned out to be the Italian F. Vergani riding a Capriolo who gained no fewer than 658.71 points out of a possible maximum of 660. Second was another Capriolo rider from Italy, R. Bertotti with 653.24. Third was England’s Gordon Blakeway on a Triumph.
The Trial was organized by the Auto Cycle Union and sponsored by the Daily Herald newspaper.
