Sammy Miller : Champion On Tour
Sammy Miller : CHAMPION ON TOUR
Tips for Trials Types Coast-to-Coast
FOR SIX weeks, starting July 20, American enthusiasts have the opportunity to see, and learn from, the world's greatest trials rider, Sammy Miller. Sammy, who recently clinched the first official European Trials Championship, is in America for a coast-to-coast tour, during which he will compete in six trials events and instruct at a like number of trials schools.
The tour is a result of discussions between Sammy, Xavier Bulto, head of the Bultaco factory for which Sammy rides, and American trials clubs. Purpose of the junket is to help publicize trials in the U.S. and, naturally, to promote sales of Bultaco machines.
American trials buffs are invited to ride with Sammy in the events, and also to attend his schools. Details and addresses of organizers are listed below. CYCLE WORLD will promote one of Sammy's schools, and one of the events in which he will compete. English style trials are gaining recognition in the U.S.
as a sport involving little danger and minimal financial outlay, but requiring great skill and determination. A trials course is made up of a number of "observed" sections, varying between 30 and 400 yards in length, which riders must complete without stopping, falling off, or placing their feet on the ground. The customary scoring system is to add a onemark penalty for a "dab" with the foot, a three-mark penalty for a series of dabs, and five marks for a halt or a failure to finish the section. At the end of the trial, the man with fewest marks is the winner.
It may sound easy to the man who never has seen or competed in a trial. But sections are chosen for their difficulty, and abound in liquid mud, frame-jarring rocks, adverse camber descents, near vertical climbs and drops, tree roots blocking the course, and a hundred other obstacles.
Sammy Miller is a 34-year-old from Northern Ireland who has been British champion
for nine years, and who recently won the grueling Scottish Six Days Trial, probably the toughest observed trial in the world, for the fifth time, a feat no other rider has ever accomplished. Fellow riders acknowledge that he is the greatest contestant in the history of the sport. When he wins, the reaction of enthusiasts is, "So what's new?" The rare occasions when Sammy is beaten become front page news in European motorcycle papers.
The reasons why he is champion are the identical reasons that make almost any other motorcycle champion; he possesses limitless dedication, determination, and concentration. To this he adds faultless and skillful machine preparation—his personal 250-cc Bultaco Sherpa trials mount weighs 185 lb., more than 20 lb. lighter than a standard Sherpa. Sammy also possesses an uncanny sense of balance and wheelgrip that can ease him over the crest of a climb when other top riders may be footing wildly-or failing completely.
He also has gained considerable success in other motorcycle sports, notably road racing. He won his first road race in 1954 on an AJS 7R. Sammy improved so rapidly that he won a contract with Italy's Mondial factory. Even so, he decided to quit road racing, because he believes the man with the best machine has the best chance of winning. In trials, however, machinery is far less exotic, and a great many riders meet on equal terms. Sammy is also a gold medallist in the famed International Six Days Trial, and has contested sand track, grass track, and motocross events.
In the U.S., the unique demands and rewards of trials riding are attracting an increasing number of contestants. A new 250-cc class bike costs well under $1000. Trials sections rarely require speeds in excess of 30 mph, so the danger to riders is minimal. These two factors account for much of the popularity of trials. As one contestant put it, "There are many men with family and business responsibilities, who just cannot afford the risk of injury in a motocross, flat track, or road race, or the financial outlay involved. But these people can devote a 100 percent effort to trials, knowing that they are safe from major injuries, and that their sport is not costing a fortune." ■
SAMMY MILLER'S SCHEDULE
1. New England, July 20 (school) and 21 (trial). Details from: Intersport Inc., 277 Rantoul St., Beverly, MA 01915. Telephone: (617) 927-3400.
2. Detroit, Mich., July 27 (school) and 28 (trial). Details from: Michigan-Ontario Trials Association, 7890 Long Island Court, Fairhaven, Ml 48023. Telephone: (313) 725-8244.
3. St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 3 (school) and 4 (trial). Details from: St. Louis Two-Stroke Club, 6115 Gravois, St. Louis, MO 63116. Telephone: (314) 481-7983.
4. Seattle-Tacoma, Wash., Aug. 10 (school) and 11 (first annual Northwest Trials Championship). Details from: Seafair Motorcycle Club, P.O. Box 963, Auburn, WA 98002. Telephone: (206) 833-7313.
5. San Francisco Bay, Calif., Aug. 17 (school) and 18 (first annual Pacific Trials Championship). Details from: Pacific International Trials Society, P.O. Box 2272, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Telephone: (415) 368-6475.
6. Southern Calif., Aug. 24 (school) and 25 (CYCLE WORLD International Trials). Details from: Sammy Miller Trials, CYCLE WORLD Magazine, P.O. Box 20220, Long Beach, CA 90812. Telephone: (213) 436-3241.
