The Scene

THE SCENE

IVAN J. WAGAR

RUMORS are floating around that one of the large Japanese motorcycle manufacturers recently purchased a pair of Spanish trials machines, which are now on their way to Hamamatsu for study. Most interesting.

Traditionally, the Japanese firms have shunned small volume specialized machinery; all concentration has been on models that will appeal to the largest possible market. The situation is understandable, considering that tooling and assembly line techniques require production of large batches in order to make the whole thing economically feasible.

Skeptics continue to predict that the Japanese cannot build machines as ex otically specialized as the Bultaco Sherpa T, Montesa Cota or Ossa Plonker. But they are overlooking some very important facts that would make trials machine production an appealing venture. Not the least of these reasons is due to land closure. In Southern Califor nia no less than five counties are closed to open riding. Organized observed trials, unlike enduros or ISDT-type events, require a comparatively small area; a couple hundred competitors can be accommodated in a few acres of

hazardous terrain. And, because trials machines are quiet, frequently these events can be held close to residential areas.

Another consideration is that with the large distribution and retail facilities of the Japanese companies they are in a position to virtually create a sport, if they so desire. In the case of English observed trials the groundwork is al ready laid, and the sport is enjoying a tremendously rapid growth in several parts of the country. (The term English trials was adopted in this country sev eral years ago to differentiate between the old AMA field trials, where people rode their street machines, and the more difficult, rock-bashing sport in En gland.)

During a trip to England several years ago Mr. F.X. Bulto, head of the Bultaco factory, witnessed his first trials and became so enthused about the sport that he rushed home to build a trials bike. The early examples were little more than converted street machines, and the competitors were the immediate family (Mr. Bulto has 11 children), laying out increasingly difficult sections on Mr. Bulto's farm.

From this meager beginning, but with a level of enthusiasm that only Mr. Bulto can generate, it was not long before the great Sammy Miller was hired to ride and develop the Sherpa; and Montesa and Ossa joined in this new, very competitive sport.

Light weight and good, low speed power made the trials machines very popular in this country for trail riding. But, as skills develop and riding areas become more precious, people are becoming increasingly attracted to enter ing organized competition. And for good reason; the entry fees usually are very low, and it can easily involve a whole family. It is not uncommon to see father competing while mother acts as a scorer and junior rides his minibike in the kids' class.

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That was the atmosphere at the recent "El Trials de Espana," organized by the Southern California Trials Asso ciation. The man behind the event is Fred Belair, a transplanted Argentinian. Fred is U.S. correspondent for Spain's monthly motorcycle magazine, Mo to cyclismo. He put together the event last year as a tribute to the Spanish manu facturers and a source of revenue to send American riders to Spain to com pete. This year's event, thanks to hard working Belair, brought in almost $3000 from a raffle, the proceeds of which go towards paying the cost of sending the two top riders of the year, Rich Bledsloe and Mark Eggar, to the Spanish round of the European trials championship.

The real treat to the more than 700 spectators (one older competitor asked me if I remembered when one person at a section was a crowd) and 300 riders, was the appearance of no other than Mr. Bulto himself. Belair arranged for Mr. Bulto to receive the keys to Los Angeles, and Mr. Bulto announced that he would pick up the tab for Lane Leavitt, winner of the second annual El Trials de Espana, to ride in the San Antonio invitational on Mr. Bulto's farm.

It may be that the people in Hama matsu looked into the crystal ball and saw the same scene that impressed Mr. Bulto so much. No noise, no dust, just hundreds of people, especially the chil dren, having a Sunday picnic and enjoy ing motorcycling in one of its purest forms.