There is little doubt that the ISDT is far far, in its reality of a motorcycle event, more than a picnic with a club motorcycle run thrown in for good measure. It has proven serious training for Britain and Germany’s Regular Army. The event did not earn the nickname in the 1930’s of Motorcycling’s Olympics without good reason, it broke bikes and men. It has always been hard and expensive to compete. But for all the great works riders with full factory support the event has maintained a healthy number of keen sporting motorcyclists willing to pay the price of taking part in such an arduous event on man and machine.
A few weeks ago we had a post from a reader who saw his parents photo on our 1952 event page. They were racing their outfit and were regular competitors. After an offer of a selection of family photos from the event I was pleased in this mornings e-mails to get a note and a link to download a treasure trove of an archive of photos from not only the ISDT but also the Welsh Two Day and many of the still classic long distance trials from the time. I will feature some of these in future blogs, especially those of the Welsh Two Day but for now I am happy to share the photos of Reg who rode both as a solo and then on a sidecar which for a few years was passengered by his wife Denise.
We do not yet have a results sheet for the 1949 event but Geoff, his son, tells us he thinks he won a Gold Medal.

Photo – #17 Reg Wagger BSA Bantam 125cc at unknown part of course on ISDT 1949 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

Photo – #49 Reg Wagger with Denise in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecar [LPX 918] at ISDT 1950 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

Photo – #16 Reg Wagger with Denise in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecar [LPX 918] ISDT 1951 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

Photo – #16 Reg Wagger with Denise in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecar ISDT 1951 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

Photo – #112 Reg Wagger with Denise in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecar #111 Ernst Hans Zündapp 597cc and #113 Georg Weiss Zündapp 597cc ISDT 1952 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

Photo – #112 Reg Wagger with Denise in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecar [LPX 918] ISDT 1952 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

Photo – #112 Reg Wagger with Denise in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecar ISDT 1952 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

Photo – Reg Wagger with Denise in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecar with #113 George Weiss on Zundapp for Germany ISDT 1952 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

Photo – #112 Reg Wagger with Denise in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecar ISDT 1952 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

Photo – #112 Reg Wagger with Denise in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecarISDT 1952 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

Photo – #112 Reg Wagger with Denise in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecar ISDT 1952 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

Photo – #46 Reg Wagger in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecar ISDT 1953 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

Photo – #46 Reg Wagger in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecar ISDT 1953 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

Photo – #46 Reg Wagger in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecar ISDT 1953 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

Photo – #46 Reg Wagger in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecar [NOC 541] ISDT 1953 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)
Doing some research on 50’s long disatance trials. Can anyone tell me if Reg Wagger went on to compete in long distance car trials in the late 50’s? I have a results of 1958 Lands End trial with a R. Wagger in the results is it the same person?
His son has been in touch with us to give the photos I will try and find him again
Many thanks – I would appreciate any assistance
It is the same Reg Wagger. I have recently been in touch with Gary by email and snailmail. I think the exeter trial was the only one he entered although he may have done some hill climbing but I have no records of such.
Regards
Geoff Wagger
Thanks Geoff, posting a pic of Reg taken at the 1952 ISDT shortly