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In this post to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of Speedtracktales V2, I’m going to admit that I promised the site would not just cover its core topic of the International Six Days Trial (ISDT) but would delve into the history of the ‘Reliability Trial’ which for the english riders was the origin of events was later re-named ‘Enduro’. ‘Observed Trials’ developed from another discipline the ‘Sporting Trial’
I am in particular keen to ensure the history of Welsh based Reliability Trials such as the Liverpool MC organised ‘Reliance Trial’ survives as a public record. These events were often the means by how the going for the ISDT was discovered and brought together the skilled teams of route markers and travelling marshalls.
During May I will be featuring in the STT Blog full original magazine reports on both the 1934 ((to come) and the 1935 (here) edition of the Reliance Trial, as well as a number of articles written from the period about the development of both branches of the trials sport.
This will also include a long forgotten road test of the 1934 Model 5/5 500cc ohv and Model 6/1 Twin ohv Triumphs which was undertaken over much of the North Wales section of the ISDT 1933 route including Allt y Badi, Hirnant, Eunant Pass and the Bwlch y Groes and other classic mountain roads of the time which can be read here.
Photo – Riders with spectators on the final section of the Reliance Trial 1934 on ‘Blonde Ethel’
The winner of the 1934 Reliance Cup was none less than ISDT stalwart George Rowley riding a 560cc AJS, with the BSA team of Perrigo, Povey and Ashworth picking up the team award.
Photo – Trials riders find their way up the classic Heartbreak Hill, Glyn Ceiriog during the Reliance Trial 1935.
The event featured a draw for first overall place With the winner of the 1934 event GE Rowley on his 560 AJS tied with LG Holdsworth (346 New Imperial). The team prize went to Norton riders J Williams DK Mansell and VN Brittain.
Testing two models of Triumph on the Allt y Badi 1934
“Two men, two mounts, two countries, two days” Harry Perrey, the assistant sales manager of the Triumph Company took a staff writer of ‘Motor Cycling’ took two of the Coventry made models on a really severe route in Wales over two days of riding. The first part of the ride was a straight ride from Coventry to the Allt y Bady near Llangollen, used the previous week for the Reliance Trial. The due then travelled Corwen, Bala, Hirnant, Lake Vyrnwy, Eunant Pass, Bwlch y Groes, Dinas Mawddwy, Welshpool, Shrewsbury, Wellington, Shifnal, then Coventry. At Coventry the fuel consumption was calculated for the trip with the twin at 81mpg and 86mpg for the 5/5
I’m looking forward to writing these articles up over the next month.
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