ISDT 1948: Event reports – ‘the Motor Cycle’

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ISDT, ISDT 1948, Italy, Royal Enfield, San Remo

Recently arrived at the Speedtracktales Checkpoint central was the two issues of ‘the Motor Cycle’ of 16th and 23rd September 1948 with a full report on the opening of the ISDT 1948, which was held at San Remo, Italy.

The British Trophy Team. Left to right: C.N. Rogers (346 Royal Enfield); Allan Jefferies (498 Triumph), captain; J Williams (499 Norton); B.H.M. Viney (498 AJS); Vic Brittain (346 Royal Enfield) ISDT 1948

You can read both of the articles by following this link to our issuu.com library.

16th September 1948 – ‘the Motor Cycle‘

23rd September 1948 – ‘the Motor Cycle‘

The following summary of the event appeared in the editorial of ‘the Motor Cycle‘ 23rd September 1948

BRITAIN WINS INTERNATIONAL

Sweeping Victories In the Most Important Trial of the Year

WHlLE there have been International Six Days’ Trials over even worse road surfaces than those included in the event which ended last Sunday at San Remo, there has never been a more grueling event. The fact that 81 of the 151 who started retired during the week is a commentary in itself. Any rider who retained a clean sheet and thus gained his gold medal can be very proud of himself. Not only has he shown outstanding skill, but a high degree of courage.

The maker of his machine can be proud, too, because the “International” is a test of destruction – just that. What makes it so is the average speeds demanded. Even the most famous riders in the world had the utmost difficulty in achieving the time schedule. They were riding beyond the safety limit over many of the 1,272 road miles.

Special congratulations go out to the British Trophy Team which, by losing no marks, won the contest among national teams easily, and to the manufacturers of their machines:- A. Jeffries (Triumph), C.N.Rogers (Royal Enfield), V.N.Brittain (Royal Enfield), B.H.M.Viney (A.J.S.) and J.Williams (Norton). No fewer than seven nations competed for this coveted award.

Efficient Organization

In the Silver Vase competition Britain, too, was the winner with her No.1 team which also lost no marks:- P.H.Alves (Triumph). C.M. Ray (Ariel) and W.J.Stocker (Royal Enfield). For this there were eight countries competing and no fewer than 15 teams.

In addition a British manufacturers’ team was one of the only two of such teams to finish without loss of marks and the British Sunbeam Club gained the first and second places in the club team contest. Of the 26 Gold Medals awarded to riders who completed the course without loss of marks, 11 of those medals were won by British riders and machines.

A word must be said, also, of the many who journeyed from England to help as team officials and assist our riders. Finally, congratulations to the Federazione Motociclistica Italiana whose organization of the event, while not flawless, was extraordinarily efficient having regard to their being given the task only some four months ago.

The below images of the riders and event appeared in the two articles covering the opening day and the full event report

Photo – Charlie Rogers wheels his 346cc Royal Enfield [GWP 369] outside the British riders’ depot. Others to be seen are Allen Jeffries, team captain, and Len Heath, team manager. ISDT 1948

photo – An “International” competitor of long standing – Dr R. L. Galloway (Triumph) ISDT 1948

photo - At the weighing-in on Monday. Press wallet in hand, the Editor, Mr Arthur B. Bourne, looks at A.F. Gaymer's Triumph. Peering straight into the camera is G. Eighteen. ISDT 1948

photo – At the weighing-in on Monday. Press wallet in hand, the Editor, Mr Arthur B. Bourne, looks at A.F. Gaymer’s Triumph [HHP 92]. Peering straight into the camera is G. Eighteen. ISDT 1948

photo – British ‘A’ Vase team. Left to right: W.J. Stocker (499 Royal Enfield); C.M.Ray (497 Ariel); P.H. Alves (498 Triumph) ISDT 1948

phto - the British Vase 'B' team F.M. Rist (348 BSA); J Blackwell (499 Norton); A.F.Gaymer (498 Triumph) ISDT 1948

photo – the British Vase ‘B’ team #140 F.M. Rist (348 BSA) [JOE 74]; J Blackwell (499 Norton); A.F.Gaymer (498 Triumph) ISDT 1948

photo - fresh from his victory in the Grand Prix des nations last Sunday - M. Masserini with his 250cc Gilera. ISDT 1948

photo – fresh from his victory in the Grand Prix des nations last Sunday – #107 M. Masserini with his 250cc Gilera. ISDT 1948

photo – Trophy team reprseenting Czechoslovakia, last year’s winners. The riders are, left to right, C. Kohlicek (125 CZ), J Pastika (125 CZ) V Stanislav, R. Dusil and J. Bednar (250 Jawa machines)

Images from the issue of ‘the Motor Cycle‘ 23 September 1948

photo – Fred Rist of the British International Silver Vase Team No2 swings his 499cc B.S.A. in towards the table at Montalto Ligure time check twelve miles from Molini di Triora. ISDT 1948 (Speedtracktales Collection)

photo – W.J. Stocker (499 Royal Enfield) tries to pass J.Decat (350 F.N. on the rough Perinaldo ISDT 1948 (Speedtracktales Collection)

photo – #125 M. Barrington (499 B.S.A) [JOE 207] Ireland and #126 A.F. Gaymer (498 Triumph) Britain, about to be started by Count Albert Bonacossa ISDT 1948 (Speedtracktales Collection)

photo – A scene that will evoke momories among D.R.s (Dispatch Riders – Ed) who served in Italy. The terraced hillside is a typical Northern Italian panorama. #118 Hugh Viney (498 A.J.S) of the British Trophy team, is just leaving the check. ISDT 1948 (Speedtracktales Collection)

photo – Time check in a mountain setting on the way to Carpasio. The rider is J Roest (495 B.S.A twin), a member of the Dutch Vase “No. 2” team. ISDT 1948 (Speedtracktales Collection)

photo – Jack Stocker (499 Royal Enfield). British Vase “No. 1” team searches for his card at a check. ISDT 1948 (Speedtracktales Collection)

photo – The tropical-like background to the check at Albenga, with J. C. de Wit (125 Eysink), Dutch Trophy team, at the table. Other riders are waiting their turn to check in. ISDT 1948 (Speedtracktales Collection)

Photo – Bend after bend – and a surface worthy of observation in a one-day trial. Yet a high average speed had to be maintained over such going. The rider is A.J. Blackwell (Norton) of the British No 2 Vase Team. (Speedtracktales Collection)

photo – T.U. Ellis (Royal Enfield) lost one mark on time when he had a puncture. ISDT 1948 (Speedtracktales Collection)

photo – A general scene typical of the Ligurian Alps. Villagers come from near and far to watch the competitors in this trial of trials. ISDT 1948 (Speedtracktales Collection)

photo – The coast route in the Riviera di Fiori passes through scenes of breathtaking beauty. But H.R. Taylor (998 Vincent-HRD sc) and his passenger have little opportunity to appreciate it. ISDT 1948 (Speedtracktales Collection)

photo – A Crash-hatted competitor ducks under the barrier at a level-crossing on the main Genoa railway line. Competitors are helped in this way while ordinary traffic was held up. ISDT 1948 (Speedtracktales Collection)

photo – S.F. Board (988 Vincent-HRD) and D.B. Williams (A.J.S), two private British competitors, at the time check in Alassio. As everywhere, British machines were closely inspected by the spectators. ISDT 1948 (Speedtracktales Collection)

photo – J. Williams (Norton) and V.N. Brittain (Royal Enfield) [GWP 366), two members of the victorious Trophy team. Between them is P.H. Alves (Triumph). ISDT 1948 (Speedtracktales Collection)