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Speed Track Tales

~ A history of the International Six Days Trial and Welsh Motorcycling

Speed Track Tales

Category Archives: International Six Days Enduro

ISDT 1961: Wales – the arrival of the Special Test

10 Saturday May 2014

Posted by Highwayman in Enduro, Europe, Gelände Sport, International Six Day Trial, International Six Days Enduro, Internationale Sechs Tagefahrt, ISDT, Magazine, Motorcycling, Motorsport, Regolarità, Sei Giorni Motociclistica Internazionale, Six Jours Internationaux, UK, Wales

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ISDT 1961, Llandrindod Wells, Powys


If you were to ask many current followers of the ISDE what part they might take most interest in.. it will be the ‘Special Tests’ usually one Cross Country and one MX style each days is designed to sort out the wheat from the chaff of the sporting elite off-road motorcycle racers. Back in the early days of the ISDT the to hell or glory race was on the last day and if your national squad got through 5 days unscathed it would be the speed test, usually on a road race style circuit that the race was decided.

Back in the 1950’s it was clear the sport splitting from its roots of being an event to determine the greatness of the bike as the European Nations became more interested in the quality of the riders. However the paymaster of the event, the Motorcycle Industry, wanted to maximise the marketing value of winning the event. However as the global dominance of the British Bike industry started to wain, it was recognised for the sport to thrive required a new objective which was to measure the rider rather than the bike. The drive to this were the european nations however the greatest act to confirm this shift was from Britain’s Auto Cycle Union who supported the need to provide daily tests to identify the best riders as the event progressed.

Photo - "International" spirit: Welsh children cheer #225  J.H.L Lewis (246 Greeves) as he climbs a rocky section near Llandrillo on the fourth day.

Photo – “International” spirit: Welsh children cheer #225 J.H.L Lewis (246 Greeves) as he climbs a rocky section near Llandrillo on the fourth day. ISDT 1961

In 1960 the ISDT in Austria trialled a British idea of having two special tests a day to examine which riders where performing best rather than who was able to hang in to the pace set by the organisers. The trial worked and in 1961 the F.I.M introduced two mandatory special tests a day for the ISDT 1961. The fact this was driven by the British for a British hosted event where the home nation failed to excel is one of the most obvious milestones marking the ultimate demise of the British Motorcycle Industry within 15 years as this editorial from ‘the Motor Cycle’ of the 12 October 1961 alludes to.

“IT made a welcome change to be writing in the sunshine and among the mountains of Wales instead of in the office. Yes, I was having a few days on the “International” and enjoying every minute of it.

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ISDT 1948: Gold medal saved

08 Thursday May 2014

Posted by Highwayman in Enduro, Europe, Gelände Sport, International Six Day Trial, International Six Days Enduro, Internationale Sechs Tagefahrt, ISDT, Italy, Motorcycling, Regolarità, Sei Giorni Motociclistica Internazionale, Six Jours Internationaux

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FICM, Gold Medal, ISDT 1948


Hot news – ISDT 1948 Gold Medal rescued from Flea Bay. Unfortunately no information exists as to who the person awarded the medal was.

Photo - Gold Medal (front) ISDT 1948

Photo – Gold Medal (front) ISDT 1948

Photo - Gold Medal (rear) ISDT 1948

Photo – Gold Medal (rear) ISDT 1948

 

Auction News: Bonham’s Spring Stafford Sale 27 April 2014

20 Sunday Apr 2014

Posted by Highwayman in Enduro, England, Gelände Sport, International Six Day Trial, International Six Days Enduro, Internationale Sechs Tagefahrt, ISDT, Media, Motorcycling, Regolarità, restoration, Sei Giorni Motociclistica Internazionale, Six Jours Internationaux

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Auction, Automobilia, Bonhams, Classic Motorcycles, ISDT, Sale, Stafford


And Christmas v2 for the Classic and Vintage Motorcycle lover has arrived early in 2014.. around Easter time at the Staffordshire County Showground.

Bonham’s Spring Stafford Sale

Bonham's Spring Stafford Auction 27 April 2014

Bonham’s Spring Stafford Auction 27 April 2014

Apart from a few attractive lots of prewar copies of ‘the Motor Cycle‘ or ‘Motorcycling‘ bundled with a few programmes or photos of interest to ISDT collectors. Of motorcycles a few nice pukka trials bikes and a few road trim Tiger Cubs, but the most obvious item is this rather nice Ariel Red Hunter although no evidence of it having been used in the ISDT.

Download the programme as pdf here

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ISDT Videos: British Pathé now on Youtube

18 Friday Apr 2014

Posted by Highwayman in Enduro, England, Europe, Gelände Sport, International Six Day Trial, International Six Days Enduro, Internationale Sechs Tagefahrt, ISDT, Media, Motorcycling, Motorsport, Regolarità, Sei Giorni Motociclistica Internazionale, Six Jours Internationaux, Video, Wales

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British Pathe


This week ‘British Pathé‘ archive was officially released on Youtube. This famous news reel archive that would have been the main feature of cinema visits in the past includes short articles for news features of the time on the ISDT.

Not many seem to exist and I hope more are subsequently found and released

1926

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGfB5o3mSUM]

Continue reading →

ISDT 1979: BMW Works ‘Enduro’ team and GS80 works motorcycle

22 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by Highwayman in Enduro, Europe, Gelände Sport, Germany, International Six Day Trial, International Six Days Enduro, Internationale Sechs Tagefahrt, ISDT, Regolarità, Sei Giorni Motociclistica Internazionale, Six Jours Internationaux

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BMW, BWM Works Team, GS80


Here at Speedtracktales the uncovering of the ISDT history has very much raised the editorial opinion on the legendary brand of BMW which included some of the most beautiful works of design artistry as well as playing an important role in the sports development, no more so than the sudden unexpected blip in activity by BMW at the very end of the ISDT period with its Works bikes that led to the cult GS80 trail bike. This blog recalls the launch of the famous works team of 1979 and the bike featured in an article here

BMW In Off-Road Motorcycle Sport

In the final analysis, motor sport participation is a question of available means. In addition there are such abstract terminology concepts as “group-orientated goals” and “product philosophy” and, in the end, common sense.

Thus BMW never even debated developing a machine for Grand Prix racing from the available products. A four-stroke , two-cylinder, boxer engine could never achieve the performance of a highly developed, two-stroke engine. Laws of physics see to that.

Photo - Works BMW Enduro Team for 1979 that competed in the FIM World Enduro Championship rounds (Left to Right) Rolf Witthöft, Laszlo Peres, Dietmar Beinhauer (Teamchef), Kurt Fischer, Herbert Schek, Richard Schalber

Photo – Works BMW Enduro Team for 1979 that competed in the FIM World Enduro Championship rounds (Left to Right) Rolf Witthöft, Laszlo Peres, Dietmar Beinhauer (Teamchef), Kurt Fischer, Herbert Schek, Richard Schalber

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ISDT 1937: Long lost newsreel rediscovered

22 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by Highwayman in Enduro, Europe, Gelände Sport, International Six Day Trial, International Six Days Enduro, Internationale Sechs Tagefahrt, ISDT, Motorcycling, Motorsport, Regolarità, Sei Giorni Motociclistica Internazionale, Six Jours Internationaux, UK, Video, Wales

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ISDT 1937, Llandrindod Wells


On our latest trawl of the internet mining resources I am certainly pleased to have found this short item of a newsreel produced by Movietone news. Apart from some fantastic footage of the entrants set in the vastness of the beautiful remote Welsh Countryside whilst friendly and keen locals look on supporting the riders. We also get to see the final speed test that took place at Donnington. More videos from this and other years can be viewed on our video gallery.

1937
ISDT  from LLandrindod Wells

Firstly a short ‘Movietone News’ news reel with sound in fairly good quality.

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ISDT 1963: rare Movietone News newsreel discovered

22 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by Highwayman in Czechoslovakia, Enduro, Europe, Gelände Sport, International Six Day Trial, International Six Days Enduro, Internationale Sechs Tagefahrt, ISDT, Motorcycling, Motorsport, Regolarità, Sei Giorni Motociclistica Internazionale, Six Jours Internationaux, Video

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ISDT 1963, Spindleruv Mlyn


This previously unknown footage of the event held in Spindleruv Mlyn, Czechoslovakia from a Movietone News news reel has been located that adds to our knowledge of this event. There are more videos of this and other events available on our video gallery.

1963 – Czechoslovakia

This is a newsreel of the event in 1963 from Movietone News

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Featured riders include:

Gilbert (East Germany), Michel (West Germany), Stahl (Sweden), Holy (Czech), Tagli (Italy), Erben (West germany), Roucke Boh (Czech), Paelsson (Russia), Semin (Russia)

Mapping the ISDT: Wales 1961

01 Saturday Feb 2014

Posted by Highwayman in Europe, Gelände Sport, International Six Day Trial, International Six Days Enduro, Internationale Sechs Tagefahrt, ISDT, Map, Motorcycling, Motorsport, Sei Giorni Motociclistica Internazionale, Six Jours Internationaux, UK, Wales

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ISDT 1961, map, maps


I am starting the preparation to mapping all the ISDT’s, especially our home nation ones in the UK. Work is commencing as detailed mapping or advice on the route becomes available. Thanks to the kind intervention of Bill Kershaw, we now have a copy of the ISDT 1961 Programme which includes a detailed map with Ordnance Survey detail for the route of each days course in 1961. Whilst work is committed ot existign projects I have posted the maps we have here and hope if anyone has additional information that can help, please drop a line in the comments here or on the guest book

image - scanned map of routes for days 1, 2 and 3 of ISDT 1961 (Speedtracktales Archive)

image – scanned map of routes for days 1, 2 and 3 of ISDT 1961 (Speedtracktales Archive)

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The SOS end of year . . can you identify if any of these images come from an ISDT

29 Sunday Dec 2013

Posted by Highwayman in Enduro, England, Europe, Gelände Sport, International Six Day Trial, International Six Days Enduro, Internationale Sechs Tagefahrt, ISDT, Motorcycling, Motorsport, Photography, Regolarità, Sei Giorni Motociclistica Internazionale, Six Jours Internationaux, UK, Wales

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A kind random end of year post letting you, the reader, join in the fun of putting places and names to pictures…. The basic ISDT keyword search of the still time has unearthed a quality haul of 518 mostly pre-war images of the ISDT. Work to identify and seek long term access to the images in Speedtracktales is underway. In the mean time a more convoluted series of searches found very badly ( ie minimal) keyworded images of motorbikes in what appear to be ISDT style events. Can any one confirm any riders identities and which event it might have been.

?-tpt transport motor engine sport competition bike sidecar welsh trial test german team group

?-tpt transport motor engine sport competition bike sidecar welsh trial test german team group

Nazi / NSKK insignia on riders jacket . possibly #153 G Wolf 730cc BMW ISDT 1937, #153 was a GB Ariel rider 1938, only 142 competed in 1933. Had the Welsh 3 Day got its current International FIM status before the war?

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Merry Xmas 2013 and a Happy New Year for all of our readers and supporters

24 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by Highwayman in Austria, Czechoslovakia, Enduro, England, Europe, Gelände Sport, Germany, International Six Day Trial, International Six Days Enduro, Internationale Sechs Tagefahrt, ISDT, Isle of Man, Italy, Media, Motorcycling, Motorsport, Photography, Places, Poland, Regolarità, Sei Giorni Motociclistica Internazionale, Six Jours Internationaux, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA, Wales, Welsh Borders

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Arnott, BSA, ISDT 1939, xmas


Image - Happy Xmas 2013 and a prosperous New Year #116 JH Arnott 496cc BSA Großglockner ISDT 1939 (Image courtesy TECHNISCHEN MUSEUM WIEN)

Image – Happy Xmas 2013 and a prosperous New Year #116 JH Arnott 496cc BSA Großglockner ISDT 1939 (Image courtesy TECHNISCHEN MUSEUM WIEN)

Thanking our many many visitors in 2013 and especially those getting in contact to share their own personal and family memories of the ISDT and the riders. We stil lhave lots more to rediscover and save for the event and are reliant on your support. Coming soon will be a bumper posting of images of the ISDT in Wales recovered from back issues of Das Motorrad recently acquired for the web archive.

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Contents of Pages

  • About
  • General History of the ISDT 1913 – 1979
  • INDEX of ISDT Events
    • ISDT 1913 – England
    • ISDT 1914 – France
    • ISDT 1920 – France
    • ISDT 1921 – Switzerland
    • ISDT 1922 – Switzerland
    • ISDT 1923 – Sweden & Norway
    • ISDT 1924 – Belgium
    • ISDT 1925 – England & Wales
    • ISDT 1926 – England
    • ISDT 1927 – England
    • ISDT 1928 – England
    • ISDT 1929 – Mid Europe
    • ISDT 1930 – France & Italy
    • ISDT 1931 – Italy
    • ISDT 1932 – Italy
    • ISDT 1933 – Wales
    • ISDT 1934 – Germany
    • ISDT 1935 – Germany
    • ISDT 1936 – Germany
    • ISDT 1937 – Wales
    • ISDT 1938 – Wales
    • ISDT 1939 – Germany
    • ISDT 1947 – Czechoslovakia
    • ISDT 1948 – Italy
    • ISDT 1949 – Wales
    • ISDT 1950 – Wales
    • ISDT 1951 – Italy
    • ISDT 1952 – Austria
    • ISDT 1953 – Czechoslovakia
    • ISDT 1954 – Wales
    • ISDT 1955 – Czechoslovakia
    • ISDT 1956 – W Germany
    • ISDT 1957 – Czechoslovakia
    • ISDT 1958 – W Germany
    • ISDT 1959 – Czechoslovakia
    • ISDT 1960 – Austria
    • ISDT 1961 – Wales
    • ISDT 1962 – W Germany
    • ISDT 1963 – Czechoslovakia
    • ISDT 1964 – E Germany
    • ISDT 1965 – Isle of Man
    • ISDT 1966 – Sweden
    • ISDT 1967 – Poland
    • ISDT 1968 – Italy
    • ISDT 1969 – W Germany
    • ISDT 1970 – Spain
    • ISDT 1971 – Isle of Man
    • ISDT 1972 – Czechoslovakia
    • ISDT 1973 – USA
    • ISDT 1974 – Italy
    • ISDT 1975 – Isle of Man
    • ISDT 1976 – Austria
    • ISDT 1977 – Czechoslovakia
    • ISDT 1978 – Sweden
    • ISDT 1979 – W Germany
    • ISDT 1980 – France
  • Folks ‘n Motors
    • Brian Nash’s 1955 ISDT 1953 Royal Enfield 700cc Meteor Trials Combination
    • European Enduro Championships 1968 – 1981
    • ISDT riders : 1934/35/36/37/38 John ‘Jack’ Andrew McLean Leslie
    • Herr Scholte’s Album of 1937
    • Bob Ray – Team Ariel ISDT Ace of the ’50’s
    • The Women at the ISDT
    • The German Enduro all-rounder: Rolf Witthoeft
    • Herbert Schek: a giant of the German ISDT scene
    • The ex-Phil Pike, ISDT 1926 Norton 588cc
    • Tommy Meeten and the Francis Barnett 1927
    • Unknown 488cc Royal Enfield Press Fleet Motorcycle ISDT 1929
    • Road Test: Production 1932 Norton 500cc ‘International’ – the Motor Cycle
    • Silver Vase winning DKW 246 ISDT 1935
    • Percy Sivell’s 1938 ISDT BSA JB25 Empire Star Competition
    • Stuart Waycott’s 1938 ISDT 600 Velocette Outfit
    • Jim Alves’s early career in Motorcycle Trials
    • Arthur Merrett’s works Vincent-HRD 998cc Series-B Rapide 1948 ISDT
    • BSA Gold Star and the ISDT
    • 1951 BSA Bantam D1 – 125cc
    • Georg Meier’s works German Trophy Team BMW 594cc R67/2 ISDT 1953
    • Hugh Viney’s Works AJS 498cc – ISDT 1953
    • Francis Barnett Manufacturers Team Bikes ISDT 1954 & 1955
    • Jim Alves’ 1954 ISDT Triumph 650 twin
    • Unknown 1955 Ariel ISDT bike
    • 1961 Jawa 250cc Type 553 ISDT
    • Arthur Lampkin’s 1965 ISDT TriBSA 502 GOB657D
    • Ken Sedgely’s Suzuki 124cc ISDT 1965
    • Roy Peplow’s works, 1966 ISDT Triumph 490cc Tiger 100S/C
    • Dick Sutton’s 1968 ISDT Cheney Triumph 500 Twin
    • ex British Trophy Team 1968 ISDT 500cc Cheney Triumph
    • Ivor Smart’s ex factory Bultaco 175cc Matador 1970
    • Jim Sandiford’s 1970 ISDT Cheney Triumph 504cc Tiger 100C
    • Bryan Cowshall’s 1972 ISDT Works Cheney BSA 441cc 1969
    • Ken Harvey’s – Team USA Triumph TR5T 500cc ISDT 1973
    • Puch: Austrian Trophy team’s Johann Sommerauer’s works Puch MC 175 ISDT 1973
    • Steve Tell: Monark ISDT team rider
    • Rolf Witthoeft’s 1980 ISDT Works BMW GS 900
  • Miscellaneous ISDT features
    • Mapping the ISDT: Original British ISDT course markers maps recovered
    • Heritage Highways of the ISDT
    • Mapping the ISDT
    • Promotional Material for ISDT
    • ISDT Motorcycle Adverts – 1920’s
    • The Motorcycle Show
    • Miscellaneous Images
    • Miscellaneous Images 2
    • Other Images
  • Artefacts
    • the Speedtracktales Library
  • ISDT tube
    • ISDT History – A video collection
  • ISDT Links
  • Contributors
  • Guest Book

Speed Track Tales

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Dad's 1964 ISDT entry badgeFitzroy AllenISDT 1951 Gold medal winning BSA Bantameinfach sexyIFA Treffen Biere 2019
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  • Video spots: ISDT 1963 Jilmnice – Czechoslovakia
  • Auction News: Bonhams THE SPRING STAFFORD SALE 2019
  • ISDE 1983: new book by Paul Clipper of US Trail Bike Mag fame
  • ISDT revised retro: International Three-Days Maxi Enduro Adventure Elba 2019
  • ISDT videos: Update
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