Page under construction always…

Introduction

This year the ISDT was held in Obertsdorf, Germany on 9th – 14th September. A return to Germany for 267 entrants. Of the German bikes Auto Union DKW remained most popular with 33 entered, 23 BMW, and 20 each Zundapp and NSU. The most popular British Bike was the Ariel with 16, 10 BSAs and 8 each Triumph and Velocette. 5 teams contested the International Trophy with the winners being Germany L Kraus BMW 600cc, J Stelzer BMW 500cc and E J Henne BMW 500cc followed by Czechoslovakia in 2nd and Great Britain 3rd. For the Silver Vase 16 teams were entered but Ireland’s B team failed to show, the winning team were Germany A Geiss DKW 246cc, W Winkler DKW 246cc E Kluge DKW 246cc followed by Czechoslovakia A and Italy B. Great Britains A team abandoned on day 5 and France on Day 2.

Further insight into the running of the event can be found in an article that was published in the Courier Mail of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on the 3rd September.

“Details of the International Six Days’ Reliability Trial, to be held in Germany from Monday next to Saturday, September 14, should prove of interest to Queensland motor cyclists. No fewer than 1600 miles will have to be covered by the competitors. Such a mileage gives some inkling as to the strenuous nature of the event. When it is remembered that the last day is more in the nature of a “half day,” since it includes the final speed test, it is realised that the trial is likely to prove even more arduous than ‘1000 miles In six days’ would make it seem. During each daily run there will be special tests held on good main roads closed to other traffic. On three of the six days these special tests will be speed tests over a distance of not less than six miles and not more than eighteen miles of level roads.
The speeds will be high — those fixed for the actual speed test. The minimum speeds are as follows:
175 c.c. solos, 44 m.p.h.;
250 c.c, 46 m.p.h.;
350 c.c, 48 1/2 m.p.h.;
500 c.c, 49 3/4 m.p.h.;
750 c.c, 50 1/2 m.p.h.;
1000 c.c, 50 1/2 m.p.h.: and for
600 c.c. and 1000 c.c. side-cars and 1000 c.c. three-wheelers, 43 1/2 m.p.h.

In addition there will be special speed tests over hilly, winding roads on the three remaining days. In these cases the speeds arc not fixed, and will be based upon figures obtained, by the organisers in a series of tests they are carrying out. Except for these special tests, the average speed, which will vary according to the conditions of the course, will be from
20 to 30 miles an hour for machines up to 250 c.c;
22 1/2 to 34 miles an hour for machines of 350 c.c, 500 c.c., and 750 c.c:
21 to 32 m.p.h. for side-car machines of 600 c.c, 1000 c.c., and three-wheelers of 1100 c.c .
Great Britain will be represented by three teams. In the trophy team will be N. P. O. Bradley — who will captain Britain— V. N. Brittain and G. E. Rowley. The Vase ‘A’ team consists of A. E. Perrigo, G. F. Povey and Jack Williams, and the ‘B’ team, L. Heath, A. Jefferlos and R. MacGregor.”

On the map!

Speedtracktales would like to thank the family of GM Bryant who rode in the event and was given this map for supplying the map and other materials to hell us remember these riders. YOu can find out more about the route as we move it onto modern mapping via google mapengine see this article – mapping the ISDT

An example of this bike was seen at auction in the UK in 1990 and details of the bike can be seen here.

Special thanks to Mrs. Sinnl from Germany – the granddaughter of famous German Rider Arthur Geiss, winner of the Silver Vase in 1935 (left to right: #8 L Krauss (BMW 600cc) #171 E J Henne (500cc BMW) #114 J Stelzer (500cc BMW). Please see her website www.arthur-geiss.de

There is a report ( in German for those skilled in the language) of the 1935 event on the Geiss site reproduced from Motorwelt – die illustrierte Wochenschrift des DDAC, 9/1935

Another worthy picture of the great Arthur Geiss with our thanks.

the above three photos were graciously provided to Speedtracktales by the family of the late GM Bryan a popular six days rider between the wars

The above photos were acquired from Foto-Haas, Oberdorf by G M Bryant who rode in the event on a BSA 498sc with his wife Elsie as passenger. GM Bryant was a well known racer and Motorcycle dealer in Biggleswade.

What the Paper’s said

We would love to have sight of or a scanned copy of the above and below copies of das Motorrad which has reports on the 1935 ISDT, a translation too, would be even better

The Final Score: Results

International Trophy

1. Germany (25) Penalty Points
2. Czechoslovakia (66)
3. Great Britain 401
4. Italy (402)
5. France (565)

International Silver Vase

1. Germany A (0) Penalty Points
2. Czechoslovakia A (61)
3. Italy B (204)
4. Holland B (300)
5. Ireland A (303)
6. Holland A (404)
7. Hungary (515)
8. France B (565)
9. England B (600)
10. Italy A (601)
11. Germany B (623)
12. Switzerland (642)
13. Czechoslovakia B (903)
14. Great Britain A (R)
15. France A (R)
16. Ireland B (DNS)

Speedtracktales wishes to thank Marc Pétrier of FIM Information Resources who has facilitated the scanning of the FIM archive of ISDT results material and is allowing us to make it available here as a public service. Download a copy of the original Results and Stewards Report at the link below.

Download Stewards Report for the 1935 ISDT part 1 here

Download Stewards Report for the 1935 ISDT part 2 here

Collectibles and Artefacts

This badge was worn by G M Bryant (498 BSA) who retired on day 1 at check 4, these items were provided by his family

It is just a button I thought!,  One Dutch Rider ‘Hans de Beaufort‘ carried this official entry button in 1935 ISDT, into WW2 he was heavily involved in helping Allied Airmen to safety in Switzerland, so absolutely sad we learn that he was later executed by the Germans on April 9th 1942.  The squandering of human life wars bring about is never a thing for complacency. The late Jan Melssen was compiling the data on that wearer of Button #213.  Hans de Beaufort was son of a ‘well to do’ family who became a journalist on weekly Magazine “Motor” from Piet Nortier but was never a winner of great Competitive Prizes.  He was however a man with a determined sense of Justice & was incredibly active in his aims particularly to Forge Papers & help crashed Allied Airmen to return from enemy held areas & was strongly active within the resistance movement. February 1942 saw him aged 27 leave Holland by train to try to reach UK via Switzerland.  He was captured in Besancon then taken to Dyon prison where he was shot along with 2 other Dutchmen held there and buried there.  1956 however saw his remains transferred to the Dutch Military Cemetery at Orry-la-Ville.  In 1947 the KNMV Sportcommission instituted a De Hans de Beaufort Beker (Cup) Only to be awarded to motor Sportsmen that had not only excelled in competition but also in decency plus perseverence, since 1947 it was not even awarded on 8 occasions when a suitable rider was not found.  Such as this can make men humble & incredibly respectful.  Thanks, for more information on a button than can be imagined, to Jan Melssen

At the Autumn 2016 sale at Stafford by Bonhams a set of medals won by NPO Bradley in trials was put up for sale and sold. The group included his 1935 entrants ID Badge.

I was browsing German eBay in Dec 2013 when I spotted this item. which features a cast metal souvenir of the ISDT (an example of something very similar is on this site somewhere but I could not locate it for this post) quite weather it began life as part of the box or has been added since I cannot say but any observations are welcome.

The square obliterates a prominent nazi insignia, as well las on the flag at the top which cannot be displayed in Germany, but can be seen in the below image

Where are they now?

[BMX 621] – if anybody knows its whereabouts please do tell us

We are currently creating content for this section. In order to be able to keep up with our high standards of service, we need a little more time. Please stop by again. Thank you for your interest!