Page under construction always…
Introduction 29th ISDT Wales
29th ISDT this year took place back in Llandrindod Wells, Radnorshire, Wales 20 – 25th September 1954. The return to Wales with a British Trophy Team victorious from the previous years event was hoping to continue its dominance of the sport that had been enjoyed since 1913. However amidst controversial application of the rules it was not to be and this event was the beginning of a never ending drought for the British Team’s Trophy overall wins and also one of the milestone markers to the oncoming changing fate of the British Motorcycle Industry which still saw the ISDT as an important marketing tool by which to prove the reliability of it’s big twin road bikes which were modified at some expense whilst the rest of the world saw the event as an off road sport where lightweight and manoeuvrable machines were as big a requirement as brutal horsepower and top end speed. As course started to get tougher the suitability of the bike would play as important a role as the skills of the rider.
Image of scanned cover of official programme 29th ISDT 1954
Thanks to the Technisches Museum Wien you can now browse the original official programme via Issuu. You can see the programme by clicking here or on the cover image
We also have a copy here of the 1954 ISDT start sheet Start sheet ISDT 1954
Image of scanned cover of FIM Official Report ISDT 1954
Unfortunately, it appears neither the ACU or FIM now hold a copy of the above document, this image came from the original site image archive. If you are aware of, or have a copy of, this document and can get a photocopy or a scanned copy to be sent our way it we would most en-debted to you.
A great deal of the findings & facts can be acknowledged to be from ex-rider Arthur Williams, he currently is researching plus browsing through his own records along with those of his late friend Bill Roberts who passed on in 2006 & whose ISDT data collection has been kindly on-passed by his widow for us to place online for others.
Anyone who can spare information on the ISDT? kindly send it along, nothing is not returned & does not get wasted here, thank you.
Photo of restored ISDT Ariel once owned by Bill Roberts
So nice when all these years after, there are albeit hard to find parts to even upgrade the Works Machines of those Days. Here, Arthur Williams respectfully completes a gem of an Ariel owned unrestored by his late friend Bill Roberts, this has been done for the family & has been a delight for Arthur to bring such a modified machine to this state.
Photo of Bill Howard & the younger of the Martin brothers as sidecar passenger, signing on day, before the mudbath!!! (Courtesy of the V Emery collection)
The Bala & District Motor Club entered a club team in the competition of #123 Evan Jones (Bala) [FF 950], #131 J. R. Lloyd (Llandderfel), mechanic J. Wood and #249 Jim D Davies (Oswestry) all seen here preparing motorcycles for ISDT 1945 (Photo by Geoff Charles Courtesy of the National Library of Wales)
The motorcycles were supplied by Roy Evans’ Motorcycle Workshop. With Motorcycles all registered FF they were registered locally in the old Welsh County of Merionethshire. See the Blog article on Roy Evans Motorcycles
Welsh Teams
MCC of Wales ‘A’ Team
- 31 FAG Allen 123cc BSA
- 92 B Davies 197cc James
- 214 D J Redmore 498cc Triumph
MCC of Wales ‘B’ Team
- 33 W H Kershaw 175cc James
- 157 R D Tilley 197cc James
- 235 R D Rees 499cc Royal Enfield
MCC of Wales ‘C’ Team
- 9 JJ Smith 348cc BSA s/c
- 137 D R James 248cc Royal Enfield
- 209 R Williams 490cc Norton s/c
Bala & District MC
- 123 E W Jones 197cc James
- 131 J R Lloyd 197cc James
- 249 J D Davies 348cc BSA
Rhayader & District MC & CC
- 230 I J Lewis 346cc Royal Enfield
- 243 D K Price 499cc BSA
- 283 J A Bates 346cc Royal Enfield
On the Map
Check out this page on which we have now reproduced the original route of this ISDT and can superimpose on Google Earth maps
event course details
Image of scanned map of Day 1 & 2 route ISDT 1954
Image of scanned route details day 1 ISDT 1954
Image of scanned route details day 2 ISDT 1954
Image of scanned map of route Day 3 ISDT 1954
Image of scanned route details Day 3 ISDT 1954
Image of route map day 4 – 5 ISDT 1954
image of scanned route details day 4 ISDT 1954
image of scanned route details day 5 ISDT 1954
Image of scanned map of route day 6 ISDT 1954
image of scanned route details Day 6 ISDT 1954
Photos
Photo of sidecar outfit and suited riders, team and officials ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the V Emery collection)
What a lot of officials or are they BSA etc folk around that outfit? [ JON 558 Reg. any info please?]
Photo – #77 PT Stirland on a factory 147 James with #65 G Leistner of Germany 171 Airdie in the final day Speed Test at Madley ISDT 1954 (Courtesy Deryck Wylde Collection)
Photo of winners of Meteor Trophy SSDT with Brian Martin & brother Michael far right (Courtesy of the V Emery collection)
[Does anyone have more info for this pic. please?] Thanks to Michael Martin we find this pic is the Scottish Six Days pic of winners of the Meteor Trophy. Awarded to the best team not entered by any manufacturer.
Photo of B Hugh M Viney, Capt. of the British Trophy Team on his AJS 500 twin shown in the ISDT 1953 but with 246 as his number
photo – BH Viney (500cc AJS) near Cader Idris on the friday of the 1954 event ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales archive)
Photo of B Hugh M Viney, Capt. of the British side forcefully flying his AJS 500 twin through “Farmers” sector?. ISDT 1954
Photo of a Gypsy lad in clogs leads a convoy of family wagons past the Llandovery Check point oblivious to the ISDT in progress.
Photo of Italian team preparing bikes at ISDT 1954
The Rumi Team, so conscious of the Colds & Flu which seemed to hamper earlier Italian Teams bought Duffle Coats & Chequered “Dai Caps” as they are called in Wales to keep warmer in preps & during stops.
Photo of the all conquering Czech Trophy team, all on JAWA!, from left #132 V Sedina, #126 J Kubes, #116 S Klinu, #72 J Pudil, #26 B Roucka at ISDT 1954
Photo of the Holland Silver Vase B Team #10 Simon Schram 175cc Maico, #152 Martin Den Haan 250cc Puch, and #36 Bennie L Jansema 150cc Jawa at ISDT 1954
Taff says ‘I hear that out of this Highly talented Team only Simon Schram remains, let there be fine memories’.
Photo of Holland Silver Vase team rider #152 Martin Den Haan in the final day speed test at the ISDT 1954
Martin Den Haan came into the Trials Racing Scrambling Scene in Netherlands immediately after WW2 with family support he plus brother Pieter became two of the top Racers & number #152 in the 1954 ISDT in what I am told is the 6th Day Speed Trial shows style & a little extra speed effort to help the team obtain that Silver Vase. This picture was recently sent here,out of respect, Martin Den Haan, an absolutely great Competitor plus person passed away a short while ago so we first confirmed with his family whether to exhibit these pictures. They are here with respect to a great rider.
Photo of Britain’s “No Penalty” Team, the very first to complete the course unpenalized, from the left #285 B H M Viney 500cc AJS, #293 S B Manns 500cc Matchless, #288 P H Alves 650cc Triumph, #276 J V Brittain 350cc Royal Enfield & #226 J W Stocker 350cc Royal Enfield in ISDT 1954
Photo of the Brecon Beacons leg #157 B P Emmelkamp taking his 600 Zundapp sidecar outfit on loose going ahead of #173 S Stastka on his 250 JAWA, #219 A Hartner brings up the rear on his 350 twin TWN in ISDT 1954
Photo of Austrian 175 Puch rider #74 F. Gnaser ahead of British entry #37 J.C.L. Bodenham on his 175 DMW, with a low cloud blanketed Bwlch y Groes near Dinas Mawddwy behind them in ISDT 1954
Photo of Night riding & Belgian rider #118 Roger de Jonek-heere makes progress on his 250 NSU in ISDT 1954
The night run on the second day after the 161 miles 9am day start in squalls & sunny patches with a strong cold wind, FIM rules had reduced morning maintenance from 15 mins to 10!
Photo of German “A” Vase Team rider #70W Sautter at Tregaron driving his 250 NSU Sidecar Outfit. in ISDT 1954
Photo of BSA ‘B’ team member #50 W T Howard BSA Sidecar Outfit with a bent sidecar wheel spindle precedes George Buck’s Ariel outfit through picturesque Corris near Dolgellau in ISDT 1954
A youthful Michael Martin, a BSA apprentice aged 17, is in #50, Michael now 70 wrote in to advise us that the B team consisted of BSA Bantam mounted George Pickering, themselves plus Frank Darrieulat 500 sidecar, only Frank Darrieulat finished out of that B Team. Brian Martin was Michael’s elder Brother and British VASE Team and also prominent in the BSA setup.
Photo of the river crossing at Blaen y Cwm in the Berwyn Mountains, Hercules mounted German competitor, #121 W Brosamle gets guidance from a countryman in ISDT 1954
Photo of #112 J Weingartmann of Austria’s Trophy team lifts the front wheel of his Puch through a muddy section at Bwlch Sarnau, Montgomeryshire in ISDT 1954
Photo of the hard Cader Idris section Holland’s #133 C Van Ewijk pushes his Victoria followed by #213 T B J Stronge of Ireland with his BSA & #212 ? A Hartner of Germany with a TWN. ISDT 1954
Photo of Belgium rider #94 A Colin on 250 NSU ascends the Devil’s Staircase ISDT 1954
Belgium rider A Colin shown here at a barren sector achieved a “Special Gold” at his first attempt on a 250 NSU. Thanks again to Arthur Williams for identifying it to be Devils’s Staircase Section, in case you (like myself) are not as sharp as Arthur to notice the headlamp plus handlebars are askew!.
Photo of Here we are again at the Llandovery town centre Check stop, a photo from upstairs at Castle Hotel ISDT 1954
Photo of #26 B Roucka winds his JAWA through the Staylittle section near Machynlleth in ISDT 1954.
Photo of shows H Pelikaan of Holland wheeling his DKW down the narrows at Eunant Pass (between Llyn Vyrnwy and Bwlch y Groes), Czech rider #126 J Kubes manhandles his JAWA along and in the background CZ rider, Czech J Hoffman waits for a clear run at the gulleys in ISDT 1954
Photo of Lady rider #258 Molly Briggs on a Triumph twin at the tricky Brecon Beacons sector, trying to get past the grounded Francis Barnett of Irish entrant D L Martin at ISDT 1954
Photo of Cyril Quantrill, ever the journalist alongside his OHC Norton, watching competitors on Eppynt, here he has German entry #204 H Oelerich ploughing his way on his 350 Victoria at ISDT 1954
Photo of 1st and 2nd away at the start on amazingly quick Italian 98cc Ducati head along the Tregaron tracked road, a 07:00am start for a 238 plus a half mile course
First and second away at the start on amazingly quick Italian 98cc Ducati head along the Tregaron tracked road, a 07:00am start for a 238 plus a half mile course
Photo of Cumbrian Eddie Crooks at speed during the event with a Elan Valley Background (Courtesy the Crooks Collection)
Eddie actually won 3 Golds & one Silver & honestly loved the 6 Days events. Martin Crooks gently pointed out that after all, the ISDT in it’s earliest form did actually emerge from Ambleside & Carlisle location (Thanks to Martin too)
Photo of British Army Team Representing the Royal Artillery in the ISDT 1954 was:
On BSA: Captain Eddie Dow, Lance Bombardier Eddie Crooks & Private Terry Cheshire.
On Triumph:Captain F.Miles, Corporal M.Waller & Staff Sergeant Nicholson.
On Matchless: Captain Betty, Corporal Norton & Sergeant Challinor. the Team achievements became legendary.
Photo of the master all round motorcyclist #269 Eddie Crooks ISDT 1954 (Courtesy the Crooks Collection)
The great Eddie Crooks has allowed us to print this via his son Martin who runs the family business, Crooks Motorcycles Barrow-in-Furness www.crooks-suzuki.co.uk you can see so many more pics of EC’s fine achievement if you simply click the preceding underlined address, many thanks, Eddie currently in semi retirement & our thanks to all concerned, bits of history are a pleasure to display to people. Many thanks to all.
Photo of 6th Day arrived, Madley Airfield with Speed tests underway ISDT 1954
86 Comparatively easy Miles from Llandrindod Wells to Herefordshire Airfield, Madley had the 6th Day Speed Trial, Jack Stocker somehow dropped his Royal Enfield en route to the venue
Photo of rear of Jack Botting’s Gold ISDT medal from 1954
Artur Williams found this was Jack Botting the highly respected Francis Barnett Rider well known in Trials & such information appreciated to www.six-days.org ISDT & Enduro web run by Roberto Biza & Marcello Grigorov
The Geoff Charles collection of Photographs at the National Library of Wales is a unique press library set by a Welsh regional press photographer active in the war and post war period across Wales. He included motorsports amongst his topics and attended a number of ISDT events. The cataloguers at the National Library have listed a number of these images as being the ISDT 1949 however an examination of many of them against the entry list for 1949 cannot be correct and having scrutinised these bikes closely there is substantial evidence that many of these photos credited for 1949 were actually of the 1954 event. The Geoff Charles images we post below are mostly from a 1949 collection we believe to be 1954.
Photo of ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of rider on course passing through onlooking crowd ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of rider on course passing through onlooking crowd ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of #12 U Pohl 175 Maico ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of #32 G Benzoni 172 MV Augusta of Italy ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of #38 U Feser 174 DKW Germany #46 G Sodler 174 DKW Germany working in service area ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of #38 U Feser 174 DKW Germany #46 G Sodler 174 DKW Germany working in service area ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
In the following sequence of images Geoff Charles catches up with #9 J.J. Smith of the MCC of Wales C team & his 350 BSA Sidecar as he goes about a bit of maintenance .We catch up with JJ later on this page as he battles to get said BSA through the murk of the Gap Road
Photo of #9 J J Smith 348 BSA Sidecar [MOF 823] MCC of Wales ‘C’ Team ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of #8 JJ Smith working on sidecar ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of #9 JJ Smith and #11 FE Woodward 350 Matchless Sidecar ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of #8 JJ Smith working on a spare wheel to a sidecar ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of sidecar crew #9 working on bike ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of sidecar crew #9 in work area ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of sidecar crew #9 working on spare tyre alongside 350 Matchless sidecar #11 of FE Woodward ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of #9 J.J. Smith and sidecar Passenger ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of #9 JJ Smith ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of #9 sidecar crew ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of #52 FH Carey 346 Royal Enfield Sidecar ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of #52 FH Carey 350 Royal Enfield Sidecar ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of #136 J Jizek 248 Jawa a Czech Silver Vase rider passes through Scrutineering and I’m loving the VW Beetle standing in the background ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of #142 J Jehove 248 Jawa Czechoslovakia passing through scrutineering ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of scrutineer markign the seals on the bike of #142 J Jehove 248 Jawa Czechoslovakia ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of #41 O Wilback 174 Husqvarna Sweden ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of #41 O Wilback 174 Husqvarna Sweden #49 S Olsson 174 Husqvarna Sweden ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of #23 S Maspes 172 MV Augusta Italy ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of Bill Kershaw working on bike ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Charles Williams tells me this is Bill Kershaw of Newport who is a leading light in the Welsh Trail Riders Association. I know Bill from more recent times when he has matured somewhat from this photo, but yes I can see the ever charming grin that is a watermark of Bill in that photo. Bill, I know, is now enjoying reading Speedtracktales.
Photo of riders preparing for lunch ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of local people preparing riders meals ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of Welsh entrant #137 DR James 248 Royal Enfield ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of Welsh entrant #137 DR James 248 Royal Enfield ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
I’m going to take a pot luck at this having just read a history of Women Trials riders that this is most likely to be Molly Briggs who is credited in the results sheet. If anyone can confirm this it would be nice.
Photo of (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Another possibly image of Molly Briggs
#235 RD Rees 499 Royal Enfield Photo of an early example of the Duck Bill Peak here taped onto an old cork helmet of a Welsh rider in his Barbour Jacket ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of #123 EW Jones 197 James #249 DJ Davies 249 BSA ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of Welsh riders L-r ? DJ Davies EW Jones (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of Welsh rider ISDT 1954 (Courtesy of the Geoff Charles Collection – National Library of Wales)
Photo of AG Brown Norton well stuck & Roddy Rees ready to bring his 500 Royal Enfield thru the morass!
(following images from the V Emery collection) We’d love to have more info on what is a James Rider following what seems a foreign competitor at Elephants Pass.
Photo – two un-identifiable solo riders last rider [JOK 509] ISDT 1954 – (speedtracktales collection)
Photo – #50 WT Howard with Michael Martin in the chair on the works entered BSA 350cc Sidecar outfit in open country ISDT 1954 – (speedtracktales collection)
Photo – #50 WT Howard on the works entered BSA 350cc Sidecar outfit indulges in on track maintenance with a jumped rear chain ISDT 1954 – (speedtracktales collection)
Photo of Bill Howard treading Devil’s Staircase ISDT 1954
Photo of Italian #16 Carancini on a Lambretta 125 at ISDT 1954
More guts than I have!, lots behind him fairly certain he will not get thru, thankfully a light machine to extract!
The above photo does not quite match the entry list but its clearly the right event so there may have been a change in entry details. The Rare Lambretta blog has covered the history of scooters in the ISDT and provides additional information about the 1954 event.
Photo of Swede #219 Elgebrandt follow Scooter man #54 G Parker ISDT 1954.
(‘who is that solo man though?.) This appears at the lower part of Ystradfellte?
![Photo - #298 C.M. 'Bob' Ray (497cc Ariel) [POF 299] - Photo taken by Ray Biddle at 'Devil's Highway' Abergwesyn Pass ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Collection)](https://speedtracktales.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/bobray1-isdt19541.jpg)
Photo – #298 C.M. ‘Bob’ Ray (497cc Ariel) [POF 299] – Photo taken by Ray Biddle at ‘Devil’s Highway’ Abergwesyn Pass ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Collection)
![Photo - #298 C.M. 'Bob' Ray (497cc Ariel) [POF 299] - Photo taken by Erwin Jelinek of Vienna ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Collection)](https://speedtracktales.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/bobray2-isdt19541.jpg)
Photo – #298 C.M. ‘Bob’ Ray (497cc Ariel) [POF 299] – Photo taken by Erwin Jelinek of Vienna ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Collection)
![Photo - #298 C.M. 'Bob' Ray (497cc Ariel) [POF 299] - Photo taken by Erwin Jelinek of Vienna ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Collection)](https://speedtracktales.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/bobray3-isdt19541.jpg)
Photo – #298 C.M. ‘Bob’ Ray (497cc Ariel) [POF 299] – Photo taken by Erwin Jelinek of Vienna ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Collection)
Photo of #44 Bill Hornsby on a Lambretta with Holland Rider #203 Hodka to his left. ISDT 1954
Photo of#236 J W Wright at left on his 350 BSA right is that (wicked!) #235 Roddy Rees on the 500 Royal Enfield at Upper Chapel. ISDT 1954
Photo of #9 J J Smith MCC of Wales C team & his 350 BSA Sidecar ISDT 1954
Arthur Wiliams has drawn my attention to the below set of photos which were al ltaken on a notorious wet part of the famous ‘Gap Road’ in the Brecon Beacons National Park. The Gap Road will feature in a future ‘Heritage Highways’ feature.
Photo of #9 J J Smith, stuck!, ISDT 1954
see the later pic re that Registration.
Photo of #9 Smith thru the mud helping Woodward thru ISDT 1954.
Photo of Johnny Giles and the works Triumph, man this time he looks stuck! ISDT 1954
Go on how many of us have been there done that and not learned yet
Photo of #9 Smith again centre is Jack Breffitt with D Basso getting his Rumi past them on far right. ISDT 1954
J J Smith’s number #9 carried the Works BSA Registration Arthur Williams spotted to be the one later used by Arthur & Lynn Pullman and indeed Ray & Derek Round on their respective BSA 441’s. all that from one little pic!!!.
The following images were kindly drawn to my attention by a reader who saw them on an ‘advrider forum‘ post. Nothing is said about their origin and they are too good to not bring here but if anybody knows the origin or credits please let me know.
This great picture set features many of the greatest British Riders of the time including Hugh Viney, Ted Usher, Jack Stocker, Jim Alves, SB Manns, CM Ray as well as up and coming stars Sheenan, Brittain and Giles who dominated the scene only a few years later
Photo – #228 JV Smith 499cc BSA [PDK 176] ISDT 1954 (advrider forum)
Photo – British Trophy team member #226 WJ Stocker 346cc Royal Enfield ISDT 1954 (advrider forum)
Photo – AJS Factory team #256 GL Jackson 498cc AJS [AJS 5] #286 Hugh BHM Viney 498cc AJS [AJS 6 #246 L Sheehan 498cc AJS [PGP 952] ISDT 1954 (advrider forum)
Photo – British Trophy team photo #286 Hugh BHM Viney 498cc AJS [AJS 6] #292 SB Manns 498cc Matchless [NXY 733] #288 Jim PH Alves 649cc Triumph [PNX 388] #276 JV Brittain 346 Royal Enfield [NAB 846] #226 Jack WJ Stocker 346cc Royal Enfield [NAB 848] ISDT 1954 (advrider forum)
Photo – Part of the British Trophy team at the Speed test at Eppynt Ranges #286 Hugh BHM Viney 498cc AJS [AJS 6] #276 Vic JV Brittain 346 Royal Enfield [NAB 846] #292 SB Manns 498cc Matchless [NXY 733] #288 Jim PH Alves 649cc Triumph [PNX 388] ISDT 1954 (advrider forum)
Photo – #294 Ted E Usher 498cc Matchless [NXY 734] ISDT 1954 (advrider forum)
Photo – Riders and bikes gathering in Llandrindod Wells at the Castrol and Shell Service support facilities#232 TU Ellis 498cc BSA #228 JV Smith 499cc BSA ISDT 1954 (advrider forum)
Photo – #294 Ted E Usher 498cc Matchless [NXY 734] #300 DS Evans 346cc Royal Enfield [NAB 844] #298 CM Ray 497cc Ariel [POF 299] ISDT 1954 (advrider forum)
Photo – #265 TG Garner 346cc Royal Enfield [NNP 783] ISDT 1954 (advrider forum)
Photo – #222 Johnny Giles 498cc Triumph [PNK 660] ISDT 1954 (advrider forum)
Photo Ariel Works team #234 WSG Parsons 497cc Ariel #298 CM Ray 497cc Ariel [POF 299] #220 NS Holmes 497cc Ariel ISDT 1954
Photo – River crossing with Dutch rider #210 PA Knijnenburg 498cc BSA in a spot of bother and being passed by #222 Johnny Giles 498cc Triumph [PNK 660] ISDT 1954 (advrider forum)
Photo – feet up balanced is the correct way to ride deep waterlogged ruts #222 Johnny Giles 498cc Triumph [PNK 660] ISDT 1954 (advrider forum)
Photo – J. McNulty, in shirtsleeves, scrutineers #12 U. Pohl’s German Maico ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Collection)
Photo – At the Penllanllwyd Time Check during Monday’s Run. #62 is F. Darrieulat (348 B.S.A. sc) ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Collection)
Photo – Momentary sunshine: about to clock in is H. Pelikaan (175 D.K.W.) of Holland ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Collection)
Riders arriving at a checkpoint under a gloomy Eppynt Mountain above
Photo – The International Six Days’ Trial scene at Llandrindod Wells during the weekend. In the foreground are Italian Gilera machines ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Collection)
Photo – Make no mistake? Lubrication instructions on a Swedish Husqvarna ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Collection)
Photo – Completing the administrative details during weighing-in. Sign Language would appear to have its uses ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Collection)
Photo – Hydraulic shock absorber fitted to the front fork of an N.S.U. ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Collection)
Photo – A new 171cc Ardie from Germany with pivotoed fork, rear suspension and fully enclosed rear chain ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Collection)
Photo – J. Aufreiter (Zündapp) of Austria and M. Banks (197 Tandon) pass through Crychan Forest ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Collection)
The photo is of a forestry stretch near Ystradfellte, the 197 Tandon came with a Villiers engine.
Photo – A slimy surface at Cynala. E Deike of Germany leads the Netherlander S. Schram ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Collection)
The Schram surname is a well known family name in ISDT even pre WW2)
The following images appeared in a report on the event that appeared in ‘the Motor Cycle‘ 30th September 1954. The full article will be republished here shortly.
photo – the victorious Czech Trophy team. Jan Krivka, team manager, stands behind J. Pudil, V Sedina, and S. Klimt (middle row) and J. Kubes and B. Roucke (front row) ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Archive)
photo – trouble at the Blaenedd ford on the third day’s run. In the water is JH Wright (348 BSA) of Britain and trying to pass is SFS Bande (246 NV), of Sweden ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Archive)
photo – Riders strive to make up time on a tarmac section of the route. Here, near Forest Lodge, above the Senni Valley, J.Pudil (148 Jawa) of the Czech Trophy team , is followed by M. Rive (124 Rumi), of the Italian Vase ‘A’ team, and G. Bodmer (174 DKW), of the German Vase ‘B’ team ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Archive)
photo – More trouble at the Blaenedd splash. As F. Bøgehøj of Denmark leaves the water, a Swedish sidecar driver is shown the best path. Other riders are #246 L Sheehan (AJS), the Australian; #244, E.E.Richardson (346 Royal Enfield), of Ireland and #205A, E. Strohe (350 TWN) of Germany. ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Archive)
photo – Deep water was encountered on many parts of the Eppynt Artillery range. The leading rider is #174 O. Haas (247 NSU). Behind him is L Erlandsson (174 Husqvarna), of Sweden ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Archive)
photo – The road is streaked with Orange threads of lights during Tuesday’s run. Riders are travelling North on A483, which leads towards Newtown. ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Archive)
photo – Start of the one hour speed test at Madley airfield. Riders in the foreground are #286 BHM Viney (498 AJS), #152 M den Haan (248 Puch), Netherlands and #288 PH Alves ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Archive)
photo – T. de Vos (248 Puch) leads G. Pickering (148 BSA) along a loose mountain path during Thursday’s run in North Wales ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Archive)
photo – A scene at the River Dilaw crossing in the tight Bidno – Glan Llyn check on Friday. The riders are C. van Ewijk and T Bakker, both from Holland, on 245cc Victorias ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Archive)
photo – The Eunant pass holds no terrors for #220 NS Holmes (497 Ariel) [BOF 258] – a Thursday picture ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Archive)
photo – #226 WJ Stocker (346 Royal Enfield) [NAB 848] foots lustily as he climbs away from the Dilaw crossing ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Archive)
photo – BH Olie (649 Triumph), of Holland, inadvertabtly swamps H. Oelerich (345 Victoria), Germany at the Diluw water splash. This misfortune on Friday cost Oelerich his first marks loss of the week. ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Archive)
photo – Winnersof the Silver Vase – the Netherlands B team. Left to right: S. Schram (147 Maico), H Burik (manager), #152 M. den Haan (248 Puch) and#36 BL Jansema (148 Jawa) ISDT 1954 (Speedtracktales Archive)
What the papers said!
Image – scanned advert for ‘Motor Cycling‘ issues with coverage of the ISDT 1954
Image – scanned cover of Motor Cycling 30 Sept 1954 issue
We have a copy of the above magazine and have scanned the article on the ISDT which is now available to read online via our issuu library
The Final Score:Results (Provisional published in ‘Motor Cycling’ 30 September 1954)
Because of the loss of the orignal official set of results by both the ACU and FIM we are unable to provide an authorative set of results detailing each riders performance, However with the help of the results published in ‘Motor Cycling’ and the Austrian issue of Motorrad we have been able to create a reliable set of results for every credited finisher which we have featured in a post on the site here ISDT 1954 – Unofficial Results
Hopefully Father Xmas someday will bring the missing official result set which we guess must exist as at least one copy somewhere…..
Trophy Teams
| Team | Speed Schedule Improvement | Points lost |
| Czechoslovakia | 18.56% | 0 |
| Great Britain | 16.12% | 0 |
| Sweden | 2 | |
| Italy | 25 | |
| Austria | 33 | |
| Germany | 442 |
Vase Teams
| Position | Team | Points lost |
| 1 | Holland “B” | 0 |
| 2 | Great Britain “B” | 6 |
| 3 | Sweden “A” | 6 |
| 4 | Italy “A” | 7 |
| 5 | Holland “A” | 12 |
| 6 | Czechoslovakia “A” | 25 |
| 7 | Austria | 45 |
| 8 | Czechoslovakia “B” | 47 |
| 9 | Great Britain “A” | 100 |
| 10 | Germany “A” | 200 |
Adverts
Scanned Trade advert – Mobil Oil promoting success at the ISDT 1954
Scanned Trade advert – Triumph promoting success at the ISDT 1954
Scanned Trade advert – Royal Enfield promoting success at the ISDT 1954
Scanned Trade advert – Dunlop promoting success at the ISDT 1954
Scanned Trade advert – Esso Lube promoting success at the ISDT 1954
Scanned Trade advert – Jawa promoting success at the ISDT 1954
Speed Track Tales 
Pingback: TECTÓNICAblog » Sidecar
Pingback: A Hundred Years of ISDT Approaches 1913 – 2013 « Speed Track Tales
Pingback: 2013 ~ 80th Anniversary of the First ISDT to start in Wales « Speed Track Tales
Pingback: ISDT 1954: Controversial Jury Rule strikes out the British Trophy Team’s win « Speed Track Tales
More photos at Adventure Rider website see http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=755975&page=46
Paul thanks for drawing those to our attention and the front wheel wipers looked very interesting and I had never noticed their use before
Pingback: ISDT 1954: Unofficial Results for the riders who finished | Speed Track Tales
amazing ride by des james to get a gold on a 250 clipper heavier than a goldy and about 1/4 the power………..that smiling gent servicing his j9 is bill kershaw from newport who is still around
yes thanks Arthur.. I know Bill well I did not realise it was him although something did look familiar.
bills father was Bert kershaw an instructor at the villiers factory so bill was well trained his dad was terrific rider
Thank you very much for that I had wondered if they were related. I will have to track Bill down now to say hi. I used to be in touch with him all the time a few years ago when I had more to do with WTRA.
that roddy rees i see him quite often at auto jumbles..still smiling selling his goods but not as tight as your average cardi
Well well i remember the shop in bridge street lampeter in the 1970’s when mad pete on the kawasaki 750 h2was king
Pingback: Mapping the ISDT: Wales 1954 | Speed Track Tales
that boggy bit here they are having a spot of bother is half way over the gap road….heading to wards brecon there are several pics of riders coming down the rocks at the gap
Thanks I will try and update to clarify.
if you send me an e mail with you e mail add i can send you a load map references to pinpoint a load of pics in south wales
Hi Bill Howard would be pleased .Thanks for all your good work
Pingback: ISDT 1954: Images of WT Howard | Speed Track Tales
Phantastic Page. I would like to find more about a norwegian ZUNDAPP KS601 Driver with Name: Hans F. Messel from Trondheim, I am now the owner from the Bike who was with him 1954 in Wales.
I am afraid that mr. Messelt has left us.
But very interesting that he had a KS601 already in 1954. That explains why he was so enthusiastic when I visited his motorcycle shop in Trondheim in the 1970s, and informed him of an abandoned 601 in my hometown Stjørdal, 30 miles away. The bike was owned by a German tourist, who left the bike for repairs and never came back to get it after it was fixed. I found it behind the barn of the garage’s owner. Messelt lost no time to get there and got the bike after paying for the repairs. Somehow he managed to get the needed documents for registration.
I know nothing of the whereabouts of the bike warrior now. And i do not know for sure that mr. Messelt really is dead, but he was an elderly man already back then.
You should take your KS to Norway’s largest veteran wheel rally, the Flåklypa Grand Prix last week of May.
Many of my veteran bike friends go there every year. 400-500 attend the rally in montainous and beautiful surroundings.
Fantastic memories thanks for sharing with us.
Yes, certainly the late Molly Briggs. She was riding a Triumph Twin. Michael Martin.
Photo – #294 Ted E Usher 498cc Matchless [NXY 734] ISDT 1954 (advrider forum) looks like it was taken on Cefn Llwydlo just after leaving Penlan Lwyd control and turning off the tarmac road.