big john

I know they still have them, I'll get in touch with them if you want? Big John

Yes, still available on the SSDT website - www.ssdt.org Big John

Update on the situation for Trials Central users Basically the 'MC Federation' has approached the group and produced figures to add to those released in the original report. This makes it fair as they are a fairly new sporting governing body, mainly but not exclusively, Motocross based. They do cover trials. The report has now been widely circulated to not just clubs, but a significant number of competitors of both SACU and AMCA affiliation. They have received copies and it is being quietly digested by most, but of course the 'keyboard warrior' fraternity on facebook are making allegations that this is simply a 'crusade' or a 'personal vendetta' against a specific governing body. This is not the case. This incorrect supposition merely detracts for the main aim, which was to show how each governing body charges fees to 'manage' the sport of Trials specifically in Scotland. A snap-shot of where Scottish Trials is right now in effect across now 4 UK based governing bodies. I can reveal that a small, but significant proportion of one of the governing bodies affiliated clubs have been discussing recently plans to defect to another organisation or indeed organisations! The discussion document purpose was to cause people to think before taking action - that was all! In effect a 'stop & think' message! It was designed to make them think about the long-term effects and potential ramifications of which they are manyfold. If clubs want to move affiliation, the TTRG can do absolutely nothing to stop it - because the members of the respective clubs will decide. I will keep readers of Trials Central posted of any further developments. In the meantime, enjoy trials, whichever banner you fly under! Big John

The TTR Group has asked me to point out that a further document has been released at 7 pm on 15th November. Hopefully someone on TC admin can post it for the benefit of this website users? Big John

Thank you very much Andy for posting up the documents on Trials Central produced by The Trials Reform Group - Scotland. I will read with interest what riders and club folk think on here, of this fairly comprehensive and in-depth assessment of the current trials scene in Scotland. The report is not one that governing bodies really like to see being done, but the group felt that matters had been dragging on too long and it was time for a real discussion document to be produced. I have been asked to act as 'Media Spokesperson' for the group and they can be contacted by e-mail, if required on: thetrialsreformgroup@outlook.com The group are very interested to have any feedback and answer any questions from Scottish based trials enthusiasts via their e-mail facility. Big John

1970 SSDT - 120cc Suzuki mounted Alan Lampkin finished in 14th position on 94 marks, Martin failed to finish! Big John

Great weekend had by all. Hope to see you all there next year 7/8th June 2014 for The Highland Classic 2 Day - ????? Edition! Big John

Awesome, what can I say? 2014 - The ??????? Edition! Big John

Great footage John Hird! It was a fantastic weekend, great riders from Bultaco yesteryear, great weather, great company and everyone I spoke to enjoyed the experience. What other sport allows you to compete alongside a three times World Champion? Stay tuned for the '2014 The ??????? Edition'.... Big John

Nothing listed in the SSDT Programme! Big John

The Ariel factory was based at Selly Oak, Birmingham and as trials machines were used on the public highway they had to be road registered with a licence disc and number plate for the street. Ariels registered three Hunter Trials machines in 1949 with sequential numbers: GOV130; GOV131 and GOV132. OV being a Birminham index number. These numbers were used on the factory team bikes from 1949 through until the early 1960's. Miller joined the factory team in around 1956 and was allocated GOV132 which had been ridden by Jack Stocker of Royal Enfield fame when he rode for Ariels in the early years. Bob Ray rode GOV 130 in the SSDT as did Ron Langston and Phil Mellers at one time and occassional Bob Ray rode GOV 131 as did Gordon Blakeway in the SSDT before switching to ride for AJS. Hope this is of interest? Big John

Ford Aztec Bronze was a close match for the casings on the motor, it's an old Ford Escort colour. Big John

I think B40RT meant to write "tablet" not "table"! Big John

Grass fires are now under control, it did threaten some houses near Corpach. The area is very dry at the moment there are a lot of these going on. It wasn't at Leanachan Forest but near Muirshearlich sections and Annat Big John

The smart gent on the right with the grey slicked-back hair, looking directly at the camera was Dave Fisher, an Edinburgh St George stalwart and a good friend of my late father. Dave was one of the Scottish Six Days Trials' official route markers that was mentioned earlier in this thread! Big John

Jimmy Mulvie and Eric MacNamarra were both trials riders (Edinburgh Southern members) and both at one time Clerk of Courses of the SSDT. Eric actually owned and rode the SSDT with the 350cc Royal Enfield that was built by Bell & Small at the same time as Laurie Maclean's 500 (TFS500). Thanks for the kind comments about my book, appreciated, glad you enjoyed reading it! Regards, Big John

Just been speaking to an old friend of Laurie's called David Lumsden today. Apparently Laurie worked at Ferranti in Edinburgh, he tested incoming materials, similar to quality control. David Lumsden was an engineer at Ferranti. In fact he says that Laurie met his wife nancy who worked there too! You learn something new every day! Big John

1961 riding number: 164 G.W. Noble..Edinburgh & District...Royal Enfield 500 (The photo of Laurie MacLean on the same bike under number 148 was the 1960 event) Big John

Correct, you must be 'Bernie' in that case, as not a lot of people know that information unless they come from Skirling!. Of course I know which year George Noble Snr rode the very bike! I didn't want to 'ramble on' in my first post. Folks from Skirling and Abington had most things, including 500T Nortons and HT5 Ariels back in the period too! Big John

Hi Calum, Got your e-mails, good to hear you have a copy of my book (Scotland's Rich Mixture) on order, there can't be many left now, as there were only 1,000 copies printed with no reprint - so maybe worth a few bob in years to come! I have put you directly in contact with the extended dalling family who still own the Royal Enfield TFS500. I also know of the continued existence of Laurie's Ariel HT500 - 'MVD' registered (Lanarkshire CC Registration) of which a photo is in my book if my memory serves me well! I saw the bike many years ago at the Biggar Rally Weekend (Blackwood Murray) rally. You have my private e-mail, stay in touch! Regards, Big John

If I only had the time! Big John

Are you 'DB'? Must be! Big John

Hi Calum, Yes I knew of your father and he knew mine very well, his name was T. Arnott Moffat. A.M. Laurie MacLean was a former Scottish Trials Champion and Edinburgh St. George member. The photo (taken on Laggan Locks only 50 miles from my home) you have provided is of a machine that still exists - TFS 500 was built by Bell & Small from parts obtained from the Competition Department at Royal Enfield by Ian Bell. Willie Dalling had the bike up until his death and it is still owned by the Dalling family. It was ridden in the 1961 Scottish by a friend of your father's Johnny Clarkson from Skirling, Biggar. Laurie also rode DMW machines for Edgar Bros of 241 Leith Walk, Edinburgh If you can get a copy of my book Scotland's Rich Micture (by John Moffat) there is information about your father in it. Google it, there are some copies still available from The Magazine Man. Any more information, PM me on here. Best wishes, Big John (aka John Moffat)

For me a great weekend because four of us travel down from the Scottish Highlands, by aircraft. It is much more than just a show to us, it's a weekend away with the lads, an event in itself! Great craic, great company and we meet up with literally heaps of old friends and newer ones too. I didn't even see a third of the show because of chatting, doing deals and socialising. It must be difficult to find new attractions and Wrighty usually comes up with something different year by year. Hard job and I take my hat off to him as he manages to cajoule folk into doing stuff. I wouldn't miss it, as I said, more of a social gathering. I ordered a bike, bought a load of bits and pieces I need to smuggle back to Jockland and had a great time overall. If I find out what the dates are for 2014, I'm booking early again! Count me in Wrighty! Big John

This thread has been quite useful to me, just bought recently a very bent (nose shunted) 199A frame for "development purposes" which was also stamped with an Italian DGM number, so the frame is from a 199A sold in Italy - now at Moffat Racing HQ! I also have a bent 199A swing arm, probably from the same blasted bike, also for "development purposes" Big John