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Between the first Scottish Six Days Trial in 1909 and the first European Trial Championship in 1967, almost 60 years passed. Trial is the sport which took most time to develop and spread out from its birthplace, Great Britain, or more precisely, Scotland. In fact, an essential role in the development of this sport – and its slowness to reach other countries – is the importance that the Scottish Six Days progressively took, becoming a traditional event. Originally, however, it was a Reliability Trial, such as the Six Days organised by the ACU. The first title was Scottish Six Days Reliability Trials, and the organiser was at first the Edinburgh Motor Club, then as from 1911 the Edinburgh and District Motor Club. In the same way as in any Reliability Trial, the riders had to confront quite difficult terrains and cross obstacles with machines which at that time were heavy, with very little power, equipped with tyres and suspensions far from what we know today (or even without any suspension at all, notably on the rear).
Today, when one talks about Trial (whether in English or in French), it is in fact what has been called “observed trials” since the 30s, as the word “Trial” alone has several different meanings (beside “judgement”): test, and event. The distinction between “observed trials” and “reliability trials” – in other words between the Six Days’ Reliability Trial” and the “Scottish Six Days’ Trial”, established itself very progressively over the time. The Six Days’ Reliability Trial, which started in 1903 and became “International” in 1913, is based on the reliability of the machine and the rider. The Scottish Six Days were no different. The course in those days was just as difficult (for those days, at least), to be run in a given time. They developed as a local event, while the ISDT won international status in 1913 and then had their first tour on the continent as of 1920 – six years later than planned, because of the First World War.
In Scotland, the evolution was different, changing gradually. Obstacle crossing was introduced; courses had to be run in a given time and in the end the prohibition of any external help, and in particular footing, was adopted in 1931. It gave birth to real “Observed Trials”, sanctioned with penalty points in case of fault.
However, even with these differences, many riders took part in both competitions. Hugh Viney – just to mention one of the most well-known riders - appeared in the FIM classifications as a member of the British team winner of the ISDT Trophy from 1948 to 1951, and then in 1953. Moreover, he was also well known by the specialists as a great Trial rider, triple winner of the Scottish Six Days in 47, 48 and 49 riding his 350cc AJS.
The observed trials only started to appear on the continent after the Second World War. The first national championships out of the United Kingdom started in the 50s: the Netherlands, Belgium, then France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, later Spain in the 60s – where the new Trial industry would explode a few years later, followed by Italy and Japan, wiping out the British industry.
There was very little, if any, mention of foreign riders taking part in the Scottish Six Days before the 50s, and it would not be until 1980 that the first non-British rider, the Finn Yrjo Vesterinen, would be seen on the first degree of the rostrum.
Various British riders contributed to the development of Trial on the continent, among others Don Smith and Sammy Miller, as well as with the help of a FIM Vice-President, the Belgian Henry Groutars during the 50s. As the observed Trials were developing fast, the idea came up to organise a tournament gathering together the best international riders. This Trial competition was set up as from 1963, and would receive the name Henry Groutars Trophy, in tribute to the Vice-President who died in 1959. Don Smith, Sammy Miller and the German Gustav Franke would be the main actors of this first generation Trial – that by team in 1963 with a surprising victory by the Belgians, and then individual – in order not to compete with the Reliability Six Days. Don Smith won in 1964 riding a Greeves, followed by the German Gustav Franke in 1965 on a Zündapp, and again in 1966 (ahead of Smith and Miller). Don Smith won the last Trophy in 1967 in front of Franke.
The decision to pass to an European Championship was taken at the Warsaw Congress in October 1966. The Henry Groutars Trophy had obtained quite a success, showing it was time to move on, i.e. to organise a “real” Trial Championship. The proposal had been made years before by the Belgian Federation but the FIM delayed the decision until autumn 1966. The International Six Days Reliability Trial was then considered as a World Championship for teams, which it was not until then, at least officially. A project presented by the Czech Federation was then under study. The solution for Reliability was taken in spring 1967 by creating a European Two Days Reliability Championship. Both European Championships, Trial and Reliability, would then start at the same time, but it is precisely at that moment that the comparison stopped. The distinction between both disciplines was officially and definitely established.
The first European Trial Championship would start in autumn 1967 and finish in April 68: Trial would be a sport run during the winter period – until 1970-71. As from 1972 it would start in January and finish at the end of August. Five events counted towards this first Championship (the three best results being taken into account). The first event was held in Switzerland, in Oberiberg on October 1st, 1967. Sammy Miller had dominated Trial for the previous ten years, after riding in Reliability and in Road Racing. Riding a Bultaco, he won the competition with 11 points lost, ahead of Bill Wilkinson (Greeves) with 31 points, Don Smith (Bultaco, 33 points), Gustav Franke (Zündapp, 36), the Frenchman Christian Rayer and the Belgian Jean Crosset with 46 points each.
The second round was held in Kronach (Germany) on October 22, and Sammy Miller won again in front of Gustav Franke, Bill Wilkinson and Gordon Farley (Montesa). Then came and the next round on 21 January 1968 in Dison (Belgium). Sammy Miller was untouchable, finishing with 14 points, ahead of Peter Gaunt (22), Gordon Farley (24) and Gustav Franke (27). On February 12 the French round took place in Clamart, a suburb of Paris, and once again Sammy Miller made a demonstration, leaving behind him Gordon Farley, Bill Wilkinson, Christian Rayer and Gustav Franke. Finally the last event in Ashford (Great Britain) was the ultimate recognition for Sammy Miller, ahead of Gustav Franke, D.J. Weller and Gordon Farley.
All the rounds were thus won by the same rider: Sammy Miller. Gustav Franke finished second, ahead of Bill Wilkinson, Gordon Farley, Peter Gaunt and Don Smith. Riders from 9 countries took part in this first European Championship (average of 40 entered riders per event).
In 68-69, Don Smith (Montesa) succeeded Sammy Miller, who would take his crown back in 69-70, before the era of Mick Andrews. The British riders filled the largest part of the paddock in those days. This would start to change only as from 1976 with a certain Yrjo Vesterinen…
By Marc Pétrier
Photos Don Morley
1 :
Hugh Viney in the 1955 Scottish Six Days Trial. He won events in observed Trials (SSDT) as well as in Reliability Trials (ISDT) between 1947 and 1955.
2:
Sammy Miller was a top rider in observed Trials from the early 50s until the early 70s, first riding a 500cc Ariel, then the famous two-stroke Bultaco created in the 60s). He won the Scottish Six Days Trial five times, and the European Trial Championship twice. He also won nine Gold medals at the ISDT (Reliability Trials) and achieved podium places in the 125cc and 250cc Road Racing Grand Prix between 1955 and 1958. A unique achievement in motorcycle sport.
3:
Amongst many victories, Don Smith won the Henry Groutars Trophy in 1964 and 1967 riding a Greeves, and then the European Championship in 68-69. A legend in observed Trials.
4:
Bill Wilkinson (Greeves) was amongst the best Trial riders during the 60s – here during the “West of England” National Trial in 1964. He finished twice second behind Sammy Miller in the first European Trial Championship. He won the Scottish Six Days Trial in 1969, the last one with a British manufactured motorcycle.
5:
Gordon Farley (here during the 1969 SSDT) was fighting with Sammy Miller, Bill Wilkinson, Don Smith and Gustav Franke in the Trial events at the end of the 60s. His best result in the 67-68 Championship was a second place in France.
