hillary

Thankfully the majority of respondents to this original posting are very much in favour of John Shirt's reportings on this website. If you are an importer of a product, and that product is your lifeblood, then it makes good business sense to promote that product at every available opportunity. So John Shirt sensibly produces a report of events and outlines the results of his riders. If he has good business sense he also supplies regular editorial material, including suitable photographs to every other publication that is likely to use them. Let me say now, that as a long time journalist, the material that was used in the paper was that which was supplied editorial ready, well written, clear and concise with good pictures. In other words, if John Shirt had the good sense to do my job for me, then there was every chance his material would get used. He's doing that with Trials Central, and like the editorial contributed to every publication it's entirely up to you as the reader to either read it or turn over the page, or in the case of a website, click your mouse to another subject. Rather than criticise John Shirt for plugging Gas Gas, the criticisms should perhaps be aimed at the traders who DON'T promote their products. In fact, look at my user name, I have the sense (I hope) to make good use of the company with whom I am involved. As an individual I have had the occasional run in with the Shirts, and whilst I don't intend to go over that subject again, at the time the two Johns were actively protecting their product, and for that alone, they have my admiration. As the years have passed, we have all mellowed and I like to think that the relationship between us is stronger than it ever was. They realise that back in those troubled days I was only doing my job, equally, they were doing their best to protect their business. That we fell out is well known, it's also well known that we are again on good terms. I've known both Shirts for nearly 30 years. Young Shirty was a little s*** at one time, but he's grown into a superb guy and NEVER fails to be anything other than 100% with me. Equally Senior tells it as it is, and if we have to differ we do, but our interests are mutual, and that's the long term future of trials. So let me finish by saying that John Shirt should continue to do what he sees fit to promote his product, and so should anybody else. If you don't like it, don't read it, but don't waste time castigating somebody for doing their job properly.

Far too early, try about midnight. Good day, superb weather, probably the fastest Scott in recent times.

I was at the TdN as a reporter/photographer for this website and other magazines and I too was impressed by their ability. Pat Smage is a good rider on a 125 and Chris Florin too, in fact all four did well. Trouble is, they need to ride over here in Europe to progress much further I think. Well done to the lads.

Hillary, better known as Mike Rapley, columnist on Centrally Speaking, will be there for all three events, principally working for YOU HAVE USED WORDS OR A PHRASE WHICH ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THIS WEBSITE. PLEASE DELETE YOUR POST/TOPIC. DO NOT TRY TO CIRCUMVENT THE FILTERS IN PLACE ON THIS WEBSITE and TBM, but if anybody has the technology to get pics from my Nikon onto Trials Central, they are welcome to use the lot. Contact me at the Chesterhouse Hotel or spot me with the Trials Central fleece.

I have the LWB version, almost done 100,000 mile from new and it's a great van. It takes two bikes easily and three with a squeeze and there's always room for kit

I spoke with John Watterson, the motorsport correspondent for Manx Newspapers; TMX's Manx correspondent and a good friend and he told me this evening that he had heard that the trial was going ahead with some limited restrictions, quite what they were he didn't know. This is NOT official, and presumably the official news, one way or the other will come from the organisers, but John has a very good reputation on the island and I don't think he would have told me that if there was any doubt.

Time to administer a minor reprimand. Having ridden this wonderful trial and having taken the trouble to comment upon it in my column, written very late on Sunday night, I rather expected some TC registered members would also take the trouble to make comment to the club about this superb promotion. It's totally beyond my comprehension to understand just how much effort goes into plotting this event and whilst I'm sure that the 200+ riders appreciated this trial, I rather think that the Richmond guys and gals would have liked to read some positive comments about their efforts. No comment may well be a reflection of everybody's satisfaction, but even so, come on lads, have a view. Say thanks where thanks are due. Ask yourself this one question, would you undertake such a massive promotion? I certainly wouldn't.

I had a Sammy Miller hi-boy Bultaco and I have a very good black and white picture of it after I had done it up, about two years from new. Originally it had a nickel plated frame but the picture I have is with a plastic coated frame in black; the tank was painted red and black. If you contact me I will scan the picture and e-mail it to you (don't know how to scan it and post it on here!!)

I had two Beamish Suzuki, 325 sidecar outfits in the early 'eighties, and rode all the British Championship series on them for about five or six years. At the time it was an excellent machine, very reliable and in the hands of John Gaskell was a British Championship winner - the best I did was five national wins and third in the series. The problem now is that the machines are 20+ years old and spares for Suzukis are not easy to come by. Some bits are plentiful, others don't exist and if you are considering competing on one, remember everybody else is on modern, water-cooled, single shock machines which have progressed massively. The engines rattled like mad, but being typical Japanese, are pretty bulletproof. Pricing one is a bit difficult, but I wouldn't be inclined to lay out too much for one, simply because the return in usage is fairly low. I don't know for sure how many outfits were built, but probably 50 - 80 seems a likely number, no doubt somebody will know.

Andy, That is a superb article. I did think about writing something similar for my column this week, but ended up writing something far less contentious. I'm glad I chose not to because I simply couldn't beat what you have said.

Just bought a camera exactly for that purpose - and I'm a pro journalist. I went for the Sony DSC T100, which is very thin, has a 3inch screen and no protruding lens. It only has a sport programme but used it on Good Friday and at the Ian Pollock Trial and the pics are pretty good. Shutter delay exists but far better than they used to be. You can live with it - it's certainly faster than my Canon S50. It's 8.1 mega pixels and I'm totally happy with it. I also have a Nikon D 50, a Canon S50, a Nikon FM2, a Nikon F90, two old Pentaxes - any bids?

I've owned three 4RTs now and I don't think they stall any more frequently than a two stroke. However, there's no doubt you have to learn to ride a four stroke in a different way. First of all, you must make use of the clutch; if you can't use the clutch the 4RT will be away from you and may be more prone to stalling. However, I can't ride any bike without the clutch, so I don't consider this to make 4RTs any different. Equally, they must run with tickover but perhaps more importantly, always keep a fraction of throttle on at all times. Difficult? Maybe, but learn the technique and you'll eliminate most problems. I always run 10/43, but others stick to standard gearing (10/41) If you can handle it, OK, but I prefer the lower gearing. I think much of the "probelms" folk think about is all in the mind. Get into four stroke mode and you'll master it, but riding a 4RT which may need a slight change of technique is no different than changing technique as to how you drive a van in a different manner from a car. Not very well explained but stick with it and you'll surely enjoy the undoubted character that 4RTs have over all other bikes.

Nikon make good cameras, but if you can get one, go for a D50 rather than the D 40. The D 40 is a cheaper version and nowhere near as good - even a s/h D50 or even s/h D70 would be much better. An 18-55 lens is OK for trials, but a 18-70 is better. The 18-70 was standard on a D70

Got loads of pictures from trial, will try to get the disc to Brocky this week and he can put them on the website.

The Ossa importer of the era Roger Holden was playing about with one, but as to where you can get a picture, can't help.

Totally agree with you, if you can't get there, phone and let the organisers know, then they can contact the waiting list.

Brian Shuttleworth, lives in the Lythe Valley, Rob Shuttleworth's dad, but don't know contact details.

There is one very good reason for writing in English, correctly spelt. If they can read, everybody can understand it. And my column, which appears tomorrow, may not always be exactly correct, but you'll always understand it - which is more than I can say about some of the communications that appear here.

He means he has changed from a 10/41 to a 10/43, which lowers the gearing and is certainly my preferred choice - as you well know Perce!!

Not saying such things didn't happen in my day, but then ALL the staff were knowledgeable enthusiasts, now they are reduced in number, even so, surprised JD didn't spot it.

Excellent trial, well worth the journey down from north west Lancashire, just looking for results now!

Just renewed my fully comp insurance for my 4RT and Beta Alp, both on the same policy with Carole Nash for

The Pinhard Prize was inaugurated by Fred Pinhard of the Sunbeam Club who considered it would be a good idea to have an award available to ANYONE from the world of motorcycle sport. As I recall, the actual wording "For the most meritorious performance by a person under the age of 21" I think I'm right about it being 21, I just can't remember. I was on the judging panel from around 1984 to when the new secretary kicked me off around 1999, since when publicity for the Pinhard has been virtually non-existant. There are so many famous names on there that it would be a tragedy if it were to be lost to the sport due to poor promotion, however, that's no longer down to me so we can only hope it continues. Good to see the full list, but the spelling, oh goodness, why can't it be done correctly? Everybody in the world likes to have their name spelt correctly. I'm unsure of the first names of a few of the earlier winners, but below are now the correct spellings and correct first names in order: ??Milner, ?? Hodgson, Maureen Towler, Bill Martin, John Surtees, Jeff Smith, Roy Peplow, Mike Hailwood, Dan Shorey, Brian Hutchinson, Scott Ellis, Malcolm Davis, Mick Andrews, Derek Adsett, Dave Baybutt, Gordon Farley, Tommy Milton, Malcolm Rathmell, ?? Dawes, Chris Pusey, Martin Lampkin, Chris Baybutt, Rob Shepherd, Clive Smith, Graham Noyce, Neil Hudson, John Reynolds, Gordon Philip, Michael Lee, ?? Padgett, John Lampkin, Dave Thorpe, Steve Patrickson, Steve Saunders, Kurt Nicoll, Ian McConnachie, Paul Edmondson, Wayne Braybrook, Jason Lawer, Jamie Dobb, Steve Colley, Jason Higgs, Dougie Lampkin, Paul Hurry, Martin ?? Baybutt, Graham Jarvis, Sam Connor, Carl Nunn, Martin Crossthwaite, Jonny Walker, Ben Wilson, Tom Sagar, Jamie Clarke, Donna Fox, Paul Chatham, Alexz Wigg. Not 100% sure of a few christian names, but we're getting there. Somebody keep this for posterity when it's accurate. Ta.

Lancs County are moving their round this year, both the date and venue have changed (from last year). You'll have seen that they are running on March 17th (Saturday) with a 11am start time. This is to make it possible for those who have to travel some distance to get there in the morning, and because Bootle is on Sunday, it makes for a very good weekend in the north. The new venue is Brookhouse Brickworks, actually only about 3 miles as the crow flies from the other venue, but much closer to the motorway, junction 34 M6. It's a venue that has been used for many years, but recently had a huge wind farm erected on the top moors which has changed the nature of the land and thoughtfully opened up new land for the club. Parking, being on hard gravel roads is excellent and access round the trial is generally pretty good. The sections used are rocky streams and muddy bankings, but probably better generally than Barkingate has been. It was last used on Good Friday 2005 and comfortably catered for 164 riders. If you are thinking seriously about either trial (Lancs County/Bootle) do them both, it should be one of those weekends definitely not to be missed. Two very good trials. Lancs County moved specifically to make it much easier for those that have to travel to give them a good weekend of sport, so support them and make the effort worthwhile. Can't speak for Bootle, but Lancs County will be having regs available in 2/3 weeks, or enter on an ACU form, cost is

Ferrett Flasher will probably answer this one properly, but the reason it will not start is probably because the throttle is open some way. The best check I have found is to adjust the throttle cable so that there is some slack, make absolutely sure, the throttle butterfly is not open, then kick it over gently. There is NO history of 4RTs not starting, the chances of it being a electrical problem is remote, so before you start replacing injectors, go back to basics. Remember, no throttle. Let us know what happens.