gizza5 Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 Digging through some old paperwork and came across the 1983 official programme for the SSDT. For me it was the start of something special, not to bore you! but it was my first SSDT and I have been fortunate enough to ride a few more Thought some facts from this programme might make interesting reading: Riders of note this week some ''Blasts from the past'' 2. Bernard Cordonier - he has got to have been the tallest man on a trilas bike, good for a single long dab 12. Felix Kranstover - another tall guy, now the editor of the German Trialsport magazine 14. Adrian Prato - part of the Fantic works set up 28. Bernie Schreiber - never won the SSDT! 51. John Boy - fantic works rider 102. John Reynolds - remember that helmet 148. Eddy Lejune - SSDT was not for him? 153. Gilles Burgatt - Hit a sheep I beleive and put him out of the trial 166. Mart - on a Montesa, not a Bulto 175. Danielle Galeazzi - one crazy, crazy Italian 177. Terry Michaud - on a SWM, before his successful move to Fantic 194 - Tony Gorgot - the eventual winner 217. Steve Saunders - on an Armstrong There was many other good riders and plenty of good foreign riders, all the worlds best were there as it was seen as one of the trials to win. Manufactures Teams: Armstong - Steve Saunders, Mark Jackson, Nick Jeffries S.W.M - B Schreiber, D Galeazzi, T Michaud Italjet - S Head, P cartwright, P Berlatier Montesa - Mart, A Gorgot, L Gallach Bultaco - C Myres, J Reynolds, Vesty Fantic had 4 teams, how times change led by John Boy, G Burgat and J Subira in the 'A' Team Routes were interesting not every section listed but a few: Monday: Out to Kinlochleven, Garbage Bin, Cameron Hill, then the long hall up Glencoe to 10 sections at Achallader (we had 2 1/2 hours delay here in the rain, triple subber bloody nightmare). Then up to the Bridge of Orchy taking in Ba House Chairlift back down Glencoe into Kinlochleven, Mamore up onto the Mamore road and the sting in the tail was Callaich. For those riders that have never ridden Caillach, nothing too hard about the sections, but one hell of a zig-zagging climb up the mountain. Please OTH do not put it ever in again Tuesday: Now if you hadn't done enough road work on Monday, you now had the quick trip up to Laggan Locks, Switchback and then Achlain. Achlain were probably some of the best sections in the SSDT, great for the riders good for the spectators shame there not in any more probably too easy Then across Clunes Meall Choire Ghlais back into Fort Bill to tackle Town Hall Brae for the first time in the week. It was amazing how many people missed the Brae! and went straight into the finish Wednesday: Out on the Mamore Road Callart Falls, Grey Mares Ridge, Blackwater, Pap of Glencoe, How I hated coming down to the road from the Pap, maybe that is why it is called the Pap. Then onto Kentallen renamed Lagnaha in later years. Thursday: Road race day we turned of Kinell !!!! and went round to Camp Hill as our first section of the day, These are located for the riders at the end of the track coming down from Pipers Burn, I hated that tree root always caught most riders out! Glen uig under the deer fence to the 5 subs up Coire Dubh, still in today but more of a challenge on a twin shock! then Bellsgrove before dropping into Strontian. Aftter lunch the usual sections of Camocasi, Meall Nam Each, Kilamalieu and the final sections of the day at Rhubarb before heading back on the ferry home. Friday: Out to Muirshearlich (Trotters Burn), quick scoot up Witches Burn across the moors to a new group Fersit !!! back to Kinlochleven doing Mamore, Sleubacich and finally Callart Saturday: Out on the road to Cnoc a Linnhe (now used in the Pre 65), up to Pipeline across the Dam, Leiter Bo Fion, Bradileig across to Ben Nevis for 10 sections and then to Town Hall Brae and to the finish. For me it was one of my best achievements in life to finnish my first SSDT, at times I did wonder what the hell I was doing there. The winner as mentioned was Tony Gorgot riding a Montesa, much hype was made of Eddy Lejune thinking that as a multi world champion, he had to be favourite to pick up the trophy, something he never achieved! The all singing and dancing 'WANG' yes I did say Wang word processers were computing the results, this was state of art for 1983! Ellgren was the biggest trials clothes manufacturer up there. Special notice to the competitors Rule 62, competitors using excessive speed ! Didn't apply to Papa Lejune as the Highland Constabulary could not keep up with him on his moped, he wasn't wearing a helmet either! My first year was a blast, I hope all you first timers find it the same See you in May Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillary Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 Was that a newspaper programme out of TMX or was it one of the last "proper" programmes. If it was the TMX newspaper programme, I produced that and loads afterwards - hated doing them it was so difficult to make them different year after year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizza5 Posted November 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 Was that a newspaper programme out of TMX or was it one of the last "proper" programmes. If it was the TMX newspaper programme, I produced that and loads afterwards - hated doing them it was so difficult to make them different year after year. No it was the 'Proper' programme all 56 pages for the bargain price of one Scottish Pound note! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillary Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 (edited) Yeah, doing the paper programme took a lot of effort off the club, but it was never really the answer and was done as a means of TMX getting extra advertising revenue as much as helping out the club. The return to a proper programme had to happen and I'm glad it did. The current efforts are good as I know how hard it is to produce such a publication. Just thinking about the SSDT/Pre 65 as a whole, it has to be said it is a wonderful organisation at the moment in such difficult times, I only wish I was fit and able enough to ride the main trial, though the Pre 65 is still a steady enough two days without giving me much grief. Edited November 17, 2006 by Hillary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 That's a great bit of nostalgia GIZZA5, really enjoyed reading that. I just love a bit of nostalgia. Now if we could only have a Scottish twinshock 2 day event as well... Just like to echo Hilary's thoughts too, that the whole pre65/SSDT week is a fantastic organisation and a credit to those hardworking and dedicated souls involved in it. Just to feel the atmosphere building as both events get underway is like nothing any other events seem to give. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monty-python Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 AHH MEMORIES, i was also at the 1983 SSDT, and being but a yoof, remember dribbling over Bernies brand spanking 350 SWM "Jumbo", And Eddy's factory Honda Those were the days, eh!, but whatever happened?, all the World championship contenders used to allways ride the SSDT?, not anymore, it seems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highland lassie Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 Those were the days, eh!, but whatever happened?, all the World championship contenders used to allways ride the SSDT?, not anymore, it seems. Clashes with the indoor rounds these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cota kid Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 Those were the days, eh!, but whatever happened?, all the World championship contenders used to allways ride the SSDT?, not anymore, it seems. Clashes with the indoor rounds these days. The indoor WTC ia over well before the SSDT and I don't think it clashes with an outdoor round. I think its more of the factories fear of the top WTC riders getting hurt over the 6 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02-apr Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 Was '83 not the year the noise testers, much to Papa Lejeune's panic, came close to spreading the works Honda valvegear across the carpark when they did not allow for the fact that their electronic revcounter was under-reading by 100% due to the fourstroke only producing half as many sparks? Papa's reactions saved the day but I was looking for a shrapnel-proof shelter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highland lassie Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 The indoor WTC ia over well before the SSDT and I don't think it clashes with an outdoor round.I think its more of the factories fear of the top WTC riders getting hurt over the 6 days. Outdoor, I meant. In recent years the SSDT has fallen just before one of the far-flung rounds too, which doesn't help, but you're right - it's the risk of injury that's the main concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ishy Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 Risk of injury to the ego more like soft buggers could get beat by a regular lad, now that wouldn't look good. The easiest section from any worldround, would, be a lot harder than the most difficult SSDT section, so it cant be section difficulty, might get stuck in some mud!! or fall off riding a forest track or moor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldilocks Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 Just to give credit where its due Bernie Schrieber won the ssdt in 81 0r 82 on a 280 swm. Still the best trial in the world !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 Just to give credit where its due Bernie Schrieber won the ssdt in 81 0r 82 on a 280 swm. Still the best trial in the world !! 1982 on 105 marks lost, beating Toni Gorgot on a Mont by 18 marks. Knew I had that book somewhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spud Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 Really enjoyed that Gizza5 (I'd love to ride the SSDT but the chances of my name being pulled out of the bag are zero thats why i never bother.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve fracy Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 Andy, glad you found the year Bernie won, as I knew that he did, just couldn't remember what year! Just for the record, he said he never really enjoyed it because of the weather, not the trial itself. I believe he rode because the SWM factory like most other's in that day, made it compulsory for there rider's to compete in it! I still see that the factories use it for a testing ground to see if there new models will hold up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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