Okunagara Trial in Washigatake

What do you do with a ski slope when there’s no snow? How about a trial!

In 1973 five Japanese enthusiasts launched the Gujo Trial Club... and they have been organising trial meetings ever since. One of their number, Mr Kozakai, said trials meetings held at a ski ground in summer time used to be popular in Japan, especially during the Seventies, but it is rare nowadays.

This trial attracts around 160 people every year with more than 80% of the entrants on modern machines... but the classic twin shock enthusiasts are equally as welcome. For the classic guys, a pre-75 class was added from this year and 18 people entered, with six on British machines.

Summer (July-sep) in Japan is very, very hot and humid so the conditions are very tough for both entrants and machines. The sections are set up on both sides of the ski ground and you need to climb up the steep hill.

Sometimes it is difficult to find a good parking spot, and to walk around the section is like climbing up a mountain while sweating like a waterfall. In addition, there is no tea hut where you can buy a cold drink, so you have to estimate and carry the drinks you need. If it is run out and you are dying for drinks, you have to walk back to the bottom and get your spare one.

There is no swamp in the pre-75 sections. Basically all sections are in the forest with steep ground or hard rocky ground. There are 10 sections in total and a two-lap regulation. Pre-75 class uses the same class as the beginner class for modern machines.

The sections usually contain quite sharp turns and you need to be skilful to get a clean finish with classic machines.

The winner of the pre-75 class was Mr Yamamoto on a Kawasaki KT250, who lost only four points. He used to be a Kawasaki works motocross & trial rider in the 1960s and 70s, and although he is over 70 years old, his technique is still amazing. Mr Doi with his Ariel HT5 in white was the fifth and he was top in the non Japanese bike riders.

The last section was at the top of the ski slope and the easiest as the organisers wanted all entrants to end the competition with a clean finish. The riders then had a short break enjoying a beautiful breeze and a view from high altitude... before an entertaining run down from the top of the ski slope back to the start place.

After the competition, three riders who are in the international super A class did some demonstrations and the prize giving followed.

It was a nice mixed event both for classic and modern trial enthusiasts to enjoy the trials at the place used since the 1970s.

The section map of the day.

Mr Iwasaki with his Norton 500T – the only rigid machine in the competition. He is a big enthusiast for vintage British bikes and a Sunbeam man.

Mr Sato is proprietor of Over Racing and has got into trials only in recent years.

Mr Doi on a HT5. This is the only HT5 used in trials in Japan. He used to enjoy vintage motocrosses with a Goldie scrambler.

The lower sections were held in front of the ski lift. No.15 is a Gilera special – the frame made from scratch by the owner, Mr Mori.