FLASHBACK
1970 Manx Two Day
Receiving a phone call from a fellow trials motorcycle enthusiast is always most welcome at the Classic Trial Magazine office. On this occasion, it was a certain Nigel Megson; his accent immediately identified him as a West Leeds Motorcycle Club member. I had known another strong supporter of this motor club, Neville Crowther and his son Nigel from my schoolboy British Championship days; I soon recognised the name Nigel Megson. Then the name Terry Wright came up, and then my good friend, Neil Crosswaite, was mentioned; who sadly passed away in recent times. Nigel’s phone calls were so full of enthusiasm for the national Manx Two-Day Trial in 1970 (held on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th August), I just had to generate an article from the words he supplied — and so here it is.
The solo trial on the island had 201 starters and was over two circular routes that started at 8.15am from the TT Grandstand in Douglas. The Saturday route went over the south of the island, and the Sunday route went over the north. Each route had 34 sections.
WIDE OPEN
The favourite to win was looking like the man on form in the ACU British Championship, Gordon Farley, on the much improved Montesa Cota trials model. He would be the main opposition from the south of the country, travelling to the Isle of Man, but many of the Northern ‘Stars’ would be wanting to be a part of the action.
Many of the Yorkshire riders were going through a ‘Micro’ time, riding the smaller engine-capacity machines which were interrupting the success of the Spanish Armada. Anyone who has ridden in the ‘Manx’ will agree that the middle-of-the-field riding numbers are the preferred ones as the riding order is reversed for the Sunday action.
The fancied riders fighting for the win would start with: Jim Sandiford (250 Bultaco), 66; followed by Dave Thorpe (250 Ossa), number 68; Nick Jefferies (200 Triumph), 75; Stan Cordingley (250 Bultaco), 76; Terry Wright (125 Dalesman), 92; Gordon Farley (250 Montesa), 126; Gerald Rathmell
(125 Sprite), 142; Paul England (125 Dalesman), 160, the 1968 winner; and his good friend, Neil Crosswaite (125 Dalesman).
Notable absentees from the event included Alan ‘Sid’ Lampkin who was riding a 400 Husqvarna at the Bucks Motocross Grand National down at Brill, whilst Malcolm Rathmell and Martin Lampkin were also moto-crossing in a Craven club scramble.
Several other top riders missing the ‘Manx’ included Ian Haydon (Montesa), Derek Adsett (Greeves), Rob Edwards (Montesa), John Hemingway (Montesa), and Scott Ellis (Greeves). They were riding in the Clayton Trophy Trial down in Wales.
SATURDAY
Leading after the first day was Sheffield’s Dave Thorpe, who was looking to give Ossa their first victory at the Two Day. As you would expect, he had a steady day losing just three marks. Terry Wright failed to get the 125cc Dalesman up the slippery hill at Billown to part with his only marks of the day. Gordon Farley virtually blew his chance of victory parting with a five for a stop at Poylvaaish and four marks in the river at Arragon for his total of nine. By all accounts, a good night was had out in Douglas where no doubt a few pints were swallowed on this motorcycling haven which is the Isle of Man.
SUNDAY
With a few sore heads evident after the ‘Steady’ night out in Douglas, the riders assembled to start day two with Thorpe holding the lead. It all changed as he dropped to third at the end of the day on 16 marks lost. Despite a super effort from Gordon Farley, parting with just four marks for the day, the damage had been done on the Saturday to put him in second place on 13 marks lost at the finish.
Despite suffering from the effects of the late Saturday night out, Terry Wright parted with just one more five for a stop on the difficult hazards at Tholt-Y-Wil. He retained his composure and nerve for the rest of the event, including a superb clean ride up the very steep rock climb at Sartfell Park.
YORKSHIRE WINNERS
Having checked many records, we believe that this was the one and only win in a UK National trial for Dalesman. The machines were manufactured by Pete Edmondson at Otley in Yorkshire, and Terry Wright was one of his sponsored riders, so it was a double celebration. The icing on the cake was the club team award which went to Wetherby ‘A’, comprising Terry Wright (Dalesman), Gerald Rathmell (Sprite) and John Kendrew (Dalesman).
1970 MANX TWO DAY TRIAL
RESULTS: 1: Terry Wright (125 Dalesman) 10; 2: Gordon Farley (250 Montesa) 13; 3: Dave Thorpe (250 Ossa) 16; 4: Paul England (125 Dalesman) 17; 5: Gerald Rathmell (125 Dalesman) 20; 6: Jim Sandiford (250 Bultaco) 22; 7: Gordon Lawley (125 Sprite) 23; 8: Stan Cordingley (250 Bultaco) 24; 9: John Kendrew (125 Dalesman) 24; 10: C Robinson (250 Montesa) 25; 11: Phil Clarkson (250 Ossa) 25; 12: Chris Leighfield (125 Sprite) 26; 13: D Peet (125 Dalesman) 27; 14: Billy McMaster (250 Bultaco) 30; 15: Stan Cooper (250 Montesa) 30; 16: Bill Clague (250 Montesa) 33; 17: Neil Crosswaite (125 Dalesman) 34; 18: Barrie Rodgers (250 Montesa) 38; 19: Geoff Cannel (250 Montesa) 38; 20: D Care (250 Bultaco) 39.