Letters
I would like to congratulate Andy Withers on the excellent article relating to the Ariel twostroke trials machines (March 2021). It’s great to see someone taking an interest in the Ariel Arrow and Leader in general, even more so putting into print this article relating to their involvement in the trials scene.
I don’t wish to be critical of the contents of the article, but was disappointed at the omission of any reference to the Ariel works, who built three Ariel Arrow trials machines for the Streatham and District Motorcycle Club, which, after further preparation by their respective riders, were transported by club members to Austria for the 1960 International Six Days Trial.
After an ‘interesting’ journey – during which two drivers were stopped for speeding in Germany and issued with tickets, followed by the tribulations of getting the Arrows through scrutineering – they all eventually passed and started the trial. Unfortunately,
Maurice Spurging ran his Arrow head-on into a VW on the first day, sustaining major injuries to his scrotum and ended up in hospital being looked after by nuns…
The other two riders, Alan Towell and Tony Bedwell, carried on, experiencing pretty dreadful weather conditions; it was very wet and muddy with riders of all makes and marques having to be assisted through some sections. Both Arrows eventually succumbed to engine failure – on the road sections, climbing very steep hills, the gearing just wasn’t suited to the conditions and the engines were having to rev hard to make headway.
So not a glorious outcome for the little Arrows. Perhaps with stringent testing beforehand (thus gaining knowledge regarding the gearing and the addition of the internal air slide within the carb to allow for richer running when needed) there could have been a different outcome. All those involved have my deepest respect for all the hard work and dedication put in from the outset.
In 2015, when I took up an interest in finding out more about this venture, I confirmed that all three riders were still alive. Maurice and Tony were living in Kent and Alan was living in Spain, but I have only kept in touch with Tony, who has supplied a great deal of information including copies of letters in circulation prior to the event and map of the route etc. After the event, the Arrow trials machines were sold to the general public and have since disappeared.
Roger James, Tibshelf, Derbyshire.