Rene Opstals SSDT
Having made friends with so many people on my travels to trials around the globe, it’s always interesting to hear a story from the other side of the fence. I had seen and spoken to Rene Opstals around 1988, and we came into contact again when he rode a Ga
1988
This year did not have a particularly good start, as shortly before the ‘Scottish’ my specially prepared Wim Vos Fantic 303 was stolen in Tilff, Belgium. This Fantic was really a replica of the factory models used by Thierry Michaud and Steve Saunders. Weight reduction was carried out wherever possible. Even the cooling fins on the cylinder head and barrel were cut in half. Many titanium parts were used and many holes drilled. We had to arrange for a new 303 with great urgency and be able to prepare it completely! Fortunately, a new one arrived very quickly, and we were able to test again to get used to this engine and setup. We used the Belgian championship trial to prepare for the SSDT.
My sponsor supported the trip, but the problem was that I was only 17 years old, and I did not have a driving license for the UK roads.
A solution for this was quickly found. My training friend, Rini Nijssen, was slightly older and blond like me. He also had a trials license, so we left for Scotland with a flat cap to disguise me and avoid being recognised! Peter Van Enckevort was my teammate, and we competed on the Wim Vos team on the Fantic 303. My dad, Hay Opstals, and trainer, Tjeu Scheurs, a classic rider, was with us in the Mercedes 307 and we took the ferry from Rotterdam to Hull. Our B&B in Fort William was on Achintore Road, which was very close to the paddock.
COLD AND WET
We had heard about the cold and wet conditions, but to be honest, it was all part of this adventure. A little pain in the sport is part of the game, and in my case, it always made me try harder! I must admit though it takes some time to adjust during the six days of riding found in Scotland. Getting used to the six-day course, with entirely different conditions than I ever had encountered before, each day was certainly an eye-opener.
Day one was all about learning how the event runs around the Scottish mountains with the time-card and the delay system which, in truth, is easier than it looks. By day two, I understood the delay time rule, but I found the observing a little hard to accept as in the Netherlands we were hopping and also going backwards in the sections, but in the SSDT it’s a direct five-mark penalty, no questions asked. I had some strange looks from the crowd as I cursed myself in my home language. Fortunately, because they did not understand what I was saying, no offence was taken!
As a young rider, you don’t think about the police speed cameras during the day, but they were there. I was very, lucky but I seem to remember that several riders, including some of the Japanese ones, had been disqualified.
BEN NEVIS
My favourite memory of the 1988 SSDT was the Ben Nevis waterfall sections. What an incredible number of trials fans there were who had ventured into the mountains to watch us! I can still hear how they cheered the riders through the non-stop flowing sections; every year, it was the same.
In the middle part of the week, I drove to the hotel where the Dutch journalist, Toon van De Vliet, and Ferry Brouwer were staying. It was good to catch up with my fellow countrymen, and we had a nice meal and a few ‘Scottish’ drinks. We had a really great night. As Ferry Brouwer worked at Arai crash helmets, I picked up a new sponsor for my trials career.
Looking back, it’s quite funny to think that as you approach the end of the week, you think it’s nearly over – and it nearly was for me. I was
riding too hard and too fast on the many open tracks and moorland, and I had five punctures! I was rushing as my Fantic needed some work on it to complete for the final day. I drove over 20 kilometres with a flat front tyre, which pushed my endurance to the limit. Despite a disappointing last two days, I finished with a first-class award, which took pride of place in my home.
1989
Staying warm was one of the biggest problems. My trainer had suggested I take some ‘heating tablets’ for the long routes on the road on extra cold days. I think it was on the second cold day of snow, rain and mist I took a tablet before breakfast and after five minutes I was on fire – but from inside. I could barely breathe, so I panicked. It was a close call. We were contemplating calling an ambulance, but fortunately, with some breakfast inside me, it all cooled down.
It was a very cold day. I remember that many riders couldn’t get their hands off the handlebars due to the cold! I was well wrapped up for the cold, and at the sections, I decided to remove my jacket before I attempted them, which worked well.
During the day, I managed to miss an entire group of sections, but someone had noticed and told me. I made a U-turn, and I raced back with duct tape over my numbers to avoid anyone noticing. All the corners were cut on the incredible road next to the Loch, maximum speed, and luckily I was able to return to the missed sections without anyone noticing. I quickly removed the duct tape from the numbers and rode the sections without looking. I overtook a Swedish rider, but soon he passed me again as I tired, so I slowed down. A little further on the Swede lay stuck in the swamp, and you could barely see his handlebars! We waited for two more riders so that we could free his Montesa and continue. This is also a wonderful part of the SSDT; the camaraderie and readiness to help each other. After a tough learning week, the reward was another first-class award.
1990
Together with my new teammate, Marco Reit, on the new Wim Vos Beta Zero, we once again arrived in Fort William, but what a journey! Wim Vos Cargo, our sponsor, had arranged a free passage on a freight boat for our crossing.
On the English side, the customs authorities were strictly checking our foreign cargo. We did not have consignment notes, so we had to call the Wim Vos Office. It took a long time before we could continue our long drive towards Fort William, and we made the paddock just in time.
It got worse when our Bed and Breakfast was given to other people as we had arrived late! Fortunately, the SSDT organisers provided us with an alternative hotel. After day two, Marco had engine problems, putting him out of the event. This helped as he gave me the backup support that is so important in the ‘Scottish’.
MY DAY
The hotel was quite upmarket at the time, and we were warned not to polish our boots on the automatic machine in the lobby! Marco took his own chocolate flakes everywhere, including breakfast; this was my ‘Scottish’ food.
On Wednesday on the Ben Nevis sections, I showed my true form and finished as the second-best rider on the day, amongst my good friends, Steve Saunders who had dropped one mark, and Robert Crawford who had also dropped two, I was very happy. Not one flat tyre, no machine problems with the new Beta Zero, and a great stay at the Caledonian Hotel. I had finished in 20th position amongst the best trials riders in the world.
At the end of the week, you could also see on the wallpaper the contours of our riding kit; we had to dry it somewhere! This SSDT result is my best trials memory from my 20-year career. My Special First-Class Awards have been in the living room for years.