1967 Berkshire Intl.Two-Day Trial
1967 BERKSHIRE INTL.TWO-DAY TRIAL
FOR SOME, AN ISDT WARM-UP; FOR ARTHUR B., "A BIT TYME"
JOHN WAASER
EVER SINCE THAT unknown caveman invented the wheel, man has been trying to prove himself faster than his fellow man. At times, a strong feeling of nationalism has caused the people from one area to challenge those from other areas. This feeling has long run strong among New England motorcyclists, and sparkplug Bob Hicks, editor of Cycle Sport, has invited West-coasters, Canadians, and anyone else to try their best riders against the New Englanders. Last year, after Torsten Hallman appeared at a New England scrambles, Bob and several of his ilk formed a group known as Intersport — strictly for the promotion of scrambles and woods events of international status.
This year, and for their first promotional attempt, the group took over the running of the Berkshire International Trials, a two-day enduro in the western Massachusetts community of Becket. Becket is a resort town, with summer guests staying in "Sherwood Forest," and many nearby camps, and in winter, skiing enthusiasts flock to the Happyland ski area. The middle of May is sort of between seasons, and the Happyland area makes a perfect spot from which to start an enduro, with lots of camping facilities, plenty of room for special test sections, and many interesting trails in the surrounding area. This was the third annual "Berkshire," which was started when Al Eames suggested to Bob Hicks that we should have an enduro based on ISDT practices, to get the New England boys accustomed to running this sort of thing. When men of this caliber get together, words lead to actions, and before long, the Berkshire International Trials was born. The stated purpose of the meet was to provide a practice ground for Americans planning on riding the ISDT. Since ISDT veterans have ridden each of the Berkshire events, the organizers have been able to take suggestions, and work them into the next year's event to the point where the event is now of true six-days caliber.
This year, with an international challenge motocross meet and an event in Hamilton, Ontario, immediately following the trial, there existed a good threeevent schedule capable of luring European riders to these shores. Bob Hicks arranged to have Greeves works rider Arthur Browning, plus Greeves competition manager Bill Brooker sent over for the trio of events, and Bultaco importer John Taylor arranged for Oriol Bulto, son of the doctor Bulto, to attend. Of the three, Browning had never before entered an enduro, while Brooker had ridden many British and Continental events, including the revered Six Days. American riders with Six Days experience included John Penton and John Taylor. Although this event carried no AMA points status, the presence of such riders as Dick Mann and John Penton certainly gave it national prominence as well.
The event proper consisted of two enduro sections, one of which was ridden twice each day. This kept the farthest point much closer to the start than in previous years, simplifying the logistical problems of running an enduro, such as gas stops, getting in disabled riders, etc. Also, since the second half of the event was canceled last year, due to rain and mud in prodigious quantities, the shorter courses this year allowed organizers to select trails which would be ridable even after the spring thaw. As AÍ Eames explains it, the mud, right after the thaw, is especially treacherous because it is honeycombed, and quickly turns to goo.
This year, the three weeks or so prior to the enduro were very cold and rainy throughout New England. This may have helped the situation some, according to Al, as the rain drives down the mud and packs it. To achieve the sought-for "Gold," a rider must complete all of the enduro sections with no marks lost. A silver medal is awarded to those riders losing 25 or fewer marks on the enduro sections, regardless of how well they do on the special test sections. A bronze medal is awarded to those who finish the enduro sections within one hour of their allotted time.
In addition to the enduro sections, special tests take place at various points along the run. These included two acceleration and braking tests, in which the riders had to accelerate from rest, and then stop within a 10-foot area. Speed and stopping accuracy determine the score. Top three scores were averaged, ISDT-fashion, to get a key time, which, if equalled or bettered, got the rider the maximum 100 points for the test. Also included were a mile-long twisting hillclimb, speed test, and a cross-country speed section. To be eligible for a gold medal, the rider must obtain a total score on all special test sections of at least 75 per cent of the top rider's total score. Silver medalists must have a total score of 50 per cent of the top test score, and bronze medalists must obtain at least 25 per cent of the top combined score. Failure to start on time either day resulted in a loss of 10 bonus points.
One rule which resulted in much confusion was that on this event you do not check in to a checkpoint, you check out. This means that if you arrive at a checkpoint early, there is no penalty, and you are free to do any necessary repairs to the machine. Particularly at the last check of the day, this is the thing to do, as you are not allowed to start your engine prior to your start time on the next morning, and your machine is impounded immediately after this check. Failure to turn over your machine, or starting the engine before your start time the next morning results in a loss of one enduro mark, thus eliminating all chances for a "gold." On the morning of the second day, the rider can take his bike from the parc fermé, where they are impounded, up to 15 minutes before start time. Most top riders used this time to change their chain, as this is one item which really gets abused in a run like this.
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The most successful machines for this type of event, as for any type, really, seem to be the light-heavy two-strokes. Overall winner John Penton rode a 360cc Husqvarna, and many other top riders were on the 250-400cc ring-dings. They are light, and possess a good spread of power. Unfortunately, they are not sparing in their use of petrol, and while Bultaco had the dubious honor of leaving the most riders stranded last year, the honor clearly went to Husqvarna this year. One Husky rider grafted a Honda CL-160 tank with a very neatly added hump on top, while yet another fitted a large British tank to his machine.
Most changes made to the machines are for reliability, and include air cleaners mounted as high as possible, extra rear chain oilers, water-proofed electrics, spare cables routed alongside of the main ones, tools and spare levers strapped to all handy places on the machine, etc. One Bultaco had the shift and brake levers neatly safety-chained to the bash plate under the engine. If they should happen to fall off, they will not be lost. Another popular modification was to use a bungee cord or spare chain links to bring the clutch and brake levers in closer to the bars. This shortens the effective stroke of these levers, but makes them easier to reach in a hurry.
Since this was Arthur Browning's first attempt at riding an enduro, we were most interested in his impressions. At the end of the first day's run, he replied that it was "a bit tyme," in a full cockney accent. Scrambles ace Fuzz Ferguson, standing by, had to translate the "tame" for us.
The next day Browning reckoned that it would "loosen me up for next week." His riding companion Bill Brooker stated that the event fulfilled its stated aim well, and that a very good six days could be run from Becket — that the terrain was just right for it. The only complaint Bill had was that hotel accommodations for the 1,500 people at a six-days were not available in the area.
The two Britishers finished first and third in the 250cc class, and, except for their porridge bowl helmets, they proved to be far more professional than the American riders, and far more businesslike. They could not get over the spirit of camaraderie among the American riders,
and the willingness to help a fellow rider in trouble. It's "to each his own" over there.
John Taylor, who is relinquishing his presidency of Cemoto East Importing Co. to build an American-framed machine under the name Yankee, entered two factory teams. The Yankee team — on Bultacos for the event — consisted of Taylor, AMA pro star Dick Mann, Jim Corpe and Ron Jeckel. The Cemoto team of Bultaco riders consisted of Pete Van Loan, Don Wheaton, Larry Welsh and Bill Dutcher. Both teams had fair luck.
The Greeves team, with Browning and Brooker as its only strong cards, sort of fizzled.
Other trade teams were strictly dealer entered — Boehler Greeves and Penton motorcycles. John Penton led his boys to a very clear-cut team victory, losing no points for lateness, and gaining top bonus points. Penton, an ISDT veteran, was overall winner on his Husky, amassing 500 points (a perfect score) as well as highest bonus score. The Rams MC of Connecticut, with four teams entered, did the best of the club entries, as they did last year.
Consensus among the top riders was that the event was tough — but no more so than an enduro like Jack Pine or Sandy Lane. Winner Penton opined that, in comparison, ISDT scrutineering was stricter and the special tests more demanding. Americans planning to have a go at the ISDT probably benefited from this year's Two-Day, especially in regard to terrain. But, they should not predict their chances in the ISDT on the basis of their performance in the Berkshire. Translated, that means things could be tougher.
