Category Archives: Bikes

Regs are now available for the 2022 Exmoor Trial, to be held on Sunday 13th of March.

2022 Exmoor Trial Regs (CARS)
2022 Exmoor Trial Regs (BIKES)

Entries are open and must be done online from the ENTRY FORM link at www.ndmc.org.uk, however if this is a problem please contact the Entry Secretary.

Start Venue : Porte Farm, Kentisbury, Barnstaple, EX31 4NL

As the present ACTC Motorcycle Co-Ordinator, I have recently been asked about some discrepancies which have showed up in the supplementary regulations for bikes on some events which have regs out already for 2019.

To try and clear some points up this is how the ACTC Classic Trials Series – Rules and Regulations (Appendix B1) stand at this moment in time. This is NOT the whole appendix just some answers to the questions I have been asked.

Class A. This is for British built motorcycles, frame and engine, pre 1970.

All Classes A to C. The minimum wheelbase is 1320mm. Therefore such models as the Montessa 4Ride, Ossa Explorer and TRS XTrack are permitted in Class. The previous 1350mm wheel base rule was changed in January 2018 as technically some older but popular bikes such as the Yamaha Serrow XT225 were a tad short!

Sidecars. To comply to Class D rules sidecars must have a nose cone fitted and a seat for the passenger. If an Enduro outfit is entered minus nosecone it should be classed as Class X.

Tyres. All bikes should be using trials block pattern tyres front and rear (ACU regs TSR8). These are tyres with block tread pattern no more than 13mm deep, a spacing of no more than 9.5 mm between blocks and 13mm between rows of blocks. To easily summarise – No Enduro style tyre, especially rear, or Maxxis Trialmaxx tyres. (thank good old KTM for getting that tyre produced!) Again if a bike is presented at scrutineering running incorrect tyres, it should be classed as Class X or not permitted to compete in the case of an aggressive Enduro rear tyre! Class C (450cc +) can use Continental TKC80 and Michelin T63 tyres due to the difficulty in finding suitable rubber for the wheel rim sizes they normally run.

All of these rules can be found on the ACTC web site. To clarify these are the present rules stated for ACTC events. Effective from 1 January 2018. The ACU Trail Bike championship has variations on these regs (Wheelbase, fuel tank size and seat length).

If in the future these regulations are amended, well that’s for discussion at a later date and if any club wishes any guidance for scrutineers and motorcycles please contact me and I will assist as necessary.

Chris Barham

Below is a newsletter from the ACU. Clubs with Bike entries please take particular note of the items : ‘Risk Assessment’ and ‘Signing On and checking of ACU Licences/Trials Registration’

ACU Newsletter March 2018

Hi guys, I’m back. It was quite an adventure, but for once didn’t feature bikes.

By now most of you will know that I’ve expressed my wish to retire from this job the AGM in September, or sooner a replacement can be found before then. I’d like to thank all those that have sent messages of gratitude and appreciation for the work I have done. Thank you

On the flights to & and from NZ there was plenty of time to think – over 60 hours of it. I reached the conclusion (partly due to the numerous positive messages received), that I owe you a brief explanation (its not because the job is ‘too hard’ as one old wag suggested). By being ‘in post’ I had contact with a lot of people, mostly great folk working hard for the sport – its been a priviledge.  However, I’ve felt like the proverbial round peg in a square hole – that most of the resources I’ve invested (time, effort and money) have been wasted. There are irreconcilable differences in approach and outlook between myself and senior management of the ACTC. By senior management I mean some of the senior officers and clubs. I could go into greater detail but that would risk making matters too personal. A body such as the ACTC is a really good thing to establish consistency across the independent clubs running trials.

I really enjoy this form of trialling and believe the format should be protected, but the organisation needs sorting out – I find the Chairman’s comments in the recent Restart ‘interesting’. I would like to see Classic Trials (aka LDT’s) flourish & spread, and believe this can be achieved.

So, I hope that someone is found to take over and wish them well. I intend to carry on riding the events I can and if I can help with specific matters I will, so please get in touch.

Now that this slot has been established it would be a shame to not continue it. I’m hoping that until a replacement is found for me you guys will send bits in to fill it. If you send them to me I’ll compile them. If you want your name with held please say so & I’ll honour that request.

The North is a busy place next month (May) with events in Yorkshire & County Durham – both excellent events. So come on you not so soft southerners – treat yourself & enter. You may find the north not so grim – I came from Kent 44 years ago & am still enthralled by the countryside & friendly folk up here, and you’ll see both of them by entering these trials.

Graham –  [email protected]