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| TORBAY MOTOR CLUB > News > Torbay Trial |
Torbay Trial
Torbay Motor Club ventures into Classic Trials. After a break of around 14 years the Torbay Trial has been resurrected and will run as a Trial Championship event on Like to know a little more about Trials? Firstly, the point has to be made that Classic Trials are not just for Classic Cars although many do take part What is “Classic” about Classic Trials is the format of the events. Today’s Classic Trial reflects the style that was prevalent in the 1930s, prior to Rallying, when works teams from Ford, Austin, Singer, MG and others battled it out for advertising honours over long distances and the steep muddy slopes of the country. The route is used primarily to get from one Observed Section (usually a steep muddy or rocky lane) to the next and the timing is used mainly to keep the whole event on some sort of schedule rather than as a way of penalising competitors. Many of these Observed Sections are the same ones which were used at that time and are still as capable of challenging modern vehicles as they were then. Most modern classic trials cover 60 to 80 miles on the roads between the Observed Sections. There are usually 12 to 18 Sections on each event with a variety of different surfaces to test the driver's skills. The events are scored by markers at the side of the section, numbered from 12 at the bottom down to 1 at the top. Marks are scored by getting a front wheel past the marker, so that if the car stops between the 3 and the 4 marker, 3points are scored. At the end of the day the driver with the lowest score is the winner. Sometimes sections will include a Stop & Restart Test. If you remember the trauma of the hill start when you were learning to drive, this gives you some idea of this test, but now you are asked to do the same on a 1-in-4 hill on thick mud or greasy rock, without the car rolling back. In addition there is usually a tie deciding speed test to resolve competition between drivers who have scored the same number of penalties. Classic Trials are one of the friendliest forms of motor sport and it is very common to find a crew working on a car with the assistance of someone with whom they are directly competing. All the trials that are run have a tremendous sense of history, and one of the main appeals of the sport is that it can be competitive on whatever level you prefer. For more information on the events, getting started, vehicle preparation, car classes and large gallery of photographs please visit the ACTC and ASWMC Websites: www.actc.org.uk and www.aswmc.org.uk/trials If you’re interested either as driver or a navigator/passenger and would like to find out more please contact Keith on 07766558700 or email Keith.Sanders@ksa-uk.com
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