ISDT 1948: Event reports –‘the Motor Cycle’

Recently arrived at the Speedtracktales Checkpoint central was the two issues of ‘the Motor Cycle’ of 16th and 23rd September 1948 with a full report on the opening of the ISDT 1948, which was held at San Remo, Italy.

The British Trophy Team. Left to right: C.N. Rogers (346 Royal Enfield); Allan Jefferies (498 Triumph), captain; J Williams (499 Norton); B.H.M. Viney (498 AJS); Vic Brittain (346 Royal Enfield) ISDT 1948

You can read both of the articles by following this link to our issuu.com library.

16th September 1948 – the Motor Cycle

23rd September 1948 – the Motor Cycle

The following summary of the event appeared in the editorial of the Motor Cycle 23rd September 1948

BRITAIN WINS INTERNATIONAL

Sweeping Victories In the Most Important Trial of the Year

WHlLE there have been International Six Days’ Trials over even worse road surfaces than those included in the event which ended last Sunday at San Remo, there has never been a more grueling event. The fact that 81 of the 151 who started retired during the week is a  commentary in itself. Any rider who retained a clean sheet and thus gained his gold medal can be very proud of himself. Not only has he shown outstanding skill,  but a high degree of courage.

The maker of his machine can be proud, too, because the “International” is a test  of destruction – just that. What makes it so is the average speeds demanded. Even the most famous riders in the world had the utmost difficulty in achieving the time schedule. They were riding beyond the safety limit over many of the 1,272 road miles.

Special congratulations go out to the British Trophy Team which, by losing no marks, won the contest among national teams easily, and to the manufacturers of their machines:- A. Jeffries (Triumph), C.N.Rogers (Royal Enfield), V.N.Brittain (Royal Enfield), B.H.M.Viney (A.J.S.) and J.Williams (Norton). No fewer than seven nations competed for this coveted  award.

Efficient Organization

In the Silver Vase competition Britain, too, was the winner with her No.1 team which also lost no marks:- P.H.Alves (Triumph). C.M. Ray (Ariel) and W.J.Stocker (RoyalEnfield). For this there were eight countries competing and no fewer than 15 teams.

In addition a British manufacturers’ team was one of the only two of such teams to finish without loss of marks and the British Sunbeam Club gained the first and second places in the club team contest. Of the 26 Gold Medals awarded to riders who completed the course without loss of marks, 11 of those medals were won by British riders and machines.

A word must be said, also, of the many who journeyed from England to help as team officials and assist our riders. Finally, congratulations to the Federazione Motociclistica Italiana whose organization of the event, while not flawless, was extraordinarily efficient having regard to their being given the task only some four months ago.

The below images of the riders and event appeared in the two articles covering the opening day and the full event report

Photo – Charlie Rogers wheels his 346cc Royal Enfield [GWP 369] outside the British riders’ depot. Others to be seen are Allen Jeffries, team captain, and Len Heath, team manager. ISDT 1948

photo – An “International” competitor of long standing – Dr R. L. Galloway (Triumph) ISDT 1948

photo – At the weighing-in on Monday. Press wallet in hand, the Editor, Mr Arthur B. Bourne, looks at A.F. Gaymer’s Triumph. Peering straight into the camera is G. Eighteen. ISDT 1948

photo – British ‘A’ Vase team. Left to right: W.J. Stocker (499 Royal Enfield); C.M.Ray (497 Ariel); P.H. Alves (498 Triumph) ISDT 1948

phto – the British Vase ‘B’ team F.M. Rist (348 BSA); J Blackwell (499 Norton); A.F.Gaymer (498 Triumph) ISDT 1948

photo – fresh from his victory in the Grand Prix des nations last Sunday – M. Masserini with his 250cc Gilera. ISDT 1948

photo – Trophy team reprseenting Czechoslovakia, last year’s winners. The riders are, left to right, C. Kohlicek (125 CZ), J Pastika (125 CZ) V Stanislav, R. Dusil and J. Bednar (250 Jawa machines)

more images to follow shortly