The Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT), the oldest surviving motorbike trial competition in the World, celebrated its centenary year in 2011 when it returned to the Highland town of Fort William from Monday 2 May to Saturday 7 May.
For six very special days 270 riders, both professional and amateur, from around the UK and across the globe did battle in the purest test of man and machine. The fight to be ‘King of the Highlands’ in May was a fierce affair as irrespective of past or current status every rider competing was fully aware of the incredible prestige and exposure that winning the 100th edition of the SSDT would bring.
The sport of motorcycle trials is a test of riding skill over observed sections where the winner is determined by skill alone. When competitors ride each of the thirty testing sections every day their feet must remain on the footrests of the motorcycle. They must negotiate steep gullies, slippery rock steps, rocky streams and boulder-strewn gorges. Sections vary in length and severity, and riders are penalised if they put their feet down to help them ride the section, and more so if they fail to negotiate the section in its entirety.
The Scottish Six Days Trial has the additional test of reliability over long distances, with riders completing up to 100 miles each day over a combination of rough moorland, rocky tracks and public roads; designed to challenge the ability, experience, strength and stamina of each rider and the reliability of the bike.
Over the last century thousands of riders have made this special journey to the enthralling and unmatched landscape of Lochaber - The Outdoor Capital of the UK, for a chance to tackle the unique and challenging Scottish Highland terrain alongside local riders who relish the opportunity to take on the World’s best on their home turf. However only the select few have the honour of having had their name etched on the famous winners’ trophy.
The Scottish Six Days Trial actually originated as a five-day reliability trial back in July 1909, before being extended to a six-day competition a year later. However the start of the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) proper as organised by the then newly formed Edinburgh and District Motor Club began in 1911. In those early years the trial started and finished in Edinburgh with the route taking the riders to John O’Groats and back over the course of the week. Fort William was introduced as the hub for the event in 1938, although the start and finish remained in Edinburgh, which continued to be the case until all links with the Scottish city were cut in 1977. Today the SSDT consists of six different daily routes that total approximately five hundred miles, which begin and end in Fort William each day.
Funders, Sponsors and Supporters - 2011
Event Scotland - www.eventscotland.org, Highland Council - www.highland.gov.uk, Putoline Oil - www.putoline.com, Lift Control - www.liftcontrol.co.uk, Birkett MotoSport Ltd - www.birkettmotosportukltd.co.uk, John Lee Motorcycles - www.lee-motorcycles.co.uk, Off Road Moto - www.offroadmoto.co.uk, Thistle Access - www.thistleaccess.co.uk, Highland Leisure Sport - www.highlandleisuresport.co.uk, Talon Engineering - www.talon-eng.co.uk, Oximoto - www.oximoto.com
