Advice on trials

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33052, 20 October 1972, Page 11

Advice on trials

What is a trial? The 1 best definition is probably that set out by the Motorsport Association (M.A.N.Z.)_: “A trial is a competition wherein the main portion of the route is over public highways, roads and streets, and in which the marking of the competition is primarily for adherence to the correct route and maintenance of the prescribed time and/or speed schedule.” The term “rally” is often wrongly applied to a trial. Again, the MANZ, definition makes the difference clear: “A rally is a contest of skill on the part of the drivers and a test

of the reliability of the cars. It is not a race, but a point-to-point timed event with safety being kept in mind at all times.” Marking of the competition is judged by the competitor’s times over sections of road (sometimes called special stages) which are closed to other traffic. A trial, therefore, is largely a navigational event, while a rally is a speed event. Trials instructions comprise navigation directions and the average speed to be followed. This does not mean that "gimmick” events are not trials, and indeed such events (sometimes along "treasure-hunt” lines) form the basis of many social events. In Canterbury last year, more than 100 trials were run under M.A.N.Z. permits. A conservative estimate has put other trials at a similar number. This means up to 250 trials a year, or five a week. While it is not the wish of M.A.N.Z. affiliated clubs to. force organisers of social events to obtain permits for their trials, this would, however, be desirable. Then the M.A.N.Z. area steward could exercise some control over trials which might interfere with each other. There have been cases of three overlapping Sunday trials—with attendant confusion at check cars. This sort of confusion would not occur if all

organisers applied for a M.A.N.Z. permit, since the trial course must be specified in the application, and it is thus an easy matter to be forewarned of any overlap of route and to make the necessary amendments. Furthermore, there is an agreement among the local affiliated clubs regarding certain areas and roads which should not be used for trials. Any member of an affiliated club is debarred under the general M.A.N.Z. regulations from taking part in any event which does not carry a M.A.N.Z. permit. As a guide to organisers, the following are the requirements that must be met by affiliated clubs before a permit will be issued. —Any trial using public or private roads is subject to the Traffic Regulations and the Road Code; all by-laws pertaining to the area; and all regulations set out in the M.A.N.Z. yearbook. This yearbook sets out in detail all rules which govern the conduct of a trial, and has been compiled with the purpose of establishing a consistent standard of organisation throughout New Zealand. It is subject to annual review and amendment, always seeking to remove ambiguities, anomalies, and misinterpretations. The chief reasons why trials are not the success the organiser expects are because the supplementary regulations (rules of the trial) and competitors’ running instructions are not clear, simple and concise, because the route selected is unreasonably difficult or damaging to cars, because the speeds required are too high, or because too much difficult navigation is required. Trialling is one type of motor-sport in which the average motorist in an average car can compete quite successfully. No sophisticated equipment will keep you on course. Average speeds should never be more than 50 m.p.h. on the open highway, and considerably less than this when navigational checks have to be made. Lower speeds should apply to shingle roads—no more than 40 m.p.h.—while the speed through 30 m.p.h. areas should be no more than 26 m.ph., even this being much too high in some areas. A second article will deal with the more detailed aspects of both organising and competing in a trial. Toledo discs British Leyland has an-i nounced several changes to I the Triumph Toledo, includ-j ing the introduction of disci brakes for the front wheels, two-speed windscreen wipers, and electric screenwashers.

This article has been prepared by officers of the Canterbury Car Club because of the great interest now being shown in car trials. This interest comes not just from established motorsport clubs, but also from other associations and organisations, many of which run car trials in order to raise funds.. There are pit falls for both the organisers and the competitors in some of these "'unofficial" trials, hence this article.