Twinshock trials sidecar 1975 or 1974

[David Lahey]

At the time the NDMTC formed, the first president (John Hunwick) had a trials outfit that used his 325 Sherpa T. Here it is with rider John Hunwick and passenger Shorty Hall and both were founders of the club. This sidecar was usually put to use for carting the section marker pegs around when we were setting and dismantling sections (wooden tomato stakes are very heavy en masse).
For those with an interest in who is connected with whom, Shorty is Jason Cunliffe's uncle.
I took this photo at the first ACU trial run by the NDMTC at Ron Boyle's Upper Lacey's Creek property near Dayboro. I can't remember if it was 1975 or 1974.

[Peter Paice]

Hi David

In 1976 for a bit of variety I built my own Yamaha trials outfit using the 360 motor. I still keep it for fun. For those solo riders who have never tried an outfit, they are unbelievably hard to ride. The guys who compete regularly on them are heros! As I remember, the absolute legend in sidecars was Nip Kershner from SA. I had a bad habit of using my elbow to stop my passenger doing a handstand over the sidecar when we came to an abrupt halt in a section! I only rode outfits for half a season, but had a great time doing it. As sidecars have always been very popular, I’m sure there are heaps of other old pics around. Accompanying photos from 1974 Aussie Title near Casino, northern NSW. Robert Gough is riding the outfit, and I believe his son still rides an outfit now. He was a champion sidecar rider, but sorry I can’t remember the name of his passenger.

The water hazzard became folklore after this trial because it was as deep as it was wide and because there was no room to get up any speed, most people ended up in it! Too deep to ride through, very difficult to jump across. I found a successful way around the waterhole, but had to wait till no other riders were watching. Not sure if Frank Hull made it right across the waterhole in this attempt.

[David Lahey]

The bloke in Robert Gough's chair is Gary Jackson. Gary sure had great hair.
I used to ride at the local dirt-bike spots with Gary Jackson's younger brother Bruce when we were school kids. A few years ago, Bruce started riding trials again (on a modern bike).
Robert Gough later rode sidecars with Maurice Blanchard, who now is the passenger with Robert Gough's son Justin. Justin and Maurice are multi-time Aussie sidecar champs.

[gmandas]

The son of the absolute trials legend, Nip Kuerschner, is Todd, who with his passenger, Steve Sparkes is still actively competing and has a couple of Oz Titles under his belt.


Cheers,
G