Category Archives: Trial News

Trial News

2026 HC2DT All Change!

Main photo by Iain Lawrie of North East’s Colin Ward (250cc Honda) the Post 1977 twinshock class winner at the 2025 trial.

As part of the recent review of the Inverness & District Motor Cycle Club Ltd, it was decided at the Annual General Meeting on 8th December, to create a new subcommittee to organise and promote the Highland Classic Two Day Trial, which is now under the direct control of the limited company.

This ensures that the popular event, held on Alvie Estate, receives the required planning and promotion going forward. The committee will meet separately from the club committee and report directly to the new chairman, Brian Mackay.

The main trial officials: John Moffat will continue in his role as Event Co-ordinator, Entries Secretary and also Treasurer and Company Secretary; the Secretary of the Trial will be Mieke de Vos; Clerks of Course are Stewart Anderson & Gordon Murray.

Event Co-ordinator John Moffat said: “It is great news that the Highland Classic is granted its own committee. This will help the club greatly, which is predominantly a ‘modern’ trial club, it will allow those who have a direct interest in twinshock and Pre65 trialing to move ahead. The Highland Classic is a successful event which provides a significant financial contribution to the club and limited company. Forming a bespoke committee is a massive step forward and recognition of the trials’ status in the calendar. David Edes has taken over the position of Clubs Secretary, allowing me to concentrate on the treasurer’s duties and that of the limited company.“

Trial News

David Page award announced

With the blessing of the Page family, the Highland Classic Two day Trial has a new award for 2026.

The DAVID PAGE MEMORIAL Challenge Award – for the best performance by a competitor under 35 years of age competing on either the A or B routes*.

April 1992 – Jordi Tarres with David Page (Photo: Page Family Collection)

David Page was a remarkable rider, coached by his multi ISDT gold medalist and Scottish Scrambles Champion father, Ernie Page.

Scarborough 1985 – David Page on the Monyam. Photo: Page Family Collection.

David was brilliant right from the day he threw his leg over a motorcycle, in fact when he was a beginner, his father had to build him special bikes because of his small stature. But his stature was huge, beating regularly expert adult riders when competing in the same event.

David Page on the development Fantic 80 Trial – Photo: Page Family Collection.

FanticMotor in Italy sent a frame, some wheels, forks and engines to Edinburgh and between Ernie and David, they single handedly developed the Fantic 80 Trial for the factory.

The most famous David Page machine was his Monyam, a Montesa 25 chassis fitted with a TY80 Yamaha engine.

1993 – David Page on the new Team Hamilton Yamaha TYZ. (Photo: Page Family Collection)

Before David succumbed to luekaemia, he had secured a contract to ride for the UK based ‘Hamilton Yamaha’ team on the new TYZ Yamaha mono machine, after having two seasons as an adult on the TY250R monoshock bike. David was a Scottish Youth Trials champion.

Sadly David died at his home near Edinburgh, surrounded by his family after a brave fight against luekaemia in 1993, aged nineteen years.

David with champion father, Ernie Page at their home near Edinburgh – Photo: Page Family Collection.

The organisers of the Highland Classic are delighted to be able to present this new award in David Page’s memory to the best under 35 rider on either the A or B routes*. We thank the Page family most sincerely for permitting the club to name the award in David’s remembrance.

* Note: The lowest individual number of marks will determine the best performance on either of the two routes A or B. If there is a tie in any class or award, the oldest competitor will be declared the best performer.

Trial News

New Awards for 2025

Highland Classic News!

We will have two new annual awards this year at the Highland Classic. For the ‘Laird Jamie’s Challenge’, for the best performance by a rider over 35 years of age competing on the shortened B Route, the winner will be awarded the ‘Schreiber Cup‘ which will be donated by 1979 World Trials Champion, Bernie Schreiber. A suitable cup is currently being sourced. The winner will be posted glassware to keep.

Secondly, for the best performance by a B Route rider, over 35 years of age, the Peter Valente Memorial Quaich. This award is being presented to the club by Peter Valente’s brother Simon, who was also a trials rider. Again, the winner will be posted glassware to keep.

BSA/Triumph Edition, Trial News

Bernie Returns in June

1979 FIM World Trials Champion, Bernie Schreiber, the only American to win the championship, makes a welcome return to the Highland Classic and Alvie Estate this year!

Bernie is celebrating 45 years since his history changing win, having defeated 3 times world champion, Yrjo Vesterinen, also a former guest of the Highland Classic.

Bernie stated on his facebook page: “I am delighted my entry has been accepted to ride the 2024 Highland Classic Two Day Trial – BSA/Triumph Edition.
This will be my third attendance since 2019 on an SWM, 2023 on Bultaco and a BSA for 2024.
Thank you to John Moffat for the opportunity once again to ride one of your unique machines.
My thanks also to the Inverness & District Motor Cycle Club for organising the The Friendliest Classic Trial in Scotland. – See you in Scotland!”

Trial News

New Trial Partners for 2024

The Highland Classic has a history of working with our ‘Trial Partners’ who help make the event a success.

This year we celebrate the BSA / TRIUMPH Edition:

This year we welcome back Moto SWM who were our partner for the 2018 SWM Edition.

And welcome on board for 2024, Hodge Plant Ltd:

Along with 7even Construction of Aviemore, a local business near to Alvie Estate:

Plus our existing Partners:

Rockshocks who will supply some prizes.

Highland Temporary Works who provide the display centre at the Trial HQ.

REH Forks Ltd, provide a prize for the best perforamce by a rider using REH forks.

Gavin Cairns Roughcasting who this year will supply the number boards for all the riders and officials.

RAD Decals who provide the event stickers:

and InMotion the Trials Specialist, prizes for the event.

Trial News

Ray Sangster Trophy

It’s that time of year when motorcycle clubs start making plans for the sporting season ahead, Inverness & District are no different!

We are making some detailed changes to the Highland Classic BSA/Triumph Edition for next year, the main one being that we will have a new trophy to present, named the ‘Ray Sangster Memorial Trophy’ for the best performance in the trial – yes, that’s right an overall winner!

The winner will be the competitor who competes on the A Route and on a Twinshock, the rationale being that Ray Sangster was a founder/member of the Inverness & District club and rode such machines as Moto Gori, Bultaco, hence what we now refer to as ‘twinshocks’.

Ray was also the person who approached Laird Jamie Williamson to run motorcycle trials on Alvie Estate, so we have a lot to thank Ray for.

We are currently discussing the way to address any over-subscription for the entries for the 2024 trial, it may be that we now try the ballot method as we have relied on a ‘first come, first served’ method since the trial became a two day affair many years ago. This would mean that entries would open online at 8pm on Thursday, 1st February as planned and close 14 days later, to give everyone sufficient time to apply.

Entry fees will be due whenever the rider’s entry is accepted/confirmed and is very likely to be £70 – £75 as we have not increased the entry fee since Covid in 2020.
Full details are, as usual be announced on the event facebook page and this website, links as attached below.
Kind regards and have a super festive season when it comes!
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/HighlandClassicTwoDay

John Moffat Entries Secretary – Highland Classic Two Day Trial 2024 – The BSA/TRIUMPH Edition – 8/9 June
“The Friendliest Classic Trial in Scotland”

Suzuki Edition, Trial News

2023 Over and Out

Well, that’s the Highland Classic over for another year and it just goes to show that you don’t need to travel to Costa Brava or Andorra to get sunshine, you can drive to Aviemore and get a nice trial and good weather too!

A few comments were raised as to why we don’t have the cheese/wine/beer stop nowadays. Quite simple, there are licensing issues dispensing alcohol and the risk that if anyone had too much and was involved in a subsequent RTA, the club could be under scrutiny, so sorry about that. I’m sure you all enjoyed the catering laid on by our friends at Ness Highland Catering, headed by Samantha.

Next year we are planning some improvements to help increase competitor enjoyment, so watch this space. AND… we will host the BSA/Triumph Edition with guests who rode for these factories! I can’t thank enough those who were involved, the Trial Partners, suppliers, the observers and anyone who helped make our event a success.

Thanks go to NIGEL BIRKETT who was a terrific Guest of Honour for the Suzuki Edition and won his class too!

Last but not least, Laird Jamie Williamson of Alvie & Dalraddy Estates Ltd and his team for allowing us to carry on even after they suffered a major fire just 4 days beforehand. We also hope to use the Trial HQ again next year as it ticked all the boxes.

Finally! We will be sending out a questionaire to all participants by e-mail, be sure and reply with any constructive comments please.

Yours in Sport, John Moffat Entries Secretary HC2DT and IDMCC Ltd, General Secretary.

(Photo Credit: Scottish Enduros/Charlie MacKenzie)