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12th July 2008
Please send in YOUR story of the 24hr
If you have a story to tell, why not send it in (check out previous years for some ideas). We especially like to hear about how the riders went, but it could also be about a how a control got started, why you got involved; anything! Note that stories will only be published if suitable.
Send to webmaster@24hrtrial.org  

9th July 2008
WELCOME TO THE 2008 YAMAHA 24 HOUR RELIABILITY TRIAL
A new era of sorts greets all who are involved with the 2008 Yamaha 24 Hour Reliability Trial, due to the fact that after 41 years, there is no John Richardson input into this years event. John, and wife Cynthia, stepped down last year and while John and Cynthia will be missed it is an exciting time for the event with new faces coming in with new ideas, all who are keen to see the 24 Hour Trial continue towards its 100th birthday in 2024.

A big thank you from everybody to John and Cynthia for all of your efforts over the last 41 years.

This year sees Yamaha in their third year of sponsorship and we welcome them back with open arms.

An interesting footnote is that it is now 40 years since a purpose built trail bike first entered the ‘24’, you guessed it a Yamaha DT1 250, ridden in 1968 by Peter Millsteed for Pitmans Motorcycles. We also welcome Peter back to the 24 Hour this year as he has accepted the role of guest starter for the event, and guest speaker at the presentation dinner. Peter is also the only man to win the event 5 times in succession, something our reigning winner, Shane Diener, is trying to accomplish this year. If Shane can top the scoreboard again this year he will also become the first person to win the event 10 times. A remarkable record.

In the sidecar class Dave Manuel will be out to record win number 7 and move ahead of the legendary Ron Ophel as the most successful sidecar rider in the events long history. Dave’s passenger again this year, Tony Tscharke, already owns the passenger record and will be aiming for win number 6 this year.

Good luck to all who are entering the 2008 Yamaha 24 Hour Reliability Trial, we hope your event goes off well and you reach the finish on Sunday.

To all the Club’s and volunteers (some 500 of you) who make this event possible year after year, thank you for your time. The event could not run without you!  

Anyway, as they say in the classics; Lets get on with the ‘really big show’, so; Gentlemen, and Ladies – START YOUR ENGINES!    

BITS & PIECES ABOUT THE DRAW
As far as can be researched, 2008 sees the largest field ever to front the starter in the 24 Hour Trial, and the largest since 1994. 163 entries have been received for the event, and with the gaps between classes the last rider, Nathan Simpson, will ride with number 190 on his bike. This means laps 1 & 4 will take just over 3 hours to go through each control (if everyone is on time!)  

Longevity this year sees Neil Russack start for the 42nd consecutive time. With Lew Dowsett stating that last year was his last, Neil now stands alone with the most starts in the All Nighter! Well done Neil, and good luck in reaching the finish, with new passenger, Dane Gilbert.   Fast Fred Weckert is back this year for start number 31. After missing only 2 trials in 32 years, Fred, for the first time, fronts up this year on a factory sidecar frame, after all of his previous sidecar starts had been on home built outfits. The 1984 & 1989 winner, and 15 time top 5 finisher will once again have Damien Nash holding the chair wheel down.   A little birdy has said that this is Shane Diener’s 20th start in the 24 Hour. If he wins this year he will have a 50% strike rate when it comes to winning, 10 wins in 20 years! Over those 20 years Shane has only failed to finish twice, for a 90% finishing record!

WELCOME TO THE ‘24’s FIRST INTERNATIONAL!
2008 sees the 24 Hour Trial welcome its first international competitor in New Zealander, Christopher Power.

Chris is one of New Zealand’s finest enduro riders and has had success here in Australia in the past at the A4DE, with 3 Gold and a Silver Medal to his credit. When the International Six Day Enduro World Championship was held in NZ Chris was the 5th Kiwi home, earning himself a Silver Medal in the process. Chris, who is also a full time journo for New Zealand’s biggest dirt bike magazine, “Dirt Rider Downunder”, is the partner of Alicia Oye, who is the sister of Tom, one of our intrepid posties from last year.    

Cheers Andrew

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Hope you are all ready for this weekend