Alan Hayes and Alan Bennett show grim determination over a difficult section
This article appeared in MCN around 1975, it did not reflect exactly what I wrote in my letter but Journo's can't help embelishing the truth and leaving out important bits!
TRIALS BOOM IN NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA
ANYONE who wonders just why Mick Wilkinson should be heading out to the wilds of South Africa for a trials riding demo should appreciate that in that country, as well as everywhere else, trials are enjoying a big boom.
I've just had a letter from former England resident Alan Hayes who's now working in Natal. He tells me that not only are trials bikes big business, but that clubs exist specifically for trials riders. In his club there are over 50 riding members and he tells me most events attract around 40 competitors.
When Alan first went out to Natal some 10 years ago the majority of machines were modified Bantams. But now there is a full range of Japanese and Spanish hardware available.
Biggest aggravation is the fact that all trials have to take place entirely on private ground as the bikes are illegal for road use.
In Natal, not only must all machines used on the road have mirrors and lights, but also anything over 200cc must be fitted with crash bars front and back.
Alan is trying desperately to get sidecar trials moving. He has his own machine and is busily building another so that he will, at least have one man to ride against.
With only one sidecar in the whole of Natal, Alan Hayes does most of his riding on a solo.
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