1. International six-day trip

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Keswick in the Lake District , site of the 1st International Six Day Voyage

The 1st International Six Day Voyage took place from August 18 to 23, 1913 in Carlisle, UK, and in the adjacent Lake District . It was the first international motorcycle racing competition organized by the Fédération Internationale des Clubs Motocyclistes (FICM) . It won the British team.

competition

In order to test the performance and reliability of the motorcycles and the endurance of the riders, the FICM thought about holding a competition. In the United Kingdom, the Six Days' Reliability Trial had been conducted since 1903. The world association decided to adopt the rules of this competition and to announce an international competition. The competition was held as the "First International Touring Trial" as part of the eleventh edition of the British competition.

Two national teams have been registered. For the British association Auto-Cycle Union , WB Gibb started on a Douglas (2 cylinder, 350 cm³, 2.75 hp), WB Little on a Premier (1 cylinder, 499 cm³, 3.5 hp) and Charlie Collier with a Matchless -Side car combination (2 cylinders, 964 cm³, 8 HP).

For the French association Union Motocycliste de France , Guilloreau started on a Clement-Gladiator (2 cylinders, 350 cm³, 2.75 HP), Gabriel also on a Clement-Gladiator (2 cylinders, 498 cm³, 4 HP) and Robert Bourbeau and Devaux with a Bédélia cycle car (2 cylinders, 1100 cm³, 8 HP)

A total of 162 drivers were registered, besides the three French only British. The British also took part in the British competition at the same time.

The motorcycles were rated in three classes:

  • Division 1: Motorcycles up to 250 cm³ and minimum weight 40 kg, up to 350 cm³ and minimum weight 50 kg, up to 500 cm³ and minimum weight 60 kg, up to 750 cm³ and minimum weight 70 kg, up to 1000 cm³ and minimum weight 80 kg
  • Division 2: Motorcycles with sidecars up to 350 cm³ and minimum weight 80 kg, up to 500 cm³ and minimum weight 100 kg, up to 750 cm³ and minimum weight 110 kg, up to 1000 cm³ and minimum weight 120 kg (all motorcycles had to have a clutch or a comparable device)
  • Division 2: Cyclecars with a maximum weight of 300 kg, up to 750 cm³ and a minimum weight of 150 kg, up to 1100 cm³ and a minimum weight of 175 kg (all cyclecars had to have a clutch and a gear shift)

The drivers had to weigh at least 60 kilograms. If necessary, ballast had to be carried.

The selected routes proved to be very demanding for the vehicles of the time and especially for the sidecars and cycle cars. Among other things, there were climbs on barely ridden paths.

1 day

The route on the first day of the competition was 200 kilometers long. It led from Carlisle via Penrith , Ambleside , Grasmere , Keswick (lunch break), Buttermere , Keswick, Dalston back to Carlisle. A driving time of 7 hours and 48 minutes was calculated. The day's stage included six non-stop sections. For each stop in such a section, the driver received four penalty points.

Twelve of the 161 drivers who started retired on the first day of driving.

2 day

The 264-kilometer route led from Carlisle via Orton , Kendal to Ingelton (food). The way back was via Appleby-in-Westmorland , Glassonby , Gumwhitton and Warwick-on-Eden to Carlisle. The day's stage included five non-stop sections. The journey time was 9 hours and 44 minutes. Of the 149 riders who started, 17 dropped out.

3rd day

The route on the third day was 236 kilometers long. From Carlisle the route led via Mungrisdale , Grasmere, Coniston to Ulverston (catering) and back via Broughton-in-Furness , Gosforth, Mealsgate to Carlisle. There were three non-stop sections and a flexibility trail to complete. The journey time was 9 hours and 24 minutes.

Of the 132 riders who started, 16 were canceled.

4th day

On the fourth day, 274 kilometers had to be covered. The route led from Carlisle to Carlatton , Westgate, Lanchester, Durham (catering), Wolsingham , Middleton-in-Tessdale , Hallbank Gate and back to Carlisle. The line had six non-stop sections.

The journey took 10 hours. Of the 116 drivers who started, 10 were canceled.

5th day

On the last day of driving, 186 kilometers had to be covered. Again the route led from Carlisle via Penrith, Kendal, Staveley to Bowness (catering) and back via Satterthwaithe , Ambleside, Ullswater , Greystoke to Carlisle. The track had six non-stop sections and a speed test.

The journey took 10 hours, 50 minutes. Of the 106 riders who started, seven were canceled.

6th day

On the sixth day the technical acceptance of the motorcycles took place. Among other things, it had to be proven that the motorcycles were still in a drivable condition.

Bottom line

Trophy rating
space team
1. United Kingdom 1801United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland United Kingdom
William Gibb ( Douglas )
Billy Little ( Premier )
Charlie Collier ( Matchless - Team )
- FranceFrance France
Guilloreau ( Clement-Gladiator )
Gabriel ( Clement-Gladiator )
Robert Bourbeau and Devaux ( Bédélia )

Of the 161 riders who started, 51 received a gold medal, 21 a silver medal and 27 a bronze medal. 62 drivers were eliminated. The French team was completely eliminated. In Division 1, 36 of the 120 drivers who had started were eliminated, in Division 2 of 32 drivers 19 and of the nine cyclecars in Division 3, seven had to end the competition early.

The Ariel team (TC North, L. Newey, Vernon Busby) won the team classification. Westmorland won the clubs ahead of Cumberland and Essex.

In the evaluation of the classes, TC de la Hay on Sunbeam won in Division 1, Rex Pearson on Clyno in Division 2 and CM Keiller on GWKin in Division 3.

literature

  • Steffen Ottinger: International six-day race 2012 . The story since 1913. HB-Werbung und Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, Chemnitz 2012, ISBN 978-3-00-039566-6 , p. 10 f .

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