MOTORCYCLE trial enthusiasts from across the globe descended on Clandeboye Estate and Whitespots Trial Park last weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Hurst Cup Trial — the site of the first World Championship Motorcycle Trial held in 1975.
Hosted by Moto Trial NI, the commemorative event revived a piece of motorsport history that began with Knock Motorcycle Club and ran until 1990. Andy Perry, chairman of Moto Trial NI and a lifelong trials enthusiast, led the charge to bring the event back to life, gaining the Knock club’s blessing to use the original Hurst Cup trophy.
Over a year of preparation culminated in a two-day competition featuring 18 sections across a 12.5-mile loop, tackled twice daily by over 120 riders from the UK, Europe, and the U.S. The course weaved through Clandeboye, Whitespots, and surrounding lands generously made available by local landowners.
Among the legends attending were three-time World Champion Yrjo Vesterinen, British champion Steve Saunders, France’s Charles Coutard and Northern Ireland’s own Robert Crawford — the youngest rider ever to score World Championship points, notably at the original 1975 Hurst Cup.
The trial was divided into two main grades, Clubman and Sportsman, further split into subcategories for bikes from the 1950s through the 1990s. Riders faced a six-hour time limit and were scored on their precision and control, with penalties issued for dabs, stops, or errors.
Saturday kicked off in wet conditions, but spirits remained high. As the course dried, fierce competition unfolded across all categories. In the premier Clubman Twinshock grade, all eyes were on Saunders aboard his Armstrong, but it was Comber rider Stuart McClurg who led after day one, dropping just 11 marks to Saunders’ 13.
The Pre-65 category saw Scott Callaghan top the leaderboard on his Triumph Tiger Cub, while in the Mono grade, Alex Lennox dominated with just 14 marks lost. Banbridge rider Michelle Hanlon impressed in the Pre-95 Water-Cooled grade, finishing the day with a class-leading 28 marks lost.
Sunday brought sunnier skies and a few early course adjustments, keeping riders on their toes. In a dramatic twist, Saunders edged McClurg by a single mark to claim the overall Clubman Twinshock win, 22 to 23. McClurg and Banbridge’s Stuart Hanlon completed the podium.
Callaghan maintained his Pre-65 lead to take the win, while Lennox again led the Mono field. Robert Crawford bounced back with a strong performance to secure second overall in Mono behind Lennox. Hanlon sealed her win with another low-scoring ride in the Water-Cooled group.
In the Sportsman grades, England’s Derek Edmondson, a former Honda team minder for Saunders, took top Twinshock honours. The Pre-65 battle saw Coutard narrowly defeat Vesterinen, 14 marks to 18, with Glyn Moses third.
James Edwards remained unbeaten in the Mono Sportsman class, and Hanlon again dominated the Water-Cooled field to claim her second win of the weekend.
The event passed without incident and was met with overwhelming praise from riders and spectators alike, many calling it a nostalgic return to trials’ golden era.
Moto Trial NI extended heartfelt thanks to all volunteers, officials, landowners, and the Ards and North Down Borough Council for their support.
Chairman Andy Perry offered special recognition to Nicola and Stephen Coulter and Warren McKee: “Without them, the dream of this event wouldn’t have even started. They deserve all the recognition.”
The club also thanked the generous sponsors for stepping up to support the event. They were: Colin Adams Motorparts, Scrabo Paving, Regency Cars, Eddie I.rvine Sports, Motor-Tec, OHA Motorsport, U-Hire, Irish Classic Bike Festival, SJ Trials, Trial Magazine, Leadmines Motorcycles, Ards Fireplaces, Alpha Fire Protection and Nutt Travel.
