World Trials Championship, Wagner Cup, USGP » Trials dignitaries

The FIM guys: on task!

Griff Wigley — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:00:08 +0000

When the event began each day, these gentlemen from the FIM (International Motorcycling Federation) were serious and focused.

L to R: Jean-Marc Crumière, Charly Demathieu, Jim Blackburn.

Mr. Trials Comp, Shan Moore

Griff Wigley — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:30:16 +0000

The periodical that does the most to keep motorcycle trials thriving in the USA (“… the ‘industry reporter’ and publication of record on Observed Trials since 1975′) is Trials Competition Newspaper.

The man who makes it all happen (on the left with Wiltz Wagner) is Shan Moore, Trials Comp’s publisher and editor. Watch for comprehensive coverage of the Wagner Cup in the June issue of Trials Comp.

World Champions, now minders, Martin Lampkin and Jordi Tarrés

Griff Wigley — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:48:34 +0000

Most spectators wouldn’t know but two former motorcycle trials World Champions were at the event, working as minders.

Left: World Champion (‘73, ‘75) Martin Lampkin (UK) was a minder for his son, seven-time World Champion Dougie Lampkin.
Right: World Champion (‘89-’91, ‘93-’95) Jordi Tarrés (Spain) was a minder for Youth class competitor Francesc Moret.

FIM Jury meeting

Griff Wigley — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:46:49 +0000

The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM, International Motorcycling Federation) is the governing body of motorcycle competition.

After every Trials World Championship event, a team of FIM officials (the jury) meets with the local organizers to discuss all aspects of the event and give feedback.

The photo is from today’s meeting. Click to enlarge.

Update 4/28: L to R in the photo: Danilo Galeazzi, Francois St. Laurent (interpreter), Jean-Marc Crumiere, Wiltz Wagner, Beland Wagner, Steve Ahlers, Brian Behling, ??, Jordi Pratt, Miguel Cerrera, Dan Brown, Chuck Weir

The Wagner Cup’s namesake: Wiltz Wagner

Griff Wigley — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 03:46:14 +0000

The Wagner Cup has been part of all world championship trials events held in North America since 1975. The cup is named for Wiltz Wagner, a founding member of the North American Trials Council (NATC). Wiltz is widely considered to be “the father of American motorcycle trials.”

That’s Wiltz in the photo, second from left in the blue shirt, out on the loop today with Martin Belair (red shirt), Roger Ansell (right), and Roger’s wife (left).

The Wagner Cup, which features four bighorn sheep, is kept permanently at the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) headquarters in Ohio. The name of every North American world-round winner since 1975 is engraved on the cup.

Wiltz’s other hobby is medicine. Dr. Wagner “…is the V.K. Stoelting Professor Emeritus of Anesthesiology & Professor of Physiology, Biophysics, and Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN.”

See more about Wiltz on the Rocky Mountain Trials Association history page.

Dignitaries! Officials! Muckety-mucks!

Griff Wigley — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 03:40:33 +0000

The new TTC HQ building was the site of tonight’s dinner with officials from the FIM, NATC, and other motorcycle trials-related organizations.

Steve Ahlers arrives; does practically nothing

Griff Wigley — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:01:01 +0000

Here’s a smiling fellow Minnesotan, Steve Ahlers, veteran organizer of three Wagner Cups at Spirit Mountain in Duluth, MN earlier this decade. (That’s RITC’s Bill Mathewson and Hub Brennan with him).

Steve remarked how much he enjoys coming to World Rounds, having no organizational responsibilities whatsoever. He still volunteers, though. He’s checking a section on Saturday.

Section inspection

Griff Wigley — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:32:54 +0000

L to R: FIM’s Danilo Galeazzi, Steve Storz (Storz Performance, Inc.) and TTC’s Dan Brown at lunch today in the TTC lodge. Steve speaks Italian and Dan doesn’t so he was indispensible. I later caught them inspecting Section 15 (below).