ISDT 1953 – Czechoslovakia

Page under construction always…

Introduction

Photo of the Welcoming Ceremony with Brass Band on stage at ISDT 1953

The welcoming opening ceremony with brass band on stage, at Gottwaldov (Zlin) in Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic), in Drevnice Valley to the lower west of the Carpathians, 6.45am  local time the first machine came from  parc ferme, 236 Riders from 18 nations started, 122 Gold Medals were awarded 62 retirements came about, the first control from Gottwaldow, Kunovice had vast crowds lining the route township buildings were draped with flags, flowers & bunting, sport proclaimed to be the link with peace between nations, small girls handed flower posies to riders, calm had reached areas hard hit by the harshness of terrible war, even another brass band at Kunovice.  The fine weather promised seemed reluctant to show, dampness plus dripping condensation was met.

Image – Cover of official programme of the 28th ISDT held in Gottwaldov, Czechoslovakia 15 – 20 September 1953 (Speedtracktales Collection)

The following photos come from our archive copy of ‘Motor Cycling’ report on this ISDT in the issue of 24 September 1953.

Photo – Opening ‘Nations Parade’ with the teams and national flags. Great Britain on the left ISDT 1953 (photo from Speedtracktales Archive)

In the opening Parade of the Teams included the teams from Great Britain, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Hungary, Sweden. Vase ‘A’ teams: Great Britian, Austria, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Poland, Rumania, Sweden, Switzerland. Vase ‘B’ teams: Great Britain, Czechoslovakia, Holland, Hungary, Poland, Rumania, Sweden.

Photo – #71 P Baldwin (350cc Matchless sc) [NXY 531] is followed through Retechov by #76 W. Hofmann (250cc NSU sc) ISDT 1953 (photo from Speedtracktales Archive)

Photo – Riding one of the new 350cc E German built IFA h.o twin two-strokes, #126 Kurt Kempf, of Germany, leads his compatriot Fritz Albert (350 Jawa) up Javarina Hill ISDT 1953 (photo from Speedtracktales Archive)

Photo – Crowd scene at the Vsetin check on Thursday ISDT 1953 (photo from Speedtracktales Archive)

Photo – Nocturne! British Vase ‘A’ teamster Bob Ray (Ariel) arrives at the start of the wednesday night run ISDT 1953 (photo from Speedtracktales Archive)

Photo – AW Glassbrook caulks his damaged BSA tank. ISDT 1953 (photo from Speedtracktales Archive)

Photo – Captain of the winning Trophy Team, #246 Hugh Viney (AJS) on Saturday ISDT 1953 (photo from Speedtracktales Archive)

Photo – Rear wheel up #235 NS Holmes (Ariel) corners at Bohuslavice ISDT 1953 (photo from Speedtracktales Archive)

Photo – Front wheel up as S Klimt (250cc Jawa) takes a bend ISDT 1953 (photo from Speedtracktales Archive)

Photo – Famous racing driver Wiggerl Kraus (BMW sc) passes “Motor Cycling’s” man and some local soldiers as he overtakes G Nagy (125 Csepel) at Doubraby ISDT 1953 (photo from Speedtracktales Archive)

Photo – #78 V. Pohl (175 Maico) of Germany checks in at the control in the woods at Bunc ISDT 1953 (photo from Speedtracktales Archive)

Photo – #219 Johnny Britain (Royal Enfield) our youngest Trophy team-man, going well on the fifth day ISDT 1953 (photo from Speedtracktales Archive)

British entries were all away, starting promptly whilst the Danish competitor A R Clausen took over a minute to start his 500cc Matchless (sc) 247cc NSU entry O Kollmar had to change a plug before getting away, Brits decided to stop using 40 S.A.E. Oil and change to 30 for the morrow.  Paved roads , rutted tracks, 9 Miles from the start Frank H Whittle stopped with a split Petrol tank as the 1952 event, another early ‘out’ was 250cc Jawa man F Bracher, the market effect on reliability failures would be considerable,

Photo of #219 Johnny V Brittain on a 496cc Royal Enfield Twin, a member of the British Trophy Team clocking into a timecheck at ISDT 1953

Johnny Brittain pictured above in his team Barbour ‘International’ Jacket is the son of Vic Brittain, who was one of the most successful successful ISDT and observed trials rider of the pre war era who retired from the ISDT in 1949. Johnny was a successful trials rider himself.

The event is underway in earnest. Eastern bloc machinery was beginning to be far more competitive as the little 2 strokes had been for many years, superior Italian machinery had been the bane of British bike makers & the Oriental machinery challenge had not really begun, look today at what still exists as the supreme machinery, Norton & Triumph try to resurrect the Marque, Royal Enfield Plods on.

Photo of #233 S B Manns on the Matchless 500cc [NXY 733] in ISDT 1953

A second control point at Seneca, another Big British Twin with S B Manns on the Matchless 500cc inforest route near Hornd Suca, first aid posts abounded along the route.  Washing, fuelling & other facilities were frequent, a British retirement  was noted to be E Wearden on 124 Anelay-Excelsior, Border crossings between Moravia & Slovakia led to lunch stop at Bratislava between the Danube River & southern Carpathians.

Photo of #51 G L Buck with a 350cc Ariel sidecar outfit later in the first day near Salas Miska Javorina ISDT 1953

Sweden’s R Nystrom spilled in a deep sand section & another with trouble was the famous German BMW exponent Walter Zeller, no points lost by either, media versions reported British Team passing through effortlessly!.   Jablonica, Myjava, Banov then back to base!.  Trophy teams all without Points loss other than Hungary , they lost 100 points. J.S. Oliver 125cc BSA had retired, A Hernardi 125cc Csepel was out, S Maspes 175cc Guazzoni had retired, along with S Schram 174cc Maico, R Melkner 125cc IFA, K Uhlig 350cc BK IFA, H Bruns 244cc Tornax, A Ott 250X, A Nennig 247cc NSU, M Muller 250cc Jawa, J Ruzsai 247cc Csepel, Whittle 600cc Panther & F Bracher 247cc NSU completed those ‘gone

Photo of near Solanec the 350cc Jawa twins of #125 V Kinzl of Czechoslovakia pushing his machine past Romanian #109 Niculici

The second day start start saw S Klimit fail to start his 250cc Jawa within the allocated 3 mins. then efficient Swedish Trophy Team man E Forsberg failed to start his 246 NV.  In the background Hugh Viney had changed rear tyre & tube plus headlamp liesurely washing his hands afterwards all within the 15 permitted minutes of an official 10am start to allow for the darkness portion to follow later. the course led southeast to the Carpathians & lower Tatras, 29 plus miles to first check at Slavicin, on to Horna Suca, the climb to Na Hancich mountain & through known Wolves & Deer haunts with rough going along most tracks.

Photo taken on the nighttime run that came & went without disaster. A Czech Nurse helped #239 Johnny Giles by being ‘the lady with a lamp’ for him whilst he fixed a small problem on his Triumph 500cc twin at ISDT 1953

Sweden’s Trophy hopes foundered when Forsberg’s machine simply gave up before reaching the Puchov Control Point, G Ravinale holed his 175cc Morini crankcase & retired, H Sprung’s 125cc IFA had it’s frame part beneath the steering head.   Britain’s A W Glassbrook BSA had dropped it to avoid a car & even with split Fuel tank holed chaincase & sprained foot, still getting home with 10 mins to spare.  2 more frame breakage retirements were E Longoni 175cc Guazzoni & J M Ivanov 150cc CZ.   Hosts treated competitors well at the lunch halt.  7pm! the 63 miles night route from Piestany to Gottwaldov began, seven riders of Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania on Jawa & Csepel machinery lost marks for lighting faults. Czechoslovakia had lost ONE Point, Sweden 100, Hungary 2003, Britain plus Western Germany had still lost no points. Following day, the 3rd day started at 5.30am!

Photo of #6 L Van der Noll 600cc BMW of Holland leads V Kinzl through a dusty Stara Turo section ISDT 1952

Day 3 first control was at Hluk 63 miles away, H Veer of Netherlands lost 14 marks changing out ignition parts on his 247cc JAWA, Control at Cavoj led to rough ground tracks along to control at Nitrianske Pravno, then the route went higher to ranges of Strazooska Hornatina & Mala Fatra, 1 in 4 climbs followed with burned Clutch smells & queues to get onto sections upsetting all.   West Germany’s Walter Zeller’ BMW had suffered a previously unheard of completely fractured crankase & this placed Britain in a stronger position, there was much more time to come.

Photo of #145 Rumanian N Buescu with #151 countryman M Sartenu pushing 250cc Jawa machines at the Thursday hold up point at Solanec where queues formed throughout the day in ISDT 1953

After this, a 4th Day began, for a 212 miles route, several 150cc CZ riders, along with Netherlands C J Langeveld trying to repair split fuel tanks.  K G Nyman 174cc Husqvarna rigging his suspension unit with wire, Britain’ non team member P F Hammond had his Triumph motor seize & later sound bad! & eyebrows were raised whe J V Brittain’s Royal Enfield actually required a second kick to start it.   On to Hostynske Orchy Mountains, via a Bystrice pod Hostynem checkpoint, B L Jansema of Netherlands Vase ‘A’ team intermittently lost ignition on his 248cc Jawa, this amounted to 20 lost Points for the day. Next control St Kopecek then to near the Polish Border then on to Rymarov via high wooded ground to Cervenohorske sedlo, here Jack Stocker extracted a 6″ nail from the tyre of his 500cc Royal Enfield, the Dunlop repair held, rest taken at Sumperk, then sharply downwards to Oskava.

Photo of #239 Johnny Giles heading a queue of 14 at Solanec ISDT 1953

On to 5th Day, Easterly winds, fairly strong brought dustclouds Western Germany’s hopes of getting the Silver Vase diminished when W Aukthum’s 174cc Maico failed to start & leave the line.  R W Wagger’s BSA 350cc Sidecar Ball joint parted & became lashed together shortly later to be excluded from travelling further.  Olga Kevelos, Mrs Molly Briggs 197cc DMW was unpenalised though changing plugs every few miles for her unhealthy sounding Villiers & Miss Rutlova lost no marks on her 248cc Jawa.

Photo of F Camathias of Switzerland with his BMW 500cc ISDT 1953

I know that helmet pattern may cross your mind, F Camathias of Switzerland rights his BMW 500cc in Horna Suca forest mud, yes it is Florian Camathias in days before the bespectabled hero of Sidecar Racing hit the world scene & impressed ALL.  During the 5th Day Johnny Giles of British Vase ‘B’ Team lost compression on one cylinder of his Triumph on rough going at Bunc, B Erikson 174cc Husqvarna of Sweden’s Vase ‘B’ had his tyre valve rip out, the replaced tube was then punctured by a nail! to cost him 12 marks & the Team the Vase, 193 rides had started, 16 had retired, to bring the retired total to to 59 177 competitors remained, 136 had lost no marks in a day’s mileage of 257.

Photo of Swedish 175cc Maico rider W Aukthum entering the time check ISDT 1953

This gives an idea of the reception Competitors met, here is Myjava Control Point (all were careful not to say Check point!)

Photo of #240 Georg Meier slithers his 600cc BMW to a stop across the path of #155 T G Gigov’s Jawa

Georg Meier that Great BMW rider from Germany who raced before & after WW2 and we have a feature on this very bike that is still alive and well and fully restored. The Sixth day with machinery in unexpected states provides great days for some & tentative ones for many, rain before speed test is another ‘ooh er’ causant when tank splits tyres & other factors mount, J Cizek of the Czech Vase ‘A’ Team fell too heavily with his Jawa 248cc to continue, Molly Briggs had 2 punctures on her 197cc DMW & was forced to retire, Olga Kevelos crashed as well as P H ‘Jim’ Alves of the British Trophy team but both got up to carry on.  British Trophy Team lost no marks in the Morning & only faced the speed trial of 20 laps on the Racing Circuit, this they did and even crossed the line in formation, youngsters today would perhaps applaud Hugh Viney’s run along the straight with his feet on the seat after getting the signal from Len Heath that the Trophy was theirs.  Ariel AMC & Royal Enfield finished the event having lost no marks at all along with Jawa & CZ.

Photo of British Trophy Winning team with manager Len Heath at the ISDT 1953 P H Alves – Triumph [NWD 198], S B Manns – Matchless [NXY733], J V Brittain Royal Enfield [LWP 422], Hugh Viney on the AJS, Jack Stocker Royal Enfield

Photo of the GB Trophy Team (L to R.) Jim Alves (Triumph, Hugh Viney – captain (AJS) Johnny Brittain (Royal Enfield), Jack Stocker (Royal Enfield) and Bob Manns (Matchless). With the exception of Brittain, all are veteran Trophy teamsters. Standing is team manager Len Heath. ISDT 1953

The successful British Trophy Winning team with manager Len Heath giving a wry smile bringing the score to 16 Wins from 28 events since 1913, This however was to be the last year Britain was to run the Trophy in the remaining history of the ISDT. P H ‘Jim’ Alves on the Triumph, S B Manns on the Matchless, J V Brittain – Royal Enfield, Hugh Viney on the AJS, Jack Stocker – Royal Enfield.

Photo of Britain’s Vase “A” team (L to R) Don Evans (Royal Enfield) [LWP 422], Bob Ray (Ariel) [MOL 3], and Ted Usher (Matchless) [NXY 734]

Photo of Britain’s Vase ‘B’ Team (L to R) David Tye (BSA) [NON 496], Stan Holmes (Ariel) [MOL 5], and Johnny Giles (Triumph) [NUE 815]

The competition with Silver Vase entries Netherlands ‘B’ plus Polish ‘B team taken by the Czech ‘B’ Team trio of Frantisek Blaha, Vojtech Kolar & Bohumil Kabat for the second year in succession on the Speed Test!. Club Team prize won by the Czech Ustredni dum armady, all riding 150cc CZs again in the Speed Tests to see off a hard riding British Silver Vase ‘A’ Team. Manufacturers Teams Prizes went to Ariel , AMC (AJS & Matchless) & Royal Enfield, the 2 Czech entries Jawa & though both won through to warn manufacturers in Britain that strong commercial competition lay ahead.

Photo – #46 Reg Wagger in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecar ISDT 1953 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

Photo – #46 Reg Wagger in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecar ISDT 1953 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

Photo – #46 Reg Wagger in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecar ISDT 1953 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

Photo – #46 Reg Wagger in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecar [NOC 541] ISDT 1953 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

Photo – #46 Reg Wagger in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecar [NOC 541] ISDT 1953 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

Photo – #46 Reg Wagger in BSA 650cc Gold Flash with sidecar [NOC 541] ISDT 1953 (Images STT Archive / Geoff Wagger)

The town of Hluk in Zlin has posted an archive of old photos of the ISDT in 1953 including this picture of Geoff Wagger and Passenger with their sidecar at the check at Hulk on the first day.

Photo – British Rider #46 Reg W Wagger BSA 348 with Sidecar [NOC 541] Gold medal at the Hluk time check ISDT 1953 (©Hluké Kroniky)

More of these images can be seen in our blog feature on this photo archive here

photo – Czechoslovakia: #219 Johnny Brittain (“500 twin”) [LWP 424], a member of the victorious Trophy Team, travelling with speed and confidence along the bed of a stream ISDT 1953 (Speedtracktales collection)

photo – #237 Jack Stocker [LWP 422] deep sand and dusty tracks were typical of much of the course in Eastern Czechoslovakia. ISDT 1953 (Speedtracktales collection)

photo – Swedish Vase Team member Ake Elgebrandt (“500 Bullet”) [A927] makes a clean ascent of one of the worse hills in the Trial under the eyes of a packed gallery. ISDT 1953 (Speedtracktales collection)

photo – Czechoslovakia was noted for its dusty and boulder strewn tracks – Rudolf Nystrom , Swedish Vase Team (“500 Bullet”), takes them in his stride ISDT 1953 (Speedtracktales collection)

photo – a confident passage of a touch section by Borje Nystrom, Swedish Vase Team (“500 Bullet”) [A856] ISDT 1953 (Speedtracktales collection)

photo – #227 Don Evans [LWP 423], British Vase ‘B’ Team , makes a fast safe ascent of a rock-strewn hillside ISDT 1953 (Speedtracktales collection)

photo – the victorious ROYAL ENFIELD 1953 team: Johnny Brittain (Trophy) [LWP 424], Don Evans (Vase A) [LWP 423], and Jack Stocker (Trophy) [LWP 422], all mounted on 500 twins ISDT 1953

To add to confusion only Don Evans appears to be sitting on the actual bike he rode.

These images above come from a pamphlet about the ISDT produced by Royal Enfield in 1953 which can be read here.

 

photo – #246 Hugh Viney AJS of the British International Trophy team ISDT 1953 (courtesy Deryck Wylde collection)

The above images were made available by Deryk Wylde. : Images in this section are protected with a digitally embedded watermark.  Copies, without the watermark, may be available – please contact ‘offroarchive@gmail.com’ for details.

Image of scanned page from ISDT 1954 programme featuring images of ISDT 1953

At the Movies

From the ISDT Tube page we have the following movies of the event

A lively official video of the event lasting 15 minutes of this important event. Possibly first part of a longer movie which we will keep an eye out for the rest of it.

On the Map!

Image of route map for ISDT 1953

We have a map, we have a map… from ‘Motor Cycling‘

• Day 1 – 374km
• Day 2 – 390km with 100km at night
• Day 3 – 479km
• Day 4 – 449km
• Day 5 – 407km
• Day 6 – 247km

What the papers said!

A full report on the preparation, proceeding and results of the event was provided by the Motorcycling Press. As part of the new editorial policy to secure the legacy of the event we have acquired an original copy of  ‘Motor Cycling‘ of the 24 September 1953 which carried the event report. This can be read at our library provided by issuu.com

Image of cover of ‘Motor Cycling‘ 24 Sept 1953

Following a sighting on eBay the two issues covering the ISDT 1953 of ‘the Motor Cycle‘ have now been acquired and will shortly be featured in material on this page

Image – Cover of the Motor Cycle magazine 17 Sept 1953 ISDT 1953

Image – Cover of the Motor Cycle magazine 24 Sept 1953 ISDT 1953

The pages featuring this ISDT in ‘the Motor Cycle‘ September 1953 can be seen below

Image of scanned page from report on ISDT 1953 in ‘The Motor Cycle’ (click on image to enlarge to readable size)

Image of scanned page from report on ISDT 1953 in ‘The Motor Cycle’ (click on image to enlarge to readable size)

Image of scanned page from report on ISDT 1953 in ‘The Motor Cycle’ (click on image to enlarge to readable size)

Image of scanned page from report on ISDT 1953 in ‘The Motor Cycle’ (click on image to enlarge to readable size)

photo – P.H ‘Jim’ Alves (650cc Triumph) member of the victorious British Trophy Team corners at speed ISDT 1953 (Speedtracktales archive)

The Final Score: Results

Speedtracktales wishes to thank SFB who has provided this set of results as reproduced in Motorrad. Download a copy of the original Results and Stewards Report at the link below.

Download Stewards Report for the 1953 ISDT her

An image found on Flickr, an award given to P H Alves related to taking part in the winning Trophy team ISDT 1953

With Alves being on the Great Britain Team that picked up the International Trophy this may be an individual award given to the members of that team, no other similar trophy is known of. If anyone knows more please tell us.

Photo of 1953 ISDT Ad seen being flogged on ebay!.

More tales & results plus anecdotes shall doubtless follow as time permits site updates & amendments, send in whatever you can re this plus other ISDT events & even others.

Collectibles

This souvenir glass vase was recently listed on eBay. It was listed amongst a collection of items belonging to P H ‘Jim’ Alves that were being auctioned. With Alves being on the winning Trophy team we don’t know wether it was a winners, finishers award or an optional souvenir anyone with the answer to this please let us know.

Photo of Glass Vase presented to PH Alves ISDT 1953 – front

Photo of  Glass Vase ISDT 1953

Photo of  Glass Vase ISDT 1953

photo – engraved glass award ISDT 1953

Participants medal

Photo – Participants Medal – front ISDT 1953

Photo – Participants Medal – rear ISDT 1953

Photo – Original Finishers Award in presentation case awarded to Bob Ray – ISDT 1953 (Speedtracktales Collection)

 

This medal was awarded to all participants of the event and on 18th March 2013 was listed on eBay with 5 days auction should you be in time and are interested in acquiring

Where are they now?

Hugh Viney’s AJS 500 appeared at collectors auction in 2015 and images can be seen in this article

We have found George Meier’s Trophy Team BMW is still alive and there is a feature on it  here