Broadcasting to the nation
In mid-March 1948 the press announced that the SSDT organising committee’s regulations for the annual classic were available from Mr GW McIntosh of Nelson Street, Edinburgh, quoting the dates as May 3-8.
Further information included accommodation costs and detailed that the trials would again be centred at Fort William, with the Saturday ride into Edinburgh for the event’s finish. The committee reminded readers that previous year’s winners had been BHM ‘Hugh’ Viney (AJS) and Harold Taylor (Ariel s/c) and asked if last year’s mobile caterer could contact Mr McIntosh, as it had mislaid his details.
Decriers again belittled the event, stating the ‘short’ 600-mile trial starting from Fort William, not Edinburgh, was a shadow of the prewar 1000-mile events. However, most accepted the need for this and many observers, riders and spectators felt the reduced route made little difference.
The background to the Edinburgh Club’s need to reduce the trial’s mileage by 40% in 1947 was the then-current fuel rationing situation in the UK following the war. As some will remember, motorists and other road users were issued with fuel coupons, which were handed in on the purchase of fuels. Of course, essential vehicle users were treated more favourably than general motorists and motorcyclists but, for all, once your petrol coupons were used up, that was literally your lot until you were due more.
Magazine features detailed how to stretch every gallon. And some couldn’t resist advising road users to minimise vehicle journeys prior to a long trip, such as a holiday,
