But ... oh dear ... they talk about "footpaths and bridleways which we're allowed to drive down". Let's hope that comment doesn't come back to bite us.
I thought this "behind the scenes" was better than what they showed on the broadcast program. Was it my imagination or did I see Dudley and Stuart on the end of tow ropes?
I looked at the videos last night. It might be quite amusing seeing these two clown about but I think that, in total contrast to the previous 5th Gear airing, this is the sort of publicity that Classic Trials could do without.
In fairness to 5th Gear, it was clear on the day that as far a creating a quality piece was concerned, the whole thing went pearshaped from the first instance. Tiff said to me whilst waiting for Wilson's Wood "the researchers have completely misunderstood what was required" The result being that the only way that a program could be salvaged from the disaster was to play it for laughs. I think that the pair get full marks for persevering to the end. I also think that part of the "not as good as The Exeter" syndrome is that the grass of Yorkshire, delineated only by stakes, is not as picturesque as the lanes of Devon. I also agree that the behind the scenes stuff was better than the programme. You should also bear in mind that it was supposed to be a programme about motorcycles and sidecars, yet even in the unshown footage, there's hardly an outfit in sight. Claerly, the camera crews missed the point as much as the researchers..
Maybe we should invite them back to do a one day event in a well prepared, competitive, car. Who's prepared to lent them their's?
Considering the equipment they had I think they both deserve a pat on the back for getting round as far as they did,getting as short a distance from the start of section 1 as they did would of been enough to send some back to the start and off home. As far as a well prepared,competitive car,not sure about that,but I'll lend them mine if they wish,Cannon not maestro :-) Nick
Having seen professional racing drivers mercilessly wringing the necks of private owner's very expensive racers at Goodwood and the like I think it would be a brave owner who would lend one a well prepared trials car.
I'm anticipating another press disaster, but I might be wrong, when the August issue of Practical Classics hits the streets from July 15th. Two journalist crews in a Hillman Super Minx and a Triumph Dolomite on Normans Hump and Clinton on the Windwhistle Motor Club Bovey Down Trial in April may have also completely missed the point. We shall see
Well yes as Michael says if the aim is to have fun with your car/motorcycle/sidecar on a classic trial then that has successfully been put across by Fifth Gear. In my experience the only way to have any control over what the media print/publish/broadcast is to produce it yourself. All we in the classic trials world can realistically do is to advise, react in a friendly communicative manner and pray that we dont get the piss taken out of us. I think we should all be quite pleased with what we have achieved for free so far. A huge amount of work has been going on behind the scenes for years to get to where we are today. May be it is now time to stop?
Michael. You're quite right. Both Stuart and Dudley needed to be towed off the hump of section 4. We managed to get all four wheels off the ground, balanced at the top of the hump, as, I assume, did Dudley. the Troll had an even bigger tow when we bent it on the downhill bit of Peel's Wood, which is where the trial ended for us.
And the footage from the Exeter last year:
ReplyDeletehttp://fwd.five.tv/videos/exeter-trial
They've added a bit more footage...some quite good stuff once you get past the sponsor's message and then the visit to the ural dealer...
ReplyDeletehttp://fwd.five.tv/videos/behind-the-scenes-ilkley-trial
But ... oh dear ... they talk about "footpaths and bridleways which we're allowed to drive down". Let's hope that comment doesn't come back to bite us.
ReplyDeleteI thought this "behind the scenes" was better than what they showed on the broadcast program. Was it my imagination or did I see Dudley and Stuart on the end of tow ropes?
ReplyDeleteI guess you can't control the media. To be positive they were enjoying themselves and that aspect must be good PR.
ReplyDeleteI looked at the videos last night. It might be quite amusing seeing these two clown about but I think that, in total contrast to the previous 5th Gear airing, this is the sort of publicity that Classic Trials could do without.
ReplyDeleteIn fairness to 5th Gear, it was clear on the day that as far a creating a quality piece was concerned, the whole thing went pearshaped from the first instance. Tiff said to me whilst waiting for Wilson's Wood "the researchers have completely misunderstood what was required" The result being that the only way that a program could be salvaged from the disaster was to play it for laughs. I think that the pair get full marks for persevering to the end.
ReplyDeleteI also think that part of the "not as good as The Exeter" syndrome is that the grass of Yorkshire, delineated only by stakes, is not as picturesque as the lanes of Devon. I also agree that the behind the scenes stuff was better than the programme. You should also bear in mind that it was supposed to be a programme about motorcycles and sidecars, yet even in the unshown footage, there's hardly an outfit in sight. Claerly, the camera crews missed the point as much as the researchers..
Maybe we should invite them back to do a one day event in a well prepared, competitive, car. Who's prepared to lent them their's?
Or maybe we should quit while we're ahead!? Please nobody get any ideas about Top Gear. That really would be publicity we could all do without!
ReplyDeleteConsidering the equipment they had I think they both deserve a pat on the back for getting round as far as they did,getting as short a distance from the start of section 1 as they did would of been enough to send some back to the start and off home.
ReplyDeleteAs far as a well prepared,competitive car,not sure about that,but I'll lend them mine if they wish,Cannon not maestro :-) Nick
Having seen professional racing drivers mercilessly wringing the necks of private owner's very expensive racers at Goodwood and the like I think it would be a brave owner who would lend one a well prepared trials car.
ReplyDeleteperhaps the owner could be the passenger and give advice on how to attempt each section plus make sure their pride and joy doesn't end up in a tree!
ReplyDeleteI'm anticipating another press disaster, but I might be wrong, when the August issue of Practical Classics hits the streets from July 15th. Two journalist crews in a Hillman Super Minx and a Triumph Dolomite on Normans Hump and Clinton on the Windwhistle Motor Club Bovey Down Trial in April may have also completely missed the point. We shall see
ReplyDeleteWell yes as Michael says if the aim is to have fun with your car/motorcycle/sidecar on a classic trial then that has successfully been put across by Fifth Gear. In my experience the only way to have any control over what the media print/publish/broadcast is to produce it yourself. All we in the classic trials world can realistically do is to advise, react in a friendly communicative manner and pray that we dont get the piss taken out of us. I think we should all be quite pleased with what we have achieved for free so far. A huge amount of work has been going on behind the scenes for years to get to where we are today. May be it is now time to stop?
ReplyDeleteMichael. You're quite right. Both Stuart and Dudley needed to be towed off the hump of section 4. We managed to get all four wheels off the ground, balanced at the top of the hump, as, I assume, did Dudley.
ReplyDeletethe Troll had an even bigger tow when we bent it on the downhill bit of Peel's Wood, which is where the trial ended for us.