The Snow-Mann Test Day at Selmeston

Nobody seems to be quite sure which running of the Snow-Mann Test day this one is. It started sometime in the 80's though so there have probably been 40+ of them. It has evolved a little over the years, but current rules allow entrants to ride any pre-1980 bike or 3-wheeler.

This years event took place on first Sunday in May and, although I haven't entered for several years, I go along to help with the set up and pack up, which allows for a very sociable day in between.

The view on the way into Bopeep lane

I wake up, slightly late, to a beautiful clear morning so, after wolfing down a coffee I wheel my 1951 Norton ES2 out for the 9 mile ride to Selmeston. It starts first kick but there's no time for the scenic route or any pictures this morning, I'll have to stretch it out a little on the way home later.

After the usual running around and setting up the timing kit, my job is mostly done until the end of the day, so I return to the paddock (a farm yard at the bottom of the test hill) to find it filling up with the usual eclectic mix of bikes.

Early morning in the paddock

The first part of the test is a slalom in the farm yard. We've had some very slippery ones in the past but this year the yard is bone dry and most of the riders make short work of the 'slow speed control test'

Max finishes the slalom on board his 1967 Lambretta

Alan piloting his BSA B34 through the slalom

Alan and his 1975 Ducati just getting started

While that is going on I take my time to look at the bikes in the paddock. Once again I am impressed by the variety. This year we have 42 entrants with bikes ranging from a 1928 to 1976. 24 manufacturers are represented including many of the famous British names but also; Lambretta and Ducati from Italy; Harley Davidson from the USA; and Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda from Japan.

This Triton was ridden in by a spectator!

The other side of the very nice Triton

As usual there are a good showing of scooters this year

1928 OHC AJS K7

A 1928 Model 9/90 Sunbeam

Another view of the '29 M9/90. Check out those valve springs!

1959 BSA A10

I meet up with many friends in the paddock and begin to wonder if I should have entered - maybe next year...

I clearly wasn't the only one that loved this Sunbeam

It's soon time for the hill climb part of the test to start. Each entrant gets four runs up the 0.4mile Bopeep Bostal. This includes two tight bends and a 'stop box' in which the rider must stop and put their foot down before pulling away again. This is deliberately located on the steepest part of the hill so presents a challenging hill start, especially on the older bikes!

A 1927 AJS awaiting it's first run up the test hill

Now, lets get the important thing out the way - this is not a speed event - the first run up the hill is recorded and set as your target time, from then on you get penalty points for being a second faster or slower than that target time. It's all about consistency so you have as much chance of winning on a slow bike as a quick one. I would argue you've got a better chance on something very slow that you can just ride flat out the whole way, far less opportunities for rider error that way.

1975 Ducati tackling the first corner

The sole Harley this year - a 1966 XLCH

Tim and passenger on the 1938 Ariel that one the 3-wheeler class

I spend most of the morning in the paddock and at the start line with my partner and her family who come to watch. It's their first experience of a motorcycle event and I think it goes down pretty well!

A close up of the engine

A close up of the engine

Another spectators bike, a pre-war HRD

It's soon time to stop for lunch. Leigh and family head off to a local pub for lunch and I return to the paddock where I see Derek with his very nice pre-war HRD. He's had for a very long time, just look at that for a bike in original condition!

The entry list says #19 is a Triumph, but this looks like a Norton Domi to me!

One of two Tribsas at this years test day

1932 Morgan Aero

After lunch I walk up the hill and take a lot more pictures as I go. Some bikes are really plodding up the hill, it seems slow and steady is the preferred way to go for people taking it seriously. It turns out action shots are not really my forte, what you can see here is my best efforts for now and I've deleted more than I've kept - I'll keep practicing!

Julie Diplock onboard the 1934 Dunelt

This Triumph Chopper was very nicely put together and added nicely to the variety on show

Class 3 joint winner Alan rounding the last corner on his BSA

What a backdrop to the event!

Verralls' Ian Hatton on board his AJS

From the top of the hill I watch a couple of bikes come over the line before the marshal tells me that's all, we are done for the day. Everyone seems to have enjoyed themselves and there are plenty of smiles about.

Class 1 winner Mark crosses the line on his 1936 Sunbeam

A Triumph T100R crosses the line to end the day's proceedings

As I walk back down the hill I get to see a continual string of bikes returning to the bottom, they have to wait at the top until a number of them are up there and then they all return to the bottom together.

The bikes ride up the hill one at a time, but when it's time to descend they are sent down in groups

This is all a lot more sedate than my picture makes it look

I help pack up (which involves walking up the hill again and rolling up the cable). One last look at the views from the top, they never fail to make me stop and appreciate where I live. I get a lift back down the hill, my legs are quivering now. My bike is the last one in the paddock so I pull my gear on and set off for a slightly more scenic route home.

The view from the top of Bopeep Bostal

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My 1951 ES2

The temperature has started to drop and I'm out again this evening so it's not quite as long a ride as I would perhaps like. It's been my first outing of the year on my ES2. It has started first kick every time and hasn't missed a beat. I have a couple of small jobs to do on it before going to France with it at the end of May but I'm very pleased with how today has gone.

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My last job as volunteer for the test day is to process the results. For those interested, here are the class and overall winners:

Class 1 - Pre-1940

Mark Odlum on his 1936 Sunbeam with 52 penalty points

Class 2 - 1940-1954

Clive Kingston on his 1954 Tribsa with 27 penalty points

Class 3 - 1955-1964

Alan Ross on his 1955 BSA with 1 penalty point

AND

Dean Waters on his 1955 Ariel, also with 1 penalty point

Class 4 - 1965-1980 and overall winner

Simon Spiers with his 1974 Honda with 0 penalty points

Class 5 - Sidecars and 3 wheelers

Tim Eade on his 1938 Ariel with 2 penalty points

Yep - that's right, Simon finished the day without making a single error! It was another fantastic day and conversations are already being had about next year - I'm not sure yet whether or not I'll enter it, but I will definitely be there in some capacity or other!

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