Print this pageTrials Sections Database

Page republished : 26 November 2010Home > Reference sources > Databases > Trials Sections

TopIntroduction

The Trials Sections Database is a ridiculously ambitious project to list key information about every section ever used for a major classic trial. By "major" I mean: (i) the three main MCC trials and their predecessors; (ii) every trial listed in the three Cowbourne books; (iii) every current ACTC Championship trial and their predecessors; (iv) some additional well-known trials such as the Bristol Motor Cycle and Light Car Club's Fedden Trial and the Falcon Motor Club's Guy Fawkes Trial.

The information held on the Database is a combination of the ACTC Sections Database, originally compiled by Jim Templeton and subsequently maintained by the ACTC Rights of Way Officers, and my own research on the locations of historic sections. The information on sections in use today has been provided by the ACTC member clubs and historical information has been collected from a variety of sources.

The Database currently (November 2010) lists information on over 1000 Observed Sections nationwide. Approximately: 600 of the sections are listed as in 'current' use (i.e. they have been used since 1990); 350 are listed as 'abandoned' for a variety of reasons, by far the most common of which is that the road is now tarmaced and in everyday use; and the use of the remaining 50 is currently shown as 'not known'.

I'm always interested in sharing knowledge, particularly on the historic sections, with those who have a common interest. Please Contact Me with all questions and any offers of help.

TopPublic information

  • Section name : I've generally entered the names as they appear on the programme, or route card, of the events which used them. There will be some inconsistency until all the locations have been confirmed. It is also common practice for clubs to name sections after a particular area, adding "1" or "2" if more than one section is used in any one year. In most cases it is impossible to locate individual sections accurately from the route card and the "Location" information generally refers to just one of the sections. The others are likely to be very close.
  • County : In almost all cases, "?" is just because I haven't yet checked. There are very few sections listed where I don't know which county they're in.
  • First/Last use : "?" after a year means that I know the section was used in that year but don't know if it had been used before/since.
  • Use Status :
  • Abandoned : Means that I have no record of use since the year stated and I know, or am pretty certain, that the section is unlikely to be used again.
  • Current : Means used sometime since 1990 and not known to be "Abandoned".
  • Not known : Generally means that the section has been used sometime in the last twenty years but I am not sure whether the section has been abandoned, or is merely dormant.
  • >>> : appears against a small number of sections which were in regular use until the demise of the trial noted, and have not been used since.
  • Club : If applicable, the club(s) which currently use the section. A name in brackets denotes the club that was the main user of the section before it was "abandoned".
  • Trial : If applicable, the trial(s) which currently use the section. A name in brackets denotes the trial that was the main user of the section before it was "abandoned".
  • Location :
  • Full OS GR known : What it says, generally including some or all of the Confidential information.
    * after the location indicates multiple entries for the same section, either because it appears under more than one name, or because it has been used by more than one trial.
    ! after the location means that I think there may be multiple entries for the same section, but I'm still checking.
  • Approx GR known : Generally means that I have identified the OS 1km grid square but not the actual 6-figure OS GR. In a few cases it means that I've been given a 6-figure OS GR which I don't believe is correct.
  • Not known : What it says, although I generally know the county (see above) or even the approximate location, but not with sufficient accuracy to place it in a specific OS 1km grid square.
  • Check **** route card : What it says, generally to confirm that the information I have entered is correct. Mostly used for recent trials.

TopConfidential information

The Database also holds information which is known to those in the trialling world but which I choose not to make available on a public website, mainly because too many of 'our' sections on public highways are being trashed by irresponsible use of 4x4s. This information is available, on request, to those with a genuine interest in the history of classic trials. Please Contact Me if you would like further information.

  • Full 6-figure OS Grid Reference, including OS Landranger (1:50,000) Map number and/or National Grid 100km grid square.
  • The points of entry from, and exit to, the surfaced road network (coloured roads on the OS Landranger series).
  • The rights of way status, identification number, and Parish.
  • Any further notes and points of interest.