John in action |
Translated (not terribly well) from 'Tourenfahrer' Magazine, October 2001No way! "Soft-Rallye", as the Transdanubia is called by un-knowledgeable enduro hardliners. The first two days of the rallye were the hardest they ever organised. The extreme deep sand special test was a tricky one and for the amateurs nearly a drama. Also, flying in the gravel pit, more than a few shred plastic parts. On my Husaberg FE501, which was lent to me from the German importer for testing, it was easy going from this stage: I loaded my off-road tool on my pick-up. Rather than on all the rallies before, it was allowed this time, to load the bikes for the next 400 road kilometres on trailers. As I did, and had to accept being one of those who started in the "soft-egg-class" instead of being in the hard-liners category from the "all-on-wheels". The magazine "Tourenfahrer" donated two trophies for the best one- and two cylinders for the "non-loaders". In the Austrians city of Gmünd near the Czech Republic border it was time to unload for the next two days with two border crossings and four special tests on very fast riding paths. There began the first of dozens following roadbook-connecting legs. Through forest, meadows, paths, fields and ways, plus nearly unseen single trails. A daily roadbook for a distance of 250 kilometres has nearly the same size as a paper roll on double or treble desert distance. Therefore it takes lots of attention keeping the roadbook and tripmeter accurate. This year, I will not let myself be outsmarted by the "winding junctions" and the checkpoints, which were hidden behind bushes or deep in the forest! I tried to pay attention on my roadbook instead playing with too much throttle, because the penalties for missing control-stamps are too much to makeup by speed. After arriving on the first special test in Schrems, I went in the starting line for a good round course with high ups and downs, without taking a rest. Next to me in the starting line was Jürgen Mayer, who was (he told me later on), here as a works rider from KTM. Due to BMW giving up the Dakar Rallye, KTM who is therefore without a rival, and therefore reducing to two works riders on the Paris-Dakar. Even more, they want to strengthen the presence on rally sport, like here at the Transdanubia. On my left was Thorsten Linz, who was considered the favourite and wanted to win after three years of "pitch, skint and accident". That Thorsten may win could be possible, because the exceptional pilot Jürgen Mayer starts in an extra class made for him "VIP" (professional with mechanics.....) and is not officially allowed to win. Being with them in the starting line of the first group of this test makes me highly motivated. |
On the next day in the Czech Republic, we were on the special test two laps through an eight kilometre field & forest course. I was really looking forward for the 20 kilometre deep sand military path in Slovakia, because the harder, the better to me. On the approach to the deep sand course I recognised by filling up, that a coolingwater rinse came out from the overflow pipe of the waterpumpcase due to the 35 degrees in the shade. Shall I get through? All right, I called Husaberg in Germany. The simmering from the water pump, was supposed to circulate. So I blocked the outlet with a piece of wood. With my Camel-bag, I filled up the cooler. Then it was my ride, I flew over the sand, read my roadbook without errors and caught the first, second.... driver. As I was nearly alone, and on top of the race, a typical "highsider" in a dune, with a half-meter deep groove, brought me came back down to earth and the facts! Half a dozens drivers came past before I was able to pick up my Husaberg.
Before the last checking point, four kilometres before the Finnish I caught them all again. The man at the checking point wanted to give me my stamp, but the camel bag was broken and all my things, including the stampcard were lost. Before realising what happened the Husaberg got a loud metallic "kladonk". At the same moment it started like a steam locomotive under full pressure, with big blue steam clouds blowing from the exhaust. When the man from the checking point jumped away with a shout, I recognised that my motor had belched fire, with long tongues from the silencer. I also jumped away, hiding me behind a tree. It burned & smoked for minutes until all the engine oil was gone.
That was it! Because I would need an engine in exchange, which I do not have this time with me. On the last Transdanubia ride on my own Husaberg I had, and didn't use! So my job from now was more being an observer. While I was waiting for Harry, my friend who came picking me up with our 4 x 4, which is absolutely a better choice, instead waiting for the rag-and bone-man, - the 6x6 truck from the organiser, I considered that only 20 riders had passed through, too. Later, I noticed that around half of the participants didn't make the second part of the special test and preferred taking the street. Most of them reached the base camp after 300 kilometres on the road, very late in the night.
The stud farm named Sarlospuszta was our base camp for the next four days. All riders were "burned-out", so that the organisation postponed the briefing - the handout of the roadbook and more information for the next day. Although the start for our 230 kilometre off-road tour was delayed for one hour to 09:00 a.m. It is normal for Transdanubia ride, opposite to other rally regulations - that the final placing driver starts first. The others follow in one-minute gaps. This regulation is so that weak riders don't end up riding in darkness. Therefore they have less time for their repairing, briefings, and sticking roadbook together, eating and sleeping. Time for sitting together, chatting does only have the fast ones and for them who brought their mechanic staff with. (Sic! - Darren)
There are more regulations different on the Transdanubia. Like crossing the checking points counts for more points than being the fastest in a special test. This was done for navigating and driving with a switched on brain, instead of risking head and bones. So there are a lot more scoring in different classes to judge the navigating and driving skills more than riding on time.
There is only one trophy for the winner in total, because Richard Schalber, the organiser, did not want to judge drivers mixed in different equipment and he will prevent accidents from riding only on time. Anyway the helicopter and the first-aid-team had a lot to do. But in comparison there were fewer dropouts than in most desert rallies. Despite judging in different classes, it was a fact, that all eyes went every day to the list of the overall classification.
For the next four days were 900 kilometres and nine special tests to do. A few in round courses, others on roadbook and one in absolute darkness on an old motocross area. Unfortunately not only enthusiastically Hungarian people came to the spectacle in the dark, but also thieves who stole a BMW from a "tourist accompanied guide". Later on in the camp, were stolen a further three more rallye motorbikes. Jürgen Mayer rescued his KTM by catching a theft during his escape. What luck, Jürgen got his KTM back, because then therefore the race wouldn't have ended as spectacular as it did! "
An unknown and privateer of less than athletic physique, led the field from the start on his CCM 501 (sic), always in the top one fifth: with loads of humour and a sense of fun, he was the winning Brit - Yoshi Adams."
Nothing against Jurgen Mayer, but it does the hearts of all amateurs good, if a 'normal' person beats a Rallye-Pro. And that's exactly what Yoshi succeeded in doing in the end. He celebrated - first turning with dropped trousers on his CCM in front of the KTM Works Truck, then on the winners' steps with a moment's silence in respect of John Deacon, the English enduro national hero, killed recently in the Master Rallye."
With a ride to the Hungarian main town to a home for disabled children's ended the Transdanubia ride. The convoy was escorted from Hungary police, however they kept the chaotic traffic at bay, hastened by the "wheelying" traffic cop and Transdanubia participant - Fresko Sandor. The visit of the children's home was satisfying and humbling at one time. After giving the donations and gifts, we were happy about their lucky faces. Contrarily we were dejected because risking voluntarily and for fun our own bones, while these children's would be happy at all, being able to walk or run.
After Transdanubia 2001 every participant could write a book of their own experiences, his opportunity for suffering, successes and self-affirmation, adventures and unforgettable moments of Rallye riding.
Richard Schalber has given the organisation (after nine years) to a professional friend who worked with him on different aspects of Transdanubia. Richard Schalber is looking for a new challenge and he found the "Ride Altoturia" which runs for the first time in April 2002 in south Spain. Lets go there - olè.
