53 years ago today was day 1 of the first ISDT Qualifier for 1973. The Fort Hood, Texas Two Days Trial was held on March 31 and April 1st of 1973. Interest in the 1973 ISDT Qualifier Series was quite high as the 1973 ISDT was going to be held in the United States. Many riders, myself included, had never even dreamed of having the opportunity to ride in an ISDT until the event came to the USA, thanks to John Penton, Al Eames and surely many others.
It is quite interesting to note that Malcolm Smith on a 250cc Husky won the Fort Hood event overall with Jack Penton taking second place on a 175cc Penton. Incredibly, the 3rd and 4th place overall finishers were both riding 100cc Pentons, Dane Leimbach took 3rd. with Billy Uhl taking 4th.
As the mental cobwebs have slowly cleared away a number of memories have surfaced from the Fort Hood event, as well as the Busted Piston Two Days Trial which was held in Potosi, Missouri the following weekend of April 7 & 8. Over the next week or so I will try to provide a glimpse into what it was like to travel in the Cycleliner with Jack, Dane and a few others as we rode both of those events in one trip.
The opportunities afforded to myself and surely many others by John Penton can never be fully conveyed, but hopefully my upcoming memories will provide you with a glimpse into those incredible times.
Thanks John !