The Manx National Two Day Trial celebrates 56 years of history in 2011.

Always known as the ‘Clubmans National’ the ‘Manx’ first took place in September 1955 and from the start attracted many riders from the adjacent Islands to the mecca of motorcycling in the middle of the Irish Sea.

Already world renowned for the TT and Manx Grand Prix races, it was proposed in late 1954 to run a two day time and observation trial to provide a diversion for those people already on the Island for the Manx Grand Prix Races.

And so in September 1955 the first rider in the inaugural Manx National Two Day Trial set off from Fargher and Ashton’s Garage in Westmoreland Road Douglas to take a leisurely trip around the scenic Isle of Man. The rider in question was local man Gwlym ‘Goo’ Owen, and as he kicked his 350 BSA into life neither he nor the organisers could have imagined that a classic event was commencing.

Artie Radcliffe went on to win it, with a loss of 44 marks on his 350 Matchless, with Eamonn Rice second on a 200 Sun, and a certain Arthur Lampkin third on a 350 Royal Enfield. There were 42 riders in that first Manx, but their enjoyment and experience of this new trial cemented the event in the National trials calendar.

For the first seven years the trial was solo only, but in 1962 the sidecar class was introduced and has been included every year since.

The ‘Manx’ has also had its share of disruption during the last 50 years, in particular in 1965, 1971 and 1975 when the Isle of Man played host to the International Six Days Trial (I.S.D.T.) and then again in 2001 when the foot and mouth epidemic played havoc with the whole trials season. But despite this the trial has always bounced back with full entries and a great social atmosphere.

The Trial has been won over the years by some of the leading names of British Trials. Artie Radcliffe, Sammy Miller, Gordon Farley, Martin Lampkin, Malcolm Rathmell, Tony Scarlett, Nigel Birkett, John Shirt, Dougie Lampkin, Graham Jarvis and of course local star rider Steve Colley amongst others have all been lucky enough to take home the Silverware on at least one occasion.

But the trial has never been about the ‘stars’, it has always been aimed at the Clubman riders and lesser lights who are out for a great weekend of sport and a fantastic opportunity to socialise with a large band of like minded people. And it is this attitude that has ensured the continued popularity of the trial over the last 55 years.

The economic climate has effected Trials just as other sports, however the Manx remains very popular with the riders literally queuing up to take part. Obviously they feel that making the trip to the Island every year is very worthwhile, especially those who in recent years competitors have travelled from parts of Europe, America and the Middle East!

In this day and age of tight and technical sections it is no wonder that many riders come back year after year to experience two full days of very rideable and predominantly natural trials. Every type of going imaginable is included in the ‘Manx’ route such is the diversity of the island’s landscape. Everything from slate quarries to Mooreland becks, volcanic rock by the sea to muddy glens, the Two-day has it all.

The 2011 event takes place over the weekend of August 27th and 28th and is proud to form part of the growing Manx Grand Prix Festival.