The FIM ISDE (International six day enduro) - The Kiwi Connection

ISDE Taupo 2006

In November 2006 the 81st FIM International Six Day Enduro was held in Taupo New Zealand . The event was attended by 600 riders representing 31 Nations from around the world. Including of course New Zealand. Making it a very major sporting event in this country. Finland won the Team trophy event from France and Spain with New Zealand taking seventh (Shayne King , Paul Whibley, Chris Birch, Cameron  Negus, Lachlan Columb , and Darryl King) and also the Junior trophy team took tenth overall.(Adrian Smith , Karl Power , Michael Phillips and Jason Davies.) New Zealand riders won four Gold Medals (Shayne King , Paul Whibley , Cameron Negus and Chris Birch) along with several more Silvers and Bronzes.

The Kiwi connection to the ISDE goes back to the 1950's . Australian Born adopted Kiwi Tim Gibbes rode in the ISDT (International six day trial in those days). Between 1955 and 1963 he won six gold medals and one bronze. 

In 1979 Tim Gibbes entered a private team. 

However it was not till 1982 in Czechoslavakia that a New Zealand team competed be it with help from the Australian Team . The team was Darryl August , Graham Harris and Mark McDonald with Tim Gibbes as the team manager of Australia and New Zealand . The team riders had an successful debut  with all riders bringing home a bronze medal. It is important to note that New Zealand wasn't affiliated to the FIM so could not compete for the overall Team trophy prize , only individual honours and club team honours .

Tim Gibbes 1957 .www.vinduronz.com

In 1983 , still not affiliated to the FIM  .The New Zealand team that went to Wales comprised of Paul Swift , Shaun Stanbridge , Graham Harris , Jock McLaughlan , Tjebbe Bruin and Terry Cameron. The team finished 4th in the Club team results with six of the seven earning Bronze medals. Once again Tim Gibbes was the manager.

Pic: www.motorcyclesport.co.nz

Finally in 1984 New Zealand became affiliated to the FIM and thus was allowed to enter official teams and riders in World Championship events such as the ISDE. In 1984 the team (Graeme and Chris Harris , Tony Cooksley , Dave Owen , Darryl August ,Rob Snep , Grant Oliver , Mark Haines and Jonathan Guy.) also competed in the Moto-cross of Nations which was another first for Kiwis . 

In those days the 500cc (Moto des Nations) and 250cc (Trophee des Nations) were held in separate countries. In this case Finland and Sweden . This was seen as valuable practice on the rented machines leading up to the main event the six days in Holland.   On the sandy ground the team found the going tough as did the bikes. In the end Graeme and Chris Harris won Silver medals. Tim Gibbes was once again Team Manager.

In 1985 the ISDE moved to Spain , there working alongside the Australians again Graeme Harris won a Gold Medal while Darryl August took a silver and Rob Snep a Bronze. All amazing efforts considering August rode two days injured and Snep having to fill his bike frequently with water after a radiator was damaged.

In 1988 John McKee travelled to France as an individual and won a Silver medal.

Watling Trophy

New Zealand did not compete officially again until Cessnock in Australia in 1992 where the the New Zealand Trophy Team finished seventh and the Junior Trophy team finished fifth . In recognition the FIM awarded both New Zealand teams the Watling Trophy which is usually awarded to just one team for outstanding performance. Sean Clarke won an individual gold medal.

The years that followed individuals contested the ISDE , such as Australian based Kiwi Stefan Merriman riding for Australia.

In Greece in 2008 The Kiwi teams took 10th in the Junior Teams Trophy and 16th in the World Teams Trophy. Chris Birch took out individual gold medal.

Enduro racing in New Zealand is still a major part of Motorcycle Sport , starting in the mid 1970's it still continues today and hopefully in to the future.