THEY may not be looking for exact confirmation from the Guinness Book of Records, but a group of motorcyclists from Mawnan Smith are convinced they hold a unique position in the sport's history.

Over the years six trials riders have been selected to represent Cornwall in trials events and that, suggests Tony Barbary, is unequalled by any other village in the county.

Tony Barbary, Billy Curtis, Brian Martin, Tony Minter, Brian Woodgate and Brian Philpott are the sextet of riders who think they can safely lay claim to the record.

Unfortunately, when this article was being prepared, Brian Philpott died last Thursday after a long illness, but his wife, Barbara insisted that both Brian and she wanted the story to be told.

All the riders, apart from Brian Philpott who was 79, are now into their 60s and it was between the 1950s and 1970s that they made their mark. Brian's career began in the mid 1940s.

The village's affinity to motor sport is, perhaps, not surprising given the fact that Tony's father, Bill, had a motorcycle garage near the village.

"It became the base for the riders," continued Tony, "and we used to meet there before leaving for trials. A couple of the lads also had apprenticeships at the garage, so it wasn't surprising that they became involved in the sport in a big way.

"The Cornwall Centre of the Autocycle Association is responsible for organising motor trials and scrambles for clubs in the Duchy," said Tony.

"Winning a trial earns you points and when you have enough points you are eligible to be selected to ride for the county."

Brian Martin, who rode in the national trials, said they came up against some stiff opposition: "The Midlands county side were the best in the country, they were the boys. Yorkshire was brilliant as well, but motor trials was the national sport up there.

"On one occasion we finished fourth in the National County Trials, but that was the best result we achieved during our time."

The 1950s and 60s was a great time for the sport and the bikes from that era will rekindle memories for both riders and spectators.

"I had a few bikes," said Tony. "A Royal Enfield, Greeves, and so on, but the lads also rode Francis Barnett and Bultacos, but that was before the Japanese came on the scene."

All the riders were members of Pendennis Motor Club and as well as Martin, three others, Barbary, Minter, and Woodgate, rode in National Centre Trials.

"We think that we can lay claim to the record number of riders for a village," added Tony, "so you might say that we are throwing out a challenge to see if anyone think they can better it."

n Brian Philpott's funeral service takes place on Monday at 1 pm at the Trelawny Chapel, Penmount Crematorium, Truro.