Classic trials, or colloquially mud plugging, is one of the oldest forms of

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off-road Off-roading is the activity of driving or riding in a vehicle on unpaved surfaces such as sand, gravel, riverbeds, mud, snow, rocks, and other natural terrain. Types of off-roading range in intensity, from leisure drives with unmodified vehicl ...

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s, dating from the beginning of the 20th century. Originally, the challenge was just to complete a long (challenging) road course. All three

Motor Cycling Club The Motor Cycling Club (MCC) is a British motorsports and Motorcycle sport club formed in 1901. It is the second oldest motorcycle club in Great Britain. It is a member of both the Motor Sports Association (cars) and Auto-Cycle Union (bikes). ...

long distance trials in the UK – the

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, the

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and the

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– date from that time, and are still held today. As vehicles became more reliable, the events became easier and the concept of ''observed non-stop'' sections was introduced. On these, the car or motorcycle is stopped at the foot of a hill and has to make a non-stop ascent. On a classic trial today, there will typically be around fifteen of such "observed sections", mixed with between 40 to 400 miles of road course. 1954 M & L Trials Special (5957428728)

Specific forms of car trials are ''PCTs'' (production car trials), for (road legal) production cars with minimal modification, and on the other hand ''sporting trials'' for special "flyweight" vehicles. These trials are restricted to one off-road trial route, without any road mileage sections.

External links

Classical Gas
— Classic Trialling
Association of Classic Trials Clubs
— Rules and Regulations for one day Classic Trials and an article on the history of the sport.
The Motor Cycling Club
— Despite the name the MCC organise the three overnight trials. {{sportscar-autoracing-stub Auto racing by type