Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Curt Comer Fulfilling a dream By Gary Van Voorhis Observed trials rider Curt Comer has harbored a dream for nearly 10 years that is now set to come true. Comer flew to England on February 15 to get ready for an intense three months which will see the 26year-old native of Alabama con. . te t the ftrst s~x rol;lnds of the World ChamplOnshlp Observed 34 Trials Series in Europe plus the prestigious Scottish Six Day Trials. Upon his return to the U.S. on May 15, Comer will find little time to relax as he prepares for the U.S. and Cana- dian World Championship rounds as well as launching a title winning challenge In the AMAINATC ationalChampionshipObservedTrials Series. If it sounds like a hectic schedule, it is. However, to Comer it is a dream come true. Observed trials is a sport where finesse, patience and a keen sense of balance are key attributes ratherthan gut-wrenching speed as in road racing or the berm-busting style of MX. As such, it has never received a great amount of recognition in America compared with its status in Europe. Therefore, a rider must head across the pond if he is to make a name for himself and even then' it can be no guarantee of success in his home cOl!ntry. Bernie Schreiber won America's first World Championship title in 1979 and then added the first American win (1982) in the Scottish Six Day Trials. He is far better known on the continent than he is in his home state of California. Comer has paid his dues and spent the better part of the past six seasons arranging his life and his jobs around trials training. He spent time in England in 1981 working in a bike shop and riding as often as possible to gather experience. More recent employment included working for Cosmopolitan Motors, the Montesa importer, and a stint as a manufacturer's rep selling accessory lines. "I learned something from every job," says Comer, "and I enjoyed each one. I did what I had to do to continue riding trials. "I got my first taste of World Championship competition in 1978 iri the U.S.. round in Pennsylvania. I finishedsixth overall, my best championship placing to date, which put me 18th in the point standings at the end of the year. I rode the Italian round the next year and have ridden a total of seven events in Europe with a 13th in the 1982 West German event my best finish outside North America." These fleeting tastes of the ultimate competition were the spark which kept the fire burning in Comer as he pursued his goal of organizing a sponsorship package/program which would allow him to ridea full World Championship season or as near as he could come to one. The end result i to be a personal evaluation of his skill and talent against the be t in the world. Comer's stateside accomplishments include winning the AMA/NATC title in '1981. He was ranked number three the past two seasons. His personal timetable had called for him to head to Europe last year, but "finances and other things got in the way" and he didn't make the trip. Rule changes and the obtaining of a solid sponsorship put Comer on the right track for this year. "One of the major reasons I decided to make a full scale attempt this year," said Comer, "was the FIM's changing of the way points are paid out. Instead of going to the top 10 finishers as in past seasons, they now go to the top 15 which gives an up and coming rider or one who doesn't have the benefit of a huge support program a better chance of scoring in every round. In addition, the scheduling is better this year with the first six rounds running over seven weeks so a rider like me can make all of them on just one trip to Europe. "Another plus is that Michelin should have their special "sticky" compound tires available to all riders because of an apparent threat by the FIM to ban the tires if they aren't available. That was also a major point in my d.ecision-making, since a rider on production tires has little chance of being competitive with a rider who is running a special compound ... Comer's plans had come to somewhat of a stanc!stilliate last year and it looked as though he would have to postpone his dream another time. Then "Santa Claus" came early. "It was almost like Christmas came early," said Comer of a phone call he received in December from Can-Am's Jeff Smith, who is in charge of the company's competition program in' the U.S. "Jeff told me Can-Am was releasing a trials bike in the U.S. and they wanted to get it out in front of the public and create some interest for theit dealers. I was offered the job of riding the bike and things began rolling from there. "My deal is for bikes and parts plus help with entry fees and travel expenses. Initially, I'll be basing myself out of Lancashire, England, when I first get there. It's the same place I stayed and worked in when I was in England in 1981. The town is a 20-minute drive from the Armstrong factory which now manufactures all of Can-Am's bikes. The only real difference between the Can-Am and the Armstrong is the paint scheme and some detailing. "For the Scottish I'll be a member of Armstrong's manufacturer's team so my expenses and such are covered. there. I really enjoy riding the Six Day because it's such an interesting event. Every day is a challenge because you never ride the same section twice. I rode theevent in 1982 and was in the top 20 going into day five. I had some tire troubles and that cost me a few positions. Then, oil Saturday, the

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