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VOLUME 59 ISSUE 18 MAY 3, 2022 P131 doing. We just tore the ribbons [which line the trials sections] up. I finished 17th out of 18 in the amateur class," said Martin. But he and his brother had fun. Afterward, they thought, "We can do better than this." The Belairs then read up on the sport of trials, watched some promotional films and modified their motorcycles for trials. Eight months later, Martin entered the Kid's class and won. He got his first trophy and has been hooked on the sport of trials ever since. Martin eventually made Expert on the Hodaka. "That's how we got into trials, not because my dad was into trials—he had never even ridden trials. It turned into just a family thing, and it took off. There was the competitive aspect without any of the dangers. And that kept my mom happy." Martin continued to sharpen his skills at trials as did many other fledgling trials riders he rode with at that time. The south- ern California area became a hotbed of young and talented trialers, which included Marland Whaley, Bernie Schrieber, Bob Nichols, Bob Grove, Jack Ward (Jeff Ward's father), Dave Evans (Debbie Evan's father), and many others. The competition was stiff, to say the least. "One point could mean the dif- ference between first and eighth place," Martin says. "It was so competitive." But these guys needed a place to hone and test their skills at the highest level, that place would be Europe. "I found out later in life that my dad loved international competi- tion. Being in Argentina, he always dreamed of going to Europe, but it was so hard for them to get there. So, when he saw all us kids here in California getting really good and progressing, he said, 'These kids need to go to Europe.' Then he organized the El Trial de Espana to raise money. The first year they sent Bob Nicholson and Kevin Walker, and by the third year, they sent seven of us. We went from local Southern Califor- nian guys to riding a World Cham- pionship. I finished 140th, Marland was 139th, but in a few years, Marland was on the podium." Fred kept running the El Trial de Espana until it "got to be too much of a burden and turned it over to the [local trials] clubs," says Martin. Despite turning the El Trial de Espana to the clubs, Fred Belair remained heavily involved with trials and, more specifically, trials manufacturer Montesa, which was in Spain. "My mom is from Barce- lona, and my dad was at a trial at Saddleback Park one day, and the Montesa export manager was there, a very distinguished-looking man; you know, goatee, turtle- neck, sport coat. At Saddleback, he really stuck out. My Dad is go- ing, 'Who is this guy?' Here we are riding Hodakas and my dad, who speaks Spanish, went up to talk to him, and that was the beginning of a relationship with Montesa that has lasted still to this day. "The executives from Spain would come over to our house and my mom would cook them Cantalan food, it became a family thing. Montesa has always been family with me. People assume that Fred was an importer, or partner, but he'd always say, 'I don't want to ruin our friendship [with Montesa],' because getting into business together might spoil their friendship. They offered him the importership several times, but he always turned it down." Over time, Fred made a lot of connections in the motorcycle industry despite not working in And that kept my mom happy." Whaley, Bernie Schrieber, Bob ETdE founder Fred Belair, Martin's father, was indeed a character and a great friend of the sport of trials. Belair passed away in 2006 at the age of 83. He was inducted into the North American Trials Council (NATC) Hall of Fame in the same year. PHOTO: COURTESY MARTIN BELAIR