Peter Purves, presenter of the long-running BBC1 trials bike series "Kick Start", is born in New Longton, near Preston, Lancashire, UK.
While the 1978 Lombard RAC Rally organizer, Nick Brittan was staring out the window of his local pub when-BAM!-the idea that top trials motorcyclists, competing over a hazardous track and obstacles with the possibility of blood and/or broken bones might make exciting television. After a dozen or so phone calls he was finally able to pitch the idea to his connections at BBC1...
Run against a timing clock, the show illustrated some of the skills needed in normal motorcycle trials riding. In the Kick Start format, the riders went over obstacles such as piles of logs, 55 gallon oil drums, thru water troughs, up steep banking or a cliff-face and over cars. Penalties, in the form of time added to their time, would be given for putting a foot on the ground while tackling an obstacle or touching or knocking over specified parts of an obstacle.
The course for the three-part series was devised by trials rider Sammy Miller and constructed within the World Famous Donington Park Race Circuit.
Kick Start ran on BBC1 from August 6, 1979 – June 1, 1988.
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