Jeff Salois was born in Warwick, Rhode Island, and graduated from Coventry High School. While a student at Coventry High, Jeff was a member of the Wrestling team. Jeff started riding motorcycles and trials at the age of 32. He was brought into the sport by fellow Hall of Famer, Bill Mathewson. Jeff started competing in trials, the year he started riding motorcycles.
While Jeff has competed in regional, national, and international trials competitions, his most notable competition, was participation and completion of the prestigious Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT). The SSDT is arguably the most demanding trails event on earth. Fellow Hall of Famer Carl “Coach” Swanson, recounted watching Jeff compete in the SSDT watching him race determinedly across the Scottish countryside on his way to ride the next section.
One of Jeff’s favorite memories is of the 2019 Isle of Man Manx International Classic Trials in which rode a 1970s vintage Yamaha TY250. Jeff and other riders were waiting their turn to enter a demanding section named the Flume, a deep, boulder-filled stream. Jeff watched the other riders ahead of him attempt the section and fail to clean it. As he studied the situation, one rider took a different line and had some success, Jeff improved upon the line and cleaned the section. That day Jeff finished 14 out of 47 entrants in the Clubman Twin Shock Class.
Jeff is not only a competitor but also has served 10 consecutive years as a Trials Master for regional events. He was also the Checker Organizer for the National events in 1994 and 1995. In 2003, Jeff was Clerk of the Course for the Rhode Island National.
For his competition record, organizational accomplishments and general dedication to the sport of trials, Jeff was inducted in 2018 into the New England Trials Association’s Hall of Fame