Classic Competition • 1980
Rob Shepherd (Honda).
Martin Lampkin (Bultaco).
CLASSIC TRIAL ACTION
ACU BRITISH TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP
Attracting entries of well-over one hundred riders at each of the five opening rounds of the 1980 ACU British Trials Championship, three Yorkshire riders were fighting for the championship lead before the break for the all-important Scottish Six Days Trial in May. With four different winners from the opening five-round series, we take a brief look at the opening rounds before moving on to the main focus of this article, round five: the Mitchell Trial. Words: Yoomee,Alan Wright, Alan Vines and Mike Rapley Pictures: Alan Vines, Eric Kitchen and Mauri/Fontsere Collection and the Giulio Mauri Copyright
SHEPHERD LEADS
After the opening four rounds, it was three riders, Rob Shepherd, Martin Lampkin and Malcolm Rathmell, who had broken away at the top of the Championship table. Of these three the only rider not to have won a round was Rathmell. John Reynolds had dropped just off the pace to hold fourth position in the championship, having won round two.
ROUND 1: ST DAVID’S TRIAL
With the opening round of the FIM World Trials Championship just around the corner, the ACU British Trials Championship welcomed American riders Bernie Schreiber and Marland Whaley who, along with Japan’s Kiyoteru Hattori, added an international ‘feel’ to the series. On a wet day in the Welsh Valleys eventual winner, Martin Lampkin and his fellow ‘Yorkie’ Malcolm Rathmell came under attack from one of the new breed of younger riders, Mike Skinner. He eventually lost out on a tie decider with Rathmell as Rob Shepherd came home in fourth position followed by an on-form Tony Calvert who, along with Norman Shepherd, had made the move from Bultaco. On a day with the time element playing a part in the final results, it was left to Schreiber to uphold international honours as he took the final championship point in tenth position. RESULTS: 1: Martin Lampkin (Bultaco) 20; 2: Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa) 24; 3: Mike Skinner (Montesa) 24; 4: Rob Shepherd (Honda) 31; 5: Tony Calvert (Ossa) 33; 6: Chris Myers (Bultaco) 34; 7: Nigel Birkett (Montesa) 34; 8: Norman Shepherd (Ossa) 36; 9: Chris Clarke (Montesa) 37; 10: Bernie Schreiber (Bultaco-USA) 37.
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Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa).
Autumn 2020 • Classic Trial Magazine