M OTORC YC L E • CYCLE • SI DE-CAR • CLAS S IC • CO MPE TITIO N • FEAT U R E S
SECTION
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SSDT WINNER
LAMPKIN DL12 FLASHBACK
CATCH UP
BECKY COOK MINDER
SSDT 1968-2008 JIRI SVOBODA SSDT POSTER INSIDE ISSN
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JUNE-JULY 2018
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TRIAL MAGAZINE
SECTION
WELCOME
69 FEATURES NEW MODELS
12
Yamaha E
TRADITIONAL
20
Scottish Six Days
LIVING THE DREAM
34
‘People’ Scottish Six Days
INTERNATIONAL
38
FIM Trial World Championship
MINDER
50
Jiri Svoboda
ON AIR
62
Nevis Radio
FLASHBACK
64
SSDT 1968 - 2008
SPORT
76
British Championship Sidecar - Youth
CATCH UP
92
Becky Cook
CLASSIC COMPETITION
98
Pre-65 SSDT
CYCLE
108
British Trials Cup
SECTIONS TALK TRIALS
Trial Magazine is published by: CJ PUBLISHING LIMITED 48 Albion Road, New Mills, High Peak, Derbyshire, SK22 3EX. UK Telephone: 01663 749163 Email: england@trialmag.com Co-Managing Directors John Hulme & Charles Benhamou Executive Director Philippe Benhamou Editor John Hulme (NUJ No: 949620) england@trialmag.com
Editorial Staff Cyrille Barthe, Jean Caillou, Phil Disney, Nick Shield, Matthew Heppleston, Heath Brindley, and John Moffat Photographers Colin Bullock, Eric Kitchen, Cyrille Barthe, Josh Turner, Yoomee, Trials Media, Barry Robinson, Don Morley, Mauri/Fontserè Collection and the Giulio Mauri Copyright, Brian Holder and Andy Gregory. Proof reading Jane Hulme and Davina Brooks
Commercial Manager John Hulme england@trialmag.com Design and Production Dean Cook The Magazine Production Company www.magazineproduction.com
Printing Buxtons Press Distribution Warners Group Publications Plc Mail Order www.trialmaguk.com TRIAL MAGAZINE: ISSN: 1753-0040.
CJ Publishing Limited is a Company Registered in England Number: 5947718. © 2018 CJ Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publishers. Great care is taken to ensure accuracy in the preparation of this publication, but neither CJ Publishing Ltd or the editor can be held responsible for its contents. The views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the Publishers.
TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
TONI BOU NEWS SHOPPING PADDOCK POSTER SUPERSTORE DEALER LOCATOR SUBSCRIPTION FORM
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COVER PHOTO: DOUGIE LAMPKIN 2018 SSDT WINNER PICTURE CREDIT: JOHN HULME
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TALK TRIALS TONI BOU
A RELIEF
Yes, that is how I felt after getting my first victory in the 2018 FIM Trial World Championship. Despite the fact I was not the fastest rider in the qualifying process, to take my 98th victory after a tough day’s riding high in the mountains around the venue at Camprodon in Spain was such a reward for all the hard work from everyone around me helping me to take this result. WORDS: TONI BOU WITH JOHN HULME • PICTURES: MONTESA/HONDA AND TRIALS MEDIA
F
or the second year in succession, I have had to start the season recovering from injury, which is not the best position to be in. The back injury I sustained after my crash at the indoor in France in late February is still not 100%, which I am acutely aware of when I am riding. If I am honest, I was disappointed with my qualifying ride as I was aiming to set the quickest time, but it just goes to show I am human and do make mistakes! In the trial, I decided before the start to ride my own trial at the front and not become distracted by the other riders behind me. This is very important for my confidence. My minder Marc Frexia kept me focussed and between us the plan worked in our favour, which is reflected in both the lap scores. I managed to open up an advantage before the rain came which, as it happened, gave me the edge on the second lap and I actually really enjoyed the day’s competition. It will be a long and challenging season because my rivals are always pushing to achieve the same goals that I have, so I cannot relax and will have to fight until the last section at every round, but this will only make me more determined! This year Montesa celebrates 50 years of the production of the Cota model and with victory number 98 now in the bag the aim is to make it a massive season for Montesa as I focus on victory number 100! Until Next Time – Ride On! – Toni
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JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
EVOLUTION OF PERFECTION
THE JOURNEY GOES ON Featuring a new colour scheme with white, red and blue graphics, it looks sportier than ever before. The 260cc engine has been enhanced to improve traction while minimised engine braking makes it feel even lighter. Switchable ECU ignition mapping offers dual maps for improved ridability in variable grip conditions. The Cota 4RT260 is a machine that has evolved over time into a base platform that the amateur Trial enthusiast can get the most out of.
0% APR
REPRESENTATIVE VPL
ON ALL MONTESA COTA 4RT260 MODELS REGISTERED BEFORE 31 AUGUST 2018*
honda.co.uk 0345 200 8000 VPL Terms & Conditions: *New Montesa Honda RT260 17YM orders from 10 May 2018 to 31 August 2018 and registered by 31 August 2018. Subject to model and colour availability. Representative Example based on 3 years 0% VPL. Offers applicable at participating dealers and are at the promoter’s absolute discretion. Indemnities may be required in certain circumstances. Finance is only available to persons aged 18 or over, subject to status. All figures are correct at time of publication but may be subject to change. Honda Franchise Dealers are credit brokers, not lenders. Credit provided by Honda Finance Europe Plc. Cain Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1HL. Honda Financial Services is a trading name of Honda Finance Europe Plc. a company registered at Companies House No 03289418. Honda Finance Europe plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Services Register number 312541.
NEWS
TRIALS ROUND-UP
FIM X-Trial success
The first season in the new X-Trial FIM World Championship era has seen several records broken. The 2018 Championship came to a conclusion in Budapest in late March and has produced a marked step forward for the discipline, demonstrated by various interesting statistics. A total of 16 different riders have participated at some stage during the seven X-Trial events, and six different nationalities have been represented through the season. Seven different riders have made it onto an X-Trial podium in 2018 and three of them, Toni Bou, Adam Raga and Jaime Busto, have made it to top spot. Six young hopefuls have made their first steps in the Championship by achieving their series debuts in 2018. Toni Bou has recorded a 12th consecutive X-Trial World Championship title. Jaime Busto claimed his first-ever X-Trial win. With victory at X-Trial Paris Busto became the 20th different winner in the discipline and only the fourth different rider to win a round in the last decade. With an impressive level of consistency Adam Raga has now reached 25 consecutive X-Trial podium appearances stretching back to the 2014 campaign, and extends his all-time podium record above the century mark to a total of 104 top-three finishes. TRRS rider Raga has also become the highest all-time point-scorer in the sport with a total of 2,043 career X-Trial points. Takahisa Fujinami made his 136th X-Trial start when he lined up in Budapest, in the process securing a new all-time appearance record in the sport. At the season-ending X-Trial Budapest, Hungary became the 19th different nation to host an X-Trial World Championship round.
2018 FIM X-TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL POSITIONS: 1: Toni Bou (Repsol
Honda-ESP) 106; 2: Adam Raga (TRRS-ESP) 104; 3: Jamie Busto (Gas Gas-ESP) 65; 4: Benoit Bincaz (Scorpa-FRA) 64; 5: Miquel Gelabert (Sherco-ESP) 43; 6: James Dabill (Beta-GBR) 37; 7: Jeroni Fajardo (Gas Gas-ESP) 36; 8: Takahisa Fujinami (Repsol Honda-JPN) 28; 9: Alexandre Ferrer (Sherco-FRA) 6; 10; Luca Petrella (TRRS-ITA) 3; 11: Jorge Casales (Vertigo-ESP) 3; 12: Franz Kadlec (Gas Gas-GER) 2; 13: Matteo Grattarola (Montesa-ITA) 2; 14: Arnau Farre (Vertigo-ESP) 2; 15: Jack Price (Gas Gas-GBR) 2; 16; Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa-ESP) 2.
Film wanted In March 1971 the Manchester 17 MCC ran the John Simister Trial around Wildboarclough in the Peak District and three of the members, Ray Tootall, George Snowball and Pev Attwood filmed it on 8mm cameras. After it was edited together it was shown at their club meeting on 12th October 1971 and has never been seen or heard of since! The winner that day was Dave Thorpe. 45 years later, Manchester 17 MCC member Paul Tootall began to try and track the film down, contacting older members and the relatives of those now deceased, but with no luck. Two years on, no-one has come forward with information as to the where the film is. If you can help with any information on the film, please contact us at Trial Magazine; all our details are in the front of the magazine.
S3 Championship With the Jack Wood round cancelled, round seven, the Chris Carter Trial, would round off the 2018 S3 Championship until the Wainwright in June. It was a hugely delighted Tom Minta who won the Chris Carter Trial in April. This was the first adult national win for the young Scorpa mounted rider.
CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS AFTER ROUND 7 OF 9 EXPERT: 1: Richard Sadler (Beta) 117; 2: Guy
Kendrew (Beta) 103; 3: Luke Walker (Sherco) 82.
CLUBMEN: 1: Dave Clinkard (Beta) 55; 2: Darren
Wasley (Gas Gas) 54; 3: Huw Price (Montesa) 33.
125: 1: Jake Eley (Beta) 92; 2: Andrew Eley (Beta) 88; 3: Ronni Day (Scorpa) 20.
ROUND 5 POWYS TROPHY S3 EXPERT: 1: Sadler 3; 2: Kendrew 12; 3: Stay 14.
Tom Minta (Scorpa)
S3 CLUBMEN: 1: Gareth Richards (Beta) 20; 2: Richard Fraser (Sherco) 21; 3: Paul Bennett (Scorpa).
S3 125 - 1: Jake Eley 135; 2: Andrew Eley 151. NON-CHAMPIONSHIP ELITE: 1: Ross Danby (TRS) 11.
ROUND 6 LOMAX CUP S3 EXPERT: 1: Kendrew 13; 2: Sadler 14; 3: Pearson 25. S3 CLUBMEN: 1: Price 21; 2: Philip Houghton (Triumph) 22; 3: Tony Buckley (Beta) 28. S3 125: 1: Ronni Day (Scorpa) 137; 2: Andrew Eley (Beta) 140; 3: Jake Eley (Beta) 150. NON-CHAMPIONSHIP ELITE: 1: Dan Thorpe (Gas Gas) 30.
ROUND 7 CHRIS CARTER CUP S3 EXPERT: 1: Sadler 7; 2: Kendrew 10; 3: Ben Hemingway (Beta) 4. S3 CLUBMEN: 1: Wasley 16; 2: Andrew Jackson (Montesa) 22; 3: Jaime Stephenson (Sherco) 26.
S3 125: 1: Jake Eley 115; 2: Andrew Eley 119. NON-CHAMPIONSHIP ELITE: 1: Tom Minta (Scorpa) 2.
Ladies’ BTC 2018 The latest round of this year’s Acklams sponsored ACU Ladies’ British Championship was played out by the Lincoln MCC and Light Car Club. On a dry day the wooded venue attracted a good entry of 33 riders.
RESULTS ROUND 2 LADIES ROUTE 1: 1: Emma Bristow (Sherco) 18; 2: Jess Bown (Scorpa) 43; 3: Louise Alford (JST Gas Gas) 57.
LADIES 50/50 ROUTE 2: 1: Jennifer Stephen (Gas Gas) 65; 2: Chloe Baker (TRS) 77; 3: Bethanie Dunning (Beta) 83.
GIRLS A CHAMPIONSHIP 50/50 ROUTE 2: 1: Olivia Brooksbank (Gas Gas) 62.
Chloe Baker (TRS)
LADIES INTERMEDIATE ROUTE 2: 1: Catherine Alford (Gas Gas) 37; 2: Jazz Hammond (Sherco) 43; 3: Charlotte Kimber (Beta) 53.
GIRLS A INTERMEDIATE ROUTE 2: 1: Sarah Bell (Beta) 51; 2: Molly Mayhew (Beta) 84; 3: Amy Clarke (Sherco) 99.
GIRLS B ROUTE 2: 1: Daisy Parsons (Beta) 34; 2: Elizabeth Tett (Beta) 38; 3: Katlyn Adshead (Beta) 43. GIRLS D ROUTE 4: 1: Matilda Arbon (Beta) 9; 2: Summer Brooksbank (Beta) 61.
2018 CHAMPIONSHIP WITH 2 ROUNDS COMPLETED LADIES ROUTE 1: 1: Bristow 40; 2: Bown 34; 3: Hannah Styles (Vertigo) 28. LADIES 50/50 ROUTE 2: 1: Baker 37; 2: Stephen 35; 3: Dunning 32. GIRLS A CHAMPIONSHIP 50/50 ROUTE 2: 1: Brooksbank 40; 2: Alice Minta (Beta) 17. LADIES INTERMEDIATE ROUTE 2: 1: Alford 40; 2: Hammond 34; 3: Kimber 30. GIRLS A INTERMEDIATE ROUTE 2: 1: Bell 40; 2: Clarke 32; 2: Mayhew 17. GIRLS B ROUTE 2: 1: Parsons 40; 2: Tett 34; 3: Adshead 30. GIRLS D ROUTE 4: 1: Arbon 40; 2: Grace Ward (Beta) 17; 3: Brooksbank 17.
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JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
NEWS
TRIALS ROUND-UP
Back protection. Use it!
Wearing a Jitsie Dynamic back protector saved young Joe Spivey from life in a wheelchair after a recent trials accident. Competing in a trial, he lost control up a steep river bank and jumped 25 feet off his machine – which resulted in three broken vertebrae when he landed on his back! Without the back protector, which reduced the impact, he would have shattered them. After getting up and walking, he soon realised something was wrong; his mother dialled 999 and an ambulance arrived, along with the East Midlands air ambulance with a trauma doctor onboard. They put him on a spinal board and the paramedics and his riding buddies then carried him to the back of a van and to the waiting ambulance. On arrival at Chesterfield Royal Hospital he was X-Rayed and had a CT scan to check for internal bleeding. Thanks to his Jitsie Dynamic chest and back protector he was left with just a short recovery and no lasting damage, and so was able to ride in the Scottish Six Days Trial just 11 weeks after the crash. Some riders may think back protection is unnecessary but if it takes everyone to wear one and it still only saves one person for being in a wheel chair for the rest of their life it has to be worth it. Joe: “I’d just like to say a massive thank you to Jitsie for supporting me, through the Splat Shop team. And I’d also like to thank County Conveyors where I work for supporting me through my time off work, and not to forget Andy at Active Physiotherapy in Totley. All the leading trials clothing manufacturers including Hebo, Mots and Wülfsport produce excellent body protection. Use it!
2018 SSDT Nevis Radio
Once again Nevis Radio, in association with Michelin and Trial Magazine, were live on the carpark for the 2018 Scottish Six Days Trial. With all the figures collated an audience figure of 322,000 listeners and viewers in 22 separate countries, as well as the other listeners via the good-old wireless, enjoyed the lively banter supported by the ‘Trials Guru’ John Moffatt over the six days. John Hulme, Trial Magazine: “On behalf of Michelin and Trial Magazine, we have once again enjoyed the privilege of being involved in this live outside broadcast bringing the action from the event daily as it’s unfolded to the worldwide audience. We would like to thank everyone who makes this happen”.
SSDT vlog
A tribute to Alan Clews: 1938–2018 World renowned motorcycle designer Alan Clews sadly passed away on May 2nd 2018 — just shy of his 80th birthday. Alan continued to play an active role within CCM as he had done over the past 47 years. In the 70s, Alan blazed a trail across the motocross Grands Prix of the world with the Bolton based firm punching well above its weight, dishing out bloody noses to many of the European and Japanese factory works teams. He also established the brand in the trials world with both four- and two-stroke production machines. It was this ability that endeared him and his riders to motorcycle enthusiasts across the globe, and Alan’s legendary fourstroke dirt bikes would become known as ‘The Rolling Thunder’. His final project would see him working his magic on CCM’s latest model, The Spitfire. Alan was in the midst of a ‘stroked’ version of the Spitfire’s 600cc engine when he was taken ill, and tragically he would not see this labour of love brought to its conclusion; however everyone here at CCM is committed to completing this, his final legacy, in his honour.
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“My name is Jan Peters and I am a trials rider from Germany. I love trials that are a bit harder than your average Clubman championship and I love making movies. “I rode my first ‘Scottish’ in 2010 and loved it from the beginning. Later ,when I started working for Jitsie I attended the SSDT for creating pictures and videos but I had a hard time, driving around in the car all day, I just wanted to ride the Scottish! So I thought about solutions; how to combine media coverage whilst still having a bit of fun on the machine for myself. “In the first year I made videos of Dougie Lampkin riding the SSDT. I was lucky enough that I got a number close to Dougie in 2016 and was able to follow him getting to places where the normal SSDT visitor never goes. In 2017, my number was miles away from Doug’s, so filming him was not an option. I had to deal with what I had and so my SSDT companion, colleague and legend, Richard ‘Milky’ Midgley and I became the stars of the next year’s Jitsie SSDT videos. To be honest, I prefer standing behind the camera so talking to it was hard in the beginning! But finally we got so much positive feedback and such a lot of views that we kept going and in retrospect, watching our VLOGS from 2017 is a great way to recapture how the trial was for me and keeps the memories alive. So we kept filming our experiences in the SSDT 2018. “I have tried to capture the great, friendly spirit at the SSDT. How successful I have been, you can decide for yourselves in this year’s glorious Adventures of Milky and Jan”. You can enjoy it on their YouTube channel or visit: www.jitsie.com/en/features/ssdt-vlog JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
NEW MODEL YAMAHA TY-E
TY-E Shocker
We all remember the game-changing Yamaha TY 250cc Mono-Shock trials machine featuring the single-shock rear suspension, which arrived in 1983. That model used a conventional single-cylinder, air cooled two-stroke engine but the mighty Japanese manufacturer has given the trials world a massive ‘E’ shock with its new TY model electric trials machine. It was unveiled at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show in Japan in late March. Yamaha also confirmed that its factory supported rider, trials rider Kenichi Kuroyama, will represent the Yamaha Factory Racing Team during 2018 in the FIM TrialE Cup Class. Could we have the first ever Japanese Trials World Champion? ARTICLE: TRIALS MEDIA AND YAMAHA • PICTURES: YAMAHA
New Technology
With the pictures we have seen it all looks very new. The machine has come straight from the company’s evolving research and development programme, in which their employees are given the opportunity to work outside the conventional ‘box’ and devote up to 5% of their working hours towards new ideas and concepts. It appears that the vision for the new TY-E model was focussed around high outputs of power from small and lightweight components, with the aim of providing an easy-to-ride, responsive but controllable motorcycle. One thing you have to bear in mind at this early stage of the machine is that it’s still a prototype and not a production model. In a statement from Yamaha, it appears that the air-cooled electric engine is housed in an exotic carbon fibre chassis, very much along the lines of the modern twostroke trials models, with the underside of the engine protected by an aluminium sump guard. With a claimed weight of 70kg the front suspension, swinging arm and wheels, disc brakes 12
etc, appear to be very similar to some of the ones that are standard fitting in Europe.
Yamaha TY-E key features
• A high rotation-type, compact, high-power electric motor that achieves high off-road performance with both powerful low speed torque and extended acceleration. • Sophisticated motor control technology that achieves an excellent response and a power feeling from extremely low- to high-speed ranges. • A mechanical clutch that ensures instantaneous power and control, and an electric motor and optimised flywheel that offers excellent traction performance. • A newly designed, compact, high-output battery pack with compact and lightweight components. • Advanced CFRP monocoque frame that is at the lightest possible weight while delivering optimal rigidity and battery storage space • Extremely slim bodywork that does not interfere with the rider.
2018 YAMAHA TY-E SPECIFICATIONS
Engine AC Synchronous Electric Motor Battery Lithium-ion Clutch Hydraulic Operation, Wet, Multi-Plate Type. Frame Monocoque CFRP Ground Clearance: 350mm Weight: 70kg Length: 2,003mm Width: 830mm Height: 1,130mm. CONTACT
YAMAHA
W: www.yamaha-motor.eu/uk JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
SHOPPING WHAT’S NEW
Spada Edge Chaser Helmet www.spadaclothing.co.uk
Jitsie Signal Jackets 2018 www.jitsie.com
Wulfsport Adult Full Deflector Protection www.wulfsport.info
Acerbis Jet Aria Helmet www.acerbis.it
S3 Racing Team Riding Kit
www.trialendurodirect.com www.s3parts.com
Wulfsport Kids Full Deflector Protection www.wulfsport.info
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Wulfsport Toddler Full Deflector Protection www.wulfsport.info
JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
SHOPPING WHAT’S NEW
Hebo XTR Junior Armour Jacket
Mots Skin Pro Chest/Back Protector www.trialendurodirect.com
Jitsie Dynamik Chest/Back Protector www.jitsie.com
Sidi Trial Zero1 Boots
www.sidiselect.co.uk
TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
www.apico.co.uk
Beta Paddock Jackets www.beta-uk.com
Hebo XTR Elbow Guards www.apico.co.uk
DVD 2018 Pre-65 SSDT Trial Review www.trialmaguk.co.uk
DVD 2018 SSDT Trial Review www.trialmaguk.co.uk
Jitsie Domino Riding Kit www.jitsie.com
15
PADDOCK
CAUGHT ON CAMERA
ARMY: BE THE BEST
IT’S LIKE THIS
GRIPPING
STEALTH
FOLLOWING IN MY FOOTSTEPS
LUCA THE RIDER 18
JITSIE’S HIGH FLYER
ON THE JOB JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
PADDOCK
CAUGHT ON CAMERA
VIVA ENCORE
SUMP
FULLY LOADED
WORLD PARTY
WAITING
UNLUCKY FOR SOME
YOU’RE GETTING OLD, JOHN
RETRO TYZ
TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
19
TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL
Sunshine or rain, one thing is sure Dougie Lampkin will always be giving it his very best.
Dougie Lampkin: A master of his art: every inch of each hazard is inspected, and photographic detail kept in the memory banks.
Lampkin’s dozen Who could have predicted the drama that was to unfold on the slopes of Ben Nevis in the sunshine at the conclusion of the 2018 Scottish Six Days Trial as Dougie Lampkin snatched the victory from James Dabill, who had led the event from day one? Looking very much like a heavyweight boxing match, these two top trials riders fought every day to gain an advantage over one another, neither giving anything away in their quest for victory. With six riders parting with no marks on day one Lampkin was in close contact on one mark lost. They both remained clean on day two and on Wednesday Dabill opened up a small advantage. Remaining calm and collected Dabill had his early day on Thursday, with Lampkin his on Friday, but the advantage remained in Dabill’s favour. It was all to play for on Saturday morning as the weather shone properly on the trial for the first time in the week. All was going to plan for Dabill to break the hold of Lampkin on the event, until in a cruel twist of fate he fived the final hazard. In a calm execution of the trial Lampkin parted with one more mark to extend his total of victories at the event to a record twelve. ARTICLE: JOHN HULME • PICTURES: JOHN HIRD, MATT BETTS AND TRIALS MEDIA
20
James Dabill: Riding very calm and collected, the win slipped from his grasp at the final hurdle in the event. JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
TRADITIONAL
SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL
I
Gary Macdonald still chases that elusive first victory, but he should be every proud of his performance as he led the Scorpa team to the coveted and much sought-after manufacturers’ trophy.
t was a change of event conditions for the 2018 ‘Scottish’ as the glorious sunshine of 2017 was replaced by the cold, wind and wet for the majority of the week. Saturday was the only day blessed with sunshine, which was a fitting conclusion for the riders to finally enjoy a dry day. Once again, it was organised by the Edinburgh & District Motor Club with Clerk of the Course, Jeff Horne, at the helm of the ‘ship’. He was supported by the Secretary of the meeting, Mieke de Vos, and, with a hard-working team behind them, they once again delivered an event very much enjoyed by a large majority of the riders. A few changes had been made to the routes, with some new hazards added. It appeared to be a little on the easier side with the hazards riding well and the top rider parting with very few marks but if you look at the bottom half of the results it shows that the trial still took many marks from the riders.
Where’s the Challengers? It was a very happy James Dabill who looked to be on track to add his third SSDT trophy to the cabinet as he held the lead for five of the six days.
282 riders started out with 239 finishers; well done one and all. TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
It’s a fact that the younger riders were pushed away from the podium for whatever reason. Dougie Lampkin is 42 years old, the oldest ever winner of the trial and yet it was really only James Dabill that challenged him for the victory. Gary Macdonald seldom competes as often as he should yet these three riders held the podium positions after six days of competition. Where are the world championship contenders, we may also ask? At a time when the manufacturers are looking to try and sell more machines and create interest in our sport of motorcycle trials surely the fact that the Scottish Six Days Trial provides the largest shop window with 282 competitors their top riders should be competing. Yes, times change and you can argue the sports are now divided, but in truth, it’s all about riding a trials motorcycle in different situations. It was noted and commented that the trial was missing the interest it usually holds. One thing is for sure, if the top riders come to the event then the followers of trials will return to witness the action in what is still the greatest test of man and machine in the world of the trials motorcycle. 21
TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL
Andy Chilton (Andy Metcalfe BMS Scorpa): Hot ‘Chili’ will have his eyes set on the top five in 2019.
Jack Price (JST Gas Gas UK): Still only 20 years old, he lost the tie break for the final step on the podium.
Jack Sheppard (Sherco): ‘Shep’ had one of his usual steady rides.
Sam Connor (Beta-UK): Still loving his trials, Sam will have enjoyed his week’s riding.
Richard Sadler (Acklams Beta-UK): A clean day in Scotland for ‘Mr Steady’ was an excellent ride. 22
Dan Thorpe (JST Gas Gas UK): Looking stylish most of the week Dan also enjoyed his ride in the Pre-65 event. JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
TRADITIONAL
SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL
Thomas Minta (Leven BMS Scorpa): A good young talent who would have been looking for a better result, he should be happy as part of the winning manufacturers’ team.
DAY 1: SUNSHINE AFTER THE RAIN Guy Kendrew (Beta-UK): A man of many hats; we are still not sure about the ‘Pink’!
The weather forecast can never be certain in Scotland, and on the opening day, the 282 riders entered in this iconic event departed from the trial’s base at the West End car park in Fort William to ride into the rain. Wrapped up in waterproofs the leading riders focussed on the winner’s trophy soon settled and removed the early day nerves as only six riders posted feet-up first-day scores to tie for the lead. These top six riders were Jack Price, local rider Gary MacDonald, a previous two-time winner James Dabill, the 2005 victor Sam Connor, Andy Chilton and his Scorpa team-mate Thomas Minta, as the defending Scottish Six Days Trial champion Dougie Lampkin parted with a single mark. Covering a total of 71 miles, the riders rode through 30 hazards to conclude the first day. On paper, it had been a pretty easy day with the hazards riding well, with only three retirements including the downhill mountain bike champion Steve Peat with a recurring elbow injury. After the early morning rain, the day finished with a perfect sunset over the shores of Loch Linnhe, with the machines put into the Parc Ferme overnight.
SSDT: DAY 1, MONDAY OVERALL SCORES RESULTS: 1: Jack Price (JST Gas Gas UK) 0; 2: Gary MacDonald (East Neuk BMS Scorpa) 0; 3: Thomas Minta (Leven BMS Scorpa) 0; 4: James Dabill (Beta) 0; 5: Sam Connor (Beta-UK) 0; 6: Andy Chilton (Andy Metcalfe BMS Scorpa) 0; 7: Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) 1; 8: Joe Baker (Active Sherco) 1; 9: Sam Haslam (JST Gas Gas UK) 2; 10: Jack Sheppard (Sherco) 2.
Sam Haslam (JST Gas Gas UK): ‘Steady’ Sam put in a good solid performance, as expected.
DAY 2: SO CLOSE The two men on form were James Dabill and Dougie Lampkin, who both kept their feet on the footrests through the 30 hazards laid out over the 76-mile course. The day started in overcast conditions, but as the riders crossed over the Corran Ferry, the weather turned for the worst, to heavy rain. Riding in pretty close company with Dabill at number 150 and Lampkin at number 193 the hazards remained very much the same for both of the riders. Riding at the front on his early day Jack Price spoiled a good score with the addition of a five-mark penalty which put him on a total of six marks lost and pushed him away from the top positions. It was only day two of the six-day event, and with the top ten positions covered by a mere six marks, it was still all to play for as the riders entered day three. In the ladies’ class, Emma Bristow continued to show why she is the best female trials rider in the world, with a clear lead. With a weather forecast showing more rain coming into the area the riders knew that the week’s riding would be much harder than the sun-blessed previous year.
SSDT: DAY 2, TUESDAY DAILY SCORES RESULTS: 11: James Dabill (Beta) 0; 2: Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) 0; 3: Jack
Sheppard (Sherco) 1; 4: Sam Haslam (JST Gas Gas UK) 3; 5: Ross Danby (TRS-UK) 3; 6: Guy Kendrew (Beta-UK) 4; 7: Sam Connor (Beta-UK) 5; 8; Richard Sadler (Acklams Beta-UK) 5; 9: Jack Price (JST Gas Gas UK) 6; 10: Gary MacDonald (East Neuk BMS Scorpa) 6.
OVERALL SCORES RESULTS: 1: James Dabill (Beta) 0; 2: Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) 1; 3: Jack Ben Hemingway (Beta-UK): The first four-stroke machine home; our ‘some time’ Trial Magazine test rider looked very confident on the actual Beta that we tested in issue 68. TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
Sheppard (Sherco) 3; 4: Sam Connor (Beta-UK) 5; 5: Sam Haslam (JST Gas Gas UK) 5; 6: Jack Price (JST Gas Gas UK) 6; 7: Gary MacDonald (East Neuk BMS Scorpa) 6; 8: Andy Chilton (Andy Metcalfe BMS Scorpa) 6; 9: Guy Kendrew (Beta-UK) 7; 10: Ross Danby (TRS-UK) 8.
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TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL
DAY 3: TRS ON TOP
Ross Danby (TRS UK): The mainstay of the TRS UK team, Ross can always be relied on to put on a good show in the event as the relatively new brand continues to impress.
Ever-changing weather conditions did not dampen the spirits of trial leader James Dabill as he opened up a small advantage to continue to head the field of riders. On top form though was the Welsh rider Iwan Roberts, who has been battling an illness that has kept him away from the sport in recent times. The Trial2 World Champion kept his feet firmly on the footrests of the TRS to take the best daily rider reward in a very convincing way, which was good to see. Gary Macdonald, who was on his early-number day, was very impressive on the awkward opening sections at Coire Mohair with an impressive clean passage on the Scorpa when the hazard was at its most difficult. With 30 sections and 77 miles to cover the early morning’s fine weather turned to heavy rain as Dougie Lampkin had some mechanical problems with the Vertigo when he had to push out of the hazard at ‘Big Dars Burn’ for a three. This formidable double rock step was the focus of the day as many riders parted with marks here. With the rain lashing down the water level rose and it took more marks from the entry than last year when it was very dry.
SSDT: DAY 3, WEDNESDAY DAILY SCORES
RESULTS: 1: Iwan Roberts (TRS UK) 0; 2: James Dabill (Beta) 1; 3: Gary MacDonald (East Neuk BMS Scorpa) 1; 4: Richard Sadler (Acklams Beta-UK) 2; 5: Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) 3; 6: Sam Connor (Beta-UK) 3; 7: Jack Price (JST Gas Gas UK) 4; 8: Andy Chilton (Andy Metcalfe BMS Scorpa) 4; 9: Amos Bilbao (Montesa-ESP) 4; 10: Ben Hemingway (Beta-UK) 5.
OVERALL SCORES
RESULTS: 1: James Dabill (Beta) 1; 2: Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) 4; 3: Gary MacDonald (East Neuk BMS Scorpa) 7; 4: Sam Connor (Beta-UK) 8; 5: Jack Price (JST Gas Gas UK) 10; 6: Andy Chilton (Andy Metcalfe BMS Scorpa) 10; 7: Ross Danby (TRS UK) 16; 8: Jack Sheppard (Sherco) 16; 9: Iwan Roberts (TRS UK) 17; 10: Richard Sadler (Acklams Beta-UK) 17.
DAY 4: DETERMINED DABILL
Iwan Roberts (TRS UK): It was fantastic to see young Iwan in the event. He is still battling an illness which is keeping him away from the sport. With the support of Steve Sanders he posted a clean day at the event, some achievement for the determined Welsh rider. Chris Pearson (SplatShop Sherco): Always with a smile come rain or shine he showed his best form on Thursday.
It was the turn of trial leader James Dabill to head the field on a very long, tough day which would take in 30 hazards and 91 miles. The first testing hazards would be at the top of Glencoe and the aptly named ‘Chairlift’ sections located close to the ski runs. Looking very determined and confident he executed the hazards perfectly, parting with no marks in an exhibition ride on the slippery rocks. Lampkin arrived shortly afterwards and once again gave a display which reflected his commitment to winning the event on the previous 11 occasions. In the raging river at ‘Gorton’, they lost two apiece. For Lampkin this would be his only marks of the day as Dabill had one more mark at the close of the day at ‘Fersit’, allowing Lampkin to close the advantage to two marks at the close of play. Gary Macdonald remained in 3rd position with both Jack Price and Andy Chilton just behind on thirteen marks lost each. Notable good rides came from Dan Thorpe, Chris Pearson and the 2010 winner Alexz Wigg on four each followed by Richard Sadler on five. As the trial entered its final two days, the retirement level continued to rise, due mainly to rider fatigue and injuries, with 249 riders still in the event.
SSDT: DAY 4, THURSDAY DAILY SCORES
RESULTS: 1: Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) 2; 2: James Dabill (Beta)
3; 3: Gary MacDonald (East Neuk BMS Scorpa) 3; 4: Jack Price (JST Gas Gas UK) 3; 5: Andy Chilton (Andy Metcalfe BMS Scorpa) 3; 6: Jack Sheppard (Sherco) 3; 7: Dan Thorpe (JST Gas Gas UK) 4; 8: Chris Pearson (SplatShop Sherco) 4; 9: Alexz Wigg (JST Gas Gas UK) 4; 10: Richard Sadler (Acklams Beta-UK) 5.
OVERALL SCORES
RESULTS: 1: James Dabill (Beta) 4; 2: Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) 6; 3: Gary MacDonald (East Neuk BMS Scorpa) 10; 4: Jack Price (JST Gas Gas UK) 13; 5: Andy Chilton (Andy Metcalfe BMS Scorpa) 13; 6: Sam Connor (Beta-UK) 18; 7: Jack Sheppard (Sherco) 19; 8: Richard Sadler (Acklams Beta-UK) 22; 9: Guy Kendrew (Beta-UK) 24; 10: Sam Haslam (JST Gas Gas UK) 24.
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JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
polymer memory padding adjustable straps Internal polyurethane protection Replaceable Antibacterial insole with aps (air pump system) leather uppers
Sizes: EU 39-48
Also available in Black
Inner lining with material padding / Polyurethane reinforcements / Memory padding / ISS (Incorporated Steel Shank) insole covered in anti-shock felt / Anti-bacterial replaceable insole with APS (Air Pump System) Available Accessory: Tubular membrane Drytex sock (waterproof and breathable) Outer Oiled full grain leather upper / Trial sole in double density rubber compound dedicated / Thermoformed SAS (Safety Ankle Shield) ankle protection / Injected and shaped plastic protection / Front plate with air-shaped sockets / Heel polyurethane spline / Paramarmitta custom suede / Velcro closing / Replaceable GH plastic adjustable buckles
TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL
Joe Baker (Active Sherco): More used to mud than rocks, it was another solid ride from Joe. Luke Walker (Sherco): Always immaculately turned out, Luke would have been looking at a top ten finish.
Dan Peace (JST Gas Gas UK): Dan will class this as an under-performance, but at his age he will return to the event looking for a much better result.
Dec Bullock (Gas Gas): Not competing in the world series anymore, Dec had a fun week riding with his pals.
Amos Bilbao (Montesa-ESP): It seems: and is: a long time since this very popular rider won in 2002. Amos was the highest placed Montesa rider, taking the Best Foreign Rider award.
Jiri Svoboda (Beta-CZR): Taking the Best Newcomer Award Jiri is a very popular rider known by many who will be very happy for him.
Gabriel Giro (Montesa-ESP): The cousin of Oscar Giro, who is a major part of the Repsol Honda Trials Team, Gabriel will be happy with his award for the second-best newcomer.
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Jeff Horne: Dedicated to the job as the Clerk of the Course Jeff carries the title very well on his strong shoulders. Having just checked out of hospital from some pretty heavy surgery he did himself proud once again with possibly the toughest job in the trial.
Joe Dawson (Beta): Riding number three on the 125cc Beta, Joe will be a happy recipient of the Best Up To 200cc award. JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
TRADITIONAL
SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL
DAY 5: THE BATTLE CONTINUES First man away, Dougie Lampkin would head the field on Friday in overcast and windy weather on day five of this year’s event for the first time in his career. Calling on his many years of experience which has resulted in 11 victories at the ‘Scottish’ he parted with just a single mark in the second group of the day, using the calculated mark to keep the machine moving forward. With slime on the rocks in the early part of his day, he was at his very confident best, which was further evidenced through the remaining hazards of the day. Dabill would remain in control of the event though, as he kept his two-mark advantage having matched Lampkin in the hazards riding at the back of the entry. Commonly known as the road-based day, the scenic route around the Moidart Peninsula tests the machines’ reliability to the limit but is a little gentler on the riders with only two small moor crossings included in the days 30 hazards and 96 miles. For the riders at the back-end of the day the forecasted rain returned, making for a cold ride back to the Lochside base in Fort William. Having a day not losing any marks is very precious at this event, and for Beta rider Richard Sadler that’s exactly what he achieved.
Kevin Dignan (Gas Gas): Winning the Best Services award is an honour, and Kevin will be very happy with it.
SSDT: DAY 5, FRIDAY DAILY SCORES RESULTS: 1: Richard Sadler (Acklams Beta-UK) 0; 2: James Dabill (Beta) 1; 3: Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) 1; 4: Jack Sheppard (Sherco) 1; 5: Gary MacDonald (East Neuk BMS Scorpa) 2; 6: Sam Connor (Beta-UK) 2; 7: Sam Haslam (JST Gas Gas UK) 2; 8: Jack Price (JST Gas Gas UK) 3; 9: Thomas Minta (Leven BMS Scorpa) 3; 10: Alexz Wigg (JST Gas Gas UK) 3.
OVERALL SCORES RESULTS: 1: James Dabill (Beta) 5; 2: Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) 7; 3: Gary MacDonald (East Neuk BMS Scorpa) 12; 4: Jack Peace (JST Gas Gas UK) 16; 5: Jack Sheppard (Sherco) 20; 6: Sam Connor (Beta-UK) 20; 7: Richard Sadler (Acklams Beta-UK) 22; 8: Andy Chilton (Andy Metcalfe BMS Scorpa) 26; 9: Sam Haslam (JST Gas Gas UK) 26; 10: Guy Kendrew (Beta-UK) 30.
DAY 6: VICTORY #12 Jan Peters (Beta-BEL): Testing the Jitsie trials products to the limit is all in a day’s work for Jan.
The final result for the Scottish Six Days Trial has been decided on so many occasions on the hills of Ben Nevis, and 2018 was no different as it once again decided the winner. James Dabill had one hand on the trophy, but victory was cruelly denied as he failed to pass through the ends cards on the very difficult section twenty-six to record a five, which denied him his third victory. With Dougie Lampkin riding behind him in the running order he took a strong single foot down to secure what we believe will be an unbeatable record in this unique event for victory number twelve. Behind these two the battle for the final step on the podium was very intense as Gary Macdonald out-pointed young Jack Price on the tie decider. Macdonald was backed up by Andy Chilton and Thomas Minta as they did enough to secure the prestigious manufacturers’ trophy for Scorpa, much to the delight of UK importer Nigel Birkett. 282 riders started out, and with 239 finishers this historical event lived up to its title of the ultimate test of man and machine.
SSDT: DAY 6, SATURDAY DAILY SCORES RESULTS: 1: Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) 1; 2: Jack Price (JST Gas Gas UK) 2; 3: Andy Chilton Hiroaki Onishi: You have to take your hat off to this guy from Japan; a long way from home and with limited English he finished the event in 237th position.
(Andy Metcalfe BMS Scorpa) 3; 4: Thomas Minta (Leven BMS Scorpa) 3; 5: Iwan Roberts (TRS UK) 3; 6: Jack Sheppard (Sherco) 4; 7: Sam Connor (Beta-UK) 5; 8: James Dabill (Beta) 6; 9: Gary MacDonald (East Neuk BMS Scorpa) 6; 10: Guy Kendrew (Beta-UK) 6.
OVERALL SCORES RESULTS: 1: Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) 8; 2: James Dabill (Beta) 11; 3: Gary MacDonald
John Adamson (Scorpa): The last official finisher in 239th position; well done for finishing the toughest test of man and machine in the world! TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
(Scorpa) 18; 4: Jack Price (Gas Gas) 18; 5: Jack Sheppard (Sherco) 24; 6: Sam Connor (BetaUK) 25; 7: Andy Chilton (Scorpa) 29; 8: Richard Sadler (Beta) 31; 9: Guy Kendrew (Beta) 36; 10: Sam Haslam (Gas Gas) 36; 11: Dan Thorpe (Gas Gas) 38; 12: Thomas Minta (Scorpa) 39; 13: Ben Hemingway (Beta) 42; 14: Ross Danby (TRS) 43; 15: Iwan Roberts (TRS) 44; 16: Joe Baker (Sherco) 44; 17: Chris Pearson (Sherco) 52; 18: Luke Walker (Sherco) 54; 19: Dan Peace (Gas Gas) 55; 20: Dec Bullock (Gas Gas) 57; 21: James Fry (Sherco) 57; 22: Amos Bilbao (Montesa-ESP) 59; 23: Alexz Wigg (Gas Gas) 60; 24: Craig Houston (Scorpa) 74; 25: Richard Timperley (Gas Gas) 76; 26: Jonny Starmer (Beta) 79; 27: Barry Kinley (Gas Gas) 83; 28: Sam Yeadon (Beta) 84; 29: Steven Dixon (Scorpa) 85; 30: Stuart McClurg (Sherco) 85; 31: John Crinson (Beta) 88; 32: Andrew Anderson (Scorpa) 94; 33: Andy Perry (TRS) 96; 34: Richard Gaskell (Beta) 100; 35: Tom Affleck (Vertigo) 101; 36: Emma Bristow (Sherco) 108; 37: John Shirt (Gas Gas) 108; 38: Jiri Svoboda (Beta-CZR) 108; 39: Juan Knight (Gas Gas) 110; 40: Chris Alford (Gas Gas) 113; 41: Carles Esteve (Gas Gas-ESP) 115; 42: Sam Myers (Scorpa) 121; 43: Philip Alderson (Gas Gas) 122; 44: Adam Norris (Beta) 123; 45: Duncan MacDonald (Scorpa) 124; 46: Jan Peters (Beta-BEL) 126; 47: Gabriel Giro (Montesa-ESP) 132; 48: Calum Murphy (TRS) 138; 49: Gareth Andrews (Beta) 139; 50: Corey Dubik (Beta) 141; 51: Joel Sadler (Beta) 142.
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TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL
Eric Kitchen: Clerk of the Course Jeff Horne presents Eric Kitchen with his official photographer’s vest in recognition for his support of the event over many years with the best trials pictures you will ever see.
The Town: The host town of Fort William always welcomes the event and it’s so good to see the townsfolk come out and support the event on the traditional Sunday parade through its streets.
SSDT: OTHER AWARDS SPECIAL AWARDS 2018 SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL BEST MANUFACTURERS’ TEAM: Scorpa BEST NEWCOMER: Jiri Svoboda (Beta-CZR) BEST FOREIGN RIDER: Amos Bilbao (Montesa-ESP) BEST OVER 40: Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) BEST LADY RIDER: Emma Bristow (Sherco) BEST PERFORMANCE UP TO 200CC: Joe Dawson (Beta) BEST PERFORMANCE 201CC-250CC: Dan Peace (Gas Gas) BEST PERFORMANCE OVER 250CC: Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) BEST SERVICES RIDER: Kevin Dignan (Gas Gas)
TOP 50 MANUFACTURERS’ 2018 SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL RESULTS: 1: Beta: 15; 2: Gas Gas: 13; 3: Scorpa: 8; 4: Sherco: 7; 5: TRS: 4; 6: Montesa: 2; 7: Vertigo: 2.
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Thank You: John Hird and Matt Betts joined the team at Trial Magazine to bring us some stunning new pictures from the event.
JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
PRO RACE II 2018
distributed in the UK by
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TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL
Well done, ladies Jess Bown (BMS Scorpa) 118th: With some more consistency Jess knows she can bring home a better result.
The girls once again did themselves proud in the event with only two retirements, Louise Alford damaged her knee forcing her out and American Kylee Sweeten. Emma Bristow once again led the way, taking another special firstclass award.
Emma Bristow (Sherco) 37th: The undisputed number one ladies’ trials rider in the world had some superb rides all week.
Sandra Gomez (Gas Gas-ESP) 68th: Not being a full-time trials rider does not help Sandra, but she is a big supporter of the event.
Katy Sunter (JST Gas Gas UK) 160th: Twisting her damaged knee early in the week made for a tough six days.
Chloe Richardson (Beta) 135th: Now moved to Enduro Extreme Chloe always enjoys her week at the event.
Victoria Payne (Active Sherco) 210th: Never one to give up, she can be proud to have taken another finish.
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Kate Callaghan (Beta) 205th: This was a superb first attempt at this tough event.
JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
LIVING THE DREAM SSDT
SSDT 1988: John Shirt Jnr (Honda)
SSDT 1971: Nigel Birkett (Crooks Suzuki)
A six-day pleasure The Scottish Six Days Trial holds a special place in the heart of many people in the trials world. For some, the opportunity to ride is ‘Living the Dream’ as they have nurtured this craving for what many still consider the ultimate test of man and machine from a very young age. Entries in 2018 were still highly cherished, as it was once again oversubscribed with the dreaded ballot having to come into play. While we were looking at statistics on the event, we noticed that some leading lights in the trials world had ‘racked up’ some records, and most importantly were still very much a part of the six days trial. Here we have a quick look at the years in the event of Nigel Birkett, John Shirt Jnr and Dave Thorpe. Nigel has ridden every year since 1971, John since 1988 and Dave rode from 1966 until 2003 — he missed out twice due to his back and neck problems — giving him a total of 34 rides. Would you believe that they have ridden in 110 Scottish Six Days Trials between them and covered around 65,000-68,000 miles! Of the three, we think Nigel has ridden the most of any competitor in the history of the event, and they have all been consecutive; it’s been the same with John since 1988. Dave’s last ride was in 2003, but he is still very much involved in the event with his son Dan, who just happens to have ridden 22 times, once again all consecutive. ARTICLE: JOHN HULME • PICTURES: YOOMEE ARCHIVE, ERIC KITCHEN, BRIAN HOLDER, THORPE FAMILY AND SNR
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SSDT 1976: Nigel Birkett (Suzuki) – Showing perfect poise on Callart Falls, ‘Birks’ would finish 3rd one year later. This was his best SSDT performance on the factory 325cc Suzuki RL. In 1977 he battled all week with a split fuel tank, for which you were given a five-mark penalty. At the final inspection he had taken the works Suzuki with only a carburettor full of fuel but the organisers made him put two pints in the aluminium fuel tank and it leaked through, pushing him down to third.
SSDT 1966: Dave Thorpe (Triumph)
SSDT 1986: ‘Fettling’ the mono-shock Yamaha in the Parc Ferme. Nigel was very instrumental in the development process of the world-changing, single-shock machine along with his good friend John Shirt Snr. JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
LIVING THE DREAM SSDT
SSDT 1979: John Shirt Jnr on his first visit to the event, seen here on the far right with his father John Shirt Snr in the middle. On the left is the late Norman Eyre. This was also the first visit for John Snr who, like so many other riders, attended the event as a privateer. His Ford Cortina Estate car had the Majesty Yamaha on the motorcycle rack across the car, with the family and all his gear inside.
Nigel Birkett: SSDT 1971-2018
It was while talking to my good friend Brian Holder that it dawned on me just how long Nigel Birkett had been riding in the SSDT when he sent me a superb picture from 1971. In Brian’s words, it captures the true spirt of this iconic event for the first-time rider living the dream on a motorcycle in the most famous trials event of them all. That rider was Nigel Birkett, and yes it was 1971! The Cumbria-based rider has ridden in and finished every event since that very first ride on the Suzuki ‘Special’ he built while serving his motorcycling apprenticeship at Eddie Crooks Motorcycles. As with all the riders featured here they did not compete in the 2001 event, which was cancelled due to the Foot and Mouth epidemic. That gives Nigel 46 rides in the ‘Scottish’ to his name. Now at the tender age of 64 years old, Nigel can still impress the younger riders with his skills as his experience in the Highlands can be seen on occasions when he shows them a thing or two in the hazards and over the tough moorland crossings. Over the years Nigel would be in a position to challenge for the win, with his highest finish coming in 1977 when he was third on the 325 Suzuki RL. In 1981 on the Fantic he amazed the crowds by taking the 156cc engined Italian model to sixth against a very strong entry that was all mounted on much more powerful machines. During his 46 attempts at the event, he would ride a wide variety of machines after making his debut on the ‘home brew’ Suzuki. These machines would be Ossa, Suzuki, Montesa, Fantic, JCM, Gas Gas, Yamaha, his very own Yamaha powered Birkett Special, Yamaha again, Scorpa-Yamaha and Ossa, before moving back to the new generation Scorpa. He is still very much involved with the event, not just as a rider but also as an importer and sponsor of his many riders. Who knows how much longer he will compete in the event but one thing’s for sure, he is still enjoying the event as much now as he did all those years ago when he started out on the annual trip to the event to compete back in 1971. We reckon that Nigel has covered around 27,000 miles in Scotland.
SSDT 2008: John Shirt Snr, on the left with his son John Jnr first supported the event for Gas Gas in 1989 with support for a handful of riders. The Shirt family continue to be very instrumental in the worldwide success of the Gas Gas brand.
John Shirt Jnr: SSDT 1988-2018
As I have been friends with the Shirt family for the best part of forty years, I can remember John’s passion for the sport from a very early age and recall many of his rides in question first hand. It was while his father developed a very busy Majesty Yamaha project that he first heard about the event from Mick Andrews. Mick would spend many hours with John Shirt Snr and all his son wanted to do was ride in the event, having visited it on many occasions as a youngster since 1978. He would have to wait ten years to make his debut in 1988, as is documented elsewhere in this issue. Apart from the first year on the Honda John Jnr is unique in that all he has ridden in the event is the Spanish Gas Gas machine for which he is also the UK importer. He has also won the Best Newcomer award, Special First Class awards on all occasions, and as a sponsor, he has won the event with Steve Colley. His best individual performance was in 1992 when he was second. Having watched his commitment to the event over the years, I can also tell you that he has used 180 rear tyres and 90 fronts. On average he has covered around 18,000 miles, all on Michelin rubber.
SSDT 1977: Dave Thorpe (Bultaco) — Twice Dave came from behind in the closing days of the event to take second position, in 1975 and 1976. This classic ‘EK’ picture is from 1977.
SSDT 1979: A very determined-looking Dave Thorpe on the four-stroke CCM at Ba House. The Scottish is legendary as the ultimate test of man and machine. Next time you see Dave ask him about his exploits on the CCM in the event. Just make sure you have a ‘brew’ in your hand and you are sat down — it’s an epic tale, believe me! TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
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LIVING THE DREAM SSDT
Dave Thorpe: SSDT 1966-2003
The career of Dave Thorpe started back in 1966 on a Triumph Tiger Cub. At the last minute in 1967, he was moved to the number two Triumph works team and rewarded the British manufacturer with a sixteenth position. He would then move to the developing Spanish Ossa brand for a few years, before finishing runner-up on a Bultaco in 1975 and 1976. In 1979 he moved to the CCM brand to become the last rider to finish the event on a machine manufactured in Great Britain. Despite the frame breaking, the fuel tank splitting and setting on fire and carrying a back injury, he finished 95th. He was dismissed by the factory after the event with a letter outlining his lack of effort! A move back to Bultaco in 1980 had Dave back to his enjoyable days at the event riding Yamaha, Beta and Gas Gas machinery before his last ride in 2003 resulted in his only retirement. Dave’s total mileage is around the 20,000 mark. Dave can still be seen at the event passing on his words of wisdom and encouragement to his son Dan, who has just finished his 22nd consecutive SSDT. JOHN HULME: “While generating this article and speaking
with the three riders what came to light is the appreciation they have for everyone who makes the event happen. They have asked us to thank on their behalf every one of those people involved in allowing them to compete in this iconic event.” Do any of you wonderful readers have any interesting SSDT stories? If it’s a yes, please contact us, we would love to hear from you whether you have been a rider, official, observer or spectator.
SSDT 2018: Nigel Birkett (Scorpa)
SSDT 2018: John Shirt Jnr (Gas Gas) 36
2018 SSDT Dan Thorpe JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
INTERNATIONAL FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP): After the back injury sustained in the FIM X-Trial World Championship Bou is still riding in some discomfort – but who would have believed it from the winning result at round one! He continues to set the benchmark, and the fact he did not qualify well did not faze him as he just got on with the job to deliver a severe hammer-blow to his rivals at the start of the 2018 season.
It’s rain in Spain as the season opens For the second year in succession Sport7, the promoter for the FIM series welcomed the riders to the opening round of this year’s Trial World Championship at Camprodon in Spain. This area offers a vast range of challenging conditions for the championship including rivers, rocks and steep climbs found in abundance in this mountainous region, making for an ideal traditional trials venue. Located high in the Pyrenees with breath-taking views and just fifteen kilometres from the border with France, it sits at the height of 1,000 metres above sea level and is very much a tourist area. Situated in the province of Girona it has a population of around 2,300 and during the winter months becomes home to many visitors who increase the population and enjoy the snow-based sports. Bringing trials in line with the other motorcycle world championship disciplines, TrialGP is the top category featuring the most elite riders. Contested this year over eight rounds based around the globe, six of the events will be held on a single day with the other two rounds in Japan and America having two days of pointsscoring rounds each, making a total of ten points-scoring championship events to make up the TrialGP series. ARTICLE: YOOMEE
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Jamie Busto (Gas Gas-ESP): The move from the four-stroke Repsol Honda to the two-stroke Gas Gas has seen the young Spanish rider win already on his new machine, in the FIM X-Trial indoor championship. He looked very good in Spain and rest assured that he will continue to push Bou as his exciting style continues to mature. The pressure of beating Bou must be immense on his young shoulders but on the second lap he came closer to the undisputed world champion; on paper this season should see an exciting duel between these two totally different riders.
Jeroni Fajardo (Gas Gas-ESP): Always very methodical and professional in his preparation, the move to Gas Gas along with Busto has seen a more confident looking Fajardo in 2018. This two-man team from the Spanish Gas Gas brand has a mixture of young and old, with Fajardo the more mature in age of the two. Can Fajardo still win? We believe that, on a good day, he can. JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
INTERNATIONAL
FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Jorge Casales (Vertigo-ESP): Always showing talent in abundance, Jorge feels more at home on the Vertigo which has to be good for his mental approach to trials. The team’s mentality is more in keeping of what Jorge needs in order to get the best from him. With Dougie Lampkin at the head of the team around him maybe that little piece of the jigsaw that is missing for him can be found in 2018.
Adam Raga (TRRS-ESP): Still so competitive after all these years at the very top of the sport, Adam continues to impress with his riding style. Debuting the new ‘Gold’ model of the TRRS in Spain, do not let one belowaverage result dispel any myths about his ability. Just remember this is the only rider who has pushed Bou continually for the last ten years, and as the season unfolds he will still be at the very front of the action for the wins.
Albert Cabestany (Beta-ESP): Looking for a new challenge Albert moved back to Beta after many years on the Sherco machine. Still one of the most naturally gifted riders in the championship with his incredible balance he looked very strong in qualifying, which was unfortunately not turned into a good overall result as his eyes were set firmly on the top five.
TRIALGP
Takahisa Fujinami (Repsol Honda-JPN): Yes, the original ‘playboy’ of the world trials scene, the Japanese rider is now at the back end of a very successful career which was rewarded with the world crown in 2004. Still struggling to recover from injury he will be happy to have scored some points in the opening round.
Despite the fact he was not the fastest rider in the qualifying process, where a small mistake pushed Toni Bou down to eleventh position that would see him starting the event as the fourth man out on the course, nothing could stop him marching towards his 98th victory. In truth, no one had an answer to his awesome display of riding. The nearest challenger was Gas Gas new boy Jaime Busto who finished second, followed by his fellow Spanish Gas Gas team rider Jeroni Fajardo making it an all-Spanish podium. The event had started in sunshine, but at the close of the first of the two laps, the rain shower turned into a downpour, which changed the nature of the hazards. The result still remains the same though, and once again as in 2017, the question on everyone’s lips is who can stop Bou?
James Dabill (Beta-GBR): With the hard work from his minder Jiri Svoboda always evident, James continues to lead the way for the British riders at this level of competition. With the very ‘English’ conditions in Spain the ‘Dibsta’ will have wanted more from the trial, but with so many good riders around him fighting for the top five he once again put in a very solid performance TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
Jack Price (Gas Gas-GBR): Starting to push into the top ten is the aim for Jack in 2018 and he delivered in Spain, only losing eighth position on the tie break decider. This is a very important year for the young rider and with his strong team around him the top ten is where he wants to be.
Miquel Gelabert (Sherco-ESP): Very highly rated as a star for the future by his fans in Spain, he will be very disappointed with this result. The ability is in there but this needs turning into results for him to progress in the TWC. 39
INTERNATIONAL FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Benoit Bincaz (Scorpa-FRA): The ‘find of the season’ in the FIM X-Trial series where he visited the podium on more than one occasion and finished 4th, the young rider’s aim for 2018 is to be a permanent top-ten finisher in TrialGP. This result is not in the equation and he will be trying hard to turn this result around in the next few rounds.
Oriol Noguera (JTG-ESP): Still a young rider gaining experience all the time, he has moved to the rebranded JTG for the 2018 season.
Franz Kadlec (Gas Gas-GER): Still one of the younger riders at this high level of competition, his aim is the top ten in 2018 and he will now know he needs to remain focussed if this is to be achieved.
50 years of the Cota As has been well documented in both Trial Magazine and Classic Trial Magazine, this year Montesa celebrates 50 years of its iconic Cota model range. Having started out with the two-stroke Cota 247 model in 1968, we arrive in 2018 with the four-stroke Cota 4RT. Along this ‘golden’ adventure, world championship success first came with the late Ulf Karlson from Sweden in 1980 competing on the Cota 349. Riding a new generation machine after collaboration with Honda from Japan the Cota 315R was born after a development programme introducing new technologies, and Spain’s Marc Colomer was crowned World Champion in 1996. Great Britain’s Dougie Lampkin won three consecutive crowns from the year 2000 to 2003 as Japan’s Takahisa Fujinami took the Cota’s final twostroke crown in 2004. Addressing the world’s emission problems, the new single cylinder four-stroke Cota 4RT was introduced in late 2004 and was an immediate success. When Spain’s new young trials superstar Toni Bou joined the Montesa Cota team in 2007, he became the most successful rider in the history of the championship, taking consecutive championships until the present day. With victory number 98 now taken, his goal in 2018 is to take this to a recordbreaking 100 wins, and who would like to bet against this not happening; we certainly would not! 40
2018 TRIALGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
QUALIFYING: 1: Jamie Busto (Gas Gas-ESP) 29.78; 2: Albert
Iwan Roberts (TRRS-GBR): Still struggling with the effects of a mystery illness, the Welsh rider was very brave to even attempt to compete in this opening round.
Cabestany (Beat-ESP) 30.20; 3: Adam Raga (TRS-ESP) 30.58; 4: Miquel Gelabert (Sherco-ESP) 31.80; 5: Oriol Noguera (JotagasESP) 31.86; 6: Jorge Casales (Vertigo-ESP) 32.89; 7: Alexandre Ferrer (Sherco-FRA) 33.48; 8: Franz Kadlec (Gas Gas-GER) 33.64; 9: Jeroni Fajardo (Gas Gas-ESP) 34.83; 10: Takahisa Fujinami (Repsol Honda-JPN) 36.02; 11: Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP) 30.20 + 1 Mark; 12: James Dabill (Beta-GBR) 32.82 + 1 Mark; 13: Benoit Bincaz (Scorpa-FRA) 35.52 + 1 Mark; 14: Jack Price (Gas Gas-GBR) 37.34 + 1 Mark; 15: Iwan Roberts (TRRS-GBR) 00.00 + 5.
RESULTS: 1: Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP) 43; 2: Jamie Busto
(Gas Gas-ESP) 60; 3: Jeroni Fajardo (Gas Gas-ESP) 75; 4: Jorge Casales (Vertigo-ESP) 76; 5: Adam Raga (TRS-ESP) 77; 6: James Dabill (Beta-GBR) 82; 7: Albert Cabestany (Beta-ESP) 88; 8: Takahisa Fujinami (Repsol Honda-JPN) 102; 9: Jack Price (Gas Gas-GBR) 102; 10: Miquel Gelabert (Sherco-ESP) 103; 11: Benoit Bincaz (Scorpa-FRA) 104; 12: Oriol Noguera (JotagasESP) 107; 13: Franz Kadlec (Gas Gas-GER) 111; 14: Alexandre Ferrer (Sherco-FRA) 115; 15: Iwan Roberts (TRRS-GBR) 128.
2018 TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS POSITIONS: 1: Toni Bou (Repsol Honda-ESP) 20; 2: Jamie Busto
Alexandre Ferrer (Sherco-FRA): One of the hardest workers in both training and riding, the French rider looked very frustrated with his riding in Spain.
(Gas Gas-ESP) 17; 3: Jeroni Fajardo (Gas Gas-ESP) 15; 4: Jorge Casales (Vertigo-ESP) 13; 5: Adam Raga (TRS-ESP) 11; 6: James Dabill (Beta-GBR) 10; 7: Albert Cabestany (Beta-ESP) 9; 8: Takahisa Fujinami (Repsol Honda-JPN) 8; 9: Jack Price (Gas Gas-GBR) 7; 10: Miquel Gelabert (Sherco-ESP) 6; 11: Benoit Bincaz (Scorpa-FRA) 5; 12: Oriol Noguera (Jotagas-ESP) 4; 13: Franz Kadlec (Gas Gas-GER) 3; 14: Alexandre Ferrer (ShercoFRA) 2; 15: Iwan Roberts (TRRS-GBR) 1.
JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
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INTERNATIONAL FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Matteo Grattarola (Montesa-ITA): Using all his experience, gained over many years, the result shows just how high the standard of riding is even at the bottom end of TrialGP. The move down a class for the Italian has obviously put some young blood into his veins, with this clear victory making it a one-two for Montesa in the two premier classes.8: Dan Peace (Gas Gas-GBR): This result will be disappointing to him, but expect Dan to put it behind him and move onwards and upwards. The marks were very close in the fight for the top ten, and he will be looking to remove those small errors which have pushed him away from the top five which is where he needs to be.
Jack Peace (Gas Gas-GBR): This is an excellent start to the series for young Jack. Looking determined all the way he has a good bond with his minder Jaime Millers as they get on with the job in hand, which is reflected in this superb result.
TRIAL2 Classed by many as the most competitive of the Trial World Championships, T2 has seen a change for 2018 in the fact that TrialGP riders are allowed to drop down to this class. Two riders who have taken advantage of this rule are Matteo Grattarola from Italy and Loris Gubian from France. This year’s action started with the qualifying rounds, where some surprises were thrown up as Gubian clearly topped the session despite coming very close to disaster on the tricky entry to the section. Fifteen riders all posted times without dropping any marks, the biggest loser being the eventual winner Grattarola with a very costly two-mark loss. Sunshine greeted the opening of the day and with Grattarola riding close to the front of the entry he soon used it to his advantage before the rain came. Looking very comfortable since the move to four-stroke power with the Montesa after years on the Spanish two-stroke Gas Gas, his opening lap score of a mere three marks lost was the only sub-ten mark as everyone else handed their scorecards in with over 10-mark losses. Great Britain’s Jack Peace, the younger of the two brothers, had his lap spoilt by a single five-mark loss but remained strong all day to finish second. With Loris Gubian finishing third followed by one of the pre-championship favourites Toby Martyn it was once again a younger brother, this time of the Gelberts, as Aniol on the Scorpa rounded off a mixture of experience and youth in the top five positions. The following marks, from fifth to tenth, remained very close showing just how competitive this class is with every mark lost counting. With only one round gone, it is a brave man who could determine the outcome of this championship in 2018! This class remains quite unique to the TrialGP one as it’s not a Spanish domination, with five different nationalities finishing in the top fifteen positions. Great Britain has had a strong presence here, producing many world cup champions, but what is notable is the resurgence of Italy as a trialling nation. Yes, Grattarola has moved down a class, but Italy has a new breed of younger riders coming through the ranks as well as riders from Norway. 42
Loris Gubian (Gas Gas-FRA): Moving from Beta in TrialGP in 2017 to Gas Gas in 2018 and Trial2 has kept the popular French rider on the world championship scene. With all his experience he will no doubt be pushing to win at every round. JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
INTERNATIONAL
FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Toby Martyn (Montesa-GBR): The move to the four-stroke Montesa in the RG Trials Team was a very positive one for Toby. With this professional structure around him he continues to gain experience on every outing. He will be a little frustrated with the result but we expect to see him challenging for wins as the season unfolds.
Marc Riba (TRRS-ESP): Another very good rider from the TRRS ‘Family’, Marc rounded off the top ten but when you have a look at the riders in front of him it goes to show just how competitive this series really is.
Lorenzo Gandola (Scorpa-ITA): The 2017 Trial125 champion has moved up a class for this year. Staying with the Scorpa brand, he will look on this year as a learning one.
Aniol Gelabert (Scorpa-ESP): Along with his elder brother Miquel, Aniol is growing and maturing into a good solid rider. Once the small mistakes are gone the results will start to come, and he is no doubt looking at following in his brother’s footsteps to carve out a trials riding career.
Luca Petrella (TRRS-ITA): TRRS are step-by-step becoming well established in the trials field by investing in the younger riders in the various countries. Luca is one of a band of riders from Italy who are building this country back into a strong trials nation to challenge for the victories.
Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa-ESP): Taking victories in 2017 it was only inconsistency that kept the Spanish rider away from winning the world championship. Looking very nervous at the opening round, expect him to become much stronger once again in the championship race as the season progresses.
Dan Peace (Gas Gas-GBR): This result will be disappointing to him, but expect Dan to put it behind him and move onwards and upwards. The marks were very close in the fight for the top ten, and he will be looking to remove those small errors which have pushed him away from the top five which is where he needs to be.
Francesc Moret (Montesa-ESP): The whole weekend did not go to plan for the second RG Trials Team member. A small mistake in qualifying did not do his confidence any good and his result is not what we expected.
TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
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INTERNATIONAL FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Hakan Pedersen (Gas Gas-NOR): The talent is in there but Hakan knows that this year he must turn that into good solid results.
Matteo Poli (Vertigo-ITA): Look out for this Italian rider to improve with his results and challenge for the top ten.
Pietro Petrangeli (Sherco-ITA): How times change as we see only one Sherco in the top fifteen of this class.
Sondre Haga (TRRS-NOR): This is another good rider from Norway who will have his eyes on the top ten.
2018 TRIAL2 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
QUALIFYING: 1: Loris Gubian (Gas Gas-FRA)
23.69; 2: Marc Riba (TRRS-ESP) 25.00; 3: Toby Martyn (Montesa-GBR) 25.87; 4: Luca Petrella (TRRS-ITA) 26.59; 5: Dan Peace (Gas Gas-GBR) 27.68; 6: Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa-ESP) 27.73; 7: Max Faude (Beta-GER) 27.78; 8: Aniol Gelabert (Scorpa-ESP) 28.59; 9: Matteo Poli (Vertigo-ITA) 28.82; 10: Jack Peace (Gas Gas-GBR) 29.16; 11: Francesc Moret (Montesa-ESP) 29.26; 12: Pietro Petrangeli (Sherco-ITA) 29.85; 13: Sascha Neumann (Scorpa-GER) 31.20; 14: Sergio Lopez (Beta-ESP) 32.15; 15: Oliver Smith (Gas Gas-GBR) 35.38.
RESULTS: 1: Matteo Grattarola (Montesa-ITA) 13; 2:
Hugo Jervis (TRRS-GBR): It’s good to see this Welsh rider having a go in this tough class.
Jack Peace (Gas Gas-GBR) 27; 3: Loris Gubian (Gas Gas-FRA) 31; 4: Toby Martyn (Montesa-GBR) 35; 5: Aniol Gelabert (Scorpa-ESP) 36; 6: Luca Petrella (TRRS-ITA) 37; 7: Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa-ESP) 38; 8: Dan Peace (Gas Gas-GBR) 39; 9: Francesc Moret (Montesa-ESP) 40; 10: Marc Riba (TRRSESP) 45; 11: Lorenzo Gandola (Scorpa-ITA) 49; 12: Hakan Pedersen (Gas Gas-NOR) 54; 13: Matteo Poli (Vertigo-ITA) 56; 14: Sondre Haga (TRRS-NOR) 63; 15: Pietro Petrangeli (Sherco-ITA) 67; 20: Oliver Smith (Gas Gas-GBR) 104; 22: Hugo Jervis (TRRSGBR) 105; 23: Josh Hanlon (Beta-IRL) 107.
2018 TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS POSITIONS: 1: Matteo Grattarola (Montesa-ITA) 20;
Oliver Smith (Gas Gas-GBR): Still learning the ropes Oliver’s determined attitude will be rewarded with points. 44
Josh Hanlon (Beta-IRL): It was a hard day for this Irish rider who made too many small mistakes, which is reflected in his score.
2: Jack Peace (Gas Gas-GBR) 17; 3: Loris Gubian (Gas Gas-FRA) 15; 4: Toby Martyn (MontesaGBR) 13; 5: Aniol Gelabert (Scorpa-ESP) 11; 6: Luca Petrella (TRRS-ITA) 10; 7: Gabriel Marcelli (Montesa-ESP) 9; 8: Dan Peace (Gas Gas-GBR) 8; 9: Francesc Moret (Montesa-ESP) 7; 10: Marc Riba (TRRS-ESP) 6; 11: Lorenzo Gandola (Scorpa-ITA) 5; 12: Hakan Pedersen (Gas Gas-NOR) 4; 13: Matteo Poli (Vertigo-ITA) 3; 14: Sondre Haga (TRRS-NOR) 2; 15: Pietro Petrangeli (Sherco-ITA) 1.
JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
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Billy Green (Beta-GBR): A good strong solid performance was rewarded with a full house of 20 points in the bag. Once the nerves were out of the way Billy put together a very professional ride, aided by his dad who was minding for him. The entry in this ‘feeder’ class for the Trial World Championship was slightly down on 2017 with just seventeen riders entered. The 125cc capacity allows the riders to enjoy the feel of riding at this level, which is reflected in the enthusiasm shown from the very top of the results to the very bottom, allowing families to set their riders on the way in trials around the globe. The wet conditions at this opening round proved very difficult for the small-capacity machines, but with some brave riding the results provided a very worthy winner in Great Britain’s Billy Green on the Beta. In qualifying the young Brit looked quite nervous as he finished in sixth position. Come race day on the Sunday and these nerves were soon thrown out of the window, with a good solid result which has fired a warning to his rivals that he wants this world title in 2018. Two super-consistent laps of twelve and thirteen marks lost put him head and shoulders above everyone else. The winning advantage tells its own story, but you can expect that everyone learnt something from the rain in Spain as the series heads to Japan where conditions could be very similar, as they have been over the last couple of years. 46
Martin Riobo (Gas Gas-ESP): Doing Spain proud, he will be very happy to have taken away 17 points for second position.
Arthur Rovery (Sherco-FRA): With the marks very close Arthur missed a runner-up position by a single mark. JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
INTERNATIONAL
FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Ben Dignan (Gas Gas-GBR): With the experience of Michael Brown by his side Ben should be happy to score some points.
Hugo Dufrese (Gas Gas-FRA): The small-in-stature Hugo will be disappointed to finish fifth. Expect him to get much stronger as the series progresses.
Fabien Poirot (Gas Gas-FRA): After a hard day the French rider should be happy with fourth position.
Eric Miquel (TRRS-ESP): Eric is putting the TRRS brand into the mix and he is another rider we expect to see higher up the results.
2018 TRIAL 125 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING: 1: Arthur Rovery (Sherco-FRA) 24.32; 2: Eric
Miquel (TRRS-ESP) 25.51; 3: Julien Cammas (Gas Gas-FRA) 25.72; 4: Carloalberto Rabino (Beta-ITA) 26.42; 5: Fabien Poirot (Gas Gas-FRA) 27.51; 6: Billy Green (Beta-GBR) 30.61; 7: Hugo Dufrese (Gas Gas-FRA) 23.29 + 1 Mark; 8: Jarand Vold Gunvaldsen (Beta-NOR) 26.21 + 1 Mark; 9: Pablo Suarez (Gas Gas-ESP) 27.00 + 1 Mark; 10: Carloalberto Rabino (Beta-ITA) 33.55 + 1 Mark; 11: Clemins Mitteregger (Beta-AUT) 39.76 + 1 Mark; 12: Pau Martinez (Gas Gas-ESP) 30.11 + 2 Marks; 13: Rodrigo Gomez (Beta-ESP) 32.42 + 2 Marks; 14: Ben Dignan (Gas Gas-GBR) 34.33 + 2 Marks; 15: Marco Mempoer (BetaAUT) 36.26 + 2 Marks.
RESULTS: 1: Billy Green (Beta-GBR) 25; 2: Carloalberto Rabino
(Beta-ITA) 44; 3: Arthur Rovery (Sherco-FRA) 45; 4: Fabien Poirot (Gas Gas-FRA) 49; 5: Hugo Dufrese (Gas Gas-FRA) 51; 6: Pablo Suarez (Gas Gas-ESP) 51; 7: Pau Martinez (Gas Gas-ESP) 55; 8: Rodrigo Gomez (Beta-ESP) 57; 9: Eric Miquel (TRRS-ESP) 57; 10: Jarand Vold Gunvaldsen (Beta-NOR) 59; 11: Pol Medinya (Beta-ESP) 61; 12: Carloalberto Rabino (Beta-ITA) 65; 13: Marco Mempoer (Beta-AUT) 72; 14: Ben Dignan (Gas Gas-GBR) 80; 15: Clemins Mitteregger (Beta-AUT) 81; 17: Jake Eley (Beta-GBR) 102; 18: Jake Eley (Beta-GBR) 103.
2018 TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS POSITIONS: 1: Billy Green (Beta-GBR) 20; 2: Carloalberto
Jake Eley (Beta-GBR), left, and Andrew Eley (Beta-GBR): Supported by their father Mark, it’s so good to see riders of all abilities riding in the Trial World Championship, proving that motorcycle trials is a family sport for all.
TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
Rabino (Beta-ITA) 17; 3: Arthur Rovery (Sherco-FRA) 15; 4: Fabien Poirot (Gas Gas-FRA) 13; 5: Hugo Dufrese (Gas GasFRA) 11; 6: Pablo Suarez (Gas Gas-ESP) 10; 7: Pau Martinez (Gas Gas-ESP) 9; 8: Rodrigo Gomez (Beta-ESP) 8; 9: Eric Miquel (TRRS-ESP) 7; 10: Jarand Vold Gunvaldsen (Beta-NOR) 6; 11: Pol Medinya (Beta-ESP) 5; 12: Carloalberto Rabino (Beta-ITA) 4; 13: Marco Mempoer (Beta-AUT) 3; 14: Ben Dignan (Gas GasGBR) 2; 15: Clemins Mitteregger (Beta-AUT) 1.
47
MINDER
JIRKA SVOBODA
Just Jiri will do Doing the job I do brings me into contact with so many different people in the world of trials. Some people stand out from the crowd; it’s as simple as that. Through the lens of the camera a few years ago I heard some very vocal encouragement in broken English from a minder to a rider in a world round. I mentally noted how enthusiastic he was, and then the year after he was with German rider Franz Kadlec. When James Dabill moved to Gas Gas in 2017, he mentioned to me that he would have a new minder from the Czech Republic named Jiri Svoboda. At the Sheffield Indoor at the start of the 2017 season, James introduced me to Jiri, and we soon became friends. Over the past twelve to eighteen months I have spent many happy hours in the company of Jiri, and so I decided it was time to introduce you all to him in Trial Magazine. WORDS: JOHN HULME WITH JIRI SVOBODA • PICTURES: TRIALS MEDIA, MARIO CANDELLONE AND NIGEL PEARSON TRIALS UK
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Team — With James in a very cold January 2018. JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
MINDER
JIRKA SVOBODA
When did you start to talk with James for the 2017 season?
After the 2016 Trial World Championship season finished I came to Spain a few times to help Adam because he was without a minder and still had some events to compete in. When I came back home from Spain I started to talk with James Dabill, and we decided to see how we would work together, and he told me about his move to the Gas Gas factory team. I was very comfortable there because the team had become like a second family when I was working with Franz and the members such as Favro, Andrea Tron and Albert Casanovas had made me feel very much a part of the whole team. At the end of November, we started to work together, and the relationship has matured into a good solid one. It’s one of the best decisions I have made in my young life; yes, I am very happy working with James. At the start of 2017 it was straight into action at the indoors; how long did it take you to understand how James rode so that you could help him?
My first competition with James was at Sheffield in 2017. It was a new machine, new team and his home event. It was very important from an early stage that we built trust between one another. To win together and lose together; we are a team, a strong team, and that is what we believed in from the very start. This is very important to me. The rest was highly enjoyable to learn as I love the job as his minder.
My first competition with James was the Sheffield Indoor in 2017.
TM: Did you ever set out to become a minder in the Trial World Championship?
JIRI: From a very young age I was riding in
cycle trials. I had silver medals from the World Championship and was the Czech National Champion. In 1997 I competed in my last World Championship Bike Trial competition to concentrate fully on motorcycle trials. These were really enjoyable times. When I was fourteen, I moved to motorcycle trials, and from 1998 I was a member of the Czech trial team. My first international event was in the European Championship at Cordoba in Spain 1998. At the end of the season, I was a member of the Czech team in the TDN in Italy, Valmalenco. At seventeen years old I was the youngest rider on the day. After this, I spent many years in the European Championship and World Championship. My last trial was the TDN in 2015 in Tarragona where the Czech team won the International class.
Were you surprised when James set the quickest time in qualifying in Japan 2017 in the rain? Did it make a big difference riding at the front of the entry on both days?
Team James Dabill Gas Gas 2017.
I knew from the past that he is often very strong when it is slippery. I don’t know why but I had a really good feeling for him as he entered qualifying. In the end, he made the qualification a one-man show; he was incredible, such throttle control! We used his pole position to our full advantage and took second place on the day.
So, when did you decide to make a move to minding for riders?
In May 2015 my phone was ringing, and when I took the call it was Italian Michelle Bosi who was the minder for Adam Raga. He explained that the Gas Gas factory had closed down and that their rider Adam Raga needed some support at the Czech World Championship round in Sokolov in two weeks’ time as a second minder. I had planned to compete in the event, but I also had the problem of finding a minder myself, and in the end, I decided not to ride and help Adam. He finished second on both days, and it was a massive learning curve for me. In fact, I enjoyed the excitement at this level of the sport; it was very intense! Later, German rider Franz Kadlec called me and asked if I would be interested to ‘mind’ for him. I gave it some thought, and one week later I went to Spain to train with him to see how well we worked together. We were both happy and spent the 2016 season together. Franz and his family were very good to me and gave me the opportunity that I will never forget. I would like to say a huge thank you to them. TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
2017 Spain: Our first TWC round together. 51
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MINDER
JIRKA SVOBODA
As well as minding at the world rounds, what else is expected of you over the weekend?
At the TrialGP World Championship events James has his mechanic from Beta. This is a young lad, Simone Negri, who takes care of the machine. During the rest of the season, for training and the indoor events I have the responsibility of preparing and looking after the Beta. I wash the machine and carry out all the basic maintenance that is needed and keep the machine in the very best condition. You will never see the machine looking anything but its very best! We are professionals who are representing sponsors, not just Beta, but also the personal sponsors of James. To promote all of this is very important; as I say, professional at all times. After an event what does your typical week involve?
Jiri: Most days are usually very different, depending on what time of the year it is. From the first weekend in January, where we competed at Sheffield, we had events for seven consecutive weekends. As you
The Gas Gas family made me very welcome.
Riding in the company of Toni Bou and Jaime Busto was a nice experience as it lifts your whole game, you become so much more competitive. Toni with Joan Cordon, Jaime with Ciurana and Adam with his minder Alex, it all makes for a good day. In Japan, everybody was making mistakes, including James, but he knew where he would be strong and where we could pull these marks back. Albert Casanovas was with us as the team manager for Gas Gas and his enthusiasm and commitment added to the atmosphere; he was so supportive. Japan was an incredible weekend that will stay in my heart forever because it was my first World Championship podium with James. James appears very confident with you minding?
Jiri: I hope so, as we work hard to be as one. Minding is special, more than work it is a mission when the main job is to try to make the rider’s life easy. I also believe that it is good for him that he likes people around him — his wife, his family, his parents and his friends. Our team is a family because, as I have stated, we win together and we lose together; this is so important in life, not just trials.
Concentrating hard at the Scott Trial.
can imagine both of us struggle to find time to go home and visit the families, but this is the job. In seven weeks I got home for just three days between the X-Trial in Toulouse and Strasbourg. We get on very well, which is important as we want our time together to be enjoyable. We try to have one day a week where it’s not all trials, maybe be get out and put some road miles in and enjoy a day cycling. It’s what we both enjoy, and if we did not love the world of trials, it would make it hard work; yes I do enjoy my job and my life with James. You became the first ever rider from the Czech Republic to compete in and finish the Scott Trial, in 2017; did you enjoy it?
2017 Japan: Our first podium – Elation! TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
It was a massive experience. Many people, including yourself, encouraged me to have a ride in this world-famous event. In truth, it was two people who made the difference to make it all happen. First I have to thank a real gentleman, Nigel Sharp, who offered me the loan of his machine for the event. Without him, quite simply, it would not have happened. It is difficult to explain how much I appreciated it; it touched my heart; such generosity, that’s why he gets a big hug every time I see him. 53
MINDER
JIRKA SVOBODA
2018 SSDT
And, of course, James, he helped me so much. We practised together, he explained the rules — which made me laugh — “if in doubt, flat out”; he was only joking but explained the speed element of the event to finish on time. Most importantly he gave me the confidence that I could finish. Together with ‘Nige’, he gave me the chance to ride in the Scott, they are my heroes! I must say, I realised from the start I was in for a long day’s riding. Around fifteen minutes from the start I had a massive crash when flat out in fifth gear I jumped a big hole, and I made a front flip! I still don’t understand how it was possible that I could continue in the race and get the chance to make a ritual of the Scott and ‘piss in the pants’… :-). I was stressed all the way because my goal was just to get to the end and to become the first Czech rider to make the finish in the time limit. It was a long, hard, painful day but the goal was achieved, and I got to the end within the time limit, and I have at home a finisher’s certificate — very proud! It was a massive experience in an iconic event with such a sporting history. You can feel the enthusiasm of all the people who are helping at this event; it is simply unreal.
In action at the Italian National Championship.
2018 SSDT
times. At the end of each competition, we can both look in the mirror and say we have given it our best. When James fails in a hazard, he does not need to say anything as I already know how he feels. As they say, it’s sometimes better to say nothing. He knows how honest I am and if I think he has ridden below his best he knows I will tell him. On the other hand, when we get the result, we both want he knows how happy this makes me. When James was second in Japan 2017, we were crying on the way back to the paddock, and I will never forget this expression of elation. He knows I will push him all the time, but I also understand that some days will not be as good as others. He is human and sometimes needs a hug from me. Team 22 is already a part of me, my heart and this will stay forever. I would like to thank James, that he gave me a chance be part of his team. He can’t ever imagine how much I appreciate it. Thanks to all our fans, we are here for you dear trials lovers, so get ready for 2018 season. For me the word team is not a word, it’s a way of life.
Will you return to the Scott in 2018?
Yes I would like to come back for the Scott of course, and I will see if it will be possible after the end of the season. The Scott is such an event that I know I will need to spend more time riding the trials machine, and this is where the problem lies as we are so busy. A few years ago my riding level was much higher, and I would have tried to fight to win a Scott Silver Spoon but I know with my life how it is now this will be much harder to achieve; we will see. This year I will compete in the Scottish Six Days Trial. The Scottish is different for me as James will be riding, so it fits in the schedule very easy. How satisfying is it when James gets a good result?
We are team 22. In my eyes, this is a special relationship. Not just because I am the minder of James Dabill, who is not just a very good trials rider but also a very good human being. He is not perfect, nobody is, everyone makes mistakes, and James is the first to admit this. This is very important for me to understand as I want to give James my best at all 54
2018: We have an excellent working relationship. JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
HIGH PERFORMANCE LUBRICANTS rockoil.lubricants
Photograph courtesy of Red Bull Media
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2018 SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL Trial Magazine would like to thank Edinburgh & District Motor Club Limited and the clerk of the course, Jeff Horne, for the privilege of allowing us to be a part of the event. Picture Credit: Trials Media
SCORPA – THE SUCCESS CONTINUES
Gary Macdonald, 3rd Andy Chilton, 7th Thomas Minta, 12th Team Manager: Nigel Birkett, 83rd Picture Credit: Trials Media
ON AIR
NEVIS RADIO
SSDT 2013: ‘Legend’ Dougie Lampkin on air with John Moffat.
Riding the airwaves Nevis Radio, the station local to Fort William and Lochaber, was once again broadcasting live from the Scottish Six Days Trial event’s ‘Parc Ferme’ located at the West End Car Park from Monday 7th May until Saturday 12th May. The outside broadcast team this year consisted of John ‘Big John’ Weller, Simon Abberley and the guest presenter Trials Guru’s John Moffat. As well as radio broadcasting the station was ‘on air’ with live video streaming and additional recorded coverage during the day when ‘The Moffster’ was out at sections with the Nevis Radio’s ‘roving mic’. The daily broadcasts were on from 07:00 - 11:00 on 96.6 102.3 & 102.4 MHz. The sponsors of the programme once again were Michelin Tyres in association with Trial Magazine… ARTICLE: TRIALS MEDIA AND NEVIS RADIO
S
imon Abberley, Nevis Radio’s Business Development and Sustainability Manager said: “Nevis Radio would like to thank Michelin and Trial Magazine for their continued support over seven years of sponsorship. As a registered charity, every penny we get counts towards our continued service and helps us broadcast across Lochaber. “In recent years we have expanded into the world of live video streaming on the internet. Without the support from Michelin and Trial Magazine, we wouldn’t have had the funds available to offer this service. Being mostly volunteer-based, with one staff member involved, it takes a lot of resources to achieve our Scottish Six Days Trial coverage. Every year we are driven by the feedback we get and always try and push a little harder the next time around; it’s a way of evolving and improving what we do as much as we can.”
Nevis Community Radio Station
Nevis Community Radio Station is based in Fort William and has been broadcasting to Lochaber and beyond, providing both entertainment and 62
information since 1992. Nevis Radio is independent of other stations and broadcasts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The majority of the air time is hosted by 40 amazing volunteer presenters and two staff who are responsible for the day-to-day running of the station. From their base in Fort William, they broadcast throughout the Lochaber region, these areas including Skye, Fort Augustus, Mallaig, Kinlochleven and all parts of the Western Highlands. There may be pockets of signal disruption within these areas, but they are continually trying to resolve this and keep them to a minimum. Due to the geography of the area, they have multiple transmitters around Lochaber, which allows them to reach the small remote communities that help make up the wider spectrum of the listeners. The broadcast is aimed at the Lochaber community with the information and advertising targeted towards their broadcasting range, but they are very proud to have both local and international listeners. You can listen to Nevis Radio when you’re out of signal online or via the Tune In app. Just press play on our home screen.
John Moffat is a leading authority on the motorcycle sport of trials. He runs his own very successful website Trials Guru. JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
ON AIR
NEVIS RADIO
SSDT 2017: John Weller (left) with John Moffat.
A Brief History
The radio station was launched back in 1992 in co-operation with Ski FM from the Nevis Range ski resort, to provide a stream of information about the conditions on Aonach Mor to the skiers. Back then they broadcast three to four minutes of information two or three times every hour each morning and two or three hours of music each evening throughout the winter. In the summer of 1992, they went on air as Holiday FM, which was licensed for eight weeks. The following winter another Ski FM was broadcast for four months through the 1993/94 season. This was very successful, and the demand for a permanent broadcast for Lochaber became apparent. The Nevis Community Radio Action Group was then formed to raise funds and make a local radio station possible. In 1994, Nevis Radio was awarded a full-time license back and has been on the air ever since. Quite rightly so they are incredibly proud of their history in helping develop the snow sports industry that makes up such a big part of Lochaber’s culture and business industry. All these years on they are very grateful to have still the positive working relationship with Nevis Range that they do, and during the winter season still, provide avalanche reports and information on the weather conditions for the skiers. They broadcast as a commercial radio station until 2013 when they changed status and became a community radio station and also a registered charity. This change has enabled them to look at alternative ideas regarding running the station. Nevis Radio still broadcasts around the clock daily and is very proud to be able to work with the community closer than before to provide all the relevant content that is desired. TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
NEVIS RADIO FREQUENCIES
SSDT 2018: John Weller with John Moffat.
FM: 102.3 MHz. FM: 102.4 MHz. FM: 96.6 MHz. FM: 97.0 MHz.
RDS name: Nevis_FM (Skye & Mallaig) RDS name: Nevis_FM (Loch Leven) RDS name: Nevis_FM (Fort William) RDS name: Nevis_FM (Glencoe)
63
FLASHBACK SSDT 1968-2008
Sammy Miller (252 Bultaco) 1968: All eyes are on the man and machine.
MAN AND MACHINE
With the entries for the Scottish Six Days Trial once again oversubscribed and having to be balloted by the Edinburgh and District Motor Club Ltd, in 2018 the event remains as popular as ever. It has very much always been the ‘One to Win’ and in this ‘Flashback’ article we look at the event over the last forty years taking in the years 1968, 1978, 1988 and 2008. Times have changed, machines have changed, but some names remain very much associated with this six-day event. Now headed by Dougie, the Lampkin name has seen victories on many occasions. Sammy Miller was so dedicated after his move from Ariel to Bultaco in 1968 as he headed the Spanish Armada. In 1978 in our opinion Martin Lampkin would have needed a bulldozer to stop him winning! Ten years later in 1988 Steve Saunders would join a very exclusive club which included iconic names associated with the event, Hugh Viney and Gordon Jackson, as four-time winners. With 12 world titles to his name and 99 world round wins Dougie Lampkin would return to the event on a Beta to win following on from his victories in 1994, 1995 and 1996. As they all stated after their victories the event still remains the ultimate test of man and machine. ARTICLE: TRIALS MEDIA • PICTURES: BRIAN HOLDER,
Dougie Lampkin (300 Beta) 2008: After moving away from the event to concentrate on winning world championship titles it was a legend who returned to win again in the Highlands.
COLIN BULLOCK, ERIC KITCHEN, YOOMEE ARCHIVE, JIM CAPPER, IAIN LAWRIE, ANDY GREGORY, SCORPA AND JOHN SHIRT SNR
The 1968 event is covered in depth in our sister publication Classic Trial Magazine Spring 2018, issue 24, where you can read the full story of another Sammy Miller win and the arrival of Montesa. 64
JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
FLASHBACK SSDT 1968-2008a
Mick Andrews (250 Ossa) 1968: ‘Magical Mick’ was starting to show the form that would eventually bring him five Scottish victories: 1970–1972 (Ossa) and 1974 & 1975 (Yamaha).
Gordon Farley (250 Greeves) 1968: Try as he might Gordon could not produce another win for a British manufacturer.
1968: Miller’s the man
Described by many as the ultimate professional in his day, his dedication to preparation and winning was the very best. Leaving nothing to doubt, his success at the 1968 event proved the effect his meticulous methods had over his rivals. In many cases they were beaten even before they had started. Montesa had followed suit, as had Ossa, in wanting to prove their trials machines at the Scottish, as the move from the traditional machines grew pace and Great Britain fell behind in the trials world. Apart from the second day, when his great rival Gordon Farley on the Greeves headed the leader board, no one else was in with a shout of winning as the enthusiastic crowds witnessed Miller ‘The Man’ at his very best on the Bultaco. He also added himself to an exclusive club, taking his record-breaking fifth win overtaking both Hugh Viney and Gordon Jackson with four victories apiece. Montesa had seen the very first pre-production Cota machines roll off the production line and they entered four riders, Don Smith and Charlie Harris with Christian Rayer from France along with respected Spanish development engineer Pedro Pi, and they all finished. The first ever manufacturers’ win for a foreign brand would go to Bultaco team though.
The Ossa Mick rode in 1968 was still very much under development and, as you can see, was still quite a large machine.
SSDT 1968 RESULTS: 1: Sammy Miller (252 Bultaco) 17; 2: Gordon Farley (250 Greeves) 37; 3: Mick Andrews (250 Ossa) 39; 4: Rob Edwards (250 Cotton) 60; 5: Martin Lampkin (250 BSA) 60; 6: Don Smith (250 Montesa) 62; 7: Malcolm Rathmell (250 Greeves) 78; 8: Mick Wilkinson (250 Greeves) 80; 9: Arthur Dovey (250 Bultaco) 84; 10: Mick Bowers (175 BSA) 87; 11: Dave Rowlands (250 Ossa) 92; 12: Derek Adsett (250 Greeves) 94; 13: Ian Haydon (250 Cotton) 94; 14: Peter Gaunt (130 Suzuki) 97; 15: Jim Sandiford (250 Bultaco) 98. MACHINE STATISTICS (TOP 15): Greeves: 4; Bultaco: 3; BSA: 2; Cotton: 2; Ossa: 2; Montesa: 1; Suzuki: 1.
BEST 150CC: Peter Gaunt (Suzuki) BEST 200CC: Mick Bowers (BSA) BEST 250CC: Gordon Farley (Greeves) BEST 350CC: Sammy Miller (Bultaco) BEST OVER 350CC: Ali McDonald (Ariel) BEST NEWCOMER: Christian Rayer (Montesa-FRA) SECOND BEST NEWCOMER: Pentti Luhtasuo (250 Bultaco-FIN) BEST LADY RIDER: Not Awarded BEST FOREIGN RIDER: Christian Rayer (Montesa-FRA) BEST SCOTTISH RIDER: Kenny Fleming (250 Bultaco) Montesa would arrive at the event in 1968 with a new machine in the Cota 247. The Cota name would become legendary in the trials world. TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
MANUFACTURERS’ TROPHY: Bultaco: Sammy Miller/Arthur Dovey/Jim Sandiford
65
FLASHBACK SSDT 1968-2008
Martin Lampkin (Bultaco): Very relaxed at the start here, he chats with the editor of the weekly trials newspaper Trials and Motocross News Bill Lawless in the black jacket, as Mannix Devlin on the right looks on.
1978: Bulldozer
Once he had the bit between his teeth not even a bulldozer would have stopped Martin Lampkin making it three wins in a row at the event. After a slightly shaky start to the week, including a five for misreading the begins and ends cards at Callart Falls on day one which resulted in a totally unnecessary five-mark penalty, come Thursday he was on a mission as was the case on many occasions with the late great trials legend. Riding the 370 Bultaco fettled by Reg May, his winning margin over his good friend and rival Rob Edwards tells its own story – Edwards was amongst the first to shake the hand of the winner. Montesa mounted Edwards gave it his all, chasing a much-wanted win, but it was not to be as he kept his nose in front of a close trio of riders John Reynolds (SWM), Mick Andrews (Ossa) and the Best Foreign Rider award winner Ulf Karlson (Montesa-SWE), who were separated by only three marks. Young Reynolds, mounted on the new SWM from Italy, had a stunning last day. Riding at the very front of the entry he just got on with the job and recorded the best score of the day to hoist himself up to third position.
John Reynolds (SWM): Proving the new SWM in the toughest test of man and machine, ‘JR’ was in fantastic form on the final day. Debbie Evans (Yamaha-USA): Proving it was not just a male dominated sport, Debbie did herself proud. She would go on to become a top female stunt performer in many films.
SSDT 1978
RESULTS: 1: Martin Lampkin (Bultaco) 99; 2: Rob Edwards
(Montesa) 113; 3: John Reynolds (SWM) 116; 4: Mick Andrews (Ossa) 118; 5: Ulf Karlson (Montesa-SWE) 119; 6: Rob Shepherd (Honda) 133; 7: Jaime Subira (Montesa-ESP) 146; 8: Norman Shepherd (Bultaco) 147; 9: John Metcalfe (Bultaco) 153; 10: Malcolm Rathmell (Suzuki) 159; 11: Dave Thorpe (Bultaco) 160; 12: Alan Lampkin (Bultaco) 166; 13: Geoff Chandler (Bultaco) 177; 14: Nigel Birkett (Montesa) 180; 15: Chris Milner (Bultaco) 188.
MACHINE STATISTICS (TOP 15): Bultaco: 7; Montesa: 4; Honda: 1; Ossa: 1; Suzuki: 1; SWM 1.
BEST NEWCOMER: Chris Griffin (Ossa) BEST FOREIGN RIDER: Ulf Karlson Sweden BEST AGENT RIDER: Geoff Chandler – Windsor Comp Shop BEST UP-TO 150CC: Geoff Parken (Fantic) BEST UP-TO 200CC: Ady Morrison (Yamaha) BEST UP-TO 250CC: Chris Griffin (Ossa) BEST UP-TO 350CC: Martin Lampkin (Bultaco) BEST OVER 351CC: Rob Shepherd (Honda) Rob Edwards (Montesa): As much as the crowd were behind eventual winner Lampkin they would have loved to have seen the ever smiling Edwards take the win, seen here on Pipeline. TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
BEST LADY: Debbie Evans (Yamaha-USA) MANUFACTURERS’ TEAM AWARD: Montesa: Rob Edwards/Ulf Karlson/Nigel Birkett
BEST FOREIGN TEAM: Austria 67
FLASHBACK SSDT 1968-2008
John Shirt Jnr (Honda): Having celebrated his 17th birthday in March it was straight in at the deep end for ‘Shirty’.
SSDT 1988 RESULTS: 1: Steve Saunders (Fantic) 56; 2: Jordi
Steve Saunders (Fantic): At last, Steve was delighted with his first win after finishing as the runner-up from 1985 to 1987.
1988: Super Steve
After being runner-up again in 1987, ‘Super’ Steve would take the first of his four wins in 1988. Beta mounted Jordi Tarres was his main opposition, but knowing that it was almost impossible to challenge for the win over Saunders after he held the lead on the Friday evening he lost marks in the morning when he turned up late for the start. Saunders was only ten riders away from his main rival Tarres in the entry list with riding numbers 144 and 134 respectively, keeping the crowd very much on their toes during the six days. Their early day on the Wednesday was where cracks started to appear for Tarres as Saunders turned in a performance which would see him take the lead. With the mono-shock Yamaha still classed very much as the machine to have at the event Phil Alderson had his best ever Scottish result with a fine third place on the Team Hamilton supported machine. John Shirt Jnr also made his debut at the event on the ex-Eddy Lejeune four-stroke Honda moving up to as high as fourth place at one point during an eventful week’s riding.
Tarres (Beta-ESP) 90; 3: Philip Alderson (Yamaha) 100; 4: Tony Scarlett (JCM) 102; 5: Gerald Richardson (Yamaha) 109; 6: John Lampkin (Beta) 110; 7: Harold Crawford (Yamaha) 119; 8: Renato Chiaberto (Beta-ITA) 121; 9: Ian Weatherill (Aprilia) 127; 10: John Shirt Jnr (Honda) 137; 11: Carlo Franco (Beta-ITA) 139; 12: Martin Lampkin (Honda) 148; 13: Mark Holland (Yamaha) 150; 14: Jeremy Cragg (Fantic) 154; 15: Colin Ward (Yamaha) 159.
MACHINE STATISTICS (TOP 15): Yamaha: 5; Beta: 4; Honda: 2; Fantic 2; Aprilia: 1; JCM: 1.
BEST NEWCOMER: John Shirt Jnr (Honda) BEST FOREIGN RIDER: Jordi Tarres Spain BEST AGENT RIDER: Tony Scarlett (JCM) BEST UP-TO 200CC: Paul Turner (Fantic) BEST UP-TO 250CC: Steve Saunders (Fantic) BEST UP-TO 350CC: Jordi Tarres (Beta) BEST LADY: Lyndsey Howard (Fantic) MANUFACTURERS’ TEAM AWARD: Hamilton
Yamaha: Philip Alderson/Gerald Richardson/ Harold Crawford (Yamaha)
Jordi Tarres (Beta-ESP): Having won in 1987, Saunders was on his case from day one in 1988. TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
69
FLASHBACK SSDT 1968-2008
1998: Jubilant Jarvis The quiet unassuming rider that is Graham Jarvis was delighted to take his first SSDT victory for a French trials motorcycle manufacturer with Scorpa, in a very wet event. He took an early lead on the first day and on Tuesday he parted with no marks but incurred three-time penalty marks, giving him the advantage. The previous year’s winner Steve Colley had the start of a nightmare week. First, he lost eight marks on time on the Tuesday, and this was followed by nine on the Wednesday which put him right out of contention for the win. Having arrived late at the event due to world championship commitments young Spanish rider David Cobos had his machine put into the secure compound on Sunday by Gas Gas personnel. He arrived at the event later that evening and surprised everyone with a loss of just two marks on day one. As the week passed Jarvis and Cobos slowly pulled away from everyone else and made the fight for victory between themselves. Cobos on his first ride in the event pushed Jarvis all the way to finish a very close second. Good friends Wayne Braybrook and John Shirt Jnr fought their own battle for third, with Braybrook just having the edge.
Graham Jarvis (Scorpa): This was the first win for Jarvis and for a French motorcycle manufacturer at the event.
David Cobos (Gas Gas-ESP): The young David Cobos surprised everyone with his second place at the event.
Friendships for life are made at the event. Riding for the same Gas Gas manufacturer, we see John Shirt Jnr passing on all his knowledge to the young David Cobos.
SSDT 1998
RESULTS: 1: Graham Jarvis (Scorpa) 15; 2: David Cobos (Gas Gas-ESP) 17; 3: Wayne Braybrook (Montesa) 32; 4: John Shirt (Gas Gas) 35; 5: Steve Colley (Gas Gas) 38; 6: Steve Saunders (Gas Gas) 41; 7: Adam Norris (Yamaha) 56; 8: Andy Huddleston (Yamaha) 58; 9: Jordi Pascuet (Montesa-ESP) 59; 10: John Lampkin (Beta) 65; 11: Sam Connor (Beta) 69; 12: Philip Alderson (Yamaha) 74; 13: Chris Huddleston (Yamaha) 75; 14: Robert Crawford (Yamaha) 75; 15: Dan Thorpe (Yamaha) 87. MACHINE STATISTICS (TOP 15): Yamaha: 6; Gas Gas: 4; Beta 2; Montesa: 2; Scorpa: 1.
BEST NEWCOMER: David Cobos (Gas Gas-ESP) BEST FOREIGN RIDER: David Cobos Spain BEST AGENT RIDER: Wayne Braybrook (Montesa) BEST UP-TO 250CC: Wayne Braybrook (Montesa) BEST UP-TO 350CC: Graham Jarvis (Scorpa) MANUFACTURERS’ TEAM AWARD: Gas Gas: John Shirt/ Steve Colley/Steve Saunders
TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
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FLASHBACK SSDT 1968-2008
Michael Brown (Beta): Despite a strong ride it was the one five on the Thursday that denied the ‘Mighty Atom’ the chance to fight for the win
Dougie Lampkin (Beta): It was a happy Lampkin who took his third win.
2008: Back on top With the return of Yorkshire’s Dougie Lampkin after his years away at the World Trials Championship the young guns had to be at their best. The Highland holiday did not prove as relaxing for Lampkin as expected though! Hot weather kept him on the boil in his quest for a third win as with a mass of trials fans in the Scottish Glenns for six days of superb action the weather played its part to provide a memorable week. Michael Brown was the young pretender on the trials scene and was desperate to prove his worth after finishing in second place last year. He carried a severe case of tennis elbow into the event, which required a very painful injection into the joint to ease the pain days before the start of a grueling six days. As it turned out in a very low-scoring event the five marks Brown parted with at Gorton on the Thursday finished his push for a victory. The previous year’s winner James Dabill on the powerful 300cc Montesa never looked like repeating his win after a shaky start to the week. Lampkin praised the organisation which had once again been second to none and no doubt, by the amount of pressure from other riders wanting to win, this is still the trophy that every rider wants. 72
The 2008 podium: Michael Brown, Dougie Lampkin and James Dabill
SSDT 2008 RESULTS: 1: Dougie Lampkin (Beta) 5, 2: Michael Brown (Beta) 10, 3: James
Dabill (Montesa) 23, 4: Jordi Pascuet (Beta-ESP) 23, 5: Wayne Braybrook (Gas Gas) 23, 6: Sam Haslam (Gas Gas) 27, 7: Liam Walker (Gas Gas) 33, 8: Graham Jarvis (Sherco) 35, 9: Gary Macdonald (Sherco) 36, 10: Dan Thorpe (Gas Gas) 40, 11: Alexz Wigg (Montesa) 46, 12: Ben Hemingway (Beta) 46, 13: Shaun Morris (Gas Gas) 50, 14: Joe Baker (Scorpa) 52, 15: Sam Connor (Beta) 53.
MACHINE STATISTICS (TOP 15): Beta: 5; Gas Gas: 5; Montesa: 2; Sherco: 2; Scorpa: 1.
BEST NEWCOMER: Jack Challoner (Beta) BEST FOREIGN RIDER: Jordi Pascuet (Beta-ESP) BEST UP-TO 200CC: Jack Challoner (Beta) BEST UP-TO 250CC: Joe Baker (Scorpa) BEST UP-TO 350CC: Dougie Lampkin (Beta) BEST LADY: Donna Fox (Sherco) MANUFACTURERS’ TEAM AWARD: Beta: Dougie Lampkin/Jordi Pascuet/ Ben Hemingway
JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
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ACU BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS – SOLO
It just got Beta for Dabill It just got ‘Beta’ for James Dabill, which is the clear message he has sent out as he cruised to another emphatic win at round three of this year’s ACU British Trials Championship. He had taken round two literally by storm a few weeks earlier as bad weather once again affected the event in the north of the country among the Lake District hills. In truth he is dominating the championship, with clear wins at all three opening rounds. In the Lake District he set off with a small advantage after the opening lap, but built on this over the last two laps to take a clear victory. He repeated this in round three in South Wales and has already opened up a good advantage at the head of the championship table. Riding the Italian Beta with a very confident style, it remains to be seen which one of the younger riders can take the challenge to him. ARTICLE: TRIALS MEDIA
76
Jack Price (JST Gas Gas UK) JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
SPORT
ACU BTC SOLO
Andy Chilton (BMS Scorpa Andy Metcalfe)
Round Two: Westmoreland Motor Club
Toby Martyn (RG Montesa Honda UK)
I
t may be the fact that James Dabill has already won seven British Championship titles that gives him the confidence to firmly remain Great Britain’s undisputed number one rider. The young riders including the 2017 champion Jack Price are queuing up to push Dabill off the top spot, but still, he refuses to go. Despite some strong riding from Dan Peace and Toby Martyn they along with Price have at this present time no answer for Dabill’s sheer consistency. With these three riders fighting over the remaining podium positions, James Dabill remains loud and proud on the Beta at the head of the championship with a clear advantage.
Dan Peace (JST Gas Gas UK) TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
This very exposed hillside venue overlooks the Morecambe Bay harbour and is exposed to the worst of the weather. On the lead up to the event, the rain had never stopped, but it did recede for the start of round two of the championship. With a very wet and sodden wheelbase, the grip was always going to be at a premium, but James Dabill made it all look so easy. On the opening lap, he was head and shoulders above the rest with only himself and eventual secondplaced rider Dan Peace never conceding a five to post a score of just two. On the second lap, the 2017 British champion Jack Price recovered from a poor opening lap of fifteen to lose just eight, but the damage was already done as Dabill’s second-lap score of three pulled him further ahead of the field. As the rain came and covered the area, Dabill had three stops in his score of sixteen. Dan Peace came fighting back into an eventual runner-up position, parting with just one five in his lap score of fifteen, one less than Dabill, as Price slipped back into the third position after a string of fives. Third position was open all the way until the final lap as the younger of the two Peace brothers Jack pushed all the way for a podium position, only to lose out right at the final hurdle with a stop in section ten. Getting more used to the four-stroke Montesa Toby Martyn rounded off the top five as he out-pointed Jack Sheppard on the tie decider ruling. Finishing in eighth behind Scorpa-mounted Andy Chilton was Jack Challoner, who made a welcome return to the championship after being away for a few seasons.
Billy Green (Beta-UK) 77
SPORT
ACU BTC SOLO
ACU BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS SOLO
ROUND 2: WESTMORELAND MOTOR CLUB RESULTS: 1: James Dabill (Beta) 21; 2:
Hugo Jervis (AB TRS)
Jack Challoner (Craigs Montesa)
Round Three: Neath Motor Club On an overcast day on the hills above Neath in south Wales, James Dabill on the Beta was in a class of his own, once again putting on a winning show to consolidate his clear advantage at the top of the points table. No other rider was in the same class as Dabill as he opened his score with a lap of twelve marks lost to throw down the gauntlet. On his second and third laps he kept his scores low and accepted three marks on time on each lap to give him more time to concentrate on the hazards, and it paid off. Coming home in second was Toby Martyn, who is looking more at home on the four-stroke Montesa with every ride. Jack Price was expected to challenge for the win, but it never came, as he dropped to third on the day but remains in the second position in the championship. Close behind was his fellow Gas Gas team rider Dan Peace who, no doubt along with Price, will be disappointed with his lack of form. Proving that on a good day he can mix it with the best was Andy Chilton AG Bikes TrialMag 0717.pdf 1 10/07/2017 (BMS Scorpa Andy Metcalfe) who came home fifth. This was 23:47 mostly achieved
with a superb second lap score of just thirteen marks lost as everything fell into place. With Dabill now having stretched his championship lead to a clear thirteen marks, the championship is looking like the battle for second could be the most interesting as we have Jack Price, Dan Peace and Toby Martyn all separated by a handful of marks. The next round at Kelly’s Farm in Devon is a total change of terrain from what has been ridden so far, but the question is who can challenge Dabill. We will see!
Dan Peace (JST Gas Gas UK) 37; 3: Jack Price (JST Gas Gas UK) 46; 4: Jack Peace (JST Gas Gas UK) 48; 5: Toby Martyn (RG Montesa/Honda UK) 51; 6: Jack Sheppard (Sherco) 51; 7: Andy Chilton (BMS Scorpa Andy Metcalfe) 57; 8: Jack Challoner (Craig’s Montesa) 86; 9: Tom Minta (BMS Scorpa) 88; 10: Alexz Wigg (JST Gas Gas UK) 101; 11: Sam Connor (Beta-UK) 101; 12: Billy Green (Beta-UK) 110; 13: Hugo Jervis (AB TRS) 114; 14: Dec Bullock (Gas Gas) 117; 15: Oliver Smith (Gas Gas) 144.
ROUND 3: NEATH MOTOR CLUB RESULTS: 1: Dabill 32; 2: Martyn 58;
3: Price 65; 4: Dan Peace 69; 5: Chilton 79; 6: Sheppard 89; 7: Jack Peace 91; 8: Minta 104; 9: Connor 105; 10: Challoner 118; 11: Green 121; 12: Jervis 133; 13: Wigg 137; 14: Bullock 142; 15: Smith 172.
CHAMPIONSHIP CLASS POSITIONS AFTER THREE ROUNDS RESULTS: 1: Dabill 60; 2: Price 47; 3:
Dan Peace 45; 4: Martyn 41; 5: Jack Peace 33; 6: Sheppard 30; 7: Chilton 29; 8: Minta 20; 9: Wigg 16; 10: Challoner 14; 11: Green 13; 12: Connor 12; 13: Bullock 12; 14: Jervis 7; 15: Smith 5.
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SPORT
ACU BTC SOLO
Tom Affleck (180° Vertigo)
Ross Danby (TRS UK)
ACU BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS – SOLO
Time for change
Gwynedd Jones (Beta)
Masters Riding with a mature consistency, Ross Danby has three consecutive wins under his belt in this new-for-2018 series. After missing the opening round Sam Haslam made his first appearance in this class but he has no answer at the moment to Danby as he keeps the TRS at the top of the championship with another clear win in south Wales.
ACU BTC SOLO MASTERS
ROUND 2: WESTMORELAND MOTOR CLUB RESULTS: 1: Ross Danby (TRS UK) 52; 2: Sam Haslam (JST Gas
Gas UK) 55; 3: Tom Affleck (180° Vertigo) 91; 4: Gwynedd Jones (Beta) 112.
ROUND 3: NEATH MOTOR CLUB RESULTS: 1: Danby 51; 2: Haslam 64; 3: Affleck 81; 4: Jones 90.
2018 CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS RESULTS: 1: Danby 60; 2: Affleck 47; 3: Jones 39; 4: Haslam 34; Sam Haslam (JST Gas Gas UK) 80
5: McColl 15.
JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
SPORT
ACU BTC SOLO
Jack Challoner (Craigs Montesa)
Richard Sadler (Beta-UK-Acklams)
Expert On paper it may look like Richard Sadler is pulling away at the head of the championship, but he knows that at every round there is a handful of riders who could win on the day in this very closely matched, competitive championship. At the moment his nearest rival is Guy Kendrew with ‘Veteran’ Dan Thorpe never far off the pace. After a poor performance by his own admission, Thorpe knows he is on the back foot but Kendrew needs to be looking to take a win if he is to challenge Sadler for the crown. Luke Walker is holding his own in fourth as the Isle of Wight’s Chris Stay had to contend with a retirement in the Lake District which is a points deficit he knows will be hard to pull back. Worth noting is the excellent ride by Emma Bristow in round two. The current Ladies’ Trial World Champion will be happy with her career-best fifth position but also frustrated as she knows that the top three is achievable. Never one to give up, do not be surprised if Emma bridges this gap from fifth to third. With the more open hazards found in rounds two and three now changing to the much more confined hazards at the challenging Kelly’s Farm maybe we will see some of the younger riders start to shine.
Guy Kendrew (Beta-UK)
ACU BTC SOLO EXPERT
ROUND 2: WESTMORELAND MOTOR CLUB RESULTS: 1: Richard Sadler (Beta-UK/Acklams) 36; 2: Dan Thorpe (JST Gas Gas UK) 42; 3: Guy Kendrew (Beta-UK) 48; 4: Luke Walker (Sherco) 57; 5: Emma Bristow (Sherco) 69; 6: Craig Houston (East Neuk Scorpa) 71; 7: James Fry (Sherco) 76; 8: Martin Crosswaite (Montesa) 77; 9: Sam Yeomans (JST Gas Gas UK) 84; 10: Will Brockbank (Sherco) 86; 11: Conrad Atkinson (Sherco) 94; 12: Thomas Moss (Gas Gas) 97; 13: Tom Ablewhite (Sherco) 98; 14: Kieran Child (Colin Appleyard Gas Gas) 99; 15: Thomas Swindlehurst (Sherco) 100.
ROUND 3: NEATH MOTOR CLUB RESULTS: 1: Sadler 9; 2: Kendrew 16; 3: Thorpe 22; 4: Chris
Pearson (Splat Sherco) 33; 5: Chris Stay (TRS UK) 38; 6: Walker 38; 7: Yeomans 39; 8: Josh Hanlon (Beta) 42; 9: Fry 49; 10: Bristow 61; 11: Jonny Starmer (Beta) 62; 12: Lloyd Price (TRS) 66; 13: Conrad Atkinson (Sherco) 67; 14: Thomas Moss (Gas Gas) 72; 15: Tom Culliford (TRS) 76.
2018 CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS RESULTS: 1: Sadler 57; 2: Kendrew 45; 3: Thorpe 41; 4: Walker 34; JackThorpe Dan Challoner (JST(Craigs Gas GasMontesa) UK) TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
5: Stay 26; 6: Fry 26; 7: Bristow 24; 8: Yeomans 24; 9: Ben Morphett (Montesa) 20; 10: Pearson 13; 11: Starmer 11; 12: Houston 10; 13: Hanlon 9; 14: Price 9; 15: Crosswaite 8.
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ACU BTC SOLO
Mitch Brightmore (JST Gas Gas UK)
Brett Harbud (BVM Beta)
Elite Youth If you look at the final scores from each event you will see that the 125cc machines have a tough day, as do the riders. As some of the younger riders enter into the European and Trial World Championships, in theory this new Elite Youth Class should better prepare them for this transition. Mitch Brightmore has successfully raised his level of riding, which has put him clear at the head of the championship with two wins in last two rounds. Both Gus Oblein and Brett Harbudd know that a win is vital at the next round if they are to stop Brightmore pulling further ahead in the championship. It will be interesting to see which of the riders can take the fight to Brightmore.
Ryan Brown (Beta)
ACU BTC SOLO ELITE YOUTH
ROUND 2: WESTMORELAND MOTOR CLUB RESULTS: 1: Mitch Brightmore (JST Gas Gas UK) 107; 2: Brett
Harbud (BVM Beta) 137; 3: Ryan Brown (Beta) 143; 4: Charlie Smith (Inch Perfect Trials Beta) 145; 5: Gus Oblein (Sherco) 148; 6: Joshua Wright (Beta) 166; 7: Adam Juffs (TRS UK) 172.
ROUND 3: NEATH MOTOR CLUB RESULTS: 1: Brightmore 71; 2: Oblein 93; 3: Harbud 100; 4: Brown (Beta) 5: Smith 105; 6: Wright 128; 7: Juffs 144.
2018 CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS RESULTS: 1: Brightmore 57; 2: Oblein 48; 3: Harbud 45; 4: Brown Gus Oblein (Sherco) 82
39; 5: Smith 39; 6: Juffs 28; 7: Wright 20; 8: Brown 13.
JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
ROUND 2 BTC
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SPORT
SIDECAR 2018
Oliver Lace & Ealish Baxter (Gas Gas)
Jon Tuck & Matt Sparkes (TRS)
WESSEX PLANT HIRE BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP 2018
Consistent In this article we take a look at the opening round of the 2018 series, which kicked off in the snow and ice of the Doncaster Cup Trial. The weather got better for the Andy Smith and David Craine trials on the Isle of Man before the championship moved back to the DK Mansell Trial. After the four rounds we already have clear leaders at the head of the championship tables with Oliver Lace & Ealish Baxter (Gas Gas) in class A, Nigel and Gracie-Mae Scott (Beta) in class B, and Jack Corlett/Beth Thomas (Gas Gas) in class C. The Newcomers class has only been contested by the Fantic mounted pairing of Elliott and Graham Tickner.
Class A Championship Consistency has put the Oliver Lace/Ealish Baxter pair at the head of the championship, leaving everyone else on catch up. Nigel Crellin/Chris Molyneux will not contest any more rounds in 2018 as Jon Tuck/Matt Sparkes and Josh and Luke Golding on their TRS machines keep their eyes firmly fixed on the leaders.
CLASS A CHAMPIONSHIP DONCASTER CUP TRIAL
ROUND 1: 1: Oliver Lace/Ealish Baxter (Gas Gas) 18.
ANDY SMITH TRIAL
ROUND 2: 1: Nigel Crellin/Chris Molyneux (Scorpa) 23; 2: Josh/ Luke Golding (TRS) 58; 3: Lace/Baxter 79; 4: Jon Tuck/Matt Sparkes (TRS) 144.
DAVID CRAINE TRIAL
ROUND 3: 1: Crellin/Molyneux 21; 2: Tuck/Sparkes 27; 3: Josh/ Luke Golding (TRS) 44; 4: Lace/Baxter 61.
DK MANSELL TRIAL
ROUND 4: 1: Tuck/Sparkes 32; 2: Josh/Luke Golding 34; 3: Lace/Baxter 50.
CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS
CLASS A: 1: Lace/Baxter 63; 2: Tuck/Sparkes 50; 3: Josh/Luke Golding 49; 4: Crellin/Molyneux 40.
ARTICLE: KAREN & JOEL CRABTREE AND YOOMEE
Class B Intermediate Nigel and Gracie-Mae Scott hold the clear lead as they and second placed Matt Bond/Aleyn Taggart keep well clear of the closely fought battle for third in the championship.
CLASS B CHAMPIONSHIP DONCASTER CUP TRIAL
ROUND 1: 1: Nigel and Gracie-Mae Scott (Beta) 21; 2: Robert Head/Harriet Shore (Beta) 27; 3: Tony James/Jamie Howe (Beta) 32; 4: Matt Bond/Aleyn Taggart (Gas Gas) 33.
ANDY SMITH TRIAL
ROUND 2: 1: Nigel and Gracie-Mae Scott 54; 2: David Tuck/Joe Newman (TRS) 62; 3: Damien Owen/Gaz Temple (Beta) 71; 4: Bond/Taggart 93.
DAVID CRAINE TRIAL
ROUND 3: 1: Owen/Temple 32; 2: Nigel and Gracie-Mae Scott (Beta) 37; 3: Bond/Taggart 46.
DK MANSELL TRIAL
ROUND 4: 1: Nigel and Gracie-Mae Scott 35; 2: David Tuck/Joe Newman 44; 3: James/Howe 51; 4: Head/Shore 57; 5: Bond/ Taggart 70.
CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS
CLASS B: 1: Nigel/Gracie-Mae Scott 77; 2: Bond/Taggart 52; 3: Nigel and Gracie Mae Scott (Beta) TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
Matt Bond & Aleyn Taggart (Gas Gas)
Owen/Temple 35; 4: Tuck/Newman 34; 5: Head/Shore 30; 5: James/Howe 30.
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SIDECAR 2018
Robbie Head & Harriet Shore (Beta)
Paul Fishlock & Debbie Merrell (Montesa)
Class C Clubmen
Jack Corlett & Beth Thomas (Gas Gas)
Once again, the best supported class in the championship, with the most entries, sees Jack Corlett/ Beth Thomas riding with a consistency that has been rewarded with three wins and a second place from the four rounds. Paul Fishlock/ Debbie Merrell hold second position, but they know that it’s wins which give the maximum points and that’s what they will be focussed on at the next round.
CLASS C CLUBMEN DONCASTER CUP TRIAL ROUND 1: 1: Jack Corlett/Beth Thomas (Gas Gas) 8; 2: Paul Fishlock/Debbie
Merrell (Honda) 18; 3: John Corlett/Harry Gell (Gas Gas) 30; 4: Mick Treagus/ Lee Granby (Gas Gas) 36; 5: Graham Thomas/Ben Crookall (Gas Gas) 42.
ANDY SMITH TRIAL ROUND 2: 1: Jack Corlett/Beth Thomas (Gas Gas) 31; 2: William Caine/Tommy Atkins (Gas Gas) 32; 3: John Corlett/Harry Gell (Gas Gas) 59; 4: Paul Fishlock/ Debbie Merrell (Honda) 86; 5: Karl Jarvis/Jana Grossman (Scorpa) 92.
DAVID CRAINE TRIAL ROUND 3: 1: Caine/Atkins 11; 2: Fishlock/Merrell 18; 3: Corlett/Thomas 26; 4: Corlett/Gell (Gas Gas) 40; 5: Jarvis/Grossman 54.
DK MANSELL TRIAL ROUND 4: 1: Corlett/Thomas 13; 2: Fishlock/Merrell 32; 3: Phil Sparkes/Steve Chandler (Wessex SXS TRS) 44; 4: Mick Treagus/Izzy Saunders (SXS TRS) 50; 5: Luke Etheridge/Dave Denyer (Beta) 53.
CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS CLASS C: 1: Corlett/Thomas 77; 2: Fishlock/Merrell 59; 3: Corlett/Gell 47; 4: Thomas/Crookall 37; 5: Etheridge/Denyer 32.
Class C Clubmen Once again, to the surprise of many people, the Class D Newcomers class is very poorly supported, with only Elliott and Graham Tickner (Fantic) competing. Come on guys get them sidecar outfits out and join in the fun!
CLASS C CLUBMEN DONCASTER CUP TRIAL ROUND 1: 1: Elliott and Graham Tickner (Fantic)
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ANDY SMITH TRIAL ROUND 2: 1: Tickner 142.
DAVID CRAINE TRIAL ROUND 3: 1: Tickner 136.
DK MANSELL TRIAL ROUND 4: 1: Tickner 131.
CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS Graham and Elliott Tickner (Fantic)
CLASS D: 1: Elliott and Graham Tickner 80. Trial Magazine would like to thank Karen, Terry and Joel Crabtree for their support in generating this article.
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OFF ROAD RACING PARTS CSP parts are distributed in the UK by:
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SPORT YOUTH
Daniel Slack (Sherco)
Joe Faunthorpe (Beta)
ACKLAMS BETA BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP 2018
IoM rounds It was a short trip across the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man for the opening rounds of this year’s youth championships. Good weather greeted the riders, and all the classes were well supported with over fifty riders on both days. Everyone benefited from a super two days of riding organised by an excellent and enthusiastic club. ARTICLE: YOOMEE • PICTURES: BRIAN MADDRELL
Jack Dance (Gas Gas) TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
ACKLAMS BETA BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP ISLE OF MAN
A CLASS ROUND 1: 1: Joe Faunthorpe (Beta) 43; 2: Daniel Slack (Sherco) 45; 3: William Dalton (Beta) 83; 4: Adam Harris (Gas Gas) 83.
ROUND 2: 1: Slack 113; 2: Harris 131; 3: Faunthorpe 132; 4: Dalton 139. CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS: 1: Slack 37; 2: Faunthorpe 35; 3: Harris 30; 4: Dalton 28.
B CLASS ROUND 1: 1: Jack Dance (Gas Gas) 26; 2: Ben Dignan (Gas Gas) 27; 3: Reece
Gazzard (Scorpa) 42; 4: Harvey Taglione (Gas Gas) 52; 5: Harry Turner (Gas Gas) 60; 6: Harry Bowyer (Gas Gas) 76; 7: Alice Minta (Beta) 76; 8: Ross Galloway (TRS) 76; 9: Jaime Galloway (TRS) 87; 10: Ollie Smith (Beta) 94.
ROUND 2: 1: Gazzard 44; 2: Dignan 49; 3: Dance 66; 4: Turner 88; 5: Ross
Galloway 101; 6: Jaime Galloway 101; 7: Bowyer 115; 8: Smith 117; 9: Taglione 131; 10: George Clarke (Sherco) 132.
CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS: 1: Dance 35; 2: Gazzard 35; 3: Dignan 34; 4: Turner 24; 5: Taglione 20; 6: Bowyer 19; 7: Ross Galloway 19; 8: Jaime Galloway 17; 9: Smith 14; 10: Minta 11.
Reece Gazzard (Scorpa) 89
SPORT YOUTH
ACKLAMS BETA BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP ISLE OF MAN
C CLASS: STANDARD WHEEL ROUND 1: 1: Harry Hemingway
(Beta) 5; 2: George Hemingway (Beta) 21; 3: Charlie Crossland (Beta) 83; 4: Corey Peters (Beta) 92; 5: Max Agar (Beta) 92; 6: Alfie Ray-Turner (Beta) 115.
ROUND 2: 1: Harry Hemingway 18; 2: George Hemingway 85; 3: Crossland 122; 4: Agar 128; 5: Ray-Turner 140; 6: Peters 159.
CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS: 1: Harry Hemingway 40; 2: George Hemingway 34; 3: Crossland 30; 4: Agar 24; 5: Peters 23; 6: Ray-Turner 21.
C CLASS: MEDIUM WHEEL ROUND 1: 1: Euan Sim (Beta) 55; 2:
Toby Shaw (Beta) 73; 3: Jasper Fox (Beta) 85; 4: Jonnie Fannon (OSET) 136.
ROUND 2: 1: Fox 112; 2: Shaw 113; 3: Sim 124; 4: Peters 149; 5: Fannon 164. CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS 1: Sim 35; Harry Hemingway (Beta)
2: Fox 35; 3: Shaw 34; 4: Fannon 24; 5: Peters 13.Beattie 13; 10: Lund 7.
Euan Simm (Beta)
Ellis Barton (OSET)
Jacob Wilson (Beta)
ACKLAMS BETA BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP ISLE OF MAN
D CLASS: MEDIUM WHEEL ROUND 1: 1: Stan Cubbon (Beta) 71; 2: Joe Drysdale (OSET) 92; 3: Elliott Smith (OSET) 97; 4: William Sagar (Beta) 106; 5: Max Dance (Beta) 127; 6: Oliver Arkwright (Beta) 171.
ROUND 2: 1: Sagar 107; 2: Smith 115; 3: Drysdale 136; 4: Cubbon 137; 5: Dance 139. CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS: 1: Cubbon 33; 2: Sagar 33; 3: Smith 32; 4: Drysdale 32; 5: Dance 22; 6: Arkwright 10.
D CLASS: SMALL WHEEL ROUND 1: 1: Ellis Barton (OSET) 68; 2: Jacob Wilson (Beta) 77; 3: Ruari Younie (OSET) 92; 4: Kai Fairhurst
(OSET) 120; 5: Emir Juma (OSET) 136; 6: Liam Barker (Beta) 138; 7: Corey Shepherd (Mecatecno) 140; 8: Tom Gibbins (OSET) 144; 9: Zac Lund (Beta) 145; 10: Harry Beattie (OSET) 147.
ROUND 2: 1: Barton 100; 2: Wilson 125; 3: Barker 127; 4: Younie 129; 5: Shepherd 130; 6: Crawford 139; 7: Juma 143; 8: Fairhurst 149; 9: Beattie 150; 10: Gibbins 151.
CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS: 1: Barton 40; 2: Wilson 34; 3: Younie 28; 4: Barker 23; 5: Fairhurst 21; 6: Juma Stanley Cubbon (Beta) 90
20; 7: Shepherd 20; 8: Gibbins 14; 9: Beattie 13; 10: Lund 7.
JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
CATCH UP BECKY COOK
Still two wheels
A very successful motorcycle athlete in her own right, Becky Cook had a total change of direction in 2017 as she moved to pedal power in the competitive world of Mountain Bike Enduro. For thirteen years of her life she dedicated all her spare time and money towards competing at the highest level in motorcycle trials, collecting a very impressive eight British Championship titles, 2012 European Champion, five times Vice FIM World Champion and seven gold medals at the FIM Trial Des Nations. Using a mountain bike to train on she came to a point where she liked riding the cycle more than the motorcycle. With funding to compete at the very cutting edge of the Ladies’ World Championship becoming harder to find, she took the brave move to change direction in her career. After entering a few mountain bike races, which she really enjoyed, she got ‘bitten’ by the British Enduro Series and took the British title in the elite women’s class in her first year. Now riding for the Orbea Team it was time to catch up with the determined Becky Cook. WORDS: TRIALS MEDIA WITH BECKY COOK • PICTURES: TRIALS MEDIA AND ORBEA
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CATCH UP
BECKY COOK
So; how different is your world after the move to pedal power? BECKY: It all started in 2015 with a race in Wales, for which I had
borrowed a bike off Jono from Tred-shop.com. Typical Wales it rained all weekend, but I won and that was it — I was happy! The following year in 2016 I won the British Enduro Series, which gave me a wild card to race the full 2017 Enduro World Series. After much deliberation between me and my husband Craig we made a joint decision; that it was now or never so why not give it a go! My main sponsor was still Tred-shop, so along with their support and a little bit of help from Pivot Cycles I competed in the full Enduro World Series as a privateer. Is travel easier with a cycle?
The good thing about bicycles and travel is that you can take them on a plane very easily, so not so many hours are spent behind the wheel driving. I travelled to all the events on my own staying in hostels, Airbnbs, campers, basically whatever the cheapest option was depending on the country I was in. It was pretty tough as I had to organise everything, look after myself and my bike with minimal spares, time and energy. I had a pretty good year though, being consistent and finishing every race placing 9th overall and beating some factory supported riders, so once again I was happy with the reward for the hard work. So in many ways it’s the same as the motorcycle world as I still get to travel the world with my bike, but venturing further afield and seeing new places.
TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
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Signature:____________________ Date:_____________ JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
CATCH UP
BECKY COOK
And so you found your way into the world of Mountain Bike Enduro. How does this differ from every other cycle discipline?
I compete in the Enduro World Series in the Pro Women’s Class which is the highest level in the sport. We race usually between six and eight timed stages and the fastest cumulative time is the winner. But we also have to ride between the stages so can easily cover 50k on a race day. Some races are twoday events, so it’s a pretty tough weekend out on your bike. How did the connection with the Orbea Team happen?
Tred-shop.com became an Orbea distributor halfway through 2017 and the UK representative passed my details to the Orbea factory knowing they were setting up a new team to compete in the 2018 Enduro World Series. Before I knew it I was offered a contract to ride for the Orbea Enduro Team. The amount of support from Orbea is just incredible and it’s made it a lot easier for me to concentrate on riding my bike, I cannot thank them enough. It has been a crazy few months after so many years having to do everything myself, sometimes it can be difficult to relax and let them do the hard work. It’s still early in the season but I am really happy with the team, the bike and my team-mates, we’ve already done some training camps in France and Spain, pre-season testing with sponsors and fine-tuning our bike setups to get the best out of our equipment.
Full on in Chile.
Where do you see the sport taking you, can you be world champion in your class?
To be world champion is a big ask but I am naturally a very competitive person, so who knows. This year I am looking to improve on last year’s result; a top-five finish would be amazing but the competition is so strong. There are at least twelve riders all capable of a top five in the championship. I am one of the older riders but my experience from riding motorcycle trials at the highest level has definitely helped me and I will continue as long as I still enjoy racing.
Team talk at the Orbea test camp.
Colombia: Fully 100% committed.
Are you a full-time cycle athlete?
I train every day but I am still working part-time as a lorry driver in the family business between races. My training is a lot more structured now and I have a coach who plans my schedule, so I will usually do a session in the morning before work, then another in the afternoon after work. It is still quite difficult to fit everything in, as the training is pretty intense so rest and recovery is just as important. I am very grateful for this opportunity so I intend to work hard. Orbea have been very generous by supplying me with a couple of training bikes as well as my race bikes so I’m spoilt for choice. Tell us about your most recent travels and where you have competed.
I’ve just returned from the first two rounds of the Enduro World Series in Chile and Columbia. They could not have been more different, we went from riding in thick dust to thick mud! I had two tenth positions which in truth I am slightly disappointed with but all the girls are so strong now, the competition is really close. My new Orbea ‘Rallon’ performed perfectly in both races and I took a fourth position on stage five in Colombia so I am very happy with this and it gives me a lot of motivation for the next race. TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
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CATCH UP BECKY COOK
Colombia: The amount of support from Orbea is just incredible and it’s made it a lot easier for me to concentrate on riding my bike, I cannot thank them enough.
Do you miss motorcycle trials?
Yes I miss riding a motorcycle with friends and certain events like the Scottish Six Days Trial but I have no regrets, none. I had a good few years competing at the very top in the Ladies’ World Championship and enjoyed every minute of my time in motorcycle trials. If you can just imagine representing your country in the Trials Des Nations, it’s like competing in the team events at the Olympics. I still keep in touch with everyone and Craig is in partnership at Bvm-Moto now, so I feel like I’m still a trials rider. I try to ride when I get the time and Steve Saunders, the UK TRS importer, lets me borrow a machine any time I want. I still consider motorcycle trials as a very good skill base for most bike sports, and I for one have certainly benefited from my motorcycling years. Where will you be in five years’ time?
Who knows! I don’t tend to plan that far ahead, I just want to see where it takes me. I will no doubt be riding on something with two wheels. I am enjoying myself and the new challenges Enduro brings at the moment and am very lucky to have the support of Craig and my family. My motto, as with many people, is ‘One life — live it to the full’. Becky Cook has shown just how important it is to have an open approach to life. Women in sport, any sport, is most needed, and in many ways she has been a pioneer from the trials world to show that with hard work and commitment you can change sports disciplines and become just as successful — we miss her in the The last world round in Italy 2016. trials world but it’s so good to see her achieving success in another sports arena.
Enjoying the last ride at the SSDT in 2016 on the TRS. Steve Saunders was 100% behind Becky’s move to pedal power. 96
Who knows what the future will hold. JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
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SALES • SET UP • SERVICE 97 22/05/2018 12:42
CLASSIC COMPETITION THE PRE-65 SCOTTISH
A three-way winner
Gary Macdonald (Triumph)
It was that time of year again when everyone who had been fortunate enough to get a Pre-65 ‘Scottish’ entry headed Scotland — Kinlochleven, to be precise - for the three-day festival of classic trials. I say three days because Thursday is set aside for signing on and scrutineering, which for close on 200 motorcycles takes some time by the time all the greetings and meeting up with friends has taken place! Things start to happen early afternoon when it’s time to see who has turned up with what machine. It was common knowledge that last year’s winner Gary Macdonald was going to be out on a 350cc Triumph on loan from Martin Murphy, but to see Andy Abraham turn up with a 600cc Scott ‘Rigid’ was pretty special. One rider not entered on a rigid this year was Clive Dopson. He said that having turned the age of sixty recently it was time to have an easier machine to ride than the Norton, and it came in the form of a 250cc Francis Barnet. As it turned out the threeway festival of trials would turn into a three-way tie to find the winner, ultimately in the form of local rider Gary Macdonald.. WORDS: COLIN BULLOCK AND JOHN HULME • PICTURES: ERIC KITCHEN AND JOHN HULME
98
Dan Clarke (Triumph) JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
CLASSIC COMPETITION THE PRE-65 SCOTTISH
Dan Thorpe (Triumph)
F
riday’s proceedings got underway with the parade of man and machine through the town, and with so many competitors the early riders were back very soon after the last competitors had started out. At 10am this year’s Guest of Honour Tim Britton waved away Martin Murphy and Bruce Metcalf off the starting ramp. The odd numbers went out on the road loop at Cnoc a Linnhe while the evens started at Loch Eilde Burn.
Callum Murphy (BSA)
Rob Bowyer (Triumph) TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
James Harland (Triumph)
DAY 1 Cnoc a Linnhe starts easily enough by the roadside, but with the big climb out the end, the section was its usual tough proposition. Needless to say, Gary Macdonald cleaned it early on and Rob Bowyer, another Triumph Twin man, was good value here with a faultless climb. Further down the road, Caolasnacon had been reintroduced after having been rested. Just one section was included but after the uphill climb came the left-hand turn, which is always awkward. The first clean of the day went to Mark Feather on his 500cc Ariel. It was a section that had plenty of cleans but also tested the grip on riders’ boots when they needed a final push out, as Andy Abrahams found out as he just managed to get the Scott out. Some spectacular crashes were also recorded as the nature of the hazard changed after every rider. There was plenty of water running down at Lower Cameron Hill; introduced last year the two sections here saw plenty of cleans but don’t mention that to Craig Asbridge, who dropped his Tiger Cub twice in the rather cool river! By comparison, Donna Fox had a smile on her face with a double-clean on her BSA Bantam. The even numbers were making light work of Loch Eilde Burn, and many did likewise at Aluminium Works. The first of the two sections here caused more problems for the entry with its loose river-bound rocks. The iconic Pipeline came next and, as always, it was the one section people liked to clean. Dan Clark, Ben Butterworth and Dan Thorpe were all textbook, but Dave Thorpe ran out of good fortune here with a nasty fall off the hazard and under the pipes. Thorpe senior managed to complete the day, but he was unable to ride on day two. By comparison, out in the wilds above Pipeline Sma Dam provided some more manageable sections for the riders to enjoy, which were followed by a new group at Meal Ruigh with three long water hazards that, while cleanable, took plenty of marks as riders kept the machines moving. It was out here that quite a few riders ended up with mechanical problems which caused many retirements with amongst them the likes of Chris Koch whose Noriel cried ‘enough!’ at Blackwater. Other retirements from day one included ACU committee man Anthony Rew whose Triumph refused to run cleanly, Tim Hartshorne and previous winner Tony Calvert. By the close, it was Gary Macdonald, Dan Clark and Dan Thorpe all clean with Calum Murphy and Rob Bowyer both on three. Four Triumphs were in the top five for the Meriden marque.
Mark Sunter (Ariel) 99
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JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
CLASSIC COMPETITION THE PRE-65 SCOTTISH
Yrjo Vesterinen (BSA-FIN)
Paul Dennis (Triumph)
DAY 2
Phil Wiffen (Matchless)
Ian Peberdy (Triumph) TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
Saturday started over at the school yard with number 101, Andy Minn, the first rider away to the sounds of the local pipe band. He was on the start ramp alone as 102 Edward Dobson had not made the finish on Friday. The odd numbers were heading for Lower Mamore and then up to the five groups of hazards high above Kinlochleven. The evens had the road trip, with Garbh Bhien starting their day. Garbh Bhien was in fairly gentle mood and did not cause too many problems, with the ride back to the road being as tricky as the section. From there it was a second visit to Cnoc a Linnhe minus the previous day’s easy opener, and then to Cameron Hill and a new loop over the hillside to Stac A’ Chlamhain. Spectators going out to the ‘Pap of Glencoe’ on the loch side were able to see plenty of good rides and the two Paxton brothers looked very steady through the rocky stream. One rider who was very disappointed at the ‘Pap’ was Yrjo Vesterinen, who was to suffer a five for a stop as he took a dab on the early part of the hazard. No such problems for Dan Clarke though as he roared through Cnoc a Linnhe with the Triumph on full ‘song’. Although the final step up the bank was not part of section two Dan was all style here and even had time for a thumbs up as he strapped his rucksack on! Fellow Triumph Twin rider and the 2013 event winner James Harland was equally effective. He was heading for another good result and would take the John Draper trophy for his efforts. Over on the far side of the town the odd numbers had gone through Lower Mamore. This is a section that rides much harder than it looks, with plenty of marks scattered including a number of fives. If you fancied a long walk then Upper Mamore was the place to go with terrific backdrops looking out over Kinlochleven. Unlucky here was Michael Irving, who remained feet up on his 500cc Ariel until six feet from the ends cards when it all came to a halt. Big-capacity machine riders Duncan Macdonald, Mark McComisky, Mick Flannagan and Rob Bowyer were all to have terrific rides here. Bowyer was on his way to the Best Over 350cc award. No mention as yet of Gary Macdonald; well, he was having great rides everywhere but so too was his main rivals ‘Clarky’ and Dan Thorpe over on the other side of the Loch. Spectators were able to keep track of the action with some very accessible subs back on the road at Burnside, Man Na Gualain and Lower Caillich. These have proved to be a very welcome addition to the event. Gary Macdonald was by now out at Cnoc a Linnhe but keeping his feet firmly on the foot-pegs as last year’s winner was looking to make it two in a row as we got towards the end of another two classic days.
Donna Fox (BSA) 101
CLASSIC COMPETITION THE PRE-65 SCOTTISH
Mick Grant (BSA)
THE RESULT So it was all down to the presentation in the village hall late on Saturday evening. Three riders were all clean, having parted with no marks: Dan Thorpe, Dan Clark and Gary Macdonald. A triple tie was something new, which left the committee to consult the rule books. The decision declared Gary Macdonald was the winner as he was mounted on the larger capacity machine. Dan Clark was second — on age, as he was one month older than Dan Thorpe. These were some rides by all three, with the rule book, unfortunately, having to find the winner!
PRE-65 SSDT
BEST PERFORMANCE: 1: Gary MacDonald (Triumph) 0; 2: Dan Clarke (Triumph) 0; 3: Dan Thorpe (Triumph) 0
BEST PERFORMANCE ON FIRST DAY: Gary MacDonald (Triumph) 0 BEST PERFORMANCE ON SECOND DAY: Mark Sunter (Ariel) 0 BEST FOREIGN RIDER: Mark Harris (Ariel-IRL) 11 BEST NEWCOMER: Robbie Weir (BSA) 8 BEST SCOTTISH RIDER: Calum Murphy (BSA) 4 Martyn Stanistreet (James)
BEST RIDER OVER 60: Yrjo Vesterinen (BSA-FIN) 14 BEST RIDER ON A RIGID UP TO 250: Martyn Stanistreet (James) 117 BEST RIDER ON A RIGID OVER 250: Andy Abraham (Scott) 244 BEST WOMAN: Donna Fox (BSA) 16 BEST OVER 350: Rob Bowyer (Triumph) 6 BEST 251-350: James Harland (Triumph) 5 BEST 201-250: Darren Wasley (Triumph) 13 BEST UP TO 200: Stephen Murphy (BSA) 17 BEST MATCHLESS/AJS OVER 300CC: Philip Wiffen (Matchless) 17 OLDEST FINISHER: Mick Grant (BSA) 74 SPECIAL FIRST CLASS AWARDS: Calum Murphy (BSA) 4; James Harland
(Triumph) 5; Rob Bowyer (Triumph) 6; Ben Butterworth (Ariel) 6; Robbie Weir (BSA) 8; James Noble (Ariel) 9; John Charlton (Triumph) 9; Mark Sunter (Ariel) 10; Mark Harris (Ariel-IRL) 11; Darren Wasley (Triumph) 13; Andrew Paxton (BSA) 13; Mark Jackson (Triumph) 13; Yrjo Vesterinen (BSA-FIN) 14; Leslie Winthrop (Triumph) 15; Alan Crayk (Cotton) 16; Paul Dennis (Triumph) 16; Donna Fox (BSA) 16; Philip Wiffen (Matchless) 17; Murray Whittaker (Triumph) 17; Stephen Murphy (BSA) 17.
FIRST CLASS AWARDS: Diego Urreta (Ariel-ESP) 20; Sam Clarke (Triumph) 21;
Andy Abraham (Scott) 102
Stuart Blythe (Triumph) 21; Nicholas Paxton (BSA) 23; Neil Dawson (Sprite) 24; Dennis Sweeten (BSA-USA) 24; Liston Bell (BSA) 26; Eric McMeekin (BSA) 27; Michael Erving (Ariel) 27; James Francis (BSA) 27; Gary Baker (Triumph) 29; Richard Allen (Ariel) 29; Matthew Neil (Ariel) 29; Ian Shedden (Cotton) 33; William Gillespie (Pitrite) 33; Kevin Chapman (Trifield) 35; Mark Smith (Ariel) 35; Ian Peberdy (Triumph) 36; Paul Edwards (Ariel) 36; Mike Watson (Triumph) 36.
JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
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107
CYCLE SPORT
British Trials Cup ROUND ONE
The British Trials Cup opened with round one at the superb Bob McGregor Trial Academy facility in Ayrshire, Scotland. For 2018 the Biketrial Federation United Kingdom are organising a threeround National Cup Series. The 15th of April saw the first round of the National Trials Cup Series take place in Scotland, simultaneously incorporating the first round of the Scottish Biketrial Championship. Blessed with dry weather on the day the preparation over the two previous weekends was not undermined and a great trial ensued. With the heritage of biketrial firmly resting with motorsport’s Bob McGregor’s Trial Academy it proved to be a fantastic venue to kick off this year’s competitive season at a national level in the UK
Cerys Armstrong
ARTICLE: DAVID JOHNSTONE AND TRIALS MEDIA PICTURES: DAN WRIGHT AND STAGE TWO IMAGING
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Will Ackerly
Adam Morewood JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
CYCLE
SPORT
Oliver Cooper
Daniel White
T
Finn Johnstone
he organisers had put in a lot of work moving round the large rocks and concrete blocks in order to lay out six testing obstacles, each to be covered three times. Hats off to them, as they succeeded in a great mix of sections for the massive range of abilities from the young sixyear-old beginners all the way through to the Elite riders and the fathers that compete along the way. PODIUM FOR EACH ROUTE: For 2018 there is a top-three podium for
each route, but for the series totals the routes are split by age in line with the international age groups.
White Route
On the easiest, but by no means easy, White ‘Primary’ route it was the Scottish rider Harry Adamson who took the win and the early lead in the Primary ‘Senior’ class, losing just 15 marks including a great final lap of just three marks. It was a close-fought battle with Northallerton’s Will Robinson on 19 marks and another Scot Charlie Henshall another three marks behind on 22. The best under 10-yearold Primary rider was Jackson Carrol, who had a tough day losing 82 marks. TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
Ross McArthur
Green Route
The next route is the Green ‘Novice’ class which had a great entry of 13 riders. This time the Derbyshire Tyke Trial members dominated the podium, with senior rider 13-year-old Max Ward taking the win on just nine marks and the best under-13-year-old rider, 9-year-old Eddie Weightman just three marks behind on 12, very closely followed by his father Carl on 13 marks. That must have been a good discussion on the long journey home!
Blue Route
The Blue ‘Intermediate’ route is the next class and again it was the Derbyshire riders taking the top steps. Not to be outdone by his younger brother the current BIU Benjamin World Champion Oliver Weightman had a fantastic ride, losing just five marks all day with section one proving his stumbling block taking him for a dab every lap. This route is also the correct age class for Oliver, so he takes the lead in the Intermediate championship. Senior Intermediate rider Daniel White from Chesterfield also had a good ride losing 16 to get the second spot on the podium and the early lead in the senior category. Third place was Bailey Dacker, keeping his medal in the highlands losing 56 marks. 109
CYCLE SPORT
Yellow Elite: Will Ackerly, Andrei Burton and Adam Morewood
White Primary: Will Robinson, Harry Adamson and Charlie Henshall
Red Route
The Red Expert class doesn’t have any age restrictions or class splits and also has slightly different observing rules to the lower classes. For this class and the Elite class the riders get penalised a ‘dab’ every time anything touches the floor including the bike’s pedals and ‘bashguard’, so it’s similar to the X trial rules thus making those big rock steps that little bit harder. All the Expert riders found the route hard, with Yorkshire’s Reece Seymour taking the top step of the podium on 46 marks. Moto trials rider Aldis Blacker ditched the petrol power for pedal power and had a day-long battle with Scotland’s Ross McArthur, with Aldis taking a very close second place on 78 marks and Ross just one behind on 79.
Yellow Route
The hardest ‘Yellow’ Elite route caters for the country’s best riders, who have had to meet the strict qualifying criteria to ride these sections. The current National Elite Champion, Devon’s Andrei 110
Blue Intermediate: Daniel White, Oliver Weightman and Bailey Dacker
Red Expert: Aldis Blacker, Reece Seymour and Ross McArthur
Green Novice: Winner – Max Ward
Burton, made the long trip north worthwhile as he lost only 15 marks and took the win to carry on where he left off last season. Seventeen-year-old Will Ackerly from York improved as the day went on to take second position on 31 marks, with the youngest rider in this class, sixteen-year-old Adam Morewood taking the final spot on the podium on 38 marks.
Biketrial Federation UK
They were delighted to note a growing number of kids attending at round one as a result of involvement via cycling clubs. On Saturday, the day before the competition, we saw many of them at the venue practising at the same time as other kids on their Osets – and no doubt a few dads and mums were being ‘mithered’ about giving that a go whilst on that “how long until we get home” drive back from the venue. The core bike-handling skills the kids acquire through either discipline are impressive and hopefully the federation can be part
of the movement that lets the secret out of the bag. It would be great to see participation levels increase in both facets of trialling, and attracting new blood from within existing cycling communities will no doubt be part of the way forward for the sport in the UK. Biketrial Federation UK hope to be present at a number of motorcycle trials this year with ‘demo’ bikes to give kids a chance to self-propel themselves through sections. The bulk of the talent at the top level of biketrial retains a strong connection with the motorcycle side of trials riding and it would be great to see more riders participating in both sides of the sport. Here’s hoping everyone has a great season, whether that is motorised or not. There is now a short break until round two of the series which will be held at the BikeTrial Academy in Cambridgeshire with the final round to be held in September in Derbyshire. The Federation will also be organising the National Championships in June where riders must ride in their age groups, to be held near York. JUNE-JULY 2018 • TRIAL MAGAZINE
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* Free P&P applies to mainland UK only. Overseas please email: subscriptions@warnersgroup.co.uk or call +44 1778 392481 TRIAL MAGAZINE • JUNE-JULY 2018
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Very special offers across the Kia range when you quote ‘Trial Magazine’. Contact Richard Timperley for further details.
Triangle of Chesterfield
6 Duke Street, Whittington Moor • S41 9AD • 01246 454545 • triangle-kia.co.uk
Fuel consumption in mpg (I/100km) for the All-New Kia Stonic range: Urban 40.4 (7.0) - 57.6 (4.9), Extra Urban 61.4 (4.6) - 74.3 (3.8), Combined 51.4 (5.5) - 67.3 (4.2) CO2 emissions 125-109g/km. MPG figures are official EU test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Model shown All-New Kia Stonic 'First Edition' 1.0 T-GDi 118bhp 6-speed manual ISG at £20,240 including premium zest yellow with black roof paint at £545. All-New Kia Stonic available from £16,295. Specification varies across the range and is subject to change without notice. Offer available on purchase of an All-New Kia Stonic in the United Kingdom between 01.04.2018 — 30.06.2018. Private customer registrations only, excluding Personal Contract Hire. Please visit kia.com/uk or contact your Kia Dealer for full details and exclusions. T&Cs apply. Subject to status. 18s or over. Guarantee may be required. Kia Finance RH2 9AQ. 7 year / 100,000 mile manufacturer's warranty. "Care-3 is the Kia servicing package that covers recommended manufacturers servicing.
Triangle of Chesterfield Ltd trading as Triangle Kia are a credit broker (not a lender) for the purposes of this financial promotion and can introduce you to a limited number of carefully selected finance providers and may receive a commission from them for the introduction.
CONGRATULATIONS
SAM CONNOR 6TH OVERALL SSDT 2018
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