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