Over 140 riders lined up for the annual Highland Classic Two-Day Trial at Alvie Estate near Aviemore on Saturday 11th June.

The theme this year was The Yamscot Edition’ and guest of honour was five-times SSDT winner, Mick Andrews, entered on a Magical-Chase 220 Yamaha, on which he took home the best Yamaha award.

The event was supported by Classic Trial Magazine UK and Putoline Oils. It was oversubscribed after entries were released in February, such is the popularity of the trial.

Mick Andrews: ‘I was delighted to attend the Highland Classic and thoroughly enjoyed my weekend with great scenery, great people and it has a continental feel to it which is nice’.

Classic Trial supplied two free subscriptions for the ‘2-Day observers’ draw’ which also included some cash prizes for the lucky winners.
Best A route and B route lowest scorers also received new Michelin Rear tyres as extra prizes, courtesy of Classic Trial Mag and Michelin UK.

Two laps per day of eighteen sections over a 5 mile course on the picturesque hunting estate was a testing but fair competition for all concerned.
Unfortunately Chris Riley parted company from his Fantic on section six, which resulted in a helicopter evacuation to Inverness Raigmore Hospital with a dislocated shoulder and two broken ribs. He was released on Saturday night.

Former Scottish Trials Champion and Yamscot rider, John Winthrop was in attendance. Members of the Shirlaw family from Aberdeen were present on the Saturday as Yamscot was the promotional idea of the late Les Shirlaw when they were Yamaha agents for the off-road and racing range in the mid-1970s.

The trial uses the moniker ‘the friendliest classic trial in Scotland’, but in reality it is now the biggest classic trial run under SACU permit, with a limit of 150 competitors.

Rick Lound: ‘This is my first year as competitions secretary of the Inverness club and it has been a learning curve for me. We haven’t used a reserve list for this event, but it is something the committee may look at for next year and we have made changes already for the 2017 trial to the way we invite riders to enter. We always have a post-trial de-brief meeting and all these things will be discussed along with the next theme and guest of honour’.

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Results:

2016 Highland Classic 2 Day Results

Many thanks to Lorna Brackenridge and Jackie Siddle for the use of their photographs.