Trials Guru’s countdown to the Scott Trial

With only three weeks to go until the annual Scott Trial, sponsored by local haulage company NDL, operated by Darlington trials rider, Trevor Willans, the Richmond Motor Club (Yorks) Ltd (RMC) have been engaged in a whirlwind of activity in Swaledale where the event takes place. It is a very unique event, being a time and observation trial.

The sheer scale and magnitude of the Scott Trial is a weighty task for any club to undertake, the RMC have organised it for the past twenty-six years and 2017 will be their twenty-seventh event. This is the 92nd Scott Trial held in the 103 years since it began in 1914.

Trial Secretary this year is local farmer, Ken Wallis, no stranger to the Scott, he has been a committee member for many years and the start-field at Feldom Lane is based on his ground.

Ken’s wife Chris was a previous Scott Trial secretary, stepping down in 2015 and their sons John and Richard have also ridden the event.

Diane Horner who carried on the task in 2016, but with Grand-parenting duties taking up a considerable amount of her time, she decided to step down at the last AGM.

Ken Wallis has been keen on the event since he was a small boy, so there is no lack of enthusiasm for the ‘Greatest Trial of them all’ in the Wallis household.

The event attracts 200 competitors from far afield and the trial secretary has just released details of the start numbers and times, so that competitors can make their arrangements in time for the big day. These details are available on the RMC website including a current list of riders along with important information and final instructions. Click HERE

The Scott Trial has an official souvenir programme which is sold at the price of £5.00 with the proceeds all going to local charities, known collectively as the ‘Scott Charities’. The programme is a ‘must have’ for the event as it gives full details of where to watch, where catering is available out on the course and other facilities. Packed full of interesting articles, it will be available to buy from Thursday 5th October onwards, either by post at the slightly higher price of £6.50 or by calling customers from local stockists from Saturday 9th October at the face price of £5.00, details of where to buy are also on the official website. Click HERE

The programme which has 92 pages, will also be available to buy at the start-field where the sales ladies will happily exchange your hard-earned £5 note for a copy on the day.

The first rider leaves the start field at 09:00:00 on Saturday 21st October and the first rider home is usually back at the finish field around 15:00 hours, this is an estimated time, and the actual finish time is dependent on a variety of factors not least the weather and the condition of the course.

The fastest rider sets standard time and as to the winner, well that is always kept under wraps until the presentation of awards that evening around 22:00 at the Richmondshire Cricket Club in Richmond. Entry is free and the awards are preceeded by the Scott Charity Auction which starts around 20:15. Proceeds of the auction again go to the local Scott Charities.

For more information on the Scott Trial: Click HERE