Trials supporter, organiser, enthusiast and reporter, Stephanie Wood, one of few female presidents of the Yorkshire Centre A.C.U has died at age seventy-one years. She was appointed president in 1981 and was the daughter of Jack Wood, who started the well-known national trial in his name.
Dave Rowland (250cc Bultaco) on ‘Achintee’ in the 1968 SSDT, watched by Stephanie Wood (right) – Photo: OffRoad Archive.
She had battled with cancer which had originated in the gallbladder, according to a family friend.
Stephanie was Motor Cycle News correspondent for South Yorkshire, North Wales and parts of Derbyshire and Lancashire. She covered road racing, trials and sand racing. She was an annual attender at the Scottish Six Days Trial from 1965 to 1997 and many times accompanied family friend, Ralph Venables the doyen of trials reporters.
Ms. Wood worked in quality control at Bassets Ltd at their Sheffield factory and lived at Holmfirth, Yorkshire for many years.
Her funeral details have been released as being at Grenoside Crematorium in Sheffield on Friday 10th June 2016 at 11.45 am with any donations to Cancer UK.
Martin Lampkin (Bultaco) 1976 SSDT – Photo courtesy: Eric Kitchen
On behalf of the Lampkin family, it is with great sadness that Trials Guru website announces that H. Martin Lampkin, the very first World Trials Champion (1975), passed away today, Saturday 2nd April, 2016, aged 65 years.
It goes without saying that the Lampkin family’s loss is also a loss to the world of motorcycle sport.
Our sincere condolences go to Martin’s immediate family, widow Isobel; sons, Dougie and Harry and the extended Lampkin family.
The funeral service for Martin was be held on Monday, 11th April 2016 at 1.30pm at St James Parish Church, Kirkgate, Silsden, West Yorkshire, BD20 0AL.
Donations in Martin’s memory, were made to the Manorlands Hospice, Keighley Road, Oxenhope, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD22 9HJ.
Martin Lampkin, his life in photographs, a tribute by Trials Guru’s Photographers & contributors:
Motorcycles were always a part of Lampkin family life. This is Arthur Lampkin’s factory trials BSA Gold Star being tried out by family friend, Tim Aaron (left), H. Martin Lampkin (middle) & Veronica Lampkin (right) – Photo by kind permission and copyright of Janet (Lampkin) Pawson (Sister of Martin Lampkin)
1967 – Martin Lampkin (250cc BSA) in his first Scottish Six Days Trial aged 17, aged 26 in 1976 he would win his first SSDT.
1978 – Martin Lampkin (348 Bultaco) – Photo: Mike Rapley
1978 – Martin Lampkin hoists the Bultaco upwards with a steady dab – Photo: Mike Rapley
1978 – Martin Lampkin on his factory Bultaco – Photo: Mike Rapley
1978 – A truly atmospheric shot of Martin Lampkin – Photo: Mike Rapley
Martin Lampkin on Blackwater in the 1984 Pre’65 Scottish, riding brother Arthur’s 1963 SSDT winning BSA C15T – Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven
Martin on the Honda RTL250S in the 1987 Scottish – Photo copyright: Graeme Campbell
Martin Lampkin (World Champion in 1975) smiles at the camera of Iain Lawrie on his way down from Chairlift at the 1988 Scottish Six Days on his Colin Appleyard supported Honda RTL250S – Photo copyright: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven
Scottish Six Days Trial 1979 – Martin Lampkin inspects the rear tyre of his Bultaco, with Reg May offering advice. John Metcalfe is watching closely. Martin was narrowly beaten into second place to Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa) – Photo world-wide copyright: Eric Kitchen – all rights reserved.
Martin Lampkin testing his 325 Bultaco in 1975 – Photo by kind permission and world-wide copyright of Barry Robinson, Ilkley (All-rights reserved)
Bultaco publicity photo of Martin Lampkin on his factory Sherpa T model 92 in 1973 – Image courtesy of Bultaco Motorcycles
Martin Lampkin (Bultaco 325) at the Scottish Clubman Trial at Newcastleton in 1978. Photo: Jimmy Young, Armadale
The 1975 World Championship winning Bultaco of Martin Lampkin – Photo courtesy: Heath Brindley, Bristol
1979 – Martin Lampkin in full control of his 348 Bultaco – Photo: Mike Rapley
The ‘gritty’ determination of Martin Lampkin (Bultaco) Photo: Mike Rapley
Martin Lampkin fettling his Bultaco at the 1975 Scottish Six Days – Photo: Rainer Heise, Germany
1975 Scottish Six Days on Laggan Locks – Photo: Rainer Heise, Germany
Martin Lampkin (Bultaco) on Laggan Locks 1977 at the Scottish Six Days Trial – Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven
Martin Lampkin (SWM) on Cameron Hill in the 1981 Scottish Six Days Trial- Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven
2004, Japan World Round – Martin (right) with son Dougie (left) and nephew James (middle top) – Photo courtesy and copyright, Jean Caillou, France
1994 Belgium round of European championship, Martin’s new job of being minder to son Dougie, who went on to win 12 World titles – Photo copyright: Oliver Barjon, France
John Moffat (left) with H. Martin Lampkin in 2013 – Photo courtesy: Trial Media/John Hulme
As a mark of respect, please feel free to leave your personal message in the comments section below in remembrance of a fine sportsman, a true Yorkshireman and one of the world’s all time great motorcycling competitors, a true ambassador of the sport – HAROLD MARTIN LAMPKIN 1950-2016
David ‘Tubby’ Allinson (left) with good friend Keith Blythe captured at the SSDT – Photo: Heather Mead Photography
David ‘Tubby’ Allinson 1935 – 2016
A true enthusiast of trials passed away on 25th March, David Allinson from Reeth, affectionately known in the sport as ‘Tubby’ was a prime mover for many years in the Richmond Motor Club, having been a rider and event organiser.
Tubby was also a great supporter of not only the Scott Trial, but also was an observer at the Scottish Six Days when teamed up with Ripon members, Keith & Judy Blythe.
Allinson was instrumental in the Richmond club taking over the running of the Scott Trial on behalf of the Yorkshire Centre ACU in 1991. A weighty decision for the club at that time, but Tubby was insistent and the Scott Trial has been run by the Richmond club ever since. He was a past Scott Trial secretary and treasurer,
David, as well as being a committee member, was also a regular master of ceremonies at the Scott Trial presentation of awards evening, post trial.
Having celebrated his eightieth Birthday in August 2015, David was the Richmond club’s longest serving member.
The club presented Tubby with an Honorary Lifetime Membership and a specially commissioned gold Scott spoon in recognition of his dedicated service and positive contribution to Richmond Motor Club and the sport since 1958.
David had held most of the club’s roles during his long membership, including that of Chairman, President and also President, Yorkshire Centre ACU.
Tubby played an active role in the Richmond club, being one of the prime movers behind the creation of the Reeth Two Day Trial, which was dreamed up over a pint in Fort William. Over the years, this has evolved into the very successful three day event it is now.
The funeral arrangements are as follows: Funeral service at St. Andrew’s Church, Grinton, Richmondshire at 1.00 pm on Monday 4th April.
May we convey our sincere condolences to his family, son Robert and daughters Andrea and Tracey.
On October 22nd 2016, the Scott Trial will be missing an important component and the void created by the passing of David ‘Tubby’ Allinson will be noticeable.
Friend, Dave Austin (left) with Mick Gallagher ‘Munch’ taken recently.
With respect, a short tribute to Michael Thomas ‘Munch’ Gallacher
1959 – 2016
The trials world was stunned by the news that Mick ‘Munch’ Gallagher had died suddenly on Wednesday, 16th March, aged 56. It is believed that he was playing a game of football and took unwell. Paramedics were called but were unable to revive him.
Known as ‘Mick’, ‘Micky’ or ‘Munch’ to his many friends and customers, he built up a business called M-Sport in Stevenage, Hertfordshire specialising in Montesa 4RT preparation and repairs.
Mick had been a Montesa dealer at the time of the model’s initial importation to the UK in 2005 and had carefully researched how these advanced and technical machines were built and rapidly amassed a great deal of knowledge on the brand.
Munch became the go-to man when riders encountered a problem with a 4RT. After the closure of the original Montesa UK importer in 2009 and for a period of time the non availability of machines, Mick became an independent dealer/repairer of the 4RT, but also had agencies with other brands, being a trials only retailer.
Gallagher was a regular official observer at the annual Scottish Six Days Trial and was known as a fair, but firm observer who understood the rules of the event and marked riders on what he saw, irrespective of their ability or stature. He wore his SSDT observer number-one bib with pride and was usually in the teams consisting of friends, Fred Savage, Mark Maynell and the Austin brothers, Dave and Clive.
Mick regularly was a ‘back-marker’ at the Pre’65 Scottish, ensuring that sections were closed on time and any stragglers accounted for.
Munch also had a long association with the famous Scott Trial in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, helping the event on numerous occasions as an official. He also enjoyed his outings with friend Fred Savage up to Mid Wales and Shropshire for trials events.
The funeral arrangements will be a celebration of Mick’s life with a humanist service at Harwood Park Crematorium at Stevenage, Hertfordshire on Tuesday 12th April at 2.45 pm, thereafter friends and family will gather at the Orange Tree, Baldock. Family flowers only with donations to the local air ambulance service.
Munch’s personal Montesa 4RT pictured at Fort William, we are posting this as the rider-less machine at rest, as our tribute to Mick Gallagher.
John Moffat: “Munch was a very good friend who I trusted 100% not only when it came to doing work on my bikes, but in everything he undertook. He will be a great loss to his customers of MSport. I got to know Mick in 2000 at the SSDT and he was a very keen supporter of trials sport in general. I know we call this website Trials Guru, but Munch was truly the ‘4RT Guru’. Mick was full of fun and always up for a good laugh when the opportunity arose. He and I had many phone conversations over the years. Munch was a decent, knowledgeable and warm human being who will be sorely missed by all who knew him”.
‘Munch’ in his having a laugh mode at the 2013 SSDT – Photo: James Maynell
Trials Guru sends its heartfelt condolences to Munch’s family, his widow Theresa, daughter Jemma and son Ross.
“Buttons” on the left with John Moffat at the 2015 Scottish Six Days Trial during the daily Nevis Radio outside broadcast – Photo courtesy of Tony Jones
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a true character of the sport of motorcycle trials, “Buttons” or John Button as he was known.
Buttons attended the Scottish Six Days Trial many times in his capacity as a mechanic, whose training went back to the days of the Bultaco tuning wizard, Reg May of Comerfords.
During the 2015 Scottish, Buttons popped in almost daily to visit the Outside Broadcasts of Nevis Radio where he kept listeners and the radio presenters in stitches with his quick wit and humour during the week.
Buttons had battled with cancer for some years and had planned to spectate at the recent Scott Trial, but illness prevented him from doing so.
Trials Guru conveys sincere condolences to his family at this difficult time.
Funeral Arrangements: The funeral service for Alfred John Button (Buttons) will held on Thursday 12th November 2015 at 12.30pm at Rainsbrook Crematorium. Ash Lawn Road. Rugby. Warwickshire. CV22 5ET. please no flowers, donations to Macmillan nurses are welcome.
David Seymour Tye died on 2nd July 2015 at Oban. Originally from Derbyshire, David Tye was a natural off-road rider who excelled in scrambles and trials and rode in the ISDT. Best known for riding BSA Gold Stars, he also rode the works opposed twin cylinder trials Douglas in 1950-1952, before joining the BSA concern to ride their Gold Star machinery. His factory trials Gold Star bore the registration number BSA350.
David Tye on his factory BSA in the 1954 Scott Trial, an event he won in 1953. Photo: Ray Biddle, Birmingham.
Tye was an outwardly happy individual who had a ‘do-or-die’ attitude and was always up for a challenge. His younger brother Jonathan also a trials rider of note (and a Flt Lt. in the Royal Air Force commanding Vulcan bombers) told Trials Guru some years ago that their mother was an adventurous type of lady who died at a very elderly age and he believes he and his elder brother David, obtained their adventurous lead from her.
Being a commercial diver, David Tye unfortunately contracted the bends (or Decompression Sickness) whilst on a dive in the 1970’s and was confined to a wheelchair as a result.
He was Managing Director of Oban Divers Ltd.
He never let his paralysis get him down and was a great man for encouraging others’ endeavours. This culminated with his son Michael becoming Scottish Trials Champion in 1975 and again in 1977. His daughter Sally married road racer and motorcycle dealer, John Stoddart. Their daughter is Susie Wolff the racing driver.
David Tye was best friends with Peter Hammond of Triumphs but also had a wealth of friends in off-road motorcycle sport, many attended his funeral at Oban on Tuesday, 7th July 2015.
Former AJS factory rider Gordon McLaughlan wrote “David Tye was a true gentleman and motorcycle enthusiast. I rode with David in the 1952 & 1953 Scottish Six Days Trial and met him numerous times at his Oban home with the fellow ‘Gordons’ – Blakeway and Jackson“
Mike Holloway on Mamore in the 2005 Pre’65 Scottish. Photo courtesy of Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven.
Well known Pre’65 rider, Mike Holloway, elder brother of trials rider Joan Westbrook, has passed away on February 13th 2015 after a short illness.
Mike was a supporter of the ACU Sammy Miller Trials Championships over the years and had ridden in the 2014 series on his rigid AJS. For many years he campaigned a spinger Matchless, always a lover of the heavyweight four-stroke Plumstead singles.
His interment is at St Margaret’s Church, Horsmonden, Kent on the 6th March at 11.30am.
Sincere condolences to Mike’s family.
Mike Holloway on his Matchless on Loch Eilde Burn in the 2005 Pre’65 Scottish. Photo courtesy of Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven.
Brian ‘Nick’ Nicholls – Photo credit: Mortons Media.
We have learned of the sad news that photographer Brian ‘Nick’ Nicholls passed away on February 4th 2015. Our thoughts are with his family.
‘Nick’ Nicholls was a banker by profession, but was known throughout the motorcycling world as a photographer and reporter. He penned the Continental reports in the American magazine ‘Cycle World’ for many years.
His legacy lives on through the ‘Nick Nicolls Collection’ at Mortons Motorcycle Media. (Kelsey Media Archive)
Brian ‘Nick’ Nicholls 1930 – 2015
Worldwide Trial Website – Custodian of Trial history 'Established 2014'
