Words: Trials Guru; Gordon L. Jackson; Jeff Horne.

Photos: Iain Lawrie; Jean Moffat; Trials Guru.

The Scottish Six Days Trial is the most famous motorcycle trial in the world and deserves a special place in Trials Guru website.

The 2017 event was blessed with wall to wall sunshine throughout the six days and this was a contributory factor to the enjoyment of the event.

Trials Guru’s John Moffat was there from start to finish and assisted Nevis Radio with their outside broadcast presentatation every morning from 07.00 to 11.00 Monday to Friday and 07.00 to 12.15 on the final day, Saturday 6th May. He also assisted the Edinburgh & District Motor Club by interviewing riders on the finish ramp and hosted the presentation of awards evening at the Nevis Centre, Fort William. A busy week by all accounts.

First, a short post-event interview with the 1961 SSDT winner, Gordon L. Jackson:

“I was kept informed during the week that Doug Lampkin was still clean and my friend Gordon Blakeway phoned me ten minutes after Doug’s dab and I knew that I was sharing the record, but it hadn’t yet been beaten. If anyone was going to do it, it would have been Doug Lampkin and in my opinion he is the greatest trials rider ever, having twelve world titles to his credit and now eleven Scottish Six Days Trials.

I know that one can’t compare riders of different eras, that would be like comparing Valentino Rossi with Mike Hailwood. Doug Lampkin came close to beating my record of which I am proud, but if he had, I can’t think of a better bloke to do it. I admire him and know how much pressure he would be under last week.

I would of course have been slightly disappointed if my record had been beaten, but I don’t mind sharing it with Doug”.

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Doug Lampkin (Vertigo 300) started the 2017 SSDT as the firm favourite for the win, however, other riders could not be ruled out, after all the SSDT is a six days event and anything could happen from a rider injury to a mechanical failure which could render a rider out of the event at worst or lose marks on time.

Sitting in the wings were former runners-up Michael Brown (Gas Gas) and Gary Macdonald (Scorpa) who were just as keen and motivated to grab the win. Newcomer Jack Price was also a dark horse, he lacked experience in the Scottish, but his 2016 season indicated that he had gained the skills of a winner and would prove himself as a force to be reckoned with.

Clerk of Course, Jeff Horne had taken on board the comments gathered after the 2016 event which was commented as being too severe for the clubman rider, but he had to balance that with the views of the top riders who expected the event to be challenging.

Horne: “We have listened to the post-2016 comments and we have reigned back many of the sections that caused problems last year, we have also varied the route to keep the SSDT fresh and one that riders want to ride in. Time hopefully will not be so tight as previously, but that is not a signal to hang about either”. He told Trials Guru’s Moffat when on the Nevis Radio broadcast on the opening day.

Day one saw five riders all on clean sheets, Lampkin, Andy Chilton; Jack Price; Jack Sheppard and Gary Macdonald kept their feet firmly on the rests which had enthusiasts wondering what the organisers would do if there was a tie on the Saturday, but this was not to happen.

What did happen was spectators were beginning to realise by Day 2 that Doug Lampkin could change the face of SSDT history by posting the first clean of the whole trial and the tongues were certainly wagging over this. Jordi Pascuet was just one mark behind Lampkin at this point.

By Day 3 Pascuet had posted a further two marks and tied for second place with newcomer Jack Price who was having a cracking ride, to which he resisted the pressure to become a very worthy runner-up at the end of the six days.

Local man and twice previous runner-up, Gary Macdonald, the most successful Scottish Trials rider of all time, and the highest placed Scotsman since 1935 was just off the pace and didn’t challenge Lampkin which put him down the standings to finish as Best Scot, but in seventh position on 22 marks, not Macdonald’s personal best by a long way.

During the Friday ‘Road Trip’, Thatcham’s Will McBain struck out when he clipped the kerb at Strontian, just yards from the lunch check. The Beta spat him off at only 8 mph, but he touched down on his left knee and it dislocated. An ambulance was summoned by Trials Guru’s Moffat who was only feet away and witnessed the incident. The unlucky Bain was transported to Fort William’s Belford hospital. Will, obviously disappointed, took time to visit the Nevis Radio team at Parc Ferme on the Saturday morning sporting a knee brace and crutches, he vowed to return in 2018 and had been on course for a special first.

The weather certainly made it an easier journey over the moors although there were still traps for the unwary and inexperienced rider. Fresh rear tyres were fitted a day early by many as the road temperature was doing its best to wear out tyres. Many riders also changed front tyres as a precaution. Air filters were changed every day as the dust levels were high.

Grass fires broke out on more than one location due to the tinder dry conditions with Clerk of Course Horne issuing a precautionary warning to riders of the hotter operating four-stroke machines, in case embers were discharged from parked machines, to be extra vigilant.

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Victory was Lampkins, he hoisted the North British Rubber Company trophy high above his head at the Saturday presentation to the cheers from an appreciative audience which included 1969 SSDT winner Bill Wilkinson. This made it win number eleven and Doug almost changed the record book, but he equalled Jackson’s dab he didn’t beat it. It’s a record that has stood for 56 years, how many more will it be intact? We shall just have to wait and see!

Trials Guru has been a bit busy recently with the annual Scottish Six Days Trial at sunny Fort William, but we hope to bring you some photos and comment from the event very shortly!

With just one week to go, Trials Guru reveals its’ special 2017 SSDT Logo. This will be given to all riders and officials of the event in their welcome packs on the Sunday weigh in at the ben Nevis Hotel, courtesy of Trials Guru, The Premier Trial Sport Website. Don’t forget to tune into Nevis Radio during Six Days week to hear live commentary from the Parc Ferme with rider interviews and much more! – NEVIS RADIO

David Cordle writes for Trials Guru:

It is with much sadness that we must announce the passing of former Eastern Centre and Norfolk & Suffolk group champion, Eddie Cordle at the age of 71 at the beginning of April.

Eddie was a former supported rider on James, Cotton, Montesa and Fantic Motor Cycles and was a member of Ipswich M.C.C.

He rode throughout the sixties and seventies, and one of his most proudest achievements was to get an equal best day with Mick Andrews at the Scottish Six Days Trial in 1971 and going on to take a special first class award at the end of the week.

He was also an accomplished scrambler and later went on to be a successful golfer. Eddie Cordle will be greatly missed by all.

By popular demand, the 2017 SSDT will see the bikes back in Fort William windows with the co-operation of local businesses, the importers and dealers and TRIALS GURU who have been negotiating between the parties involved.

Thanks to the local businesses and suppliers, the machines will be on display at the following businesses during the trial to add some atmosphere to SSDT week:

Off-Beat Bikes : TRS

Nevisport : Vertigo

The Whisky Shop : Montesa (Inch Perfect Trials)

The Granite House : GasGas Motos UK

Bank of Scotland : Beta-UK

Visit Scotland (Tourist Information Centre) : Scorpa – Birkett Motorsport

Mountain Warehouse : AG Bikes (Sherco)

Marshall & Pearson : 1981 Bultaco Sherpa.

Last year, only Marshall & Pearson had the 1964 AJS on display, but due to popular demand the trials bikes are back for 2017.

Chris Oliver who has had a long association with The British ISDT effort writes for Trials Guru:

Ian Driver first became involved with the International Six Days Trial in 1971 when it was run on the Isle of man by the ACU.

With his infectious enthusiasm and passion for whatever he undertook, he soon became the British Vase team manager.

He had a canny knack of making things happen and it wasn’t long before the ACU promoted him to the rank of British Trophy Team Manager where he fostered a fabtastic team spirit.

Ian was able to ensure that every rider knew what he had to do to achieve his riding time.

Past team members will no doubt mourn Ian’s passing.

Ian Driver – 12.09.1936 to 08.04.2017

Peter Remington writes for Trials Guru:

The Bultaco Revival NOSTALGIA trial set for June 17 this year has had another boost. After 30 years in the back of his workshop, Alan ‘Sid’ Lampkin has pulled out his works Bultaco and after a couple of kicks it fired up. Sid said: “… mains were rumbling so I’ve fixed that and now it’s good to go.”

Sid’s son, James Lampkin is going to give it an airing at the event and will be raising money for Cancer Research in remembrance of the late Martin Lampkin who passed away last year.

Any body who is wishing to donate and ride under the Lampkin banner at the Nostalgia Trial should get in touch with Sid or myself.

100% of money donated will go to Cancer Care Research. Sid’s contact no is 07761 073368. Peter Remington: 01539 560695.

The Westmorland Motor Club are proud to be involved.

Trials Guru isn’t a website compiled by a just a writer, Trials Guru is compiled by a trials rider with a lot of help from his friends and likes to ride trials whenever time and opportunity arises.

Photos courtesy of Barry Pickard

John Moffat writes: Back in January, I received a note from fellow enthusiast Steve Rayner when I put out an appeal for suggestions of where to compete on my BSA C15. Steve suggested that I should try the Yorkshire Classic MCC ‘Captain’s Trial’ held on the Castle Carr Estate, near Halifax. I was intrigued, I hadn’t ever been to Halifax before, now was my chance!

I had rarely ridden down south so I set about and filled in my entry form and posted it to event secretary Barry Pickard, not realising the popularity of the event, I was delighted to be quick enough to have my entry accepted. This was after forgetting to put my cheque in with the entry so that cost me the price of two first class postage stamps!

I travelled down on the Saturday and stayed over with my friends Nigel & Jill Greenwood at Huddersfield as it was around a half hour drive to the venue and Nigel insisted that I spent the night at his house.

When we arrived at Castle Carr, I wondered what kind of place it was as we drove through the arched gate-house and along the narrow estate road to the reservoir and the start area.

All I can say is what a superb place to have a proper Pre’65 trial, sensible flowing sections and a very nice route. I caught up with Mick Grant, Eric Boocock and Robin Luscombe, plus a whole host of others I only see at Telford show or in Scotland around SSDT time.

I had entered in error on the hard route, but a quick phone call to event secretary Barry Pickard relegated me into the clubman category, as I was just out for a bit of fun and give my BSA a good airing after its winter slumbers.

The weather conditions were atrocious, but that didn’t dampen my spirits, my bike ran faultlessly although I had noticed a weep from the fuel tank as I loaded her in my van on the Friday evening, other than that, no issues. The tank is now off and away for repairs and a re-spray.

The course consisted of three laps and was a great days sport; I cannot compliment the organisers enough. Folks back home that had ridden previously said that I would love this event and sure enough, I did. To the point that I can see me going back there next year if I get my entry in on time. It’s close to a 500 miles round trip, but it was well worth the effort.

To sum up, the Captain’s Trial is what a good Pre’65 trial should be, fair sections that cater for all comers, nothing daft, a nice run out on the machine and a friendly atmosphere at the catering wagon.

I can safely say that Pre’65 is alive and well in Yorkshire!