Popular Frimley Green rider, Len Hutty passed away on Tuesday 28th October after a short illness. He will be best remembered for campaigning a very competitive 410cc Matchless in Classic trials. Len was a member of the Surrey Schoolboys Trials Club having started trials as a youth rider in the early 1970’s when youth sport was in it’s infancy. He also rode a Gollner Kawasaki KT250 back in the late 1970’s, riding such a machine twice in the Scottish Six Days Trial.
Hutty’s happy nature, his wit and banter, made him popular with trials fans and his fellow competitors alike. His results in events like the annual Talmag Trial did the talking for him and he was one of Britain’s most respected Pre’65 competitors and a hard man to beat. We all at ‘Trials Guru’ sends our most sincere condolences to his widow Bev and the Hutty family.
Here is a photo tribute prepared specially by our Trials Guru photographer, Iain Lawrie from Kinlochleven showing Len on his Matchless in action in Scotland at the Pre’65 Scottish Two-Day Trial.
The Guru was attending the Scott Trial on 18th October and during a conversation was asked why it has been so ‘quiet’ recently, this was due to other activities which resulted in a lack of new material coming on-stream.
More importantly was the person asking the question… none other than 1974 Scott Trial winner and Montesa factory rider, Rob Edwards!!!
This gave us the idea though to put together an article on Rob himself, so watch this space!
Also we will be sharing some ‘exclusive’ photographs never before seen of Rob in action.
The format will be a short series of articles on the highly popular Middlesbrough rider.
Rob Edwards (349 Montesa) in action at the 1979 SSDT on Pipeline – Photo Copyright: Iain Lawrie
Not long now! … On Saturday morning, 18th October 2014 at 09:00, Councillor John Blackie, Chairman of Richmondshire District Council will flag away rider number 1 – Roger Tushingham on a 1920 Scott 604cc motorcycle and the Centenary Scott Trial will be underway. Councillor Blackie is a strong supporter of the event which has special permission to be run in the North Yorkshire National Park. It is not expected that Tushingham will complete the course as his machine is a celebration of a unique event that dates back to 1914 and has been a test of man and machine against the course and the clock for 100 years! Also starting early will be three times FIM World Trials Champion, Yrjo Vesterinen who leads a 5 strong charity team raising money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance service. The very capable Clerk of the Course, Bruce Storr has no doubt put in some surprises to keep riders on their toes. Riders leave at 20 second intervals from the start field near Marske, part of Park Top farm. The paddock is expected to be filled with knowledgeable spectators, trials enthusiasts and past competitors. There are 201 competitors taking part including past winners including last years’ winner, Dougie Lampkin and former winners of the event: Philip Alderson; Michael Philipson; James Dabill and Michael Brown. So if you haven’t already made plans, get yourself over to Marske near Richmond, North Yorks this coming Saturday to watch the greatest one-day trial on the planet!
Two local businesses are combining their efforts to raise a minimum of £2000 for local charities, to include the Great North Air Ambulance.
Shildon based Barrier Energy and Darlington based Northern Distribution Ltd are to each pledge £1000 towards the Scott Charities as part of this years running by The Richmond Motor Club of the Scott Motorcyle Trial, held in and around Reeth and Arkengarthdale on Saturday 18th October.
This prestigious motorcycle event is in it’s Centenary Year and the Richmond Motor Club and are hoping to raise in excess of £10,000 for the Scott Charities (a list of which is available via www.richmondmotorclub.com), this being the amount handed over to the charities last year. The club have contibuted over £137,000.00 to local charities to date.
The respective directors of the two businesses, Kevin and Barry Johnson from Barrier Energy and Trevor Willans from Northern Distribution Ltd, both wish to see a contribution going to the Great North Air Ambulance as they have all needed to use the invaluable services of the GNAA recently ! Both Kevin’s and Trevor’s respective daughters needed the services of the Air Ambulance when both girls each had horse riding accidents in separate incidents. Thankfully both girls are fine and are riding again. Also, Barry Johnson fell from his horse whilst hunting and needed Air Ambulance support in February of this year !
To assist in their challenge, they have put together a team of ‘Veteran’ trials riders to complete the forthcoming Scott Trial in a non-competitive ‘relay’ ride.
Yro Vesterinen, three times FIM World Trials Champion will lead the Scott Charity Relay Team on 19th October, 2014The team has been assembled with the help of long time Scott enthusiast Nigel Mackenzie from Manfield, North Yorks, himself a past competitor from the 1980’s and whose late father David (DT) Mackenzie had a long time association with the event.
The team consists of 5 Riders, all of whom are multiple award winners in the event during the 1970’s and 1980’s. Non of the riders are in the first flush of youth (all mid-50’s and one over 60 !) and between them they have collected 16 silver and 3 gold awards in the event.
At the head of the team, will be Finland’s 61 year old trials legend Yrjo Vesterinen, being a triple world champion in the years 1976,77 and 78, and indeed British Champion in 1982, he is guaranteed to draw the crowds.
Yrjo, known to all as ‘Vesty’ will be backed up by Glen Scholey from Ripon, Yorks; Mark Willis from Richmond, Yorks; Trevor Willans from Piercebridge, Co Durham; and Joe Buckworth from Guisborough, Cleveland.
Glen and Joe were top British and World Championship contenders in the 70’s and 80’s and had many top placings in the Scott Trial during that time. Both retired from the sport in the late 80’s and have only recently returned to compete again at clubman level.
Mark has been a regular Scott competitor until very recently and is a multiple award winner in the Scott and is still a regular top placed rider in local events.
Trevor is best remembered by Scott followers for his epic race around the event in 1987 with Les Richardson and Harry Crawford, only losing out to Harry in the last mile to be 1 minute off achieving fastest (standard) time and the coveted trophy that goes with it ! Trevor retired from the sport in the early nineties only to return 15 years later and is now a regular top placed rider at clubman level.
The team is to be known as the Barrier Energy / Northern Distribution Charity Team and they are all hoping that supporters and spectators will cheer them along the way and more importantly, dig deep and contribute generously to The Scott Charities.
For more information and for all donations, please visit www.richmondmotorclub.com or contact Trevor Willans on 01325 460358 or Kevin and Barry Johnson on 01388 776833
Thanks to Mike Pearce who worked and was mentored by his good friend Mick Whitlock, we are able to show you some factory shots of the famous Beamish Suzuki and Gollner Yamaha (1971), before Yamaha Motor Co produced it’s own trials machine which we have already seen here on Trials Guru.
Mick Whitlock was of course better known as the brains behind the Whitehawk concern from Hampshire.
GOLLNER YAMAHA:
Mick Whitlock left with Bob Gollner from Denmead and the Gollner Yamaha back in 1971. Was this the first Yamaha based trials bike?The Whitlock framed Gollner Yamaha of 1971.Dean Price (Gollner’s workshop foreman) demonstrates how light the Gollner Yamaha really was.
BEAMISH SUZUKI:
Beamish Suzuki, was of course backed and financed by Graham Beamish a well known scrambler and with full assistance of Suzuki Motor Co, they produced the British built Beamish Suzuki. The frame kits manufactured by Whitehawk.
A one-off works Beamish Suzuki 250 of Chris Sutton from 1978.Drive side view of the special works Beamish Suzuki 250 used by Chris Sutton.Beamish Suzuki frames, factory fresh at Whitehawk.Top sidecar drivers flocked to buy the Beamish Suzuki chassis, including Cornishman, Colin Dommett who won British titles and helped develop the chassis.Mick Whitlock poses with an array of his handiwork at Whitehawk.Beamish Suzuki frame takes shape in the specially made frame-jig at Whitehawk.
Many thanks to Mike Pearce of Winchester for sharing with ‘Trials Guru’ these fantastic photos. More to come!
John Reynolds on his Beamish Suzuki 325 on Calliach at the SSDT in 1980 – Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven
Gary Macdonald seen here in 2002 at the Scottish Six Days – Photo: Worldwide Copyright: Eric Kitchen
Gary Macdonald, Kinlochleven (MRS Sherco) is the newly crowned 2014 Scottish ACU Premier Trials Champion. This is Macdonald’s tenth Scottish adult title, his ninth in succession (2001 was his first and he has won from 2006 – 2014). This makes Gary the most successful rider in the history of Scottish Trials since the championships began in 1955, making him the 60th winner of the championship. The previous records were held by Leslie Winthrop (8 championships) & Gavin Johnston (also 8 championships). The first winner of the Scottish title was Haddington man A.M. Laurie MacLean who won it three times 1955-1957. Macdonald is the only Scottish trials rider to have ever won a British title, that of British Expert Trials Champion.
Here is a list of all the Scottish Champions since the commencement in 1955.
Scottish Trials Champions
1955 Laurie McLean (A.M.L)
1956 Laurie McLean (A.M.L.)
1957 Laurie McLean (A.M.L.)
1958 Jack Duncan (J.W.)
1959 Jack Duncan (J.W.)
1960 James Adamson
1961 James Adamson
1962 Jackie Williamson (J.D.)
1963 Jackie Williamson (J.D.)
1964 Jackie Williamson (J.D.)
1965 Kenny Fleming
1966 Norman Edgar (N.F.W.)
1967 Norman Edgar (N.F.W.)
1968 Douglas Bald
1969 Norman Edgar (N.F.W.)
1970 Kenny Fleming
1971 Rodger Mount
1972 Rodger Mount
1973 Rodger Mount
1974 Alistair McGillivray
1975 Michael Tye
1976 Alan Poynton (A.A.)
1977 Michael Tye
1978 Robin Cownie & John Winthrop – (Joint winners)
Emma Bristow (Sherco) seen here at the 2013 Scottish Six Days – Photo: Copyright, Yoomee/Trial Mag
Emma Bristow has entered the history book of the sport of Motorcycle Trials by being a triple Champion in the same year. Emma riding for Sherco not only clinched the ACU Women’s British Trials Championship, but also Superenduro World Title and possibly the most important one, FIM Women’s World Trials Champion. To put the icing on the cake she also picked up an FIM gold medal by being part of the victorious British Team which won the Women’s Trial de Nations in Andorra. Aided by Malcolm Rathmell Sport the UK importer for the Sherco brand, she received a full factory bike from the Spanish manufacturer. lincolnshire Bristow had previously ridden for GasGas and Ossa prior to her move to Sherco in 2013. Emma, the Trials Guru salutes you!
Here is a link to an article on Speedtracktales website which is dedicated to the International Six Days Trial (now International Six Days Enduro). It features the 1964 ISDT when the famous movie actor Steve McQueen rode for the USA Vase team at Erfurt in Germany that year.
The Centenary Scott Trial Calendar 2014 – Cover photo copyright Neil Sturgeon Photography, Darlington.
Entries are now open for the Centenary Scott Trial, the most famous one-day time and reliability trial in the UK, which takes place on Saturday 18th October 2014. Entries are limited to 200 competitors and will close on 5th September. The hard working officials of the Richmond Motor Club (Yorkshire) Ltd are pulling out all the stops to ensure that the 100 years celebrations will be a great success. keep tuned to Trials Guru for more updates as they become available!
David Tye (BSA Gold Star) in the 1954 Scott. Tye was a BSA factory rider in trials, scrambles and ISDT. He now lives near Oban. – Photo: Ray Biddle, Birmingham
Scott Winners:
1914 – Frank Philip (Scott)
1914-18 – No Trial – World War 1.
1919 – Geoff Hill (Triumph)
1920 – Clarrie Wood (Scott); Jim Whalley (Sunbeam)
1921 – Clarrie Wood (Scott; Billy Moore (Scott); Harry Langham (Scott)
1923 – Billy Moore (Scott); Ernie Mainwairing (Scott)
1924 – Tommy Hatch (Sunbeam); Wally Clough (Scott)
1925 – Eddie Flintoff (Sunbeam)
1926 – Eddie Flintoff (Sunbeam)
1927 – Oliver Langton (Scott)
1928 – Eric Langton (Scott)
1929 – Vic Brittain (Sunbeam)
1930 – Len Heath (Ariel)
1931 – Vic Brittain (Sunbeam)
1932 – Allan Jefferies (Triumph)
1933 – Len Heath (Ariel)
1934 – Ken Wilson (Panther)
1935 – Len Heath (Ariel)
1936 – Billy Tiffen (Velocette)
1937 – Allan Jefferies (Triumph)
1938 – Len Heath (Ariel)
1939 – 1945 – No Trial – World War 2.
1946 – Bill Nicolson (BSA)
1947 – Bill Nicolson (BSA)
1948 – Jim Alves (Triumph)
1949 – Bill Nicolson (BSA)
1950 – Bill Nicolson (BSA)
1951 – Bill Nicolson (BSA)
1952 – John Draper (BSA)
1953 – Arthur Shutt (Francis Barnett)
1954 – Jeff Smith (BSA)
1955 – John Brittain (Royal Enfield)
1956 – John Brittain (Royal Enfield)
1957 – Artie Ratcliffe (Triumph)
1958 – Sammy Miller (Ariel)
1959 – Jeff Smith (BSA)
1960 – Arthur Lampkin (BSA)
1961 – Arthur Lampkin (BSA)
1962 – Sammy Miller (Ariel)
1963 – Sammy Miller (Ariel)
1964 – Bill Wilkinson (Greeves)
1965 – Arthur Lampkin (BSA)
1966 – Alan Lampkin (BSA)
1967 – Sammy Miller (Bultaco)
1968 – Sammy Miller (Bultaco)
1969 – Sammy Miller (Bultaco)
1970 – Sammy Miller (Bultaco)
1971 – Malcolm Rathmell (Bultaco)
1972 – Rob Shepherd (Montesa)
1973 – Malcolm Rathmell (Bultaco)
1974 – Rob Edwards (Montesa)
1975 – Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa)
1976 – Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa)
1977 – Martin Lampkin (Bultaco)
1978 – Martin Lampkin (Bultaco)
1980 – Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa)
1981 – Martin Lampkin (Bultaco)
1982 – Martin Lampkin (SWM)
1983 – Gerald Richardson (Armstrong)
1984 – Nigel Birkett (Yamaha)
1985 – Gerald Richardson (Yamaha)
1986 – Tony Scarlett (Yamaha)
1987 – Philip Alderson (Yamaha)
1988 – Philip Alderson (Yamaha)
1989 – Philip Alderson (Yamaha)
1990 – Robert Crawford (Beta)
1991 – Philip Alderson (Yamaha)
1992 – Steve Colley (Beta)
1993 – Steve Colley (Beta)
1994 – Dougie Lampkin (Beta)
1995 – Robert Crawford (Yamaha)
1996 – Graham Jarvis (Scorpa)
1997 – Graham Jarvis (Scorpa)
1998 – Graham Jarvis (Scorpa)
1999 – Graham Jarvis (Bultaco Sherco)
2000 – Wayne Braybrook (Montesa)
2001 – No trial – Foot & Mouth Outbreak.
2002 – Michael Philipson (Beta)
2003 – Graham Jarvis (Sherco)
2004 – Graham Jarvis (Sherco)
2005 – Graham Jarvis (Sherco)
2006 – Dougie Lampkin (Montesa)
2007 – Dougie Lampkin (Montesa)
2008 – Graham Jarvis (Sherco)
2009 – Graham Jarvis (Sherco)
2010 – James Dabill (Gas Gas)
2011 – Jonathan Richardson (Sherco)
2012 – Michael Brown (Gas Gas)
2013 – Dougie Lampkin (Gas Gas)
2014 – ?
Neil Sturgeon’s photograph taken with ‘Rotten Wood’ in the distance, near to Clapgate section, the last section of the trial. Scott 100 – 18th October 2014
A short history of one of Scotland’s’ best known trials riders.
Jackie Williamson,(centre) with the SACU ISDT Team in 1974. Left to right: George Baird (Team Manager); Alan Forbes (MZ); Jimmy Ballantyne (Monark); Jackie (Ossa); Ian Miller; Stan Young (Jawa) and George Bryce (Team Fitness Coach)
It is very unlikely that, before 1975, there is a club trophy in Scotland that does not feature the name J.D. Williamson. A popular and stylish rider, he competed in the Scottish Six Days Trial for 25 years, only missing two events. In his 23 years competing in the SSDT he won no fewer than 14 challenge trophies.
Jackie, as he was always known, was born in 1930 and raised in Newtongrange, Midlothian. He came into motorcycling just after the Second World War. After two road bikes, a James twin and an ex-WD Matchless, Jackie was introduced to the sport and into the Edinburgh Southern Motor Club in 1948 by his two friends, Tommy Robertson and Jimmy Hutchins, both famous names in Scottish motorcycle sport.
In 1948 the repainted Matchless was part exchanged for a genuine trials AJS 350 and Jackie entered the Evening News Trial for novices and non experts, finishing a close second to Ian Bell, later to be several times Scottish scrambles champion.
As was the custom of the time all the bikes of the 1950`s were pressed into service as a scrambler, grass tracker, hill climber and the AJS was road raced at Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy. Although a great all rounder and with a fair amount of success, it was trials in which he ultimately excelled.
The SSDT beckoned, probably every trials riders dream, and on the AJS in 1949 he gained a second class award, followed by a first class in 1950 and a special first in 1951. He continued on the AJS until 1953, when he was entered by Edinburgh dealer, JR Alexander, on a BSA B32 “…a good bike but low and felt heavier than the AJS” winning the award for Best Scot, a performance he repeated in 1954. In 1955 Jackie collected a 1st class award, but Matchless mounted in 1956, he failed to finish and it was replaced by an Ariel.
The following year, entered by the DMW factory through their local agent Edgar Bros. Jackie rode a 250 twin, “Super on the road but hopeless in the sections.” By the 1958 Scottish, he was Ariel mounted which was ridden until the 1960 event.
Jack on his 500 Ariel in the 1958 Scottish Six Days on Glenogle section, Day one.
To remain competitive Jackie opted for a two-stroke DOT in 1961, but quickly changed to Greeves, which he rode until 1966. On his two-stroke bikes, he won 10 of his challenge trophies (The Sidney Latimer, The Allan Hay, The Jimmy Macgregor and the Henderson Challenge Trophies). It was with Greeves that he claimed the Scottish Trials Championship triple in ‘62,’63 and ‘64.
The Spanish invasion had taken hold and like most top riders, he jumped ship to Bultaco from 67 to 69 continuing his winning ways. In SSDT`s of ‘70 and ‘71 he rode Montesa. He ended his SSDT career on an Ossa winning his final Sydney Latimer Challenge Trophy in ‘73 but this was by no means the end to his motorcycling.
Jackie enjoyed speed and rode in the few timed events organised in Scotland. In a practice event for the International Six Days in `56, run by the Perth & District Club, he shared the premier award with Maurice Duffin of Dunfermline. Aged 39 in ‘69 Jackie, was invited to ride for the SACU Vase B Team in the International Six Days Trial (now ISDE) at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria. He was selected each year until ‘74, with the exception of ‘71 when pressure of business precluded him from competing at the Isle of Man. In ‘69 he competed on a Montesa Scorpion. Severely down on power against the Jawas; Zundapps and MZs he was forced to retire with a broken selector spring.
El Escorial, Spain in 1970 saw Jackie on a Jim Birrell of Markinch sponsored 250 Ossa. In 1972 at Czechoslovakia, Ossa mounted, he secured a bronze and was awarded the Arthur Prince trophy for being the only surviving British privateer. The USA hosted event in `73 which impressed Jackie greatly “…the organisation by the AMA was tremendous, the support people couldn’t do enough for the riders”. He rode the Welsh Two Day that year on his one day Ossa as his international bike was on its’ way to the ‘States. Crashing heavily and losing his helmet at San Pellegrino in Italy in ‘74 he suffered concussion and a broken nose, putting paid to any likely finish.
Using the Welsh Two Day trial as a proving ground for the ISDT he entered again in ‘75 but was compelled to retire due to back pain and headaches, obviously not fully recovered from his Italian excursion.
Musing over the various machines throughout his career Jackie considers his bike of choice was the Greeves, as it was on the Thundersley machines that he won his three Scottish Championships. He did ride again in the Scottish Greybeards in ‘86 gaining a 1st class award. By today’s standards 45 may seem rather young for hanging up ones boots but in Scotland of the early 70`s there were few over 40 years of age.
Although highly competitive, his jocular approach made him popular among his fellow trials riders. Jackie and his wife Rose are regular spectators at the Pre`65 and perhaps taking in a few days at the SSDT. A keen collector of films and photographs, in ‘86 he filmed the Pre’65 with really interesting interviews and great shots of Pipeline. Now living in retirement in Midlothian with beautiful views overlooking the Pentland Hills, we wish Jackie and Rose every happiness.
TRIALS GURU - DEDICATED TO TRIAL 