We asked the question: “What Made You Take Up Trials Riding?”
It all had to start somewhere, and for this particular rider, Joan Westbrook the seeds of a lifelong love affair with motorcycles were sown in the back garden of her parents’ house in Lewisham, London sitting astride her Dad’s old Coventry Eagle. It didn’t run, of course, but that was no obstacle to a youngster of around six years of age, who was quite content to sit there making all the appropriate noises that a motorcycle makes!
On ‘Pipeline’ at the Pre’65 Scottish Trial in 2000, Joan Westbrook and her BSA – with some help from French riders Patrice Couallier (left) and the late Didier Dumaine – Photo: Jean Caillou
Words: Trials Guru and Joan Westbrook
Photos: Iain Lawrie; Mike Davis; Jean Caillou
Four years older, brother Mick Holloway was already tinkering with an NSU ‘Quickly’ moped, which actually ran. Once big enough, the young Joan couldn’t resist having a go herself, learning to wobble around the back garden on Mick’s machine. The attraction of two wheels was already firmly established.
Mike Holloway who passed away in 2015 was Joan’s older brother seen here on Upper Mamore on his 350 Matchless in the 2005 Pre’65 Scottish Trial – Photo: Iain Lawrie
Born in June 1943, during the second world war, at the age of sixteen, Joan’s Mum bought Joan her first motorcycle, a BSA Bantam, but there was one condition attached: she was to keep off Mick’s bikes. What her Mum, Ruth and Dad, Joe, apparently knew was that she had already been sneaking out on them!
Mick subsequently acquired a DOT, while his younger sister moved on to a Triumph Tiger Cub. Before long, the pair decided it was time to put their enthusiasm to the test in competition. Their first competitive outing together came in 1961, riding a trials outfit. It was the beginning of a sporting journey that would continue, in one form or another, for more than six decades.
The Holloways then turned their attention to scrambling with an outfit, with the younger sibling in the passenger’s chair. There was, however, a slight problem: Mick was going too quickly for his passenger to remain comfortably in the chair! Something had to change, and the answer was to buy a machine of her own. A 197cc Greeves was duly acquired, and at eighteen years of age, she had found her calling – Trials Riding.
Finding Her Feet on Two Wheels:
Going solo did not immediately come easily. In fact, it took three events before Joan managed to finish her first trial! But perseverance, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn soon began to pay dividends.
Most of Joan’s early competition took place in the South-Eastern Centre, particularly in Essex, although she also ventured into the South Midland Centre.
Joan: “I still belong to the Ilford Motorcycle and Light Car Club; Erith and Dist, Sidcup and Dist, and GEST Trials clubs. In the distant past I was Birchington Motor Club, Grove Park, Barham, Grasshopper, Ilford Amateur, and Sunbeam clubs.“
In 1967, Joan treated herself to a brand new E registered Greeves Anglian, from the well-known emporium that was Comerford’s in Portsmouth Road, Thames Ditton.
Along the way, Joan, or ‘Joanie’ as some trials folk refer to her, benefited from some excellent tuition from experienced riders, including Murray Brush, Mary Driver and Renee Bennett, as well as plenty of helpful advice from fellow club members.
Joan Westbrook: “I met Mary Driver at one of the South Midland trials. I think it was the Grasshopper Chingford club that was running that trial. She was so helpful, giving me loads of encouragement.”
Mary Driver (Comerfords Greeves) on Laggan Locks in the 1963 SSDT. Mary became Competitions Manager at the ACU, a job she held for many years and was a highly respected official of the ACU – Photo: Mike Davies
“I then met Renee Bennett, at Pirbright. She wasn’t that friendly towards me to start with, but she mellowed when I got better at the trials game. I used to pop into her shop, the East London Sportsman Centre occasionally, just for a chat, after Peter and I married in 1972, as we then lived in Hainault, as it wasn’t too far from the shop.”
East London’s Renee Bennett
“One lady that I met up with in Fort William, and we had some great natters, was Gwen White, she was Gwen Wickham when she rode trials and married Ariel works rider Jack White. She was such a lovely lady, and I had admired her for many years previously.”
Gwen White on her 197cc James in the 1957 Scottish Six Days Trial on ‘Achintee’
Joan: “I have always been in awe of Emma Bristow and what she has achieved on the world stage, she has inspired many girls to take up trials, and of course getting her MBE in 2023.“
Multiple World Champion, Emma Bristow MBE (280 Ossa) at the British Round at Aonach Mor, Fort William – April 2012 – Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven
The Day Job:
We also asked Joan what she did for a living.
Joan: “I horribly slaved in an office. Hated every minute of that. Then went bumming around from then on, driving for the motor trade at first, then got into being a parts person. That was more to my liking. I finished up running their parts feeder stores with the Allard Motor Co. That was great, sadly never met Sid Allard, as he died the year before I started there. Then Peter and I got married, and we moved to Essex. I worked at a few Ford and Volkswagen dealerships, even did a stint at ‘parking enforcement’ which although was an awful job, it did help keep both of us in funds to continue our respective hobbies. I retired from working in late 2007, so have been a lady of leisure since then.“
Joan may not have possessed the skills to compete at National level, something she always wished that she could have achieved, but that never diminished her enjoyment. Joan was a club rider at heart, and a very happy one at that. The simple pleasure of riding a trials motorcycle off-road was enough for her. Put simply, Joan Westbrook was part of the back-bone of club and centre trial riders and others were encouraged to take up the sport as a result.
There is something rather wonderful about that attitude. Not everyone enters the sport with aspirations of becoming a British Champion or a household name. For many, the real attraction lies in the camaraderie, the countryside, the machinery and the sheer enjoyment of attempting sections with friends. That was very much her philosophy: she simply loved her off-road adventures.
Joan quipped: “One thing that did annoy me, when I first started riding, someone, I can’t remember who now, told me that I was only riding, as I was on the hunt for a man – this really riled me no end I must admit. I was absolutely seething. He obviously didn’t realise my passion for trials did he?“
The Fantic That Nearly Ended It All!
By 1989, however, Joan’s enthusiasm was in danger of being extinguished by a new motorcycle. She had purchased a brand-new Fantic 243, but the machine failed to win her over. In fact, she hated it!
Fortunately, Mick was still on hand, and by this time he had also taken up trials riding. He lent his sister a 343cc BSA B40, and the effect was immediate. The spark was reignited, the unwanted Fantic was sold, and a 250cc BSA C15 became the next purchase.
Joan Westbrook (BSA C15T) on ‘Mamore’ in the 1994 Pre’65 Scottish – Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven
The C15 proved to be just what was needed, and it was during this period that her path crossed at Kinlochleven with Trials Guru’s John Moffat in 1992 when he was riding a 350cc Matchless.
Trials Guru’s John Moffat: “I took to Joan straight away, she has a cockney accent and a great sense of humour, I rode near her a couple of times at the Pre’65 Scottish and of course was on hand in the evening ceremony when she picked up her finisher’s award and best lady award. She sent me a really nice personalised bound notebook a couple of years ago, thanking me for what I do for the sport.When sending me an e-mail, she refers to me as Young John.”
Six Decades of Trials:
The years rolled by, bringing countless events, familiar faces and memories that only those who have spent a lifetime in the sport can truly appreciate. Eventually, though, the time came for Joan to consider hanging up the riding boots.
Joan’s last Pre’65 Scottish Trial at Kinlochleven was in 2005 at the age of 61 years.
Joan: “The 2005 event, which as you know was a ‘slightly damp‘ one, it was the best one I had ridden over any of them. It broke my heart the following year, when the regulations came out and I wouldn’t enter. I love coming back to Kinlochleven though, just one more time.“
Joan Westbrook: “I just wished I had been skilled and wealthy enough to have been able to have ridden the Scottish Six Days, when I was young and virile. My one regret.“
Joan Westbrook in her second to last Pre’65 Scottish Trial in 2004 – Photo: Jean Caillou Collection
Joan Westbrook: “I met a lot of girl riders over the years, some who rarely got a mention in the motorcycle press. Some that I knew, but have stopped ‘wobbling’. Michelle Pearson, the wife of Don Bean. She sadly passed with breast cancer at an early age, and was a great friend of Mary Driver. Michelle used to chatter so much about Scotland whenever we met. Sue Blanchard, wife of Dave, she is still around and riding her Triumph Speed Twin. Karen Clarke, daughter of the late great George Greenland – she’s still riding very well these days. Jill Driffield, daughter of Mick. She’s still wobbling I think. Karen Beazant wife of the late Dave Shave, Karen has ridden the SSDT. Sheena Wake, who still rides and has ridden the SSDT. I think around 1991. Sarah Chambers, from Totnes – she was a complete nutter on a trials iron. Deena Blakemore, daughter of Norman, the shock absorber guy. Sarah Bell, who has moved up north, riding regularly and teaching now as well.”
At the 1999 Pre’65 Scottish Trial, Jill Driffield (left); the late Ralph ‘Rafe’ Venables MBE the doyen of trials journalists and Joan Westbrook (right) sharing a joke and some fun before the start. Rafe was at one time the proud owner of an Allard car, we think that would have caused some discussion – Photo: Jean Caillou
Joan’s final competitive outing was the 2023 Jack Thompson Trial. A rather substantial five-mark score prompted a moment of reflection and the realisation that perhaps the time had come to call it a day. There was also a promise to husband Peter that riding would cease once the age of eighty had been reached. The decision was made, not through any loss of affection for the sport, but through the sensible recognition that it was time to step back before becoming a liability to oneself or others.
Sadly, husband Peter passed away in 2025, having been diagnosed with Vascular Alzheimer’s in 2024, leaving a huge gap in Joan’s life. Yet the connection with trials has never entirely disappeared and it never will.
There have been a few gentle outings on the four-stroke Montesa 4RT since then, although no sections are being attempted. Instead, the enjoyment comes from riding some trails and byways, including those at Patsy Quick’s land. There has also been some observing, ensuring that involvement in this wonderful sport continues even if competitive riding is now a thing of the past. Joan is one of the sport’s enthusiasts who puts something back into the sport after ceasing competition.
The Montesa 4RT is now the sole motorcycle in the garage, but the beloved C15 lives on. It has passed into the hands of a local youngster of forty-five, who has become just as hooked on Pre’65 machinery and is already enjoying success on it. There is surely no better fate for an old trials motorcycle than to be kept active by another enthusiast.
One More Time in the Chair:
Just when it seemed that the riding days were firmly behind her, an opportunity arose at the Sunbeam Romney Marsh Road Run.
Young Dick, aged eighty-eight, found himself without a passenger for his 1919 Triumph outfit. He didn’t need to ask twice. Our former trials rider was in like a shot!
It must have brought back memories of that first competitive outing with brother Mick in 1961, more than sixty years earlier. The enthusiasm was clearly still there, even if the practicalities of getting aboard and, more importantly, climbing out of the chair had changed somewhat. Getting in was easier than getting out, much to the amusement of those gathered at the museum!
And why not? A little laughter, a vintage motorcycle and the chance to revisit an old passion are surely among the finer pleasures in life.
So, there you have it: the story of a rider whose journey began with imaginary engine noises on a non-running Coventry Eagle, progressed through a Bantam, a Tiger Cub, a Greeves and a succession of much-loved trials machines, and continued through more than sixty years of participation in the sport.
There were no National Championship ambitions fulfilled, nor was that ever the measure of success. Instead, there was a lifetime of enjoyment, friendship, family memories and the enduring pleasure of being part of the trials community. Plus an award annually at the Pre’65 Scottish Trial in Joan’s honour for the ‘Best Woman’, the 2018 through to 2026 winner being Donna Fox from Doncaster.
From those first tentative ‘wobbles’ as Joan calls them, in the back garden to the final competitive ride in 2023, the enthusiasm never really went away. Even now, with the sections left behind, the trails, the observing and the occasional passenger’s seat provide a welcome connection to the sport.
Joan Westbrook gained the respect of many connected to the sport of motorcycle trials across the country, she is highly thought of, both as a trials rider and a person. She is now living quietly in Rye, East Sussex and enjoys her garden.
And perhaps that is the real answer to the question, “What made Joan Westbrook take up trials riding?”
Quite simply, it was a love of motorcycling that started in childhood and didn’t let go.
And what was Joan’s advice for those concerned about getting old? It was quite simple: “Keep on biking.”
Long may those ‘wobbles’ continue!
Joan Westbrook is of course a Trials Guru VIP! – Dedicated To Trial
‘Just Joan – A Trials Lady’ – the story of Joan Westbrook – is the copyright of Trials Guru and Joan Westbrook
Apart from ‘Fair Dealing’ for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988, no part of this article may be copied, reproduced, stored in any form of retrieval system, electronic or otherwise or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrical, mechanical, optical, chemical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the author as stated above. This article is not being published for any monetary reward or monetisation, be that online or in print.
Words: Trials Guru; David Cordle and Doug Theobald.
Photos: Ben Chaplin Collection; Pat Cordle; Mike Rapley; nickhaskell at the motocrossarchives.com; Justyn Norek; Ian Berry; Theobald family collection.
At Trials Guru, we feel that the word ‘Legend’ has been overused in recent years and, as a result, has perhaps lost some of its meaning. For that reason, we prefer to use the word ‘Icon’ — a term we feel better reflects those who have made a lasting and significant contribution to the sport.
There are riders whose names become firmly woven into the fabric of motorcycle trials, and in the Eastern and South Midland Centres, Doug Theobald the popular rider from Risby, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, is certainly in there.
Doug Theobald concentrating hard on the BSA Bantam-engined Burian, note the early type Husqvarna hubs.
A very successful competitor during the late 1950s and early 1960s, Doug was a multiple Centre Champion and Norfolk and Suffolk Group Champion, establishing himself as one of the dominant riders of his generation.
Within the Auto-Cycle Union, the Eastern region is an affiliation of over thirty clubs and over 2,500 like-minded members in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.
In the period 1960 – 1975, notable Eastern Centre riders included Greeves factory rider, Don Smith, Allen Collier and Eddie Cordle. The dominant brand in the early 1960s was Greeves, which was manufactured in nearby Thundersley in Essex.
What makes Doug’s story all the more remarkable is that his association with motorcycle trials has stretched across more than seven decades. From the days of rigid-framed DOTs and the Ariel HT5 to the modern era of Fantic and GasGas machinery, Doug has remained a familiar and respected figure at trials events.
Doug on his Ariel HT5 in 1959.
Born in May 1938, his competition career began in October 1954 as a sixteen-year-old, when he entered an Essex and Suffolk Border novice trial on a rigid-framed 197cc DOT which he bought from his farm wages. It was quite an introduction to competition, for the winner that day was another young DOT rider who would go on to become one of Britain’s most famous motocross riders, European Champion, Dave Bickers from Coddenham. Doug finished runner-up.
Dave Bickers (left) with life-long friend Doug Theobald (Photo: Mary Wylde)
That early result proved to be a sign of things to come.
Dave Bickers (2 – CZ) was one of Britain’s finest motocross riders who also rode in trials in his early career – Photo: Justyn Norek
Doug quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern and South Midland Centres. He collected Centre and Group Championship honours and became a regular winner, riding against many of the leading competitors of the period.
Football or Trials?:
There was, however, another road that Doug might easily have followed. A talented footballer, he had played for the local town team and for a short while, Wolverhampton Wanderers. At the age of just 18 he was also drafted into the Army for national service in March 1956 until March 1959, creating another potential diversion from his growing trials career.
His national military service produced one of the more remarkable stories in Doug’s long life.
His Royal Artillery regiment was destined for duties on Christmas Island in the Pacific ocean, where British nuclear weapons testing was taking place as part of ‘Operation Grapple’. Doug was fortunate to escape that posting, thanks in no small part to his motorcycle ability. His Sergeant decided to keep him back because of his talents on two wheels.
That officer was Sergeant Challinor;another of the sergeants was Bill Brooker, a name that would later become very familiar within the trials world as the Greeves Competitions Team Manager. It was an extraordinary twist of fate which perhaps helped shape Doug’s future in the sport. In 1959 Doug won an Army championship on a rigid 350cc Matchless, beating Jeff Smith, Pat Brittain, Peter Stirland and Don Smith who broke his collarbone in the process. Incidentally, Don Smith had great respect for Doug both as a competitor and person.
Doug was based at Kinmel Park Camp, Bodelwyddan, Rhyl, for a time, so he rode in Cheshire Centre events on the weekends, when not on duty.
Doug Theobald: “I was really chuffed when I won the championship in the Army as I came from a fairly flat area of the country with very little rocks and the others were all experienced trials riders, so I think I did really well to achieve that at the time.”
Doug began his working life in the school summer holidays on a farm, then started out as a coal merchant in 1953, then set up a follow on business after his National Service, Doug Theobald Aggregates in 1964.
In 1963, Greeves mounted Doug took the win at the Arthur French Trophy Trial, organised by the Sudbury and District MC & LCC, and again in 1968, with 1964-1967 won by none other than Don ‘D.R.’ Smith when riding for the Greeves factory. Other notable winners were John Kendall, Eddie Cordle and Laurie Bird.
Family man:
Family group: Left to right, Maureen Theobald; Sienna; Nichola; Cousin Tina from the USA; Melinda and Doug Theobald.
Doug met Maureen Price at the Bury St. Edmunds swimming baths and struck up a relationship. They married in 1965 and two years later, Nichola was born, followed by Lisa in 1968 and Melinda in 1970.
Doug with grand-daughter Sienna on a Yamaha TY175.
The Theobald’s now have seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Lisa (left) and older sister, Nichola on one of Doug’s trials machines – Photo courtesy of Nichola Theobald.
Scotland:
Back on home soil, Doug’s trials career continued to flourish. He rode many National and International events, but among his greatest personal achievements were his performances in the Scottish Six Days Trial.
Doug tackled the SSDT on eight occasions and finished inside the top twenty three times and collected seven Special First Class awards and a first class at his first attempt in 1960. In an era when the Scottish was a truly formidable test of rider and machine, such consistency was a considerable achievement. Doug rode DOT six times, with two appearances on Greeves machines at the famous event.
Doug also became a regular competitor in the early days of the Pre65 Scottish Trial, riding seven times, where he collected a number of Special First Class awards. His knowledge of older machinery and his ability to get the best from it made him a natural competitor in the event.
Said Doug: “I didn’t reckon I did very well at the Pre65 Scottish as I was getting a bit older by then, but I enjoyed the event very much indeed“.
Pre65 Scottish Trial at Kinlochleven – with Alan Garrett (left); Trevor Kemp (centre), Doug Theobald (right) and in the background Norman Pickles – Photo: Mike Rapley
Over the years Doug rode a fascinating variety of trials machines. He competed on a 500cc Ariel of the late 1950s, but it is perhaps the DOT name that is most closely associated with him.
Doug Theobald prepares his factory DOT in Edinburgh, prior to the Scottish Six Days Trial in 1967 – Photo: Doug Theobald personal collection.
Having met Eric Adcock while competing in a Cheshire trial on his heavy 500cc Ariel, Eric convinced Doug that he should try a DOT. That was in 1960 when an offer came in letter form from Burnard Scott-Wade to ride a Manchester-built works machine.
Doug Theobald rode for Greeves for two seasons, seen here aboard a 24TES model – Photo: Theobald family collection.
Doug thus became a DOT-supported trials rider, spending many years representing the Lancashire manufacturer, with a short spell in 1962–63 riding a factory-supplied Greeves before returning to DOT. He was particularly at home on the lightweight DOT machines, but the arrival of the DOT Minarelli, replacing the familiar Villiers engine which had become unavailable following its acquisition by Norton Villiers, was not to Doug’s liking. This prompted him to look elsewhere.
Doug Theobald on an early model Montesa Cota 247 supplied by Jim Sandiford after Doug moved on from riding DOTs.
That led to another important chapter in his riding career and a friendship which remains part of trials folklore.
‘Burian’ – built in Bury St. Edmunds:
Doug Theobald aboard the John Banks-built BURIAN with BSA Bantam engine.
Doug also campaigned the ‘Burian’ machines produced by his good friend and motocross legend John Banks in 1965. The name is actually pronounced ‘Berry-un‘. Both Doug and Banks were members of the Bury St. Edmunds and District club, and the lightweight Burians, powered by both Villiers 36A and BSA Bantam engines, proved highly effective competition machines. The Villiers-engined machine utilised a type 36A bottom-end with a modified Greeves Challenger cylinder barrel and head. Later, John Banks built a Burian with a 441cc BSA Victor engine for his own use in trials, when he was concentrating on motocross, keeping fit over the winter months.
Doug Theobald on the Villiers 36A engined BURIAN.
The name was coined from both the town, Bury St. Edmunds and to those who attended a local school, the King Edward VI – known as ‘Old Burians’.
In Doug’s hands the early Burian machines were certainly successful. He enjoyed numerous trial victories on these individual and highly distinctive machines, demonstrating that a good rider could make a relatively unconventional motorcycle a very competitive proposition.
Alan Garrett on the Villiers Burian competing in the 1970 ACU Inter-Centre Team Trial at Alston in Cumbria – Photo courtesy of Alan Garrett.
Some time later, the Villiers Burian ended up with local Bury St. Edmunds rider, Alan Garrett who rated the machine highly.
Both Doug Theobald and John Banks were members of the local Bury St. Edmunds and District MCC.
The Banks connection:
John Banks became BSAs number 1 rider in 1969, he was runner up twice in the FIM World 500cc Motocross championships, in 1968 and 1969 – Photo: Justyn Norek.
Few realise that four times British Motocross champion, John Banks, also from Bury St. Edmunds began his sporting motorcycling as a trials rider.
John Banks and Doug Theobald have been life-long friends – Photo: Ian Berry
“John Banks was born into an affluent family, his father was a highly successful building contractor, and as a youth he was fascinated with the efforts of Dave Bickers in the European Motocross championships. His first bike, a Greeves trials bike, was bought from the 1960-61 European champion and young Banks showed great promise.” [1] His nickname in the motorcycle press was ‘The Baron’ as he lived on Barons Road. His father, F.G. Banks was a local councellor, alderman of the borough and Mayor of the town in 1959.
Having ridden trials for a couple of seasons, John Banks was keen to try his hand at scrambling, an opportunity that came about through Doug Theobald. At the time, Doug was supported by DOT Motorcycles for his trials activities and suggested to the company’s owner, Burnard Scott-Wade, that John could prove to be an asset to the manufacturer.
John Banks kept the Union Jack flying for BSA in motocross. Photo courtesy: nickhaskell at the motocrossarchives.com
The rest, as they say, is history, with Banks competing in the European 250cc championships in 1963 on DOTs. This was followed by signing for BSA as teammate to World Champion Jeff Smith in 1966, rising to BSA’s number one rider in 1969. John Banks became a household name in the latter part of the 1960s by competing in both the ITV and BBC televised scrambles which were extremely popular with Saturday audiences. He won the ITV series titles twice and the BBC series four times. After BSA’s demise in 1971, he switched to race a CZ and also Husqvarna before returning to four-stroke power, riding for Eric Cheney in 1973 and then CCM in 1975.
Four times British Motocross champion, few realise that John Banks started out as a trials rider, here he is enjoying a GasGas at Risby in December 2025 – Photo: Ian Berry.
Doug Theobald: “I actually taught John Banks to ride a motorcycle and also drive a car, then I got him interested in riding trials, I see John regularly.“
Theobald and Banks forged a true and lasting friendship, their local connection and shared passion for motorcycling creating a bond that would endure throughout their lives.
Doug Theobald aboard a Montesa 349.
Determination:
Sadly, around 1972, Doug was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, a debilitating condition that causes pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Despite this setback, Doug Theobald refused to let his illness dictate his future in the sport and continued to compete in trials. His determination to carry on, despite the considerable physical challenges he faced, was a testament to the character and resilience of a man who was never easily beaten.
A serious competitor, Doug was nevertheless known for taking the time to chat with observers at events and to thank them personally for giving up their time to officiate at trials. His reputation for courtesy and good manners has long preceded him, and it is another quality that has earned him the respect and affection of those within the sport.
Keeping up to date:
As the sport developed, Doug developed with it. He embraced new machinery and continued competing successfully on Fantic through Roy Cary and later GasGas through John Shirt Senior, while never losing his enthusiasm for the machines of an earlier generation. The 125cc Gas Gas that Doug campaigned was set up by GasGas UK’s resident technician, ‘Factory’ Kev Hipwell.
Doug Theobald feeling very much at home on a GasGas.
That is perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Doug Theobald’s story. His trials career is not simply a chapter from the past. It has continued through generation after generation of riders, motorcycles and changing styles of competition.
From that first novice event in 1954, riding a rigid 197 DOT against the likes of Dave Bickers, through Centre Championship success, National events, multiple Scottish Six Days Trials and the early Pre65 Scottish competitions, Doug has remained a competitor in the truest sense.
Today, Doug can still regularly be found around the Eastern and South Midland Centres, enjoying the sport that has been such an important part of his life. He has been known to push a little towards the front of a queue of riders at sections, claiming that he has a wedding or a christening to go to!
Doug Theobald enjoys a bit of fun with author Ian Berry in December 2025.
More than seventy years after that first ride, the enthusiasm and love of the sport remains.
Doug Theobald is, quite simply, one of those characters who reminds us that motorcycle trials is not just about results, machines or championships. It is about the people who give the sport its history, its stories and its enduring character.
So, does Doug Theobald deserve to be described as an ‘Icon’? Here at Trials Guru, we certainly believe so – and the sporting community within the Eastern Centre would undoubtedly agree. Throughout a lifetime devoted to motorcycle sport, Doug has earned the admiration and respect of all who knew him, not only for his achievements in competition, but also for his character, determination and enduring contribution to trials.
Doug Theobald has certainly played his part.
Friends in the sport at the Dave Bickers Memorial Scramble in 2026! Left to right back row: Allen Collier; Doug Theobald; David Cordle; Dennis Howard; Alan Bowers; Norman Messenger; Freddie Mayes; Adrian Yallop; Chris Ginn; Vic Allan; Shrimp Davey; John Banks. Front row: Sylvia Bickers; Patricia Ginn; Sally Garrod – Photo: Pat Cordle.
‘Doug Theobald – Eastern Centre Trials Icon’ is the copyright of Trials Guru and David Cordle.
Bibliography:
Classic Dirt Bike Magazine (Mortons Media), 1st March 2017 – Ian Berry, ‘An Hour with the Banks’. [1]
With special thanks to David Cordle; Ian Berry; Nichola and Doug Theobald for their assistance in the production of this article.
Trials Guru VIPs: Doug Theobald, Icon of the Eastern Centre and John Banks, four-time British Motocross Champion for BSA.
Apart from ‘Fair Dealing’ for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988, no part of this article may be copied, reproduced, stored in any form of retrieval system, electronic or otherwise or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrical, mechanical, optical, chemical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the author as stated above. This article is not being published for any monetary reward or monetisation, be that online or in print.
Photos: Ron Aitchie; Mike Davies; Ray Foulds; Mike Rapley; Speedtracktales; J. Moffat/Trials Guru; Sharon Bumpsteed/Sammy Miller Museum Trust.
Main Photo: Mike Davies
Watched closely by ACU man, Edward Damadian, third left, Mary Driver (Comerfords Greeves) on Grey Mare’s Ridge in the 1963 SSDT – Photo: Mike Davies
Quite a few people will remember the name, Mary Driver in the world of motorcycle trials, but given that the lady was heavily involved in the sport of motorcycling from 1954 until 1975, some of our younger readers might be excused by not knowing of Mary.
She was to inspire a generation of young female trials riders in the 1960s, much like Emma Bristow has done in the current day.
Mary Buxton as she was then known, was born in North London in 1935 and was introduced into motorcycling through her husband to be, Dennis Driver and was a member of the Wood Green & District Motorcycle Club.
The Wood Green and District Motorcycle Club was established in 1924 in North London, this historic club was well-known for hosting local time trials, road rallies, and women-only motorcycling events in the 1920s. It was affiliated to the South Midland Centre of the Auto-Cycle Union.
In 1954, Mary passed her motorcycle test through the RAC/ACU Training Scheme at the London Borough of Haringey on her 197cc James, she also joined the secretarial staff at the ACU in London’s Pall Mall.
Her motorcycle interest really began when she travelled pillion on boyfriend Dennis’s BSA A10 Gold Flash in 1953.
After three years gaining valuable experience riding her motorcycle on the road, Mary Driver became involved in organising the Paley Cup, Beggar’s Roost and Clayton Trophy national trial events. She then began entering trials on her husband Dennis’s James.
In those years, Mary simply rode her bike to the events, competed and rode back home again, this was the way many riders transported their competition machine to events. She also assisted husband Dennis as Clerk of the Course for the national Clayton Trophy Trial near Buxton in Derbyshire.
In 1958. she took part in the Silverstone circuit High Speed trials on a 500cc AJS, the following year on a 197cc DKW. Rather than a wheel-to-wheel race, the high-speed trials required riders to maintain a specific average lap speed over a set distance (typically one hour) to earn an award. In the same year, Mary and Dennis married.
In 1959, when BSA launched their 249cc C15T model specifically for trials, Dennis bought her one and Mary started riding in national trials. She won an award at the Hoad Trophy trial and qualified for expert status and rode in the Southern Experts in 1963.
The 1961 SSDT – Mary Driver on Loch Eild Path on her Bill Slocombe sponsored BSA C15T – Photo: Ray Foulds, Glasgow.
Sponsorship became available to Mary firstly from London dealer, Bill Slocombe, whose dealership was based in Neasden, North West London, from 1961 until 1963. Mary’s bikes were prepared there by Alec Wright who later became Kawasaki’s off road manager in the 1980s. She continued to ride the Slocombe supplied BSA C15T before moving over to ride Greeves for Comerford’s of Thames Ditton, Surrey.
Mary Driver on her 250cc Comerford’s Greeves tackles ‘Grey Mare’s Ridge’ in the 1965 SSDT – Photo: Ron Aitchie Collection
Mary entered and finished in no less than seven Scottish Six Days Trials from 1961 until 1966. Four times BSA mounted and three on Greeves machinery. In the 1961 SSDT, Mary won the award for the Best Performance by a Lady Competitor, which was a Travelling Clock presented by The Grand Hotel, Fort William, she finished in 111th position losing 249 marks that year. She was best lady competitor the following year and again in 1963 and in 1964 was presented with a minature cup presented by the Edinburgh & District club in 1965 and then a silver cup in 1966 by the motor club.
Mary Driver (Greeves) waves a precautionary foot in the 1964 SSDT on ‘Tyndrum’ – Photo: Mike Rapley.
In 1961 Mary decided to have a go at the International Six Days Trial at Llandrindod Wells in Wales on a 250cc BSA C15 (9051MF) prepared and supplied by Bill Slocombe. This machine was prepared in their workshops by Alec Wright. Mary finished the event with a Silver Medal. She competed in the ISDT a further five times, West Germany in 1962, when she retired, 1963 in Czechoslovakia with a Bronze Medal, the only female to compete in the ISDT that year when only 60% of the entry actually finished. She failed to finish in East Germany in 1964 at Erfurt; the Isle of Man in 1965 and finally in 1968 at San Pellegrino, Italy riding the 1966 factory Greeves (SOO56D). But she gave the event her all at the time and these were the toughest motorcycle events on the planet.
Mary Driver makes an adjustment to her factory supplied Greeves (SOO56D) at the ISDT at San Pellegrino, Italy – Photo: Speedtracktales ISDT website.
Mary’s Greeves Challenger ISDT (DOO94B) that she rode in the 1964 ISDT at Erfurt still exists, in fact it is safely on display at Sammy Miller’s wonderful museum at Bashley, New Milton, Hampshire, still showing the official dabs of paint on the frame. The engine is a 246cc Challenger unit and the bike was prepared and supplied by Comerford’s specially for the 1964 event with a little help from the Greeves factory. The machine was first registered on 13th May 1964 by Invacar Limited, Church Road, Thundersley, the company name for the Greeves marque, it was described as a ’24IN’ basically a Challenger International.
Sammy Miller MBE with Mary Driver’s 1964 ISDT Greeves at his museum at New Milton, Hampshire – Photo: Sharon Bumpsteed/Sammy Miller Museum Trust.
Sammy Miller MBE: “Mary Driver competed in the 1964 ISDT in East Germany on the factory supported Greeves. I also rode for Great Britain in that event on a 505cc Triumph, over-bored so that I was in competing in the 650cc class. It was a delight to find Mary’s Greeves in July 2021, after all those years and have it restored to it’s original specification in my workshops at Bashley.”
Mary also took part in the Twickenham Club’s 100 mile scramble at Pirbright which formed her training for the 1964 ISDT. She also took part in the National Hawkstone Park scramble the following year, both times Greeves mounted,
Mary also took part in the International Trial de Forteresse at Namur in Belgium in 1964 on the Comerford’s Greeves. She finished in twentieth position from ninety-eight competitors. She also took part in the International St Cucufa Trial near Paris, France in 1965 on her Greeves.
In 1962, Mary rode a 246cc Greeves TES which was registered by the factory at Thundersley, Essex as HWC24 and then supplied to Mary through Comerford’s. This particular machine eventually ended up at Drumnadrochit in Inverness-shire, having been sold through Comerford’s second-hand department and was in the MacLean family for many years before being sold to a collector in 2013.
In 1966, having worked for the Auto-Cycle Union for twelve years, a position became available as their Competitions Manager, Mary applied for the job and was appointed to the post. Without doubt, the knowledge and experience of being a trials rider must have helped with the job interview. This appointment meant that Mary was to swap her Barbour suit for a business suit, but was in constant communications with all ACU centres and clubs and of course the many competitors who raced overseas and in International events. Mary became a very well-known face at the ACU until 1975. She had also been assistant Secretary of the Meeting for the annual Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races.
After her departure from the ACU, Mary became interested in boats and sailing with husband Dennis, which became their main past-time. However, she did maintain an interest in motorcycling, having purchased an Ex-Roger Davy 325cc Comerford’s Bultaco Sherpa in 1975, because she liked the look of the bike, which she eventually sold in 2013.
In 2011, in recognition for her services to the sport, Mary was invited to be Guest of Honour at the Pre65 Scottish Trial at Kinlochleven by the Edinburgh & District Motor Club Ltd, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, chatting to riders of yesteryear.
It is without doubt that Mary Driver was a lady who not only promoted the sport at high level, but was a worthy competitor, and proved that the girls can do everything the boys can do!
2011 – Trials Guru’s John Moffat with former Competitions Manager of the ACU, Mary Driver and her husband Dennis – Photo: Trials Guru/J. Moffat
‘Mary Driver’ is the copyright of Trials Guru
With special thanks to Sammy Miller MBE & Sharon Bumpsteed of the Sammy Miller Museum, Bashley, New Milton, Hampshire.
For more features of women in trials, see Trials Guru’s Trials Ladies HERE
Apart from ‘Fair Dealing’ for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988, no part of this article may be copied, reproduced, stored in any form of retrieval system, electronic or otherwise or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrical, mechanical, optical, chemical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the author as stated above. This article is not being published for any monetary reward or monetisation, be that online or in print.
Words: Trials Guru; Tony Davis; John Dickinson; Deryk Wylde; Mike Naish and Tommy Sandham.
Photographs: OffRoad Archive; Gordon Francis; Eric Kitchen; Mike Naish; Barry Robinson; Sammy Miller Museum; Gordon Bain Photography.
It is now, in 2025, seventy years since the publication, ‘Trials Riding’ first appeared on book stalls in 1955. It was a significant publication for the sport of motorcycle trials at the time. Copies of that first edition and subsequent editions, are still being traded on online auction platforms. But the question that some may be asking is… Who was Max King?
“The past is a foreign country, they do things differently there“. Not so many years ago, books were regarded as important reference works on most if not all subjects. Since the advent of the world wide web, this has changed with the information superhighway leaving printed matter way behind. Now books are a novelty, they are not bought in their thousands anymore, with many ending up in discount book stalls. We also live in less formal times, we live in ‘instant’ times with information at the touch of a keyboard or mobile device and more recently Artificial Intelligence or ‘AI’ for short. Back in the 1950s it was a different world, people were emerging from a second world conflict and the sport of trials had made a comeback. Weekly motorcycle newspapers flourished and had recommenced presenting reports of national and international events, it was all done by the written word on paper. Books were very definately reference material of significant importance. It was a different time with different methods, no mobile phones, no internet, no videos, no social media, television was in its infancy and radio still ruled the roost. This was the world and the time of Max King.
But who was Max King?
The younger reader of Trials Guru might well ask, ‘Who was Max King?’ and that would be a fair question!
Max King in 1959 on the standard form BSA 250cc Star (C15T), taken near his Dorchester home – Photo: Gordon Francis supplied by: OffRoad Archive.
The Trials Rider’s ‘Bible’:
Frederick Maxwell Wright King was born in Devon, England in 1916 and he went on to write one of the first books exclusively published on the sport of motorcycle trials. The book, entitled simply ‘Trials Riding’, was published by Temple Press Ltd., Bowling Green Lane, London E.C.1 in 1955, this was the first edition, priced at seven shillings and sixpence, there would be updates over the next twenty-one years as the sport evolved.
This book was regarded by many as the trials rider’s ‘bible’. The early editions were in association with the motorcycling press, namely Motor Cycling or the ‘green un’ as it was known, this enabled King access to many images taken by the staff photographers and therefore keep on the correct side of copyright which was owned by the publishers and guarded feverishly.
Here was a book that prior to 1955 did not exist. Max King as a young trials rider had searched for such a publication, but to no avail. So, he decided to write one himself. As we will discover later in this article, without a doubt ‘Trials Riding’ inspired novice riders, introduced young people to the sport of trials and was read by all the established aces!
‘Trials Riding’ by Max King, first edition from 1955, published by Temple Press Ltd. The top image is of George Fisher on a factory Francis Barnett MWK499 in the 1954 SSDT, the lower is lady trials rider, Olga Kevelos in the same event on her 197cc James.
Second Edition: 1960
The second edition was released in 1960, priced at eight shillings and sixpence, five years after the original copy, the second edition was billed as being: ‘revised and updated’. Temple Press was primarily a publishing company who were prolific in automotive publications, transport themed books and magazines, they operated from 1900 until around 1964.
Max King – Trials Riding – Second Edition, the dust cover features John Brittain on his works Royal Enfield HNP331 and the author, Max King on his works supplied BSA C15T, YOE388.
Max had developed a liking for motorcycles as early as 1924 when he was just eight years of age. Like most young men of his era, the Second World War raged from 1939 until 1945, so all trials activity ceased completely, recommencing in 1946, and even then it was very low key due to ongoing fuel rationing right up until King wrote the first edition of his book. King was a member of the local Otter Vale MCC and effectively took up the sport at 30 years of age.
In 1950, Max was so impressed with the performance of Triumph’s Trophy model in the hands of Jim Alves from Somerset, he purchased one the following year. The machine didn’t however live up to his expectations and he found it difficult to ride in muddy conditions, but it was just the tool for long distance trials, such as the MCC Land’s End and Exeter trials. In these events he excelled, always picking up first class awards on the 499cc Triumph.
The first Foreword:
Max King managed to persuade B.H.M. ‘Hugh’ Viney who at that time was at the peak of his trials career, being an ACU ‘Gold Star’ holder, winner of many national trials and four times winner of the Scottish Six Days Trial, to write the Foreword to the book. Viney was at this time the competitions manager of Associated Motor Cycles Ltd in Plumstead, who owned AJS, Matchless, Sunbeam and James, at the time Britain’s largest producers of motorcycles. Viney was known to be a rather reserved, possibly aloof character, so persuading him to write the Foreword must have been a challenge in itself.
By reading Viney’s foreword it becomes evident why the great man agreed to write it. Viney and King apart from trials had something else in common, Hugh Viney had been a local government officer, now referred to as ‘civil servant’ and so of course was Max King. That was probably the ice breaker and of course, Viney wouldn’t put his name to the book until he had read the manuscript!
Viney’s foreword, which no doubt excited Max King no end, was typically very formal with Viney referring to Max as “Mr. King” throughout. This served to reinforce the belief that Viney was a very formal gentleman. Having the Foreword written by Hugh Viney was a smart move, it would help sell more books!
We can do no better than to quote from the last paragraph of Viney’s Foreword: “To sum up, I am full of admiration for the painstaking way in which Mr. King has covered ever facet of the trials game. Whilst catering primarily for the man who is thinking about taking up the sport or who has not long been in it, I feel sure that this book may well become the standard work on his chosen subject.” BHM VINEY [1]
The acknowledgments list from ‘Trials Riding’ in 1955. Quite a listing. (Photo: Mike Naish) [6]
But being a book author or writer wasn’t his profession, albeit he was a trials competitor, writing wasn’t his day job. Max also wrote articles and carried out a variety of machine tests for British and American motorcycling magazines. King was very much ‘old school’ as far as his writing was concerned. It was a case of imperical research, strictly all his own work, he didn’t copy, that was not his way. All his work was original material. Max King whether he knew it or not, was a true pioneer!
The mentor, Ken Haydon:
Ken Haydon on his 500T Norton competing in the Beggar’s Roost Trial – Photo: Ken Haydon Collection
During research for this article, it was evident that Max King refers to his ‘mentor’ in trials as Kenneth Haydon. We were indeed fortunate to secure the permission to use some of Ken’s photographic archive a few years ago.
Max King’s mentor, Ken Haydon (right) with son Ian, who became a multiple South Western ACU trials champion, about to unload a T20 Triumph Tiger Cub in 1964. (Photo: Ken Haydon Collection)
The reader would also be excused if he/she assumed that King’s occupation was within the media, as he regularly broadcast on radio over a twenty year period for the BBC, both regional and national covering motorsport. This was usually undertaken at the BBC’s unmanned radio station in Exeter. This connection with the BBC was set in motion when the publisher of ‘Trials Riding’, Temple Press had sent out sample copies to the media to court book reviews. A copy was received by the local BBC in Bristol and eventually approached Max to cover motorsport on the regional radio, BBC Radio 4 – South and West.
So what did Mr. King do for a living?
Max King was an ‘Environmental Engineer’, nowadays referred to as a ‘Civil Engineer’, working for Barnstaple Rural District Council, Devon County Council and finally the Dorset County Council, which he took up in 1949 and remained there for twenty-four years. King was an acknowledged expert in water and sewage systems. It is believed that Max enjoyed a good salary from his employment and therefore would have had a good standard of living. In 1954 his personal transport was an MG Magnette saloon locally registered in Dorset as GTK60. New, this model of car would have cost £915 in 1953.
In 1973, he was appointed main drainage manager of the Avon and Dorset Division of Wessex Water and, later in 1975, he was made divisional director, responsible for water supply, main drainage, waste water treatment, fisheries and rivers management. He then became President of the Institution of Public Health Engineers in 1973 until 1974.
In 1978, having served forty-two years in local government and the water industry, Max left Wessex Water to set up his own consultancy practice in north Devon, before his retirement in 2003 at the age of 87.
King was a married man, his wife was called Peggy who died in 1989 and they had an only son, Robert who rode trials for some years, but had to give up due to a serious knee injury caused by playing rugby. Sadly, he predeceased Max, passing away after an illness in 2003. The ‘Trials Riding’ books were all dedicated to his wife, Peggy.
Max King (left) watches Peter Stirland (250cc Greeves) on ‘Achintee’ at the Scottish Six Days Trial – Photo: OffRoad Archive.
Max King owned or was loaned an array of interesting trials machines over the years. In 1959 he obtained a new BSA C15T, the 249cc single that was seen to be the replacement for the BSA Gold Star in trials. King’s machine was registered YOE388 by BSA, but was a fairly standard model with the heavy steel hubs and chrome plated steel fuel tank.
Putting theory into practice, Max King shows quiet confidence as he tackles a muddy stream exit. Max’s factory supported 250 BSA is the one used by West of England stalwart Vic Ashford later on. (Photo: OffRoad Archive)
The machine eventually found it’s way to Vic Ashford, the South Western star, as a stop gap machine while the factory prepared a bike for him to ride as a semi-works rider.
Vic Ashford body leans Max King’s 250cc C15 BSA, YOE388 which was a works supplied machine.
Later, King upgraded the C15T, he had fitted an alloy fuel tank and the wheels replaced with those fitted with Triumph Tiger Cub hubs, which were appreciably lighter. Previous to this machine he campaigned a 1953 Francis Barnett ‘Falcon 62’, locally registered with Devon Council as ODV200. Later, King obtained the ex-factory Francis Barnetts, registered PKV331 and TDU497.
The 776BOP connection:
Max King testing the factory BSA that he would eventually own, the B40 registered 776BOP – Photo: Gordon Francis (This photo appeared in Max King’s book, Trials Riding).
Later in 1969, King ended up with the 1960 factory BSA B40, registered 776BOP which had been issued to Jeff Smith (1960-62), Tony Davis (1962-64) and Jim Sandiford (1964-1966) in that order.
Jeff Smith aboard 776BOP – Photo: OffRoad Archive.
Jeff Smith rode the machine until just before the 1962 SSDT in May, when the bike was passed over to Tony Davis, Smith having been injured in a motocross event a few weeks before.
Jim Sandiford on 776BOP on Grey Mare’s Ridge in the 1964 Scottish Six Days Trial – Photo: OffRoad Archive.
Sandiford rode the BSA for two years, following Tony Davis who defected in 1964, with brother Malcolm, to ride for Greeves. King acquired 776BOP from BSAs and had ownership of the machine from 1966 until 1970, when he traded it in to Ken Heanes at Fleet, Hampshire, in exchange for a 1966 ex-ISDT Triumph 500cc twin which Heanes had himself used. Registered as HUE252D, Max competed in his favourite event, the MCC ‘Edinburgh’ long distance trial. When Max acquired 776BOP it had been fitted with the Victor type frame, similar to the 1963 BSA works bikes of Arthur and Alan Lampkin, and a 250cc cylinder barrel fitted to the B40 bottom end.
With ‘The Squire’ Ralph Venables watching (far right), Tony Davis (776BOP 343 BSA) in the 1962 John Douglas Trial. Photo: OffRoad Archive.
This machine eventually ended up in the custody of Tommy Sandham around 1975, at that time a Post Office telephone engineer in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland, who later worked for several years at Trials & Motocross News and wrote several books on the Scottish Six Days Trial and Honda Trials machines. It was this machine that brought Sandham to the sport of trials. 776 BOP eventually returned to the private collection of Jim Sandiford, but was sold on, following his death to dairy farmer Bryan Payne from Yorkshire, the current owner.
When he was a new boy to trials, Tommy Sandham seen here on 776BOP with the ‘Triumph’ decal on the fuel tank, during the period when he owned the BSA – Photo courtesy T.D. Sandham.
Tommy Sandham: “I bought 776BOP from Ken Heanes’ shop. It was all mucked about with and its fair to say I never got on with it. It had ‘Triumph’ stickers on the tank and the tappet inspection plate also being a Triumph component. Needless to say I soon sold it, buying a 250 Bultaco Sherpa from Airdie car dealer Dougie Watson. I had put a classified advert in Motor Cycle News and on the Thursday the phone rang at 7am and Mick Bradbrook, a collector of BSAs sent up a van from Purley, Surrey with money. I can’t remember how much I sold it for.“
Tony Davis trying hard on the factory BSA B40 – 776BOP – Photo: OffRoad Archive.
The BSA B40 ‘776BOP’ was to become quite a machine and connected many people from the sport of trials over the years and still does!
Tony Davis with the 343cc BSA, 776BOP; Alan Lampkin with BSA C15, 748MOE and Mike Bowers with his special BSA Bantam at the 2024 Highland Classic Two-Day Trial at Aviemore – Photo: Gordon Bain Photography, Inverness.
776BOP BSA B40 photographed in 2024 at the Highland Classic Two-Day Trial at Aviemore – Gordon Bain Photography
By 1967, King was writing prolifically for Cycle World magazine in the USA, supplying machine tests for the new Cotton and the new Saracen trials machines. He also wrote general articles on the sport, helping to popularise trials across the Big Pond.
1966 photograph of Max King with a brand new Greeves Anglian, being tested for an American magazine. The machine carries a factory registration mark. Photo: Gordon Francis courtesy of OffRoad Archive.
Fourth Edition: 1972
The fourth edition from 1972 shows Mick Andrews riding ‘Laggan Locks’ on the factory OSSA winning the 1970 Scottish Six Days Trial. The original photograph was taken by Brian Holder. [3]
The fourth edition, released on 26th October 1972, now fully titled as ‘Motor Cycle Trials Riding’ was proclaimed as being ‘completely revised’ and now published by Pelham Books Ltd., Bedford Square, London with the dust cover featuring Mick Andrews on the factory Ossa during his winning 1970 Scottish Six Days ride. Andrews actually contributed to the publication, but the Foreword was now written by Gordon Farley, the 1970 and 1971 British Trials Champion on Montesa. The recommended retail price of the fourth edition was £2.50 net. The photographs brought the publication bang up to date with many of the action photographs depicting the popular trials machines of that era, namely Bultaco, Montesa, Greeves Pathfinder, Suzuki and a photo of Dave Thorpe on his Ossa, which was the ‘Pennine’ model as this was just prior to the ‘Mick Andrews Replica’ model which was released later that year. Not only photographs of machines uodated the book, so did photographs of current riders, such as Malcolm Rathmell, John Hemingway, Mark Kemp, Alan Lampkin and of course Gordon Farley and Mick Andrews. Local men, close to King, Colin Legg and John Poate from the west country assisted Max with machine tests by this time.
Gordon Farley (Montesa Cota 247) at the Inter Centre Team Trial at Ludlow in 1972 – Photo copyright: Eric Kitchen.
So what did British Trials Champion, Gordon Farley, the man who dethroned the great Sammy Miller, bring to the book?
Max King had approached Farley to write the Foreword for his revised edition, when he was trying to win his second British Championship in 1971. Again we can do no better but to quote from the Foreword from the fourth edition of ‘Trials Riding’.
Farley: “I knew, at first hand, how indispensable Max’s book had been because the first edition came out when I was a boy at school. Even then, I was keen on motor-bikes and interested in trials. But it was Max King’s enthusiasm – which his book reflected so clearly – that made me determined to have a go myself as soon as I was old enough and could get a bike.” “A thing that had always impressed me was that although Trials Riding was written, primarily, with the novice in mind, I knew for a fact that most of the top men in the trials world had read, enjoyed and benefited from Max King’s book.” [5]
Gordon Farley’s Foreword was much less formal than Hugh Viney’s version. Mick Andrews special contribution was to bring information to the reader on the European and American trials scene. Remember that the World Trials Championship was still two years away with a ‘Pan-European’ series in 1974.
Having enlisted the assistance of a British Trials Champion, Gordon Farley and a European Champion, Mick Andrews, this gives some idea of Max King’s stature in the sport of trials over a long period of time.
After he retired from trials riding, Max King took up car trials and eventually long distance events by car, driving for Team Hartwell in specially prepared 998cc bored out Hillman Imps by George Hartwell Ltd in Bournemouth.
Max King formed a relationship with Bournemouth tuning company, Hartwell.
Fifth Edition: 1976
The fifth and final edition is a copy that doesn’t seem to come up often in auctions, this edition was also published by Pelham Books on 26th January 1976. The front dust cover featured Malcolm Rathmell on the 1975 prototype Montesa Cota 348.
The fifth and final edition of ‘Trials Riding’ the front dust cover featured Malcolm Rathmell on the factory Montesa Cota 310cc prototype, registered as GEN600N in the 1975 Vic Brittain Trial on’Hawkswood’. Rathmell won on the machine on its first outing. Photo credit: B.R. Nicholls. [4]
We managed to locate a copy of the elusive Fifth Edition of ‘Motor Cycle Trials Riding’ in Sweden! The retail price in 1976 was £3.95. The Foreword was written by Malcolm Rathmell who featured on the dust cover. Again, Malcolm’s Foreword was much less formal than the original written by Hugh Viney, thus reflecting the change over time in society from 1955 to 1975.
Malcolm Rathmell in the 1975 Jack Leslie Ellis Trial on the factory prototype 310 Montesa – Photo copyright: The Estate of the late Barry Robinson.
Rathmell said in his 1976 Foreword: “In my opinion, Motor Cycle Trials Riding is in a class of its own. I can only endorse what Hugh Viney predicted and Gordon Farley said in his Foreword to the fourth edition that Max King’s book sets the standard against which all others must be judged.” [7]
Inside the fifth edition is a small ‘Addendum’ pasted inside the first inner leaf page it reads: “ADDENDUM At the time of going to Press, the results of the 1975 FIM World Trials Championship and of the 1975 British Trials Championship were not known. Martin Lampkin, riding a 325 Bultaco, became the first official holder of the World trials title. It was a well-deserved victory and I congratulate him warmly. Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa) won the British Trials Championship for the third time in four years and came very near to success in the World contest. Congratulations to Malcolm, also!” [8]
The Fifth Edition of ‘Trials Riding’ attempted to bring the publication bang up to date for 1976, with reference to the new wave of Japanese built trials bikes, pioneered by Christian Rayer in France and Mick Andrews in the UK with the Yamaha TY series; Sammy Miller MBE with the Honda TL effort and Don Smith with the Kawasaki KT series. Gordon Farley had by this time defected from Montesa to Suzuki, thus making up the main four Japanese challengers to the Spanish stronghold over the sport.
In the Fifth Edition, Max was able to use close up photos of Sammy Miller’s development Honda TL to illustrate the publication. Registered as ‘SAM1N’, King even tested the machine a week after Sammy had competed on the Honda in the 1974 Southern Experts Trial.
Sammy Miller’s specially converted Triumph 2.5Pi converted to a pick-up with the 300 long-stroke Honda and a production TL125 on board – Photo credit: Sammy Miller, New Milton
1975 also saw the release of another book on trials, ‘Ride It: The complete book of motorcycle trials’ by Don Smith, albeit partly ghost written by author and journalist Graham Forsdyke. Cheeky Londoner, Smith of course had a reputation for ‘pulling people’s legs’ and he intimated to Max King some years previously that he “kept his well thumbed copy of Trials Riding strapped to the tank of his bike at all times”.
There is no doubt though that Don Smith had read Max King’s books and was more than likely spurred on to write his own books on the sport, as a result.
The publishers of King’s ‘Trials Riding’ in 1972 and 1975, Pelham Books was incorporated in 1959 and are still listed on Companies House, but as a ‘dormant company’ currently.
The photographic content in the Fifth Edition was credited as follows: Brian Holder; Cecil Bailey; Gordon Francis; Alberto Mallofre (Montesa); Central Photographic Unit, Dunlop; K.W. Haydon; Peter Fraser; Pacific Northwest Trials Association Inc.; Peter Howdle; B.R. ‘Nick’ Nicholls.
Trials Riding, the book:
So we have now established who Max King was, where he was brought up, what machines he rode and that his original book was revised five times. What about the book itself?
The ‘Contents’ page from the 1955 edition gives a good insight as to what was covered: [2]
Chapter 1: The Trials Motorcycle – its Characteristics and Points Governing its Selection.
Chapter 2: The Trials Motorcycle – its Specification
Chapter 3: What to Wear
Chapter 4: The Make-up of a Trial and Some Notes on Trials Organisation
Chapter 5: Hints on Machine Control and Tyre Pressures; Typical Trials Sections and Suggestions on how to Ride Them
Chapter 6: The Special Test
Chapter 7: The Beginning!
Chapter 8: The First Trial
Chapter 9: In the Thick of it!
‘Trials Riding’ was effectively the trials rider’s bible, it covered most subjects encountered by a prospective competitor, as Viney stated in his Foreword: “… catering primarily for the man who is thinking about taking up the sport or who has not long been in it, I feel sure that this book may well become the standard work on his chosen subject.”
The book was written in the formal style of the period, immediately post-war, well punctuated with perfect grammar and spelling. The book is well illustrated with black and white photographs of the period, again these are period specific and King used photographs taken near his home to demonstrate a variety of the subjects. Many of these photographs were taken by Gordon Francis, a friend of Max King’s. Factory publicity photographs were used to display the various machines used in trials at that point in time, both four and two-stroke machines aplenty!
The revised editions updated the publication, mirroring the changes in the sport over a period of twenty-one years. The first edition in 1955 through to the final fifth edition in 1976.
Frederick Maxwell Wright King passed away in Tyspane Nursing Home in Braunton, Devon on September 22nd, 2014 aged 98 years, he led a full life and a satisfied one. His funeral was conducted, as set out in his will, to exact requirements in music and readings, with acknowledgements. This was not unusual for Max who had always been most particular and precise in all his business and was his manner, according to family members. We asked some characters of the sport if they had met him back in the day and here are the results.
Max King, Mike Jackson and Gordon Jackson in October 2009 at the ‘Up Memory Lane’ gathering – Photo: Mike Naish
Mike Naish of the West Of England Club: “I met Max King in 2009 when the South West Classic Trials Association ran their ‘Up Memory Lane’ gathering and dinner at the Golf Club in Tedburn St. Mary, Devon just outside Exeter and just over the hill behind my house. I was on the committee and my part was to take all the photos and produce a booklet for those who wanted one. Also as treasurer to pay all the bills. That year our guests included Max King and Gordon Jackson who had recently moved to Devon and was farming. As Max in his early days was working at weekends on local radio reporting on the local trials and interviewing trials personnel, we thought it would be good for Max to interview Gordon Jackson as a feature of two of the guests. This was going to be interesting for all of us such was the charisma of the two gentlemen. All went quiet, there was no preamble and Max went straight in with ‘Why did you have that dab?’ Everybody in the room of one hundred and twenty people all roared with laughter! They all knew what ‘that dab’ was, with the possible exception being my wife. ‘Well, I needed it’ said Gordon. And so the interview went on and was so interesting for us all. Later, I went to talk to Max and obtain his signature on my copy of his book, which happened to be a first edition. Max said he personally did not have one, he only had a second edition.“
Max King’s signature and message in Mike Naish’s first edition of ‘Trials Riding’ – Photo: Mike Naish.
Tony Davis, former BSA, Greeves, Montesa, AJS, Bultaco and Suzuki works rider: “Max was very good to both Malcolm and myself in the early years, probably because we were all west country boys (tractor boys). I had some good times with Max over the years and especially at the SSDT.“
John Dickinson, former Editor Trials & Motocross News: “Max King! I only met him once, in the early 1980s when he was staying in what was then The Grand Hotel in Fort William at SSDT time, in the company of Jim Courtney. I thought it odd that such a refined chap, his speech was very ‘posh’ indeed, was involved in trials. If Ralph Venables was ‘the Squire’ then Max King was ‘the Lord’.”
Deryk Wylde, author of several books on motorcycling and trials and editor of Off Road Review magazine: “I knew Max King very well indeed and in his later years I visited him at his home, he was by then very frail. Max’s book, ‘Trials Riding’ was my introduction to our world of trials, whilst I was still at school. Many of the photographs were taken by Gordon Francis another of my good friends.”
Tommy Sandham, former Production Editor at Trials & Motocross News: “I wrote to Max King back in 1975, having spoken with him at Edramucky, watching the Scottish Six Days Trial there on the Monday. Here are the two replies I received from him. Like many I had a copy of his book, ‘Trials Riding’ which, for a beginner, was a fantastic publication. I later went on to write books which covered the SSDT and the Honda Trials effort, along with other publications on panelcraft.“
Max King’s reply to Tommy Sandham in 1975.
John Moffat, owner of Trials Guru website: “When the fourth edition of Max King’s book was released, I was in third year at secondary school in Scotland, my Dad had bought a copy. Two years later I would ride my first trial. I still have his copy complete with a ‘Dymo’ label in red with his full name affixed to the inside front page. I admit that I had read it from cover to cover, over and over again. I have met a lot of people in the sport over the years, but I regret not ever meeting Max King, if only to thank him for bringing so much knowledge and enjoyment to me as a new rider back in 1974.“
Whilst we said at the beginning of this article that books were not popular now, it is interesting to note that people are still buying copies of ‘Trials Riding’ some seventy years after it was first published, albeit when book collections are broken up and sold off or sadly the owner shuffles off this mortal coil and their books are moved on to new custodians.
Copies are frequently offered for sale online across the globe at between ten and twenty times the original sale price of the copy. Higher prices are achieved if the book has retained the coloured dust jacket and in good condition.
We wonder if you, the reader now, reading this article was inspired by Max King’s work?
Hartwig Kamarad who is the curator of the 1st European Trial Museum in Austria, has a first edition copy of Max King’s ‘Trials Riding’ in the museum collection.
Max King left a legacy which has survived the test of time, his unique work still exists amongst enthusiasts, he certainly left his presence in the sport of trials.
This article is dedicated to the late Frederick Maxwell Wright King, no breach of his copyright is intended and only minimal excerpts have been taken from his work, ‘Trials Riding’ and referenced in the bibliography below.
Bibliography:
[1], [2], [6] Trials Riding by Max King, 1955 (Temple Press Ltd) – [1] Page X & [2]VII [6] Acknowledgements Page.
Daily Echo Bournemouth – Obituary of Max King, October 2014
With special thanks to: John Dickinson; Tony Davis; Tommy Sandham; Mike Naish and Deryk Wylde for their assistance in the making of this article.
Article copyright: Trials Guru 2025 – DEDICATED TO TRIAL
Apart from ‘Fair Dealing’ for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988, no part of this article may be copied, reproduced, stored in any form of retrieval system, electronic or otherwise or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrical, mechanical, optical, chemical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the author as stated above. This article is not being published for any monetary reward or monetisation, be that online or in print.
The Scottish Six Days Trial is one of those events that every trials rider not only wants to take part in at least once in their lifetime, but to win it, well that is something really special.
Motorcycle manufacturers have entered works machines to the event with the sole aim of achieving victory, pure and simple.
Tommy Sandham, who has written four books on the subject, has asked me to undertake a tricky task – to find out how many SSDT winning machines still exist!
SSDT Centenary 2011 – Two of the most famous trials machines, of all time – 187BLF (350 AJS) which won the 1961 SSDT ridden by Gordon Jackson losing only one mark. GOV132 (500 Ariel) Sammy Miller’s famous machine that won the SSDT (1962 & 1964) – Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven
We know of a few that are still around, these are as follows:
1946/47/48 – HughViney’s 350 AJS (HXF641)
Hugh Viney’s AJS with some details painted on the front plate of HXF641 as it is to this day – Photo: David Lewis, London
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Hugh Viney’s factory AJS HXF641 on which he won three successive SSDTs post-war – Photo: David Lewis, London
1957 – Johnny Brittain’s 500 Royal Enfield Bullet (HNP331) – National Motorcycle Museum.
Here is Trials Guru’s 2016 Pre’65 Scottish Photo Review in glorious colour.
All images provided for your pleasure by John Hulme of Classic Trial Magazine UK …
David Moffat (350 Matchless G3C) in the parade on Friday morning – Photo – John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Father and Son duo, Dave and Dan Thorpe at Upper Mamore checking the line – Photo – John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Carl Batty from Kendal on his 250 James tackles Upper Mamore – Photo – John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Upper Mamore – Photo – John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
David Dench (250 James) on Upper Mamore – Photo – John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Sandy Mack (BSA) on Upper Mamore – Photo – John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Michael Irving from Kendal on his Ariel – Photo – John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Eric McMeekin from Belford (BSA Bantam) makes use of a long dab – Photo – John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Norman Shepherd (BSA Bantam) – Photo – John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Sam Sharp from Barnoldswick on his 230 Triumph Cub) – Photo – John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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David Coughlan with Guy Martin at the 2016 Pre’65 Scottish, both are accomplished racing motorcyclists – Photo – John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Carl Winstanley from Chorley on his 250 James – Photo – John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Graham Atkinson (Villiers) Photo – John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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David Coughlan (1966 Bultaco Sherpa) on Upper Mamore – Photo – John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Guy Martin (Ariel) at Upper Mamore 3 – Photo – John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Scott Dommett (250 Dot) on Upper Mamore 2 – Photo: John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Martin Murphy from Kinlochleven (400 Triumph) on Upper mamore 1 – Photo: John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Nicholas Paxton (343 BSA B40) – Photo: John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Philip Wiffen (350 Matchless) retired with a broken gearbox – Photo: John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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William Weatherhead from Midlothian on his Triumph Cub – Photo: John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Clive Dopson (500 Norton) watched by James Lampkin – Photo: John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Lee Granby (Ariel) – Photo: John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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David Moffat (1959 350 Matchless) takes a steadying dab on Upper Mamore – Photo: John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Javier Cruz from Madrid on a BSA Bantam – Photo: John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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2015 winner James Noble (500 Ariel) – Photo: John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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James Lampkin had a great ride on his father’s 1966 SSDT winning BSA 250 – Photo: John Hulme Classic Trial Magazine UK
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John Moffat enjoying his first outing on the ex-Gerry Minshall BSA 250 on Upper Mamore – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Alan ‘Chips’ Crayk from Inverness on his Cotton 250 – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Alex Carmichael from Inverness comes to grief on his BSA B40 – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Graham Du Feu from Jersey, Channel Islands on his Ariel – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Tony Swindenbank on his Drayton Bantam from Kendal Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Carlos Casas from Olot, Catalunia, Spain on his Triumph Cub tackling Pipeline – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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David Moffat storms Pipeline on his father’s 350 Matchless – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Alan Fender from Stromness on his father Alex’s Greeves on Pipeline – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Darren Walker (BSA) takes a steadying prod on Pipeline – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Rockshocks supremo, Gary Fleckney tests his products to the limit on Pipeline – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Winner of the T.Arnott Moffat Quaich for best overseas rider, Mark Harris (Ariel) from Ireland – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Ben Butterworth from Bury on his Ariel tackles Pipeline – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Valenti Fontsere from Barcelaona, Spain on his James – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Mike Watson (BSA) – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Winner of the 2016 Pre’65 Scottish – Dan Clark – Triumph – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Robin Luscombe on his Triumph – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Calum Murphy on the Willie Stewart constructed 200cc BSA Bantam – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Eddie Aitken on his Triumph twin – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Winner in 2013 James Harland on his Triumph twin – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Mark Smith on his Ariel – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Murray Whittaker was third place man on his Triumph Cub – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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Three times World Trials Champion, Yrjo Vesterinen enjoying his Pre’65 Scottish on his very fine BSA Bantam which took him to best Over 60 award – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
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‘Team Sharpe’ Sam & Simon – Photo: John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK
With special thanks for the co-operation of John Hulme, Classic Trial Magazine UK on this photo-review on Trials Guru – All images copyright, all rights reserved.
A Trials Guru special feature
All images are the intellectual legal property of the photographer, who has contributed and given express permission for use to Trials Guru.
A.R.C. Lampkin (left) presents a finishers award to 68th placeman, Bryn Matton from Kent – Photo courtesy of Cheryl Matton.
The Pre’65 Scottish Trial concluded on Saturday 30th April with Dan Clark winning on three marks lost.
The original ‘guest of honour’ Guy Martin couldn’t make the presentation of awards at the Kinlochleven Community Centre, but his place was taken by none other than 1966 Scottish Six Days winner, Alan R.C. Lampkin.
It was an excellent choice as ‘Sid’ is a great supporter and enthusiast of the sport and his 1966 SSDT winning machine, 748MOE was being ridden by his son James to commemorate the achievement, 50 years previously.
James won the Lampkin Trophy for the best performance by a rider on a machine not exceeding 250cc losing a miserly seven marks.
Sid recounted the 1966 event which only used Town Hall Brae on the Saturday and finished in Fort William.
As for the 250 BSA C15 it has survived almost 100% intact since its sale in 1967. It was registered in 1964 by BSA motorcycles and has a Victor frame and swinging arm and of course a full factory machine.
James rode very well on a very standard 1964 motorcycle.
Trials Guru’s John Moffat was ‘master of ceremonies’ at the presentation.
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
Alan Lampkin aboard his historic factory BSA C15, on which he won the 1966 SSDT and Scott Trials – Photo: Fiona Watson
If you haven’t had a look at our special ‘ section’ on the Lampkins, have a look!
Recently updated, there is an article on Alan ‘Sid’ Lampkin and some information provided by one of the Lampkin sisters.
Motorcycles were always a part of Lampkin family life. This is Arthur Lampkin’s factory trials BSA Gold Star, but who are the three riders? See Lampkin of Silsden for the answer! – Photo courtesy and copyright – Janet Pawson
Of course we are not finished yet, there is still more to come.
The name ‘Lampkin’ is synonymous with off-road motorcycle sport. It has to be the most famous of all families associated with motorcycling in the world.
Trials Guru are proud to release a feature page dedicated to the Lampkin family, with informative articles and photos from our regular contributors. We start with Alan R.C. Lampkin’s story of a life in motorcycle sport.
Scott Trial Re-Union supremo, Alan R.C. ‘Sid’ Lampkin seen here with Trials Guru’s John Moffat in November 2014 – Photo: John Hulme/Trials Media
Martin Lampkin (Bultaco) Photo: Mike Rapley
As close family friend and former trials competitor, Blackie Holden said: “The Lampkin family can be summed up in one word – winners. There is something very special about them, from a very early age I remember their tremendous ‘will to win’ it is immense. Whether it be a game of noughts and crosses or a 500 GP, the competitive element with them is incredible. It’s not in a nasty way, they just have to win”.
Read all about ‘Lampkin of Silsden’ on Trials Guru
