Trials Guru’s John Moffat interviews Scott Trial 2016 winner, James Dabill at the finish. Dabill values a win at both the SSDT and the Scott highly – Photo – John Hulme/Trial Magazine
The trials world was shocked with the announcement by the reigning and seven times British Trials Champion, James Dabill that he has withdrawn his entry from the 2017 Scottish Six Days Trial in May.
Dabill broke the news via his own social media account today, 1st February. He recently changed camps from Vertigo to Gas Gas and is contracted to compete in the Spanish National Trials Championship plus the World series.
James broke the news as follows: “So this was a very long and tough decision of mine and after speaking with some of my close friends, family and Team Manager, I have decided to withdraw from taking part in this years’ SSDT. It was not an easy decision as it’s one of my favourite events but I feel it’s the best way for me to really concentrate on having a good year at world championship. With the first TrialGP being only a week after the SSDT, I don’t want to lose precious time training and preparing myself and my bike at the highest level possible. I would like to thank everybody who respects my decision and I will see you up in Fort William for the first weekend and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all competitors a great and enjoyable week, Cheers Dibs”.
Dabill’s announcement once again brings into question the tactics of the manufacturers who were always keen to win the prestigeous Scottish Six Days Trial, seen by many to have an impact on sales, in the UK at least, of trials machines. However, the World Championship does carry an equally prestigeous tag, that of World Champion.
James Dabill does value highly a win at the SSDT, he has achieved this twice in his career, 2007 and 2011, so this was clearly not a decision he wanted to have to take. However, he is a professional rider and his job is to satify his contractual obligations first and foremost.
Trials Guru’s John Moffat commented: “This must have been a very tough decision for James to take. I have interviewed him up at Fort William on the local Nevis Radio and been on stage at the presentation of awards when he picked up his wins in 2007 and 2011. He is always quite relaxed in the mornings before the off and really enjoys riding the SSDT. While it’s a great shame for SSDT fans that James will not be riding in 2017, but we wish him well in his World series, TrialGP endeavours and hope that he will return to ride the SSDT in the very near future.”
James Dabill (Vertigo) – FIM TRIAL 2016 Cal Rosal, Spain – Photo: Mario Candellone
James Dabill (Vertigo) – Photo: John Hulme/Trial Magazine 2016
The annual ‘Scott Trial’ took place on Saturday 22nd October with almost a full start grid, save for those who had to withdraw at the last minute, in Swaledale, North Yorkshire.
The eventual winner was James Dabill from Leeds on his factory 300 Vertigo. This is now his third Scott victory, having won previously in 2010 and 2014 on Gas Gas and Beta machinery.
Scarborough’s Michael Brown (JST Gas Gas 300) was second place overall – Photo: John Hulme/Trial Magazine UK – 2016
The event was organised by Richmond Motor Club, in fact this was their twenty-fifth anniversary of running the Scott on behalf of the Yorkshire Centre ACU. The clerk of course, Paul Robinson appeared satisfied with the event which takes a large team of volunteers to make it all happen, with seventy-six observed sections requiring not only observers but ‘checkers’ as well to ensure that riders are captured at sections efficiently, given that on occassions there is more than one rider in a section at some stage!
Guy Kendrew brought his Beta home in third position overall – Photo: John Hulme/Trial Magazine UK – 2016
The event raises a healthy sum each year which is presented to local ‘Scott Charities’ from programme sales and the charity auction which preceeds the presentation of awards. It is believed the charity auction alone raised in excess of £2,600 on the night.
50 years of Scott wins separate these two riders! Alan Lampkin (BSA) on the left won in 1966, James Dabill (Vertigo) winner 2016 – Photo: John Hulme/Trial Magazine UK – 2016
Winner Dabill appeared both calm and confident at the start field when interviewed, all but briefly, by Trials Guru’s John Moffat who acted as the official start and finish commentator this year.
Scottish rider from Temple, Gorebridge, Mike McNiven (Beta) on Orgate – Photo copyright: Lorenzo Burnet
The Guest of Honour at the awards presentation was the 1966 Scott Trial winner, Alan R.C. Lampkin who handed over the trophy he won fifty years ago to Dabill. Lampkin was a popular presenter with those at the ceremony and is a true enthusiast of the sport.
Women’s Trial World Champion, Emma Bristow (Sherco) came home in 25th place and a Silver Scott spoon, the first female rider to achieve a Scott spoon in the 102 year history of the event – Photo: John Hulme/Trial Magazine UK – 2016
First man home was local Skeeby rider, Jonathan Richardson on his 300 Sherco who set fastest time, a feat he achieved in 2015 on a Beta and was eventual winner in 2011 on a Sherco.
Jonathan Richardson (MRS Sherco 300) on Bridge End was fastest rider, setting standard time at 5 hours and 29 seconds – Photo: Jaxx Lawson
Richardson: “I didn’t have a good day, my observation wasn’t good, I don’t think I’m in with a shout today” he told Moffat at the end of a gruelling seventy plus miles of moor crossings. He had lost seventy-eight marks on observation to Dabill’s thirty-two, so ended up in sixth position overall picking up the Kart House trophy and a coveted Gold Scott Spoon for his efforts. His standard time was 5 hours and 29 seconds.
Previous winner four times, Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) was out of luck after suffering a problem on the course, seen here at Orgate – Photo copyright: Lorenzo Burnet
The last man home as an official finisher was rider number 65, David Carter who made it in with just one second to spare at 7 hours, 30 minutes and 28 seconds to take the ‘R. Woodward Wilson’ trophy!
When second place man, Michael Brown arrived, apart from being mud-spattered, he looked fairly fresh, but like all of the top ten riders he felt that he could have done better on observation. Many riders having suffered multiple punctures during the day.
Guy Kendrew looked fresh at the finish and reckoned he had a good day at the office, which netted him third position and the ‘White Bear’ trophy for best Northallerton Club member, the Raspin Challenge Bowl for his third place and of course a Gold Scott spoon.
John Moffat interviews Scott Trial 2016 winner, James Dabill at the finish – Photo: John Hulme/Trial Magazine UK – 2016
Scott 2016 Results: Courtesy of Richmond Motor Club (Yorks) Ltd – Scott Trial Committee, subject to official confirmation
The 2016 Scott Trial Charity Team (203) who rode to raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer sufferers. From the left: Barry Roads; Kevin Hart; Ray Haslam; Roger Johns and Paul Anstey – Photo courtesy: Mrs. Theresa Roads.
…
Some of the hard working members of the Scott Committee, club members and other helpers/enthusiasts that make the Scott Trial happen, year in year out – Top Row from left: AG Brown; Ken Wallis; Wayne Anderson; Nigel Cummins; Eric Kitchen; Barry Watson; Greg Porter; Stuart Lowther; Jack Knoops; Barry Robinson. Front row from left: Chris Walls; Charlotte Brown; Diane Horner & Ros Brown – Photo courtesy of Mr. Barry Robinson, Ilkely (Timer image)
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
…
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.
The 2015 Scott Trial Programme features James Dabill who won the Centenary Scott in 2014 – Photo credit Joe Burn.
Here is a very special preview of the much awaited 2015 Scott Trial Programme, which this year, is again a full colour edition.
Programme Editor, Julia Robinson would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped in any way over the last five years, as she retires from the Scott Trial Programme Editor Role.
Programmes will be available from the usual outlets from the 3rd of October – Richmond Petrol Stations; Richmond Garage Services; The Food Weighhouse; Cross Lanes Stores; Smith and Allan in Darlington; Piercebridge Farm Shop and the usual Reeth outlets for £5.
You can also order now by emailing Julia at: scotttrial100@gmail.com (£6.50 including postage).
Trials Guru will be at the Scott again. Here John Moffat has a quick chat with Emma Bristow at the 2014 event at the start field at Marske, near Richmond, North Yorks. Firts man away at 09:00 riders leave at 20 second intervals. – Photo: Trial Magazine.
Remember that the famous Scott Trial takes place on Saturday, 17th October.
Scott Trial Souvenir Programmes will be available at all the usual outlets from the 3rd of October onwards:
Richmond Petrol Station, Richmond Garage Services, The Food Weigh-house, Cross Lanes Stores, Smith and Allan in Darlington, Piercebridge Farm Shop, AG Bikes at Low Row, priced at £5. You can also order now by emailing Julia Robinson, programme co-ordinator at scotttrial100@gmail.com (£6.50 including postage).
All surpluses as usual will go to The Scott Charities.
Councillor John Blackie, leader of Richmondshire District Council is an enthusiastic supporter of the Scott Trial. Photo copyright: The Westmorland Gazette.
Last year the Scott Trial celebrated its’ centenary and the event was started by local councillor and leader of Richmondshire District Council, Mr John Blackie from Hawes. Cllr. Blackie is a very enthusiastic supporter of the Scott Trial and has been official start flag man for some years now. Cllr Blackie is always made welcome to the Scott Trial start field, which is just off the Reeth to Marske road.
The Scott is a fantastic event, where fastest rider sets standard time, so if you have little to do on Saturday 17th October, the Scott Trial is the event to be at!
See you there!
Information provided by Julia Robinson, Scott Trial Programme Co-Ordinator/Editor.
James Dabill gives Vertigo its first national championship win …
Dougie Lampkin celebrates with James Dabill (Centre) the Vertigo Combat first national championship. Photo copyright: Trial Magazine/Trials Media – 2015.
Dougie Lampkin won this years’ Scottish Six Days so now the Vertigo can claim to be SSDT winner and British Championship winners in the same year.
Dougie Lampkin will be the official UK importer when the machines are available for general sale later in the year.
Photo Courtesy and copyright of: Trial Magazine UK/Trials Media.
Words: John Hulme with Alan Lampkin, with full co-operation from an article which first appeared in Classic Trial Magazine – Issue 11.
A.R.C. ‘Sid’ Lampkin seen here with John Moffat (Trials Guru) in November 2014.
The three Lampkin brothers are Arthur, Alan and Martin, the youngest, have been part of the motorcycle trials scene for such a long period of time that they are etched in the history of the sport forever. Alan – or ‘Sid’ as he is better known – was the one in the middle; imagine having Arthur as your older brother and Martin as the youngest? He was a very successful Scrambler during the ‘Golden Years’ of British domination and won both the Scottish Six Days and Scott Trials in 1966 for BSA; throw in some ISDT Gold medals and in 1974 winning the first ever American ‘World’ trials round. A very popular character, he received factory support along the way from BSA, Cotton Suzuki and Bultaco. He can still be found on the Trials scene today though, as a spectator on his annual holiday to the ‘Scottish’ or at the Scott, or many of the Classic events. The years may have passed by but one thing that has never gone away over the years is the warm welcome and the smile whenever you come into contact with Sid.
Alan Raymond Charles Lampkin entered the world on April 7th 1944 in Silsden, Yorkshire, as the younger brother to Arthur John who was born in 1938. Harold Martin Lampkin would come along later, at Christmas in 1950. The Lampkins had moved from Woolwich Arsenal, London, in 1940 to get away from the London Blitz. Their father, Arthur Alan, was a Foreman machine turner and he opened his precision engineering business shortly after his arrival in Yorkshire. He used an old side-valve BSA as his transport and so the boys were soon around motorcycles when they were born.
TV Time
Arthur had quickly shown a keen interest and at the age of seventeen became the youngest ever member of the mighty ‘Works’ BSA off-road team after some inspiring results. Alan soon wanted to watch his elder brother in action and remembers watching him at the 1959 Ilkley Grand National where he was allowed to ride without competing, and he loved it. They had no television in the early days at the Lampkin household and they often went around to the next-but-one neighbour to watch Arthur on it in the TV scrambles.
Alan’s older brother, Arthur J. Lampkin, seen here in the Pre’65 Scottish on his Gold Star BSA in 1984 was a guiding influence and mentor to his younger brothers, Martin and ‘Sid’. Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven.
The Lampkin entertainment got even better when Alan started to compete. It was trials riding which first attracted him though and he could not wait to compete in the tough Scott Time and Observation Trial. He joined Arthur in the entry in 1960 for his first event. It was a tough day and one he did not finish, but when elder brother Arthur was announced the winner he set his sights on emulating his brother with a win of his own, after finishing the event! After finding his feet in 1960 with tastes of both trials and scrambling on BSA machinery he started to enjoy the rigors of the off-road action. He picked up a finisher’s certificate at the 1961 Scott and soon began to get noticed by the factory teams and, most importantly, the competition team managers.
He was drafted into the factory BSA team alongside such great names as Bill Nicholson, Fred Rist, David Tye, Brian Martin, Jeff Smith and John Harris – and, of course, his big brother Arthur. He acknowledged the support and delivered the results when in 1963 he won his first National trial, the Travers. Then he was picked by the team selectors to represent his country in the International Six Days Trial to be held in Czechoslovakia. In those days the event covered near-on 1,000 miles during the six days of competition and Alan did himself proud before disaster struck on the fifth day, Friday.
Alan ‘Sid’ Lampkin with the Comerfords – Bultaco Ford Transit van in 1976. Photo courtesy: Rob Edwards’ private photo collection
He was still ‘clean’ and on course for his first Gold Medal when he crashed and, suffering from heavy concussion, was forced to retire much to his disappointment. BSA though had much faith in him and after recovering he was moved into the number two BSA team for the Scott, where he collected a Scott ‘Spoon’ after finishing in the top twenty-five. By the mid-sixties he was acknowledged as one of the new young riders making headlines in the sport. Riding for BSA he mixed both trials and scrambling with much success. It was a fantastic season scrambling as he took in many of the established events with some impressive results, including some top-five finishes in the BBC Trophy races at Ripon and Durham on the BSA 440 cc, second in the Lancashire Grand National and a third in the Cleveland Grand National. On the trials scene he was a regular winner and top-five finisher in the British championship events, but 1966 was going to be his year.
All Rounder
It all started with a win at the opening scramble on January 1st at a frozen Hatherton Hall in Cheshire in the 500 BBC Trophy race. It was sheet ice everywhere and his trials skills certainly helped and he felt very confident; he can still remember the look on Jeff Smith’s face as he passed him on the start/finish straight, it was great day and one he remembers like it was yesterday! Jeff Smith had been 500cc World Motocross Champion in 1964 and 1965 and is a very good friend of the Lampkins even to the present day. He then won the prestigious Bemrose Trophy Trial before preparing his 250cc BSA C15 for the Scottish Six Days Trial in the May. At the last minute he was moved into the BSA works team as Dave Rowlands was asked to stand down in case he was called home to attend a court hearing as a witness to a murder. On the first day Alan parted with no marks along with Mick Andrews (Bultaco) – Paul England (Triumph) – Peter Fletcher (Royal Enfield) – Sammy Miller (Bultaco) & Stan Cordingley (Bultaco). Tuesday was a long, tough day taking in 15 sections including Loch Eild Path above Kinlochleven.
Delay built up at the Caillich group of six sections and many riders lost marks on time. Wednesday took in eight sections at Laggan Locks, taking two marks from trials leader Alan Lampkin. Lampkin still held the lead on Thursday. Lampkin nearly lost the trial on the steep rocky hazards at Caolasnacoan when the crowd thought he had stopped, but the official observer recorded a three-mark penalty, giving the trials lead to Sammy Miller. It was on the sections at Leiter Bo Fionn though that Miller went to pieces and parted with a dozen marks whilst Lampkin kept his score down to four to move back into the lead. The final scores were Lampkin on 23 with Miller second on 27.
The 1967 SSDT programme cover featured the 1966 winner, Alan Lampkin on his factory BSA (748MOE)
This would be the last win for a British manufactured motorcycle using a four-stroke engine until James Dabill on the Montesa in 2007. Later in the year he would take his first ISDT Gold on the BSA in effect a TriBSA 504cc in Sweden when he was Great Britain’s best performer with a clean sheet, with the team finishing third overall.
Arthur had won the Scott Trial again in 1965, setting the quickest time as well, and both brothers went to the 1966 event as members of the BSA team along with Scott Ellis, with both wanting to win – the outcome would be very memorable. Alan would win, with Arthur setting the quickest time in 4 hours, 18 minutes and 55 seconds which was a similar time from 1965, but the secret to Alan’s win was his observation score which put him in front of Sammy Miller who was desperate to give Spanish Brand Bultaco their first win in the event. The weather was beautiful, with massive crowds. Alan had shown good form early on with one of the few cleans at Hell Holes up the big step. At Washfold the Green Dragon Public House was hard to find due to the large number of spectators who had all turned out to see the dramatic battle unfold. The day after the event he was part of the winning Yorkshire team in the Inter Centre Team Trial.
Foreign Machines
The demise of the once mighty motorcycle industry in Great Britain has been well documented but it also forced the top riders of the time to move to foreign manufacturers. Alan had remained loyal to BSA but had not continued to enjoy his earlier success. 1967 was a bleak results year. At the ‘Scottish’ and riding the BSA C15T the week had started very cold and wet, and on the Tuesday the rear wheel collapsed. He changed the wheel but was removed from the results when he was found to have swopped the marked part by the organisers, forcing him to retire from the event. He was also hugely disappointed at the Scott when a split rear tyre forced his retirement. On the scrambling front he was still riding well and getting some good results. 1968 was pretty much the same as the BSA support in trials was not the same, although in scrambles they still had a winning machine. Many riders including Alan began to took to other machinery for trials and it was the ‘boom time’ of the micro-light machines.
He was offered the opportunity to ride the new 118cc Suzuki powered machine along with Arthur and Martin for the 1969 season. These were fun times in trials and in 1969 and 1970 he finished in fourteenth position on the Suzuki at the SSDT despite struggling at the event with many problems including a broken frame.
He was still contesting scrambles on the BSA and had some good results including top-five placings in the BBC Grandstand Trophy races before moving to a Husqvarna. The Spanish Armada of trials machines was now in full flow and along with many riders the Lampkins left the cottage industry of small-capacity trials machinery in the UK and went on to Bultaco, Montesa and Ossa, in Alan’s case Bultaco.
Scott Trial action from Sid in 1974. Photo Alan Lampkin Archive.
At the 1970 Scott he set the quickest time on his way to a top-ten finish on the Bultaco as Sammy Miller took the last of his seven wins. The Bultaco was a breath of fresh air and in 1971 he would finish tenth in the European Championship, once again set the quickest time at the Scott Trial in a team with Martin and Jim Sandiford and finish fifth in the British Trials Championship.
At the year’s ISDT he would also take another Gold medal, this time on a Bultaco. He quickly became a member of the Spanish works Bultaco trials team and with it the added support.
Justifying his works status he finished a fine second in the 1972 SSDT.
In 1973 he made his final appearance in the ISDT mounted on a Triumph, taking yet another Gold medal, with the trophy team taking second place.
Sid, fifth from the left at the ISDT in the USA in 1973, Triumph mounted that year. From left: Ken Heanes, team manager, Lofty Lucas asst manager; Jim Sandiford; John Pease; Sid Lampkin; Arthur Browning; Malcolm Rathmell and Ernie Page.
The development of the Sherpa T range had moved on after Sammy Miller had moved to Honda, with more responsibility on the shoulders of UK based Bultaco riders, including Alan and Martin Lampkin. The sport was also moving from European status to be named the World Championship. Before the move, and with the sport expanding, a ‘World’ round would be held in America. After many problems, including the press thinking it was Martin who had won, a happy Alan was named the winner!
World Championship
With the move to the FIM World Championship in 1975 the factories were very keen to take the first title, including Bultaco. Along with Alan his younger brother Martin would contest the whole 14 round series, but with only the best 8 scores counting the championship would turn into a three-way fight with Finland’s Yrjo Vesterinen and Malcom Rathmell.
Alan abandons ship in the 1978 SSDT on ‘Grey Mare’s Ridge’ on his 325cc Bultaco, a machine that carried a Barcelona registration number! (Photo: copyright Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven)
Alan supported his brother as much as he could, finishing the year in ninth with his best result a third at his home round, as ‘Mart’ won the title by one mark from Vesterinen. The Bultaco team and the Lampkin brothers remained at the cutting edge of the championship right up until 1980, when Sweden’s Ulf Karlson on the Montesa stopped the trend, but by this
time Alan had retired from the World Championship.
Alan Lampkin on Blackwater sections in the 1978 Scottish, note the Barcelona registration on his 325 Bultaco. Photo copyright: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven.
With the glory years of the Bultaco brand over he would ride his last Scott Trial in 1980 and his last Scottish Six Days Trial in 1982 on an SWM. With a young family to provide for he continued to work in the engineering business started by his father many years before but, as with all motorcyclists, if it’s in your blood it’s hard to get rid of!
The Lampkin brothers still had some of their old works BSA machines and these were brought out of retirement for the new Pre-65 SSDT introduced in 1984. These were fantastic times not just for the brothers but also for the spectators, as they came out to witness them in action once again on the world famous ‘Scottish’ hazards such as Pipeline. Good friend Jeff Smith came over from Canada and it was a very happy reunion.
Sid’s younger brother, Martin enjoys a gallop on eldest brother Arthur’s BSA C15T (XON688) in 1985 on Blackwater. Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven.
Alan would ride in the event on a few more occasions over the years. Son James is the youngest of his three children, he also has two girls Sarah and Nina, who is the eldest, and James soon became interested in trials riding giving Alan a new interest along with his Golf.
Alan’s son James Lampkin seen here at Inversanda in the 2006 SSDT. Photo copyright ~ Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven.
James went on to have his own successful trials career which included an Expert British Championship title and a third position in the 2004 SSDT.
Sid on Caolasnacoan in 2000 on Arthur’s BSA (XON688) Photo: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven.
James put his own career ambitions as a trials rider on hold as he supported Cousin Dougie Lampkin to his seven world championship titles. Alan is now semi-retired, working just three days a week at Lampkin Engineering, and still enjoys his motorcycling days and his annual holiday in the Highlands, accompanied by his wife Eileen and usually a gang of grandchildren who will no doubt carry on the Lampkin legend.
Copyright:
Words: John Hulme with Alan Lampkin
Pictures:
Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven
Rob Edwards, Middlesborough, Cleveland.
Trials Media/ John Hulme
With many thanks to Classic Trial Magazine for their kind permission to reproduce this article from Issue 11 – Classic Trial.
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TRIALS GURU 