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was shocked with the announcement by the reigning and seven times British Trials Champion, James Dabill that he has withdrawn his entry from the 2017 Scottish Six Days Trial in May.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.
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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
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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.
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.
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