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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Full results : 2016-spoons-and-final-results1
Scott Trial Timings 2016: 2016-times
Scott 2016 Results: Courtesy of Richmond Motor Club (Yorks) Ltd – Scott Trial Committee, subject to official confirmation
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Report: Trials Guru – 2016
Photo credits (all copyright):
: John Hulme/Trial Magazine UK
: Lorenzo Burnet
: Mrs. Theresa Roads
: Jaxx Lawson @JOAT’s Imagery
Scott Trial History on Trials Guru: HERE
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