It is with great sadness that we report the passing, in the early hours of Friday 14th November, of John Raymond ‘Ray’ Sayer of Bellerby, North Yorkshire, aged 90 years.
Ray Sayer (199cc Triumph) on ‘Foyers’ in the 1961 Scottish Six Days Trial – Photo: OffRoad Archive.
Ray Sayer should not need any introduction to those of an era when British factories ruled all forms of motorcycle sport. Ray was an accomplished trials rider, who rode the factory Triumphs in national, Scottish and International Six Days Trials. He also rode a two-stroke AJS in the 1969 SSDT, a 125cc Dalesman Puch in the 1970 Scott Trial and rode a Gaunt Suzuki in 1968 for Suzuki GB.
Ray’s best placement in the Scottish Six Days was third in 1963 on the factory Triumph Cub.
Ray Sayer tackles ‘Edramucky’ in the 1969 Scottish Six Days Trial on OWS12G, one of three AJS 37A-T machines built by Edgar Bros. Photo: OffRoad Archive.
By profession he ran the family coach business of Sayer’s Coaches, he was the son of the local farmer.
Triumph factory photograph shows Ray Sayer, second from left, front row – Photo supplied by J. Ray Sayer
A very reserved, quiet man who had incredible knowledge of the sport and gave all the other top riders a run for their money every time he threw his leg over a competition motorcycle. Ray was a highly respected rider by his peers and his local townsfolk. It is safe to say that Ray Sayer was a gentleman.
Ray Sayer (199cc Triumph) tackles ‘Glen Ogle’ in the SSDT a first day hazard – Photo: OffRoad Archive.
After his competitive days were over, Ray would attend the annual Scott Trial in his local area and also the Reeth Three Day. He was also a Jaguar car enthusiast.
Ray Sayer on his factory Triumph Cub UNX51 at the 1960 British Experts Trial – Photo: Mike Davies
Our sincere condolences go out to his widow, Carol and the extended Sayer family at this time.
Ray Sayer’s funeral arrangements: Tuesday 2nd December 2025 at 1pm at Bellerby Church, Church Street, Bellerby, Leyburn DL8 5QL, then from 2pm at Tennants Garden Rooms, The Auction House, Harmby Road, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 5SG.
TROPHIES, TIGERS, LEOPARDS AND JAGUARS– The RAY SAYER Story
For many months Richmond trials enthusiast Barry Watson nagged Trials Guru mercilessly to pen an article on an unassuming gentleman who is well known in the Yorkshire trials world. And so, eventually, we thought it only right and proper to oblige. This would not be a straightforward task as we had met the gentleman on quite a few occasions. We knew full well that this is a very modest, reserved individual who would much rather talk about his contemporaries than himself! Our first approach to write about his motorcycle riding career was met with the reply: “I wish you wouldn’t”. Perseverance is a useful attribute though, and finally we wore him down. This feature spotlights the most respected of trials riders, who has lived in the village of Bellerby, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire most of his life, even though he avoids spotlights like the plague! Son of a farmer, John Raymond ‘Ray’ Sayer was born in November 1935 and was to make a name for himself on the national trials scene in a riding career that spanned three decades, starting in the early 1950s.
Words:Trials Guru; John Moffat; Bill Wilkinson; J.R. Sayer
Photos: OffRoad Archive; Claudio Picture/ Jean-Claude Commeat; Malcolm Carling, by permission of Nick Haskell.
The eldest of three children, Ray Sayer effectively put the Richmond area on the trials map by his name regularly featuring in the motorcycle press, which followed his career in the sport of trials. Pick up an old copy of the ‘Motor Cycle’ yearbook and the name J.R. Sayer appears regularly. Sayer, who was a national trials winner and ISDT team rider, rode factory Triumph motorcycles for most of his riding career which spanned almost three decades. His many Triumph contemporaries of the era included John Giles, Roy Peplow, Gordon Blakeway, Gordon Farley, Ken Heanes, and Malcolm Rathmell. Giles, Heanes and Peplow were selected many times for the Great Britain International Six Days Trial World Trophy team, an event which Sayer would eventually compete in three times on Meriden-prepared factory Triumphs. Although his name will be forever linked with the Coventry marque, Ray Sayer was not always Triumph mounted, as we shall learn later.
A ‘local’ Yorkshire event:
Sayer’s first trial was the Scott, on a 197cc DOT which had been purchased from a local businessman called Sylvester ‘Syl’ Palmer from nearby Leyburn. Palmer had ridden the machine in previous Scott Trials, he had also been the event clerk of the course and received support from Francis Barnett.
Ray Sayer: “My first Scott Trial was on 14th November 1953. It was also my first ever trial, and there was a very good reason for that. At the time I worked for my father, who was a farmer and a Methodist. In those days Sundays were for attending church and definitely not for having fun on a motorcycle! As the Scott was run on a Saturday, this allowed me to enter and compete in my very first event. Needless to say, I did not do too well on the DOT. The course back then consisted of two laps plus one leg out and one back in, and I had to retire after the first lap. The following year was very wet and what had been a stream became a large torrent at ‘Dicky Edge’. This wasn’t a problem for the more experienced or factory supported riders but I tried to jump it, and ended up in the middle with a drowned machine!”
Trophy Time:
Ray Sayer: “The 1955 Scott was a much better year for me, having bought a 1951 500cc Triumph Trophy by trading the DOT in to Duplex in Darlington; this became my all-time favourite motorcycle. I was fortunate to secure some valuable help with spare parts from Allan Jefferies and this time I had a really good ride. The Trophy was eventually converted to swinging-arm rear suspension using a McCandless conversion, which increased the ground clearance to nine inches and steepened the steering. It became a beautifully handling machine after that. My best performance in the Scott was third place in 1964 but I did win the 200cc cup and Best Yorkshireman awards on quite a few occasions. In the years that I rode the Scott, when it was held in the November, it was invariably cold and wet; conditions which really suited me. There was always the possibility of some snow though, and the trial was eventually brought forward to the October. I also had support from Pete ‘Eddy’ Edmondson on the Puch engined Dalesman which was a 125cc six-speeder and was a quick machine on the rough. I rode the Dalesman in the 1970 Scott Trial.”
A one off ride on the 125cc Dalesman Puch in the 1970 Scott Trial – Photo: Malcolm Carling.
Sayer achieved his first Scott Trial finisher’s certificate in 1955 and amassed a total of 13 coveted ‘Scott Spoons’ from 1956 onwards which effectively placed him in the higher echelons of this famous event’s records.
Wedding Bells and Trials – 1960:
Ray married Carole in 1960, when they advanced their betrothal plans due to her father being a high-ranking officer in the Royal Air Force with an imminent posting to Hong Kong. They tied the knot a couple of years earlier than originally intended. Carole always refers to her husband as ‘Raymond’ and they will soon celebrate their Diamond wedding anniversary. She attended most of the events Ray took part in and has a good knowledge of the sport and the riders of the era. The Sayers had two children, daughter Alexandra and son Gavin. Alexandra has three children, making the Sayers grandparents. 1960 was a good year for Ray: Carole accompanied him to most events, he was Best Up To 250cc class winner in the Alan Trophy Trial and was a member of the Club Team Award for Ripon & District with Tom Ellis and Stan Holmes. A fortnight later he was second in the lightweight class and part of the Triumph manufacturers’ team award winners with Artie Ratcliffe and John Giles in the Belgian Lamborelle Trial.
A Triumph works photograph with Ray Sayer, second from left, front row – Photo supplied by J. Ray Sayer
The Travers Trial held in the April saw Ray again as part of the Triumph manufacturers’ team award winners, with Artie Ratcliffe and Roy Peplow, and club team for Bradford & District MCC with Stan Holmes and Ratcliffe. In the May Sayer collected a Special First Class and the Jimmy Beck Trophy at the SSDT, but the icing on the cake came in the July that year when Ray won the Allan Jefferies Trial outright, beating the legendary Sammy Miller (Ariel) by 13 marks. He rounded off the year by coming fifth in the British Experts on the 199cc Triumph Cub. Sayer was the 1964 winner of the national Victory Trial and he attended the Victory Trial reunion dinner organised by Tony Davis at the Manor Hotel, Meriden in 2007 as the Guest of Honour.
Ray Sayer (199cc Triumph) on ‘Foyers’ in the 1961 Scottish Six Days Trial – Photo: OffRoad Archive.
Sayer Talks Triumph:
“I rode as a works-supported rider for Triumphs for 11 years, and my final few seasons was as a privateer on a 250cc Ossa Mick Andrews Replica purchased from Norman Crooks at Northallerton for £270.00 in 1972, which I rode in that year’s Scott Trial and again in 1973. I had gone back to riding on my 500cc Triumph in 1969, registered GNR923, which I built myself and is now owned by Bill Hutchinson.”
“The registration number is now on his motor car and the Triumph has been restored to a high standard. I had first used this registration number on a 1961 Triumph Trophy and I transferred the registration number to my self-built Triumph. All my factory supplied Triumphs are still in circulation, which is nice to know. I enjoyed and appreciated the support that I received from Triumph, especially Henry Vale for having confidence in me.”
Scotland:
The Scottish Six Days has always been an important event for British trials riders and Ray Sayer was also keen to ride in Scotland.
Sayer: “In 1957 I rode in my first Scottish; it was all new to me and we covered almost 1,000 miles during the week! It would be my most enjoyable as I had a really good time and a clean sheet on the Tuesday, losing no marks at all.”
This sparkling performance caught the attention of Triumph’s Henry Vale, the Competition Manager.
“Mr Vale offered me a factory machine after the SSDT, the Tiger Cub, which I rode for nine years. It was registered UNX51 and I believe it is still owned by the Crosswaite family. This was a competitive machine and one on which I rode in all the national events. But I have to say the Trophy would remain my favourite Triumph, I had a soft spot for that machine.”
Ray’s factory Triumph Cub UNX51 registered in May 1956 had been on loan from Henry Vale during the 1957 SSDT to 17-year-old Mike Hailwood, who went on to become a highly successful GP road racer and multiple TT winner, entering the Scottish as his first big competitive event. Factory Triumphs were regularly stripped down, checked, refurbished and rebuilt by the competition department at Meriden, under the watchful eye of Henry Vale, so this necessitated transport between Darlington and Coventry by train in the Guard’s van.
Ray Sayer: “I would get a phone call from either Dick Fiddler or Henry Vale at Triumph to say my machine was ready. Carole and I would go over to Darlington railway station to collect it in time for the next trial. I also rode the Highland Two-Day Trial at Inverness in Scotland a few times, and when I was on my own Triumph the secretary of the Highland club, Bob Mackenzie, was so impressed with my machine that he kept pestering me to sell it to him!”
History records that Ray was third in the 1963 ‘Scottish’ on the 199cc Tiger Cub, beaten only by Mick Andrews (AJS) and the eventual winner, Arthur Lampkin (BSA). This was to be Ray’s best performance in the annual Highland event. For the 1968 Scottish the British Suzuki concessionaires had entered Ray with his close friend Blackie Holden along with Peter Gaunt as a manufacturer’s team on the 128cc machines with Gaunt taking home the 150cc capacity class award. However, Ray’s little Suzuki did not stand up to the rigours of the SSDT that year and he was forced to retire from the event. The machine went back to Suzuki GB headquarters in the Midlands transported by Dennis Jones, who later worked for the company. The following year Ray was back on another two-stroke at the Scottish; this time it was the Villiers powered 37A-T model AJS for 1969. The AJS was courtesy of Norman Edgar of Edgar Brothers in Edinburgh who had close ties with the AJS factory, being Scottish agents for the marque.
Ray Sayer tackles ‘Edramucky’ in the 1969 Scottish Six Days Trial on OWS12G, one of three AJS 37A-T machines built by Edgar Bros. Photo: OffRoad Archive.
“Mr Edgar contacted me after learning that I had entered on my 500cc Triumph and suggested that I might have an easier time riding the lighter two-stroke AJS. They seemed keen to push the AJS trials machine. However, the AJS did not have sufficient steering lock and to be honest I really was more a four-stroke man so unfortunately it didn’t suit me too well at all.”
These particular AJS machines were not built at the Andover factory but their components were transported to Edinburgh in early 1969 in crates, and they were assembled in the workshop of Edgar Brothers under the supervision of Frank Edgar and further developed by Norman’s son, Derek Edgar. The batch of the 246cc bikes were consecutively registered OWS 11–14G, Edinburgh registration marks which are dated to May 1969, just prior to the SSDT. Derek rode OWS11G with his elder brother Norman Edgar Jnr on OWS13G. Ray was issued with OWS12G for the SSDT, riding under number 93. Having been supplied with an early model production 37A-T machine (NFS21G), Norman Edgar Jnr decided to improve the batch of Edgar-built machines for the SSDT by fitting the motocross AJS Y4 ‘Stormer’ front forks and alloy conical hub, and also the conical alloy rear hub from the motocross machine. These were lighter than the British Hub Company components that the production models had been fitted with. This was a radical departure from both the production 37A-T AJS and those supplied by Peter Inchley to the other supported riders, Malcolm and Tony Davis. Ray now thinks the fork assembly from the motocross model could have explained the restricted steering lock on his machine. It was not plain sailing for Sayer however, the gearchange pawl broke on his AJS on the Wednesday resulting in a mid-week DNF for 1969. So it was back to the old love, his own 500cc Triumph Twin for the 1970 Scottish, finishing in 58th position. His last Scottish was in 1972 on the outdated GNR923, which had been treated to a more modern set of MP telescopic front forks and an alloy conical front wheel. Unfortunately, history records that he did not finish his SSDT swansong but he switched to the Ossa later that year and continued to ride trials for a few more seasons, which included two more Scott Trials.
Leopards:
In a plan to make some more money, Ray sat and passed his PSV driver test and started earning more income by driving a bus in Wensleydale for a local coach hirer. When the coach operator decided to retire, Ray formed a partnership with his younger brother Ken to operate ‘Sayers Coaches’ in their hometown of Bellerby, utilising a variety of purpose-built coaches. This included popular models such as a Leyland Leopard and Bedford YMT, retaining local school runs as part of their business.
ISDT:
Sayer rode in three International Six Days Trials. His first was the 1964 event at Erfurt, East Germany on the factory 490cc Triumph ‘Tiger 100’ (106CWD) and of course the movie actor, Steve McQueen, also rode a Triumph at the same event. Being English spoken, McQueen socialised with the British teamsters attending that year.
Sayer: “Steve McQueen was quite taken by our factory Triumphs as they were much lighter and sported alloy fuel tanks, whereas McQueen’s was a fairly standard road model conversion, much of it undertaken by Reg May at Comerfords. I think he would have finished on gold medal standard if he had not spent so much time playing to the gallery, he was a typical show-off! He would keep pulling wheelies all over the place and crashed out quite a few times. He was very much an American style of rider, but quite a pleasant individual and very enthusiastic.”
Ray gained the first of his three gold medals at the Erfurt ISDT with 609 awarded points and ninth place in the 500cc class. The following year he rode the works 350cc ‘Tiger 90’ model Triumph (105CWD) in the Isle of Man in the GB Silver Vase team, having a clean sheet and gaining another gold medal as part of the best British manufacturers’ team – Triumph (Great Britain) with Ken Heanes and Roy Peplow. This was a difficult event held in atrocious conditions, and Ray’s experience of harsh North Yorkshire going gave him a distinct advantage, securing a gold – one of the few awarded that year. A truly gritty performance. In 1966 the event took place in Sweden at Villingsberg, managed by Jack Stocker. Ray was back on a factory 350cc Triumph, this time the ‘Tiger 90’ registered HUE252D in the GB Trophy team consisting of Ken Heanes, Roy Peplow, Sammy Miller and John Giles all on Triumphs, and Arthur Lampkin on a TriBSA. The team lost no marks and were credited with second place in the World Trophy competition, with East Germany taking top honours. Ray gained his third gold medal, having attained 600.04 bonus points. All the ex-factory ISDT Triumphs Ray rode are now in the custodianship of Triumph super-enthusiast Dick Shepherd in Essex.
Bill Wilkinson on Sayer:
“Ray Sayer must be one of Britain’s most underrated trials riders. I travelled many thousands of miles with him over the years when we rode in trials and the ISDT, so I got to know him very well. He never pushed himself forward, he is not that type of bloke; but make no mistake, he was a determined competitor and earned the respect of all the top riders of his era. My nickname for him is ‘Swing’ – not a lot of people know that! Ray was a very capable rider and was capable of much more. When you look back at results of national and international trials, you do not have to look far to see the name of J.R. Sayer. He won the Victory, the Allan Jefferies nationals at a time when any 20 of the top riders of the day could have won. His rivals were all very capable riders in their day. Ray was simply brilliant, I think we hooked up around 1961 and we hit it off really well. I have a lot of time for him.”
Jaguars:
Having owned a succession of Austin and Wolseley motor vehicles Ray had a soft spot for Jaguar cars. He claims never to have bought a brand new one but he has owned several XJ series ‘Big Cats’ over the years. Ray Sayer never lost his interest in trials and has been a regular spectator at many Richmond Motor Club events over the years, his dark blue Jaguar XJ6 being noticeable parked at Reeth for the Three Day and at Richmond for the Scott. For the uninitiated, the slim, Barbour jacketed, silver-haired gentleman quietly watching the performances of riders usually goes un-noticed. Only those who know their British trials history can spot Ray Sayer in a crowd. And only those who know their history would have the thought, “…now there is a man who can ride a trials motorcycle!”
Sadly, Ray Sayer passed away on 14th November 2025, aged 90 years.
‘Ray Sayer’ article is the Copyright of Trials Guru 2025
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Richmond clubman, Nick Hunt on his ‘Barry Watson Tuned’ Yamaha TYZ250 – Photo: Lorenzo Burnet
Richmond forester, Nick Hunt rode the Richmond trial at Marske on Sunday, 30th October, 2016 on a Barry Watson Racing prepared TYZ Yamaha instead of his usual Montesa 4RT.
The 1999 machine has been ‘resting’ in Jack Watson’s garage since 2006 after being prepared for the 2006 Scott Trial.
Gary Watson, Barry’s youngest son, wisely decided his knees would not stand another hammering so did not ride. Nick fired the Yam up and opted to give it a whirl at Marske on Sunday.
But for stalling the engine in the seventh section on the last lap he would have been top three or four in the Over 40’s class.
Team Watson are seeking another TYZ despite the fact that the current model will just not wear out.
Coverdale farmer Steve Lambert is an authority on TYZ cow bikes which are a sought-after commodity in the Scott Trial localities. Steve takes it to the extreme though has he has and eras the original Team Yamaha riding clothing.
Steve Lambert on his Yamaha TYZ – Photo: Lorenzo Burnet
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)
2015 -Alexz Wigg (JST Gas Gas 300) – Photo: John Hulme/Trial Magazine UK
The Scott Trial 2016 plans are well advanced by the Scott Trial committee and Clerk of Course, Paul Robinson and his team of course markers. This year marks the twenty five years since the Richmond Motor Club took over the organisation of the famous event on behalf of the Yorkshire Centre ACU, except for 2001 when the UK ‘Foot & Mouth’ outbreak stopped all motorcycle activity nationwide.
An early start, the event is on Saturday, 22nd October near to Marske, Richmond at Feldom Lane – Sat/Nav postcode: DL11 7LS.
The Scott Trial 2016 Official Souvenir Programme, priced at £5.00 is packed with information and features and is a ‘must have’ for the event on 22nd October.
Official programmes went on sale, pre-trial on Monday 9th October by post and through the local retail outlets and reports indicate that they are selling fast – but don’t worry – there will be plentiful supplies available on Saturday at the start car park. This has been undertaken by the friendly Programme team, led by Mrs Vera Watson and Barbara Walker, who will happily collect your £5 in exchange for a copy. Remember all programme sales generated go to the local Scott Charities! The official souvenir programme is 92 pages packed with information and articles for the event. There are important notices included, so please be sure to read them before you set out on your spectating day.
If you don’t know where to watch… get the programme! Scott Trial stalwart and former clerk of course, Bruce Storr has again compiled his annual suggested daily plans of which there are four choices, for your maximum spectating benefit on page 80. The rider’s list is now situated right at the back for easy reference on pages 84-87 with the route planner on page 81 and the key to section map on pages 82-83.
The first rider and first timer, James Edwards from Hatfield will set off the start ramp on his Fantic twin-shock, enthusiastically flagged away by Richmondshire District Council leader, John Blackie at 09.00.00 with following riders leaving at twenty second intervals or three riders per minute if you prefer. James Fry will be last away at 10.06.20 and the first rider will appear back at the finish field around the 3.00pm. The finish time is an estimate of course as it all depends on a variety of factors, the weather being just one of them.
It’s not all over until…. the Charity Auction takes place at the Richmondshire Cricket Club and of course the presentation of awards which this year sees Alan Lampkin hand over the prizes, as the guest of the event who just happened to win the Scott Trial a mere fifty years ago.
No-one knows who has won The Scott until the announcer states who the recipient of the Alfred A. Scott trophy is at around 10.30 pm on Saturday night. Free admission, all welcome!
Ace photographer, Eric Kitchen (left of centre) and some of the Scott committee and helpers at the 2011 event – Photo copyright: Barry Robinson, Ilkley
The Scott Trial pace quickens as we draw nearer to the annual event on 22nd October.
Diane Horner, Scott Secretary spoke with Trials Guru today, October 11th – (S Day -11)
“At present we still have a large waiting list. As you can see we have a charity team riding for Pancreatic Cancer Sufferers, and I’m delighted to say that also have managed to get a late ride for Sam Sharp whose ride this year will be very emotional as it is in memory of his father Simon, a regular Scott finisher, who died last year. Sam himself finished the course for the first time last year.
You will see that we have Miquel Gelabert and Benoit Bincaz from the World stage for the first time and our friend from last year Christian Naranjo Ruano from the Canary Islands returns and is joined by his brother Jonathan. Apparently he has done nothing but enthuse about the Scott since last year“.
Diane added: “We also have a good contingent from Ireland.
To add to the excitement, Red Bull are in attendance at the event this year and will be filming the Scott for Red Bull TV.
All in all its looking like it’s going to be a fantastic year, so fingers crossed for some good weather!
The work everyone does to promote the Scott is highly appreciated and without which the success of the Scott couldn’t be taken for granted.
I look forward to seeing you at the start field on Saturday 22nd October”.
Dedicated to the hardest motorcycle trial riders can take part in, the Scott is regarded as an annual classic. One route for all, fastest rider sets standard time. All in the Swaledale, North Yorkshire.
For those who don’t know, The Scott Trial 2015 Charity Auction, to be held on the evening of the trial on Saturday 17th October at Richmondshire Cricket Club prior to the results and awards presentation.
Please note the entry list is subject to amendment/alteration without notice. The entry list & Scott Trial logo may not be reproduced without the permission of the Scott Trial committee of the Richmond Motor Club (Yorkshire) Limited. Programmes for the event are available pre-event at local outlets or posted at the cost of £6.50 from Julia Robinson : scotttrial100@gmail.com – proceeds from the programme will be donated to the Scott Charities
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).
Profits, as usual will go to The Scott Charities.
Cover Photo Credit: Joe Burn
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