A Highland gathering!
By TMX Archives on 29th Apr 09
THERE'S only one trials story this week and that is The Scottish! And it doesn't matter whether you are a Pre-65 nut or a dedicated Six Days fan it is all going on in the Highlands over the next week.We gave you a heads-up about the 25th running of the Pre-65 Two Day Scottish in last week's issue and as you read this (on Friday) the 180 lucky starters will already be tackling the opening day's 30 sections spread around the hills above the Kinlochleven base. The well-hidden village nestling at the head of Loch Leven is the perfect setting for the Classic boys and girls. And if you are really keen and get a sudden urge to head north to get in amongst it all there is still Saturday's action to come when you can watch the likes of Mick Andrews, Neil and Peter Gaunt, Arthur Browning, Vic and Robbie Allan, Mick Ransome, Peter Salt, Len Hutty, Dave Thorpe, Tony Calvert (winner for the last two years) Scott and Colin Dommett even multi British Sidecar Trials champ Robin Luscombe letting loose on a mighty solo Triumph twin.
After the Pre-65s have had their fun and their presentation on Saturday night it's time to get ready for the Six Days. I can't pretend that Sunday's weigh-in is as interesting as it was in days of yore, when bikes were heavily modded for the long week ahead and when many parts of the bikes were officially marked at scrutineering but there's still plenty going-on in the parc ferme as the 280 contenders make their last minute preparations before handing their bikes to the scrutineers for examination and marking of engine and frame.
You can watch defending SSDT king Dougie Lampkin enjoying himself with friends and family, probably winding-up rivals James Dabill and Michael Brown before the week ahead. The latter pair are big pals but there'll be no quarter given or asked once the trial is underway.
And the 2009 Scottish Six Days Trial will get underway at 7.30am prompt on Monday morning when local rider Neil MacNiven is flagged away and heads off to the first group Trotters Burn and hopefully burn-off the nerves in the tricky, climbing sandstone stream with its sting in the tail!
With a completely new opening day's route it will be very interesting to see how many riders arrive at the final group at Lagnaha still clean and out of those how many will leave clean? The Lagnaha group is usually very difficult by any bar world championships standards and a clean ride through all seven subs to most riders and spectators borders on a miracle yet it is done.
Don't forget T+MX next week for your report and pics of the Pre-65, Sunday's weigh-in stories plus the opening days action in words and pics. Only in T+MX!