Has Fuji Scott it?
By TMX Archives on 25th Sep 08
DOUGIE Lampkin is going for a hat-trick of Scott Trial wins this year when the world-famous time and observation epic gets underway on Saturday, October 18 but the Beta ace will have a new rival on the day as ever-popular Japanese rider Takahisa Fujinami is taking-up the challenge on his factory Repsol Montesa!
Fujigas was a popular visitor last year when he was brought over by fellow Montesa employee Amos Bilbao and he loved every second of the day, racing round between groups of section, checking-out the lines and urging Amos onwards and upwards. This year the roles will be reversed with Fuji giving it a go and Amos almost certain to provide the support.
To date, just short of 200 riders are signed-up (there's room for a few more yet!) for the annual 70-mile blast around the moors surrounding Richmond in deepest rural Yorkshire, with the usual suspects like multi-winner Graham Jarvis, Ben and Dan Hemmo, Wayne Braybrook, James Dabill, Michael Brown, local speedster John Sunter and co all counting down the days.
There are a few surprises this year as well with British Superbike heroes Leon Camier and Leon Haslam having been talked into a gentle ride out. An even bigger surprise is the entry from Haslam's dad Rocket Ron. It all looks suspiciously like a Sherco spares sales drive to me Malc!
Scott day is always a massive one with spectators forming huge traffic queues in the Dales as they attempt to keep up with the front runners and the arrival of Fuji is certain to add a few more. T+MX will of course be running a Scott preview nearer the date but it would be as well for people to think about the traffic problem right now. If you have a road legal bike it would be a good idea to use it! If you have to use a four-wheeler, please think of others and park sensibly - don't just selfishly block off a single track road like some did last year!