Have you Scott the time?
By TMX Archives on 16th Oct 08
THE Scott Trial is here!Saturday (tomorrow) is the big day when 200 riders will converge in the start field above the village of Marske, near Richmond, Yorkshire, all psyched-up and ready to do battle with the unique time and observation epic that is The Scott Trial.
There's nothing in the whole world quite like the Scott. From 9am onwards riders will be flagged away at 20-second intervals and head down the starting field, hang a sharp left and away to the first section which will take them all of five minutes. In front of them will be a 83.5-mile course, most of it out on the moors, and at all too regular intervals one or several of the 76 observed sections will present itself. And there's no way out. Scott regs say that both rider and machine must pass through the Ends cards of each section. There is no poking front wheels into sections and then pulling out and riding off, grinning.
Dougie Lampkin has won for trhe last two years and is obviously gunning hard for his hat-trick. He starts at number 194, with just six riders behind him but it won't stay like that for long as, just like all the quick men starting at the back of the field, he will absolutely scythe his way through the pack.
The big challenge is expected to come from multi-Scott winner Graham Jarvis. Last year Graham was mounted on the powerful Sherco 320 four-stroke. This year he returns with the 290 two-stroke, the machine on which he previously enjoyed such phenomenal success. Graham had a test run on the stroker last weekend, getting re-acquainted with it in the sections of the Lakes Two-Day Trial and he wasn't too shabby finishing second, just a single mark behind winner Alexz Wigg. Like Doug, Graham is going to give it his best shot, make no mistake.
There's plenty of other tough, fast lads who will give allcomers a run for setting Standard Time, the quickest time to complete the course against which all others are judged. For every minute a rider finishes out of time he gets an extra mark to add to his (or her) observation score.
Think James Dabill, Michael Brown, Ben Hemingway, Wayne Braybrook, Ian Austermuhle, Paul Bolton, Jim Lampkin and last man away Martin Crosswaite.
The unpredictability factor this year is provided by former World Trials Champion Takahisa Fujinami. The Japanese ace came over to watch the Scott Trial last year and fell in love with the event and vowed to return and ride. And he is doing just that with his factory Repsol Montesa. Expect Fuji to be fast but the Scott is all about experience and it is asking too much for Fuji to win at his first attempt. Prepare to be entertained though.
For spectators, please go to the start field and buy a programme and read it! It will tell you all the accessible spectator groups and take note there is a one-way system in operation to give access to the Surrender group. It worked well last year so stick with it! All Scott programme moneys go the the Scott Charities, which benefits the local area hugely.
There will be a HUGE turnout of spectators and many of the roads are single track so PLEASE drive carefully and park sensibly. It is all too easy to block a road totally by being selfish and such actions bring the future of the whole trial in doubt.
Having said all that, riders and spectators alike have a great day!