James Lampkin: A real Trials-Pro

Mention the name Lampkin and you automatically associate it both with the sport of trials and with winning. 

 

This is the same case when you mention the name James Lampkin (aka Jim), cousin of Dougie who was very much a part of the successful team that netted no less than 12 FIM World titles over an amazing seven-year run.

 

Being a part of one of the world's most famous motorcycling families could be a daunting proposition for some.

 

But for 34-year-old James Lampkin it is one he has relished and embraced in a way that has earned him respect and recognition within the trials paddock. 

 

James is the youngest of Alan (aka Sid) Lampkin's three children – having been brought up alongside his two older sisters Sarah and Nina and in a family where a winning mentality is equally as important as a solid education. 

 

Sid was one of a trio of Lampkin brothers, the others being Martin and Arthur, who helped cement the Lampkin family name in the history books during the 1960s and 70s as they raced and rode to many victories both in motocross (or scrambling as it was then known) and trials in the UK and abroad. 

 

James' father's biggest win came in 1966 when he won the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) against a star-studded 

entry and on a BSA. 

 

Jim himself was soon adopted into the trials fold and was riding local events before he was even ten years old prior to advancing to national level where he enjoyed relative success as he developed his own liking for a sport that had been passed down from his father. During the same period James' older cousin Dougie was beginning to make his own mark on the sport and was progressing strongly through the youth ranks, already his eventual level of success was far from guaranteed or clear to see at this time.

 

By the time James and Dougie moved to the adult scene it was clear to all that Dougie's talent was beginning to stand out and by 1996 James was recruited to the team as his cousin went in search of Internationl success. 

 

James' minding career started with a three-round test in 1996 before he took up a full time role the following season.