Looking for a Scott winner!
By John Dickinson on 18th Oct 13
Saturdays the day - Scott Trial day when no fewer than 200 keyed-up riders will be parked at Feldom Range, Marske, near Richmond in Yorkshire, all ready for the 9am start time when local Richmond club member Michael Chandler - a first timer - will be first to race down the start field.
Ahead will be 80 miles and 76 sections all set on the moors and fells surrounding the dales village of Reeth and all to be completed in the fastest time possible.
The Scott time and observation trial is unique in this day and age and upholds a long, long tradition, pre-dating the first world war!
Riders will leave the start at 20 second intervals and last man and multi Scott winner Philip Alderson will be up and running at 10:06.20 seconds and the race will be on.
The rider who is fastest round the course sets Standard Time and for every minute that other competitors finish behind him have to add one time penalty to their observation score. So, finish 30 minutes slower than Standard Time and you have 30 marks to add to your observation score.
The rider with the lowest combined observation and time score is the winner.
And there's sure to be a mighty battle for the win this year with a host of former winners and would-be winners ready to go all out.
Michael Brown was superb last year but Browny would be the last person to claim he will retain his title - he knows just too well how hard it is to win this event.
His best pal James Dabill will, as ever, be one of his biggest rivals and Dibs too knows what is necessary to win this event - a mixture of skill and patience in the sections and just enough aggression on the moors to avoid losing too many marks on time - without burning yourself out!
And no-one will be riding harder than local boy Jonathan Richardson. The 2011 winner was out of action for the remainder of the year following a knee operation - yet returned to finish an amazing fourth place 12 months later. Jonny is certainly looking to put his Ossa back right at the top of the results and no-one will ride with more passion as he effectively lives on the Scott course - and lives for the Scott trial.
And could anyone ever rule out Dougie Lampkin from winning any event?
Doug might be retired from World Championship trials but when he turns out he always means business.
Last weekend Doug rode a Gas Gas enduro bike in one of the toughest extreme events on the calendar, Lagares in Portugal, and only finished five minutes behind one time trials rival Graham Jarvis.
Graham has established himself as the best extreme rider in the world so to finish so close to Graham proves Doug's fitness.
Last year he posted best observation score, 35 to winner Michael Brown's 43 but 22 minutes behind Michael on time. Expect Doug to up the pace again this year.
Third place in 2012 went to the most consistent rider in National trials, Ian Austermuhle and the east Yorks Beta rider is sure to be there or thereabouts once again.
The bulk of the quick and the fancied runners are at the back of the entry so spectators can watch them tear through the field, Dan Thorpe, Richard Sadler, Ben and Dan Hemingway, James Lampkin, Jack Challoner, Martin Crosswaite and co will all be on a mission.
Katie Sunter and Emma Bristow are now well established in the list of Scott finishers and they are joined by young Chloe Richardson this year and Katie and Emma will both encourage the local Newcomer.
And competition for the Newcomers award is sure to be tough with brothers Brad and Dec Bullock, Jack Spencer, James Stones and Welsh ace Iwan Roberts all in with a shout.
There's plenty for spectators to see but with the dales sure to be chock-0-a-block with vehicles you need to allow yourself plenty of time to get to the sections.
And the first thing to do is BUY A PROGRAMME. Proceeds not only go to the Scott Charities the programme will also show which sections are accessible and what time you need to be there.
Popular sections include Reels Head, Surrender, ByPass, Grand Canyon, Whaw Bridge, Shaw Gutter, Bridge End and final section Clapgate.
The Scott is a truly unique event and one that is well worth making the effort to get involved in as it is flat-out from first man away to first man to finish.
Final word, remember that we aren't the only ones allowed in the dales on Saturday so please PARK SENSIBLY, don't just abandon your vehicle and leave it blocking the narrow roads and gateways.
Have a great day - and may the best man win!
