Scott to be there
By TMX Archives on 21st Oct 11
SATURDAY is Scott Trial day, the biggest one-day trial in the world.
Two-hundred eager hopefuls will gather in the field at Feldom Range, above the village of Marske, near Richmond to pit their skills and wits against 85 miles of the finest Yorkshire moors and taking in 76 sections in the roughest bits along the way – and all against the clock!
The Scott Trial, for anyone who doesn't know, is a time and observation classic with riders vying to set the fastest time round the course.
This becomes Standard Time and all competitors who reach the finish will have one mark added to their score for every minute extra they take.
At the same time as speeding round the course, riders also must concentrate on their observation score so the trick is not to exhaust yourself so much racing round that it
affects your performance in the sections.
As many, many riders have found over the years, this is not as easy as it sounds!
James Dabill found the exact formula last year with a quick time while remaining totally under control in the sections to give both himself and Gas Gas maiden Scott victories.
It was something of a surprise to many to learn that there hadn't previously been a Gas Gas winner and John Shirt was quite naturally over the moon.
Michael Brown set standard time last year but lost out in the sections. ‘Pune' will be looking to make that small adjustment in tactics that will move him closer to a possible win.
Dibs looked the business last year though and will take some beating again, although he has switched mounts to a factory Beta.
He is up against the very best in British trials though, with expected main challenges from Michael Brown (Gas Gas), nine-times Scott winner Graham Jarvis (who will be on the 300cc Pidcock Future Montesa) and local teenager Jonathan Richardson – who sees a Scott win as the ultimate prize in motorcycle sport.
Expect young Rich to set fastest time!
There will be plenty of others in the reckoning obviously, with the super-consistent and sometimes overlooked Ian Austermuhle always in the mix.
Former winner Sam Connor, won't be far away either.
Sadly, Dougie Lampkin won't be in the mix, as he is resting that troublesome ankle, but brother Harry and cousins James Lampkin and Dan and Ben Hemingway will be
upholding family honour.
Stir in the likes of Jack Challoner, Ross Danby, Sam Haslam, Nathan Wrigglesworth, Richard Sadler, Wayne Braybrook, Richard Timperley, John Sunter and a host more and an exciting chase in
guaranteed.
With 210 riders in the programme each will be looking for their moment of glory, from first man away at 9am prompt Alex Jacobs from Stokesley, and including road race trio, Superbike riders Leon Haslam and Leon Camier plus former 500GP star Rob McElnea.
And watch out for Belgian funster Eric Lejeune. Eric completed the Scottish Six Days in May and is looking for a Scott double!
Spectators are spoiled for choice. The best advice is get to the start early, buy yourself a programme – all proceeds to the Scott Charities – and study the map and spectator advice.
There will be many thousands following the trial so don't be too ambitious and try to visit too many places.
Aim for two or three vantage points because you will have to allow plenty of time between sections, as the roads will be somewhat clogged.
PLEASE park sensibly, think of others and don't be selfish and block the narrow lanes because you have got to watch little Johnnie. He'll be fine!
NB: There is NO section at Orgate this year – so don't go down there.
