Martin Lampkin - A True Legend!
By John Dickinson on 11th Apr 16
The trials world has united in sadness this week on learning the news of the passing of Martin Lampkin, aged 65, who finally succumbed to cancer after a typically brave battle, on Saturday, April 2.
Harold Martin Lampkin 28/12/1950 – 02/04/2016
Harold Martin Lampkin was a big man in every sense of the word. Big in stature, big in heart and big in personality.
And nothing was bigger to Martin than his family. When at the height of his considerable powers as a trials rider, wherever he was in the world, the second he had finished an event Martin was first out of the paddock and on the road to get back home to Silsden in Yorkshire and his family.
Martin was a true legend, one of the greatest trials riders of all time, yet a man who always had time or made time for anyone and everyone.
Famous
Since the news of Martin's death was released social media has been swamped with messages of condolence to the family and memories of Martin by people from all walks of life and from all parts of the world.
He will always be remembered as the first-ever Trials World Champion – a feat he achieved on Bultaco, the marque he is most famous for riding – aged 24 in 1975, after a season-long duel with his life-long competitive friend Malcolm Rathmell and Finn Yrjo Vesterinen.
Martin began his competitive motorcycle career as a teenager.
And as there were no youth events back then he was first seen starting-up and riding to the start-line, the factory BSA scramblers of his older brothers, Arthur and Alan. He met and became friends with Malcolm Rathmell and the two began a competitive friendship that would last a lifetime.
They rode trials, scrambles, grass-track, anything and everything they could find or blag a bike for if there was the chance to earn a few bob.
Between them they dominated the trials scene in a very competitive era – which included riders like Rob Shepherd, Rob Edwards, Mick Andrews and Dave Thorpe to name just a few – and even ran a coal round to help fund their motorcycling.
Martin was British Trials Champion three times. In 1973 and 1978 on factory Bultacos – with backing from importers Comerfords, especially their tuning wizard Reg May – and finally in 1980 when riding SWM machines for British importer and former Comerfords man Jock Wilson.
A traditional trials man through and through, Martin loved The Scottish Six Days and The Scott and was a huge favourite with the crowds.
He was victorious in the Scottish three times taking a hat-trick in the years 1976, 1977 and 1978. Although it was 1979 that many Six Day enthusiasts who were privileged to be there recall with most enthusiasm.
Martin and Malcolm had ridden together all week and arrived at the final group, Ben Nevis, on Saturday afternoon dead level on marks.
They walked the sections together and took turns to ride them first. The penultimate climb featured a nasty exit and it was Martin's turn to ride first.
He made it look easy until he somehow got the Bultaco stuck on a large rock and the result was a five. He was furious. Malcolm followed, went clean and of course took the win.
The following year Martin, when walking the section once again, gave the offending rock a disdainful mighty boot and said to a spectating Reg May, "that's the b****r Reg!”
Being a Yorkshireman, The Scott was right at the top of his wish to win list and he achieved this distinction no fewer than four times – 1977, 1978, 1981 and 1982. The trial had previously been won by Arthur and Alan and, of course, later by son Dougie.
Style
Before his World Championship success Martin had been European Champion in 1973 and of course won dozens of traditional British National trials.
His style was direct, jaw set purposefully, knees gripping the tank and appearing to keep his feet on the footpegs and maintain forward momentum by sheer force of willpower.
In reality he had a superb natural skill and could hit a given line along with the best. And on the occasion when a bit of force and bravery was called for Martin Lampkin was your man.
He rode a total of 125 World Championship trials with 18 wins and a total of 58 podiums – which is an enviable hit rate by any standard.
His final World Championship point was, fittingly, scored in Yorkshire at the Wetherby club promoted round at Bainbridge in 1983 on a Montesa for his friend, importer Jim Sandiford.
On retiring from the sport Martin refurbished and ran a pub, The Miners at Greenhow near Pateley Bridge, a café, The Copper Kettle at Gargrave, near Skipton, dabbled in the car trade and for many years successfully ran a newsagents in Silsden.
Then, when Dougie began to take trials seriously Martin devoted himself to his son's career and along the way effectively invented the persona of the modern Minder as we know it.
His minding legacy lives on today with minders' shouts of "perfect at the back”, "half a tyre right” and "HOLD THAT BIKE!” all phrases invented by Martin.
Working with co-director Neil Crosswaite, Martin was also the creative half of Avondale Management, designing and building the sections for the Sheffield Arena trial, the long-lasting indoor event they have successfully promoted for two decades.
All this, of course, barely touches the surface of a life lived to the full, a life devoted to wife Isobel, sons Dougie and Harry and more recently to his grandchildren.
Sincere condolences to all the Lampkin family.
Legend is a much over-used word but to many, many people throughout the world, that is exactly what Martin Lampkin was, is and will forever remain.
Rest in Peace.
Funeral Arrangements
THE funeral service will be held on Monday, April 11 at 1.30pm at St James Church, Kirkgate, Silsden, West Yorkshire, BD20 0AL.
The family have kindly asked for no flowers.
If you would like, donations can be made to Manorlands Hospice, Keighley Road, Oxenhope, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD22 9HJ
Donations can also be made online. When doing so please select I'm donating because of the work of: Manorlands' - https://www.sueryder.org/donate/one-off-donation/donation-form?amount=
