Richmond ready for the big one!
By John Dickinson on 18th Oct 17
This unique Time and Observation event goes back over 100 years, to 1914, when the Scott motorcycle factory came up with the idea of a super tough event designed to show just what their bikes could do.
Fast forward a century - and a Millennium - and The Scott is still going and is still the toughest one day trial in the World.
And with a full house 200 riders eager to pit their skills against the route and sections cunningly planned by the Clerk of the Course and his willing Assistants theres no sign of its popularity waning.
As happens every few years the direction of the course has been reversed which poses a few questions for both riders and spectators who have just got into an annual routine.
Riders have to effectively re-learn the course, as it all looks completely different when approached the wrong way and regular spectators have to adjust their carefully planned days route as all their carefully worked-out timings are now of no use!
All the well-known sections are still in there of course and it is up to you how you fit in your favourites, Reels Head, Bridgend, Whaw Bridge, By Pass, Surrender Roys Rocks, etc, etc.
The only way to work this out of course is to buy an official programme. This provides you with a map of the route and a must-have section guide with approximate timings for the arrival of the leaders on the road.
And remember, all proceeds from programme sales go to the Scott Charities which has raised tens of thousands of pounds for the local Dales communities. The 200 hopefuls range from callow first timers to 12 times World Champion and four times Scott winner Dougie Lampkin.
At 9am, Inverness rider Gordon Murrey will be flagged on his way from the start ramp at Feldom Range, outside the village of Marske, near Richmond, and the Scott will be underway with following riders being despatched at 20 second intervals with no respite until the last man leaps off the ramp just over an hour later.
The route twists and turns and loops with the hub being the town of Reeth. Newcomers and club riders are seeded at the head of the entry while the quick and seasoned riders have later starting numbers.
But with three riders per minute leaving the start ramp all are underway in just over an hour and the fast boys and girls quickly cleave their way to the front! The elite comprises a Whos Who of British trials with last years winner James Dabill preparing to defend his hard earned Scott title from allcomers.
And heading the allcomers is of course Doug Lampkin as you simply can never rule him out of anything he enters! Then to reel off just a few names theres former winners Michael Brown, Ian Austermuhle and local hero Jonathan Richardson, Richard Sadler, Dan Peace, Dan Thorpe, Guy Kendrew, British Champ Jack Price, Jack Challoner and Lakes Two Day winner Iwan Roberts.
Jack Peace and Toby Martyn head this years list of Newcomers who of course represent the future of the event. And you can never rule local ace John Sunter out of setting Standard Time, against which all others will be judged.
All riders lose one mark per minute they finish after Standard Time to be added to their observation score. The arrival of Billy Bolt, now riding Hard Enduro, also opens up the Standard Time battle.
Only two girls on the entry list as this went to press but Emma Bristow and Chloe Richardson are no strangers to racing up that finish field leaving many a lad in their wake.
So, dont forget, start time is 9am prompt, DO buy that programme which makes it possible to plan your day to best effect and PLEASE read the dos and dont's, like PARK SENSIBLY.
There will be hundreds and hundreds of vehicles following the trial so please dont be selfish and block roads just because you are chasing a rider round. Just one stupid act really could put the events future in danger. And DONT follow the event off-road on a motorcycle.
Only competitors and marshals are allowed on the course and on the moors. And if you are following the trial on a bike make sure both yourself and the machine are fully road legal. Last year the police rounded up a horde of silly people on illegal machines and impounded the bikes. With just a little bit of common sense we can all enjoy our day.
Have fun at The Scott.
