Wednesday October 24, 2012 at 3:34pm
The Richmond Motor Club annual Scott Trial, Richmond, Saturday The Scott Trial on Saturday was not quite what founder Alfred Scott had in mind way back in 1914 when the Saltaire motorcycle manufacturer sent his employees on a day out riding his famed Scott motorcycles.
Only seventy one out of the original one hundred and ninety eight starters were classed as official finishers within the time allowance although others like Chloe Richardson failed to beat the clock but completed the course. The wet soggy moors around Reeth were treacherous. Out went Robyn Alderson after eight sections suspected breakage of both wrists. Out went Marske farmer Jason Eyre with a broken right ankle. Out went Carlton's Matthew Maynard with a serious leg fracture, after only three of the seventy six sections had been ridden. His trip to hospital was courtesy of the air ambulance facility.
Barnoldswick engineer Anthony Ayrton did complete the course, with a broken big toe. Mechanically nothing was sacred. Out went James Dabill, Dan Hemingway, Sam Connor, Emma Bristow, John Crinson, Nathan Wrigglesworth, the latter with a drowned engine. Alexz Wigg was half a mile from the finish when his engine cried enough. French world star Loris Gubian lasted but twenty five sections!
Michael Brown won the trial, setting the fastest time but it was triple winner Dougie Lampkin who posted the best observed ride, and without a shattered rear brake. "No way could I keep up the pressure without that rear brake" His time penalties robbed him of win number four. Ian Austermuhle posted yet another third place ahead of 2011 winner Jonathan Richardson who was riding for the first time this year after ankle surgery. Bewdley's Ross Danby pipped West Witton Richard Sadler on the leaderboard. "I repaired four punctures" added Sadler.
Past winner Wayne Braybrook missed the seventieth section and was excluded while national Superbike star Josh Brookes failed to attempt three sections, the maximum missed attempt is just one so the Australian was also excluded. In terms of awards and certificates and won yet another coveted Scott Silver Spoon. Certificates were awarded to Coverale gamekeeper Will Reynolds, past winner Phillip Alderson and his nephew John Sunter. First time Scott Trial contenders Rob Waite and Jack Stones won Scott Silver Spoons.