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Scott Trial

Coordinates: 54°24′25″N 1°48′48″W / 54.40694°N 1.81333°W / 54.40694; -1.81333
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2009 Scott Trial, Section 39

The Scott Trial is a British motorcycle trials competition dating from 1914 run over an off-road course of approximately 70 miles (110 km). One of the most challenging trials events in the UK, its appeal is to clubman riders as well as international professional riders. The Scott raises money for the "Scott charities", a range of local non-profit making organisations.[1]

History

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Scott Trial cup. 1930 Novice. S.L. Turner

The Scott Trial began in 1914 when Alfred Angas Scott, inventor and founder of the Scott Motorcycle Company challenged the workers at his factory to ride from the factory in Shipley through the Yorkshire Dales to Burnsall, a riverside village near Grassington. Of the 14 starters only 9 finished. The event was reintroduced after the First World War in 1919 and although Alfred Scott died in 1923[2] the event continued to be run by the Scott workers until 1926.[1]

The Bradford and District Motor Club then took over the management of the event and moved the start and finish to Blubberhouses, a small village in the borough of Harrogate in North Yorkshire. In 1938 the land was owned by the Leeds Waterworks Authority which decided not to allow motorcycle trials on their property, so the trial was moved again to Swainby, on the north western corner of the North York Moors National Park in Cleveland and control was taken over by the Middlesbrough and Stockton Motor Clubs.[1]

Swaledale

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In 1950 the Auto-Cycle Union, the governing body of motorcycle sport in Great Britain, divided the area into the North Eastern Centre and the Yorkshire Centre and the Scott Trial was moved to Swaledale, one of the northernmost dales in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, where it has remained to this day. The Darlington and District Motor Club took over the organisation until 1990, when the Richmond Motor Club took over.[1] The competition was still running as of 2023, with 190 entrants that year.[3]

The 1962 Scott Trial

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In his career of over 1000 wins trials champion Sammy Miller considers the 1962 Scott Trial as the greatest ever. A week of rain meant the course was muddy and dangerous. Conditions were so bad that only 40 finished from a field of 185 that started, with Miller's Ariel 500 cc a clear winner.[4] This was Miller's second of seven Scott Trial wins.[5]

Present day

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Jack Price was the winner in 2022, and also in 2023

The current Scott Trial continues to be a time and observation event run over an off-road course of 84 miles (135 km), divided into 76 sections.[6] Riders lose marks for putting a foot down or "footing" in the observed sections and for finishing behind the fastest rider.[1] Over the years a huge range of special awards and memorial trophies have become associated with the Scott Trial, including 'best performing Yorkshireman' and 'oldest official finisher'.[7] As in 1962 the weather can be as harsh as the course. In 1998 only 27 of the 147 entries completed the course. On this occasion Graham Jarvis won for the third time with the fastest time of 5 hours 50 minutes. In 2008, rain reduced the finishers to 60 out of 200 with Jarvis winning for the 8th time.[6][8][9] In 2009 Graham Jarvis won again despite being 28 minutes slower than the previous years runner-up James Dabill. His unique skill over the sections, losing him 22 points compared to Dabill's 38, gave him his ninth win.[10]

The 2023 Trial, with 190 entrants, was won by Jack Price who scored the most points, although Jonathan Richardson was "the first rider home".[11]

Women competitors

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Emma Bristow, 2023 MHT Trophy winner (2016 photo)

The first woman to start a Scott Trial was Mrs E. Knowles in 1921. In 1926 Miss Majorie Cottle was the first female official finisher. It was her second attempt and she finished on a further three occasions, the last in 1931. From 1925 Miss E. Foley entered six times but never finished. Before 1940 a further eight women competed but none officially completed the course.

From 1950 to 2001 there were seven female riders, three making two attempts, and one entering three times, but none were successful.

Katy Sunter's first of fourteen attempts was in 2002, and since then she has had ten official finishes. The new wave of women competitors has seen twelve other women enter, of whom Emma Bristow has finished nine times, Chloe Richardson eight times and Maria Conway twice. [12]

In 2023, Emma Bristow, who had been declared the Women’s World Championship rider on nine occasions, finished in 40th place due to mechanical difficulties, but again won the MHT Trophy for the "best performance by a lady rider".[11]

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Scott Trial Winners

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Year Entries Finishers % Winner Fastest Fastest Time
1914 14 9 64 Frank Philip (Scott) Frank Philip
World War I - 1914 to 1918
1919 74 35 47 Geoff Hill (Triumph) Geoff Hill
1920 131 64 49 J.O. Vessey (Scott) J.O.Vessey
1921 50 29 58 Clarrie Wood (Scott) Clarrie Wood
1922 58 27 47 Harry Langman (Scott) Billy Moore (Scott)
1923 80 30 38 E. Mainwaring (Scott) Clarrie Wood (Scott)
1924 90 35 39 W.H. Clough (Scott) W.H. Clough
1925 117 64 54 Eddie Flintoff (Sunbeam) A. Jackson (AJS)
1926 134 30 23 Eddie Flintoff (Sunbeam) W. Evans (Triumph) 19.75 mph
1927 145 60 41 Oliver Langton (Scott) W. Evans (Triumph)
1928 116 51 44 Eric Langton (Scott) Eddie Flintoff (Sunbeam)
1929 119 97 80 Vic Brittain (Sunbeam) Eddie Flintoff (Sunbeam)
1930 92 38 41 Len Heath (Ariel) Allan Jefferies (AJS) 2:19:54
1931 100 63 63 Vic Brittain (Sunbeam) Stanley Woods (Norton) 2:39:44
1932 94 70 74 Allan Jefferies (Scott) Allan Jefferies 2:30:00
1933 69 32 46 Len Heath (Ariel) Len Heath
1934 69 38 55 Ken Wilson (Panther) Ken Wilson 2:00:00
1935 74 42 57 Len Heath (Ariel) Allan Jefferies 2:28:18
1936 80 38 48 Billy Tiffen (Velocette) Allan Jefferies 2:58:00
1937 89 42 48 Allan Jefferies (Triumph) Allan Jefferies 1:48:00
1938 86 Len Heath (Ariel) W.J. Smith (Levis) 3:28:46
World War 2 - 1939 to 1945
1946 137 Bill Nicholson (BSA) Bill Nicholson 3:16:58
1947 147 Bill Nicholson (BSA) Bill Nicholson
1948 100 Jim Alves (Triumph) Jim Alves 3:27:45
1949 137 Bill Nicholson(BSA) Bill Nicholson 2:40:00
1950 195 Bill Nicholson (BSA) Bill Nicholson 3:08:00
1951 178 Bill Nicholson (BSA) Bill Nicholson 3:54:00
1952 169 Johnny Draper (Norton) David Tye (BSA)
1953 156 Arthur Shutt (F-Barnett) David Tye
1954 140 Jeff Smith (BSA) Jeff Smith
1955 145 Johnny Brittain (Royal Enfield) Gordon Jackson (AJS)
1956 139 Johnny Brittain (Royal Enfield) Gordon Jackson
1957 163 Artie Ratcliffe (Triumph) Brian Stonebridge (Greeves)
1958 178 Sammy Miller (Ariel) Jeff Smith (BSA)
1959 197 Jeff Smith (BSA) Jeff Smith
1960 236 Arthur Lampkin (BSA) Jeff Smith (BSA)
1961 180 Arthur Lampkin (BSA) Arthur Lampkin
1962 201 Sammy Miller (Ariel) Sammy Miller
1963 223 Sammy Miller (Ariel) Arthur Lampkin (BSA)
1964 183 72 39 Bill Wilkinson (Greeves) Bill Wilkinson
1965 188 Arthur Lampkin (BSA) Arthur Lampkin
1966 193 43 22 Alan Lampkin Arthur Lampkin
1967 184 40 22 Sammy Miller (Bultaco) Bill Wilkinsom (Greeves)
1968 150 46 31 Sammy Miller (Bultaco) Gordon Farley
1969 176 44 31 Sammy Miller (Bultaco) Malcolm Rathmell (Greeves)
1970 147 61 41 Sammy Miller (Bultaco) Alan Lampkin (Bultaco) 4:30:03
1971 185 76 41 Malcolm Rathmell (Bultaco) Alan Lampkin (Bultaco) 4:41:35
1972 195 Rob Shepherd (Montesa) Rob Shepherd
1973 201 49 24 Malcolm Rathmell (Bultaco) Malcolm Rathmell 4:42:35
1974 185 48 26 Rob Edwards (Montesa) Malcolm Rathmell (Bultaco) 4:38:21
1975 198 44 22 Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa) Malcolm Rathmell 4:25:00
1976 200 53 27 Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa) Malcolm Rathmell 4:13:40
1977 195 60 31 Martin Lampkin (Bultaco) Martin Lampkin 3:46:30
1978 183 76 42 Martin Lampkin (Bultaco) Martin Lampkin 4:25:10
1979 200 42 21 Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa) Malcolm Rathmell 4:52:27
1980 177 41 23 Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa) Malcolm Rathmell 5:13:56
1981 178 62 35 Martin Lampkin (SWM) Nigel Birkett (Fantic) 4:48:24
1982 140 50 36 Martin Lampkin (SWM) Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa) 4:36:55
1983 128 70 55 Gerald Richardson (Armstrong) Gerald Richardson 4:24:14
1984 152 50 33 Nigel Birkett (Yamaha) Gerald Richardson (Yamaha) 4:32:20
1985 104 63 61 Gerald Richardson (Yamaha) Gerald Richardson 4:15:45
1986 146 78 53 Tony Scarlett (Yamaha) Philip Anderson (Yamaha) 4:57:16
1986 146 78 53 Tony Scarlett (Yamaha) Philip Anderson (Yamaha) 4:57:16
1987 164 99 60 Philip Anderson (Yamaha) Harold Crawford (Yamaha) 4:44:57
1988 151 71 47 Philip Anderson (Yamaha) Harold Crawford (Yamaha) 4:32:20
1989 148 91 61 Philip Anderson (Yamaha) Gerald Richardson (Yamaha) 4:41:02
1990 139 65 47 Robert Crawford (Beta) Philip Anderson (Yamaha) 5:08:20
1991 145 62 43 Philip Anderson (Yamaha) Philip Anderson
1992 142 76 54 Steve Colley (Beta) Wayne Braybrook (GasGas) 5:04:30
1993 140 69 49 Steve Colley (Beta) Robert Crawford (Aprilia) 5:19:42
1994 166 68 41 Dougie Lampkin (Beta) Dougie Lampkin 5:25:17
1995 142 80 56 Robert Crawford (Yamaha) Robert Crawford 4:27:47
1996 129 74 57 Graham Jarvis (Scorpa) Steve Colley (GasGas) 4:56:40
1997 138 78 57 Graham Jarvis (Mail Marketing Scorpa) Graham Jarvis 5:20:08
1998 147 27 18 Graham Jarvis (Mail Marketing Scorpa) Graham Jarvis 5:50:40
1999 175 76 43 Graham Jarvis (MM Bultaco) Wayne Braybrook (Silkolene Montesa) 5:11:17
2000 195 83 43 Wayne Braybrook (Silkolene Montesa) Henry Moorhouse (280 Haven GasGas) 5:22:13
2001 Foot and Mouth
2002 200 86 43 Michael Philipson (Beta) Ben Hemingway (Beta) 5:38:25
2003 200 83 42 Graham Jarvis (Sherco) Graham Jarvis 4:45:28
2004 200 68 34 Graham Jarvis (Sherco) Graham Jarvis 5:15:26
2005 200 78 39 Graham Jarvis (MRS Sherco 290) Ian Austermuhle (Beta UK.com 270) 5:10:23
2006 200 80 40 Dougie Lampkin (Montesa) Dougie Lampkin 4:56:49
2007 200 85 42 Dougie Lampkin (Repsol Montesa 4RT 249) Dougie Lampkin 4:53:30
2008 180 60 33 Graham Jarvis (MRS Sherco 290) James Dabill (Sandford Montesa 300) 5:02:48
2009 169 79 47 Graham Jarvis (MRS Sherco 290) James Dabill (JST Montesa) 5:13:32
2010 200 73 37 James Dabill (JST GasGas UK 300) Michael Brown (MRS Sherco) 5:08:48
2011 210 85 42 Jonathan Richardson (Sherco - MIAL MRS) John Sunter (Montesa Appleyard) 4:41:58
2012 191 71 37 Michael Brown (Gas Gas 300-JST) Michael Brown 5:00:09
2013 186 71 38 Dougie Lampkin (Gas Gas 300) Jonathan Richardson (Ossa 280) 5:18:04
2014 200 94 47 James Dabill (Beta-uk.com 300) John Sunter (Appleyard Montessa 250) 5:01:40
2015 197 101 51 Ian Austermuhle (Beta UK 300) Jonathan Richardson (Beta UK) 4:42:22
2016 200 88 44 James Dabill (Vertigo) Jonathan Richardson (Sherco) 5:00:29
2017 198 87 44 Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) James Dabill (Gas Gas) 5:15:19
2018 200 80 40 Dougie Lampkin (Vertigo) Jack Price (Gas Gas) 5:07:17
2019 180 77 42 James Dabill (Beta) Jonathan Richardson (Montesa) 4:59:14
Covid
2021 190 95 50 Jack Price (Vertigo) Guy Kendrew (Gas Gas) 5:17:56
2022 200 126[13] Jack Price (Vertigo)[14] Jonathan Richardson (TRS UK) 5:00:18

[15] [16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Scott Trial History". Archived from the original on 24 February 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  2. ^ "History of the Gritstone Club". Archived from the original on 23 July 2008. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
  3. ^ "Price wins Scott Trial for third year while TV personality Guy Martin attempts gruelling challenge". Richmondshire Today. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  4. ^ Reynolds, Jim (1990). Best of British Bikes. Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 1-85260-033-0.
  5. ^ Souvenir Programme 2009.
  6. ^ a b "Great eight! -The Scott Trial". Retrieved 9 May 2009.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ "Scott Trial results". Retrieved 8 May 2009. [dead link]
  8. ^ Souvenir Programme 2009. Page 61.
  9. ^ 2008:[1] and 2007:[2]
  10. ^ "Scott Trial 24th October 2009 - Section 41". YouTube.
  11. ^ a b "Price Wins Scott Trial". Richmond shire Today. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  12. ^ The Scott Trial 17th October 2015. Souvenir Programme. pp. 28,29. Katy Sunter
  13. ^ "Scott Trial 2022 – Section by Section Analysis" (PDF). Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  14. ^ "Scott Trial results 2022" (PDF). Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  15. ^ "2011 Scott Trail Times" (PDF). Richmond Motor Club. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
  16. ^ The Scot Trial Souvenir Programme 22 October 2011. Eric Kitchen. Page 60.
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54°24′25″N 1°48′48″W / 54.40694°N 1.81333°W / 54.40694; -1.81333