TRADITIONAL

1982 SCOTT TRIAL MART ON A MISSION

In October 1982, Martin Lampkin was approaching the end of his hugely rewarding career, having won virtually everything put in front of him. Anyone who knew Martin knew it would be no light-hearted effort. It would be full-on attack mode from a man well-respected by everyone for his sheer drive to win. One of life’s true off-road characters, it would have been a brave man to bet against him winning; he would be going for gold, as they say; Mart was on a mission.

100% concentration from John Reynolds on the Montesa.

Acold, fresh autumn morning with the sun trying to shine through greeted 134 riders to the start field for the 1982 Scott Trial at Marske, high above the market town of Richmond. As always, this ultimate test of man and machine had a buzz around the start area; it was motorcycle trials at its best. No messing — a combination of speed and a good observation score would be rewarded with the much sought-after Alfred Scott Memorial Trophy.

Returning to ride a section he had missed near Whaw Bridge cost Nigel Birkett valuable time.

PAST WINNERS

The entry included no less than four past winners: Malcolm Rathmell led the way, having won in 1971, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1979 and 1980, followed by Martin Lampkin in 1977, 1978 and 1981; Rob Shepherd had won in 1972, and Rob Edwards in 1974. Much to their delight, they had won the one trial everyone wanted to put a claim to.

Rathmell and Lampkin had endured many years of fighting for the win. Both enjoyed the fruits of their rewards with years at the very top of their chosen profession but were approaching the end of their careers. 1982 would be a pinnacle year as, at the close of it, Lampkin and Rathmell would retire from their commitment to the FIM World Trials Championship, which Lampkin had won in 1975 — the first year the series was granted FIM World Championship status. But, in truth, in 1982, the sport was in crisis.

The mighty years of domination by the big

Riding the new 350 Italjet, Peter Cartwright had 50 marks added to his score for missing a section. Looking in total control, Richard Sunter takes the Bultaco up the step at Washfold.

three of Bultaco, Montesa and Ossa were over, and the once-high volume sales of trials motorcycles were in decline. However, one thing that did not change was the importance of the Scott Trial — the one to win. Run by the Darlington and District Motor Club, at precisely 9.30am, the starter’s flag would drop as rider number one, Andy Watson, on his Armstrong/CCM, raced off from the start field and headed out to battle with close-on 80 miles of the North Yorkshire moors.

SETTING THE PACE

It is a tricky equation for the riders with their mindset on winning. Should they go for a slightly slower ride and concentrate on observation or make haste with a faster time? Setting the pace would be vital to find the winner.

John Reynolds (Montesa) was the earliest of the fancied winners, riding with number 33, followed by Nigel Birkett at number 70 riding the new 240 Fantic. He had set the standard time in 1981. The latest Yorkshire hotshot, John Lampkin (Armstrong/CCM), was next at number 92. Since 1975, Malcolm Rathmell and Martin Lampkin had shared the winning, and they would be starting just seven minutes apart, Rathmell at number 116 and Lampkin at number 137. Three riders depart per minute, 20 seconds apart.

Sammy Miller had won the Scott Trial a record seven times, and Rathmell had six wins to his name and wanted to equal Miller. The result was as expected — a tremendous battle between the 1981 winner Martin Lampkin and Malcolm Rathmell.

MAN AND MACHINE

John Reynolds looked to be on form, leading the entry for most of the day. He was concentrating on a good observation score, which showed as he took a brief stop before entering the sections, riding at the front of the field.

Nigel Birkett had been motoring, but missing a section early on and having to return to ride it had cost him dearly.

Any chance that John Lampkin had of challenging for the win had been destroyed when he broke his rear brake pedal, slowing him right down as he endured many crashes during the day. As it turned out, the fight for the win would be between the eventual topthree finishers Martin Lampkin, Rathmell and Reynolds, who all finished within nine marks of one another.

Matthew Chambers was more than happy with his top-20 finish as he takes a ‘dab’ here at Surrender on the Montesa.

Riding the Spanish Montesa machines supplied by Jim Sandiford, both Rathmell and Reynolds had relatively trouble-free rides; three marks would separate them at the end of the trial.

Reynolds’ score of 107 marks lost comprised 13 on time and 94 on observation, but Rathmell had been flying, setting the standard time of 4 Hours 36 Minutes 55 Seconds and 104 marks on observation.

MASTERFUL MARTIN LAMPKIN For the eventual winner, Martin Lampkin, it

Maybe the ride of the day, Rob Edwards rode his 1972 Montesa Cota 247 to another Scott Silver Spoon.

had been far from a trouble-free day. He knew Rathmell would be quick; his six wins tell its own story of a true Scott Trial legend. His ever-present friend and rival during their long, distinguished careers, Martin Lampkin, was also riding at a quick pace, but the charge came to an abrupt end when he dropped the Italian SWM in the water at section 69, so close to home — just five more sections to pass through. The machine took in some water which stopped the engine dead and needed some hasty spanner work to bring it back to life, which he did. He motored on, knowing that his victory chances may have just slipped through his hands.

As many readers will know, the results are read out in reverse order until the winner is reached. At the evening awards presentation at the King’s Head, the beer was flowing as the results were read out. You could have heard a pin drop when it got to the final three. When Martin Lampkin was announced as the victor, the roof almost took off into the autumn air; he was a worthy winner. It would also be his last major motorcycle trials victory.

1982 SCOTT TRIAL

SCOTT SPOON WINNERS: 1: Martin Lampkin (SWM) 98; 2: Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa) 104; 3: John Reynolds (Montesa) 107; 4: John Lampkin (Armstrong/CCM) 145; 5: Nigel Birkett (Fantic) 157; 6: Gerald Richardson (Ossa) 167; 7: Tony Calvert (Gori) 170; 8: Howard Jackman (Montesa) 172; 9: Chris Sutton (Ossa) 184; 10: Rob Shepherd (Bultaco) 201; 11: Les Richardson (Italjet ) 202; 12: Peter Cartwright (Italjet) 203; 13: Richard Sunter (Bultaco) 208; 14: John Hemingway (SWM) 212; 15: Nick Jefferies (Armstrong/CCM) 219; 16: Philip Alderson (Bultaco) 231; 17: Glen Scholey (Bultaco) 234; 18: Chris Myers (Bultaco) 235; 19: Joe Buckworth (SWM) 240; 20: Matthew Chambers (Montesa) 245; 21: Adrian Clarke (Fantic) 261; 22: Roy Palmer (Fantic) 266; 23: Leslie Winthrop (Fantic) 279; 24: Rob Edwards (Montesa) 280; 25: Geoff

McDonnell (Bultaco) 293.

MACHINES: Bultaco: 6; Montesa 5; Fantic: 4; SWM 3; Armstrong: 2; Italjet: 2; Ossa: 2; Gori: 1. MANUFACTURER’S TEAM: Montesa: Malcolm Rathmell, John Reynolds,

Howard Jackman

STANDARD TIME: Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa) 4h 36m 55s BEST ON OBSERVATION: Martin Lampkin (SWM) 91 BEST NEWCOMER: Philip Alderson (Bultaco) 231 BEST UNDER 21: John Lampkin (Armstrong/CCM) 145 LAST OFFICIAL FINISHER: Steven Moorhouse (Fantic) 433 134 RIDERS: 50 Finishers in the allocated time.

WINNER MARTIN LAMPKIN

A name that stands very proud at the Scott Trial is ‘Lampkin’. Consisting of three brothers, Arthur, Alan and Martin, they have won this ultimate test of man and machine a record seven times: Arthur in 1960 and 1965, in 1966, and the youngest brother, Martin, in 1977, 1978, 1981 and 1982. Throw in the six wins from Martin’s son, Dougie, and you get the picture. The words ‘Legends’ and ‘Lampkins’ sit very comfortably together.

Words: John Hulme, Trial Magazine • Pictures: Barry Robinson

OFF TO THE SCOTT

In 1977, at the age of 17, it was an early shout from my mother, Joyce, to wake me for the 5.30am start to drive to the Scott Trial with my father, Ron. We would always have a little wager on who would win; mine was on Martin Lampkin, but my father was with Rob Shepherd; maybe it was a four-stroke fantasy as he was on the Honda.

The day was overcast and damp. Nevertheless, we managed to see three groups of sections, including Surrender. When Martin Lampkin arrived, it made the hairs stand on my neck; he was on a mission — I am sure even the rocks were scared. Splattered with mud and riding with no gloves, he was an incredible sight to watch and respected by many; I knew my money was safe. In 1978 it was a case of repeat as he duly won again.

PAST IT

Having moved to SWM in 1980, he missed the win but won again in 1981, the first for an Italian machine. It was noted in the trials

1978 1981

press towards the end of the year some manufacturers were looking for new riders; to give a little away, a green Italian manufacturer in particular. It had mentioned that, in their opinion, Martin Lampkin was past his best. I bet that fired him up! He arrived at the 1982 Scott on a mission to take what would become his final win. It was a proud moment at the evening’s celebration when he lifted the Alfred Scott Memorial Trophy with his two young sons, Dougie and Harry, watching on with his wife, Isobel.

The following Friday’s Trials and Motocross News carried the headline, ‘Past it? Who’s bloody well past it’. The editor, Bill Lawless, certainly got it right.

As I remarked before, the words’ Legends’ and ‘Lampkins’ sit very comfortably together. Watching Martin in Scott mode is a memory that will last forever.

SCOTT TRIAL

1977

WINNER: Martin Lampkin (Bultaco) 81 BEST ON OBSERVATION: Martin Lampkin (Bultaco) 81 BEST ON TIME: Martin Lampkin (Bultaco): 3h 46m 30s STARTERS: 195 Finishers: 60

1978

WINNER: Martin Lampkin (Bultaco) 79 BEST ON OBSERVATION: Martin Lampkin (Bultaco) 79 BEST ON TIME: Martin Lampkin (Bultaco): 4h 25m 10s STARTERS: 183 Finishers: 76

1981

WINNER: Martin Lampkin (SWM) 113 BEST ON OBSERVATION: Martin Lampkin (SWM) 91 BEST ON TIME: Nigel Birkett (Fantic): 4h 48m 24s STARTERS: 178 Finishers: 62

1982

WINNER: Martin Lampkin (SWM) 98 BEST ON OBSERVATION: Martin Lampkin (SWM) 91 BEST ON TIME: Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa): 4h 36m 55s STARTERS: 140 Finishers: 50.

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