2014 winner, James Dabill takes on Surrender in the centenary ScottOctober 2015 is the start of a new century – well it may not be so for the majority of the population, but it certainly is for members of the Richmond Motor Club and in particular the Scott Trial Committee, for on the 17th of the month, the 101st version of the infamous time and observation Scott Trial will take place from its regular start venue, that windswept hill above the Yorkshire town.
And with the start of a new Century for the trial, there is a major change in the main organisers. Having plotted seven of the last eight events, Bruce Storr is handing over the reins and the responsibility of the event to his sidekick, Paul Robinson, a local builder and trials rider.
Being a local, a rider, an enthusiast and someone who knows the terrain and its ins and outs, Paul is the ideal man for the job and together with his enthusiastic assistants is sure to continue the Scott Trial tradition of providing 200 riders with the ultimate cross-country challenge – even if it means many sleepless nights.
But no clerk of the course can do his job without the right back up. All the regular helpers will continue to be out in force and there’s also a new Secretary with Diane Horner (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) now putting together all the paperwork needed for this big event, with the launch of the entry forms taking place at the Reeth Three Day Trial in late July from when they will also be available on the Richmond Club’s website.
The Scott Trial runs with planning permission from the Yorkshire Dales National Park and as always the Committee have been working very closely with the organisation to obtain a further extension of permissions and to ensure that both sides are happy with the event which has in recent years provided over £110,000 in donations to local charities from the profits the trial generates.
In past years TV documentaries have been made about the Scott Trial and there are early indications that another is planned to mark the event and its unique history, though nothing is yet confirmed.
What can be confirmed is that once again the entry will feature all the top British riders and there has also been an enquiry from a top World Championship contender, and if that entry should materialise, then it will surely add another episode to this great event.
Fans will recall that Takahisa Fujinami rode several years ago and his appearance was much appreciated so should this tentative enquiry for 2015 be formalised, then that would add further value to what can confidently be declared the world’s greatest one-day trial.