BIRKETT MOTOSPORT
Opening the trials shop in 1987 seemed to be a natural progression. He met his wife June in 1985 and they got married in 1990. Nigel continued to compete in trials with the Mono-Shock Yamaha machine for the next ten years before the water-cooled TYZ was launched. It was good but nothing like the air-cooled version he first saw in 1983. He decided to make his own machine utilising the TYZ engine and components, and the ‘Birkett’ machine was born. The idea was to build a rolling chassis kit where riders could upgrade their older machines but nothing became of it, or so he thought at the time. The French motorcycle manufacturer Scorpa had shown an interest in the Birkett machine around 2000, and in 2005 he became the official UK importer for the brand. This proved a success story in its own right and in 2011 he also added the Spanish Ossa brand to his business interests. With the problems at Ossa well documented he is now 100% focussed on the Scorpa importership.
Nigel is still very much involved in the modern day trials scene, sponsoring riders at all levels of riding on a Scorpa. He still continues to ride in the SSDT, having never missed out any years and has also finished every event. He still competes and enjoys local events on a regular basis to keep him at the heart of motorcycle trials, which is where his passion lies.
NIGEL BIRKETT: “The Scorpa importership is the key focus of my business plans now and for the future. Since becoming the official UK importer in 2005 we have seen some changes with the Scorpa brand. When we started to import them they were already well established by the then importers Neil and Martin Crosswaite. The machines used the tried and tested Yamaha engines, which I am very much associated with, and we could sell them very easily based on the bullet proof reputation they carried.
“With these SY Yamaha powered machines we also tasted British Championship success in the Expert Class with Joe Baker in 2009 and Sam Ludgate in 2010. The brand then went through a transitional period when the Yamaha supply from Japan finished and they moved across to a European engine. Success came along in the first year with Darren Brice taking the Expert Class once again in 2011. The orange machines continue to evolve and I pride myself on the support and service we provide to our UK dealer network with a technical and spare parts service second to none.
“In 2015 Scorpa produced the new Scorpa ‘20’ model range celebrating their 20 years of trials involvement. In the hands of Billy Bolt we achieved some excellent results in the World Trials Championship with podium finishes. 2016 has been an excellent year as the results have come thick and fast; Nigel Crellin and Chris Molyneux winning the British Sidecar Trials Championship, Sean Doyle, again taking victory in the 2016 All-Irish Championship, Andy Anderson taking his first win in the 2016 Scottish Trials Championship and new girl on the block Jess Bown finishing runner-up in the Ladies’ British Trials Championship. We are now looking forward to what 2017 brings with Andy Chilton already getting great results in the British Championship and National events. Bring it on!”
JUNE BIRKETT: “We are very much a small, family run business and pride our-selves on our honest, reliable service. No part is too small to ask about in the spares department, and I am proud to say that the technical side is supported by Nigel, who is always ready to help any customers old or new. As the industry knows, his mechanical knowledge is second to none. We are very grateful to our dealer network who we all know very well, and in turn for the service they provide to their customers.”