A WINNER
Pedro Pi would win the event despite the handicap of the small cylinder size against the bigger-engined machines from its rivals, which immediately made it a big hit with the buying public. The UK Montesa importers were Montala Motors Limited of Dartford, headed by Don Barrett and John Brise who had high expectations for the new model and planned to import 800 machines during 1972, including the Cota 247.
The first sighting of the Montesa Cota 123 outside of Spain was at the Scottish Six Days Trial in May 1972 where Spanish riders Javier Blanc finished 74th and Jose Permanyer finished 87th, winning first-class awards. Montala Motors immediately predicted they could sell 300 in the first year and ordered 50 of the new models, taking pre-orders for 40 literally over-night.
In June Montesa supported riders Charlie Harris won a Brighton club trial as Gordon Farley won the Bob Kingsley Memorial Trial, with them both mounted on the new Montesa Cota 123. John Brise had been the driving force behind establishing the Montesa brand in the UK. In 1972 he suffered the first of what proved to be a series of fatal heart attacks and so as not to impede the success of the Montesa name the importership was split into two halves. Jim Sandiford was appointed the second importer, to cover the supply of machines and spares to the area north of Birmingham, while Brise would cover all areas to the South. As the health of Brise worsened Jim Sandiford became the sole importer for Montesa into the UK.
In 1972 Montesa had sold 27,000 motorcycles worldwide and saw respected trials rider and businessman Sandiford as a sure-fire way of expanding their trials and off-road business. Sandiford had gained a superb reputation with his already booming motorcycle business, and he also had a respectable off-road riding record having won national trials and gold medals riding for his country in the ISDT on BSA and Greeves machinery. It was also agreed that he would not import the company’s road bike range of machines but would focus on the trials and motocross market. The new arrangement commenced on the 1st January 1973 and with Sandiford at the helm the UK trials business continued to grow.