A strong, experienced Dabill wins

Reeth in North Yorkshire and the surrounding areas had suffered devastating storms and floods before the 2019 Scott Trial, and at one point the event was looking very much like a non-runner. The locals needed man-power and support to re-open some of the storm-damaged roads, and many of the regular hazards up the rivers and climbs that play such a vital part of the unique time and observation trial would require work to make them rideable. The trials ‘family’ and friends from Richmond Motor Club visited the local area. They supported the efforts to find some normality, with working parties from the surrounding areas providing man-hours and machinery. They very much welcome the support from the locals for the Scott, and it was now payback time. With the scars still visible the event went ahead and, as is typical for this event, it was so good to see the residents out and about offering their support and encouragement to the event and the riders.

Despite the threats of another wet day, come Saturday the 12th October the greatest one-day motorcycle trial in the world was welcomed by near-perfect trials riding conditions as the sun shone through from the overcast early start. After a tough rain-sodden 2018 trial, the rider entries were slightly down but at 9.00am the assembled riders started to roll down the start ramp at Feldom Range, near Marske high above Richmond in Yorkshire, to compete over the 70 hazards on the close-on 80-mile single-lap course.

Last year’s winner Dougie Lampkin would not be competing due to injury, and so the question on everyone’s lips was who would stand proud and hold the famous Alfred A. Scott Memorial Trophy. When the news was announced that one of the event favourites, Jack Price, had missed a section and would be missing from the final results, it was not a surprise to find that a strong solid, experienced ride from James Dabill, on the Italian Beta, would be rewarded with his fourth Scott Trial victory.