Graham Foster-Vigors
In a fast-moving world, I had to check my email account to find out when my first communication came about with Graham Foster-Vigors. It was in late
2016 when I received a welcome one from him as he introduced himself as the new Off-Road Sales Manager for Honda HME-UK Motorcycles for 2017. He was immediately showing an interest in the world of motorcycle trials, and it was clear that he would need some support in an industry in which Trial Magazine has such a clear understanding. After Graham visited the publisher’s offices in April 2017, it was clear that he would be a quick learner about what makes the trials world ‘tick’, and he wanted to be involved in my world.
The weather in Buxton, Derbyshire, in early 2020 was very cold and overcast when I met up with Graham for a spot of lunch in a local hotel but, as always, the handshake was warm as we found out about his introduction to his new role at Honda UK in 2017.
So how did you arrive as the Off-Road Sales Manager for Honda HMEUK Motorcycles in 2017?
I joined Honda in 2002 working with power equipment, as, at this point, was my field of expertise. I joined the Motorcycle department in 2007 working on the ‘On Road’ side of the business until 2016. Off-road and trials always interested me and working for Honda I had been able to get more involved in these areas. Honda had always said to its off-road network that when business reached a certain level, they would introduce an Off-Road Sales Manager, and that was my chance to take on this role.
How did the introduction to Honda HME-UK Motorcycles happen?
HME (Honda Motor Europe) is in direct control of all branches, so this enables communication to happen across the branch; hence my close relationship with Montesa and Honda ES (Espana).
Does your job title just cover motorcycle trials?
In my role, I cover all things off-road; Children’s, Enduro and Motocross machines. Plus I am responsible for the Buildbase Honda Racing Team and all of our experience centres: Dave Thorpe Honda Off-Road Centre, Honda Adventure Centre, Ron Haslam Race School (RHRS) and Inch Perfect Trials. I have a very close working relationship with Dave Thorpe, who taught me everything I know about off-road riding. He runs three of these operations for us. It is a pleasure to be involved with such activities, and the centre runs smoothly under his guidance. The Inch Perfect Trials Experience was an idea developed with Matthew Alpe, which has evolved over the last three years to what it is now. Latterly, I have also been the contact for Ron and Ann Haslam at the RHRS.
How did you find your first visit to the Scottish Six Days Trial?
As you know, it all happened very quickly, and this was when I needed the support from your good self. Honda UK had already struck up a good working relationship with the organising Edinburgh & District Motor Club and, in particular, the Clerk of the Course, Jeff Horne. We had the new Montesa Cota 4Ride model, and we arranged to supply the club with machines to be used by the club’s enthusiastic officials during the six days. We have continued to support the event, and have more involvement and support from Montesa/Honda UK each year.
Were you welcomed with open arms?
Yes, the club and its members gave me a very warm welcome and immediately made me feel at home. We wanted to promote the new Cota 4Ride, and this was the ideal launch platform to expose the world to the excellent all-round attributes of the machine. Jeff Horne had agreed for myself and John Hulme, from Trial Magazine, to go out onto one of the daily routes, which still stands as a constant reminder to just how much fun you can have on a motorcycle! I was still very much a beginner to riding a motorcycle trials machine, but with some support from John, I still have very fond memories of the Tuesday we had out in the 2017 SSDT.
“…I have travelled to the Scottish Six Days Trial every May, and the support to the club from Honda UK has matured into a very strong working relationship.”
What were your initial thoughts on this iconic event?
It was an event with a long-standing history, run by such an enthusiastic bunch of people who were all passionate about one thing, motorcycle trials. It was an eye-opener and a fantastic introduction to motorcycle trials for me in my new job title. Since that initial introduction, I have travelled to Scottish Six Days Trial every May, and the support to the club from Honda UK has matured into a very strong working relationship. This shop window for the product we sell is second to none and, along with the event support provided, strengthens our ‘Montesa Family’.
Since 2017 you have had new models arrive?
As we move into 2020, the evolution of the legendary four-stroke Cota 4RT continues, with new models arriving. Having Toni Bou as the undisputed FIM Trial World Champion does help; everywhere you look he is the rider everyone talks about. With support from Japan’s ‘King of Cool’ Takahisa Fujinami, they are very much a ‘dream team’, and the results speak for themselves; we have new riders on the way from the Montesa talent school. We now have a strong sales network here in the UK, and they offer dealer support to riders who compete at all levels of the sport.
With such involvement in the off-road world of motorcycles, what’s your interest away from the sport?
I have two grown-up sons who both work in the world of football. The boys are my world, and it has been just a pleasure to help bring them up and to watch them turn into amazing young men. All my life, I have competed in many sports such as football, karting, enduro, off-shore power racing and latterly Autograss (car). I currently race a car in the F600 class, which is a motorcycle-engined class, and I run a Honda CBR600RR in a space-frame class. In 2019 I won the British Autograss Championship in the class, an event held over five weekends in the year across the whole country. It was my first British Championship, and it felt like a fantastic achievement!
“I was able to make a presentation to the factory about UK conditions. Then the current Cota range was developed with the UK conditions in mind”
And motorcycle trials?
2017 saw me dip my toe in the sport of motorcycle trials, with my first ever day spent with Richard Thorpe, and more training undertaken with Inch Perfect Trials. I strongly feel that I missed out on trials when I was a youngster, and the sport has made me a better motorcycle rider than I ever was. I do try and compete in the odd trial; I am still at a novice level, but I enjoy the trials scene; it keeps me in touch with the market place. It actually helps in all the facets regarding Montesa. For example, I was able to make a presentation to the factory about UK conditions. Then the current Cota range was developed with the UK conditions in mind, with such elements as engine braking and power delivery being adapted to suit the UK market. I am very proud of this achievement, and it shows the strength of the relationship with the factory. I am able to speak with the factory regularly to enhance and improve all aspects of the business, and they appreciate the support from their lead market.