MILES: 72. SECTIONS: 32 DAY ONE: MONDAY
On day one of this six-day competition taking the lead is not always a good omen but that is what Gilles Burgat achieved. It had been a close opening day with many riders having a ‘Superstar’ moment under a clear blue sky. A previous winner from 1976 to 1978, Martin Lampkin was annoyed with himself for a stop on the slippery rocks of the Blackwater hazards just after lunch in Kinlochleven, but further problems later in the day would affect so many of the 280 starters. The long steep climb just off the Mamore Road named Caillich was made up of six hazards, and such was the severity of the group of sections many riders faced delay. In the race to complete the riding of the hill, many riders incurred time penalties, including Burgat.
Enjoying the full atmosphere of the event, one of the observers went home and took the observer’s book with them, forcing a delay in the results until Tuesday morning!
Missing out of the top ten were another two previous winners: Malcolm Rathmell (MontesaGBR), who was down in 17th position on 33 marks lost, and Yrjo Vesterinen (Bultaco-FIN) on 34. Times were changing at the SSDT — six of the top ten riders were foreigners. With the top
ten positions covered by just 11 marks, day one had left the riders closely bunched as day two dawned.
BEST DAILY PERFORMANCE: Gilles Burgat (SWM-FRA) 15 Marks Lost
RESULTS: 1: Gilles Burgat (SWM-FRA) 15; 2: Martin Lampkin (SWM-GBR) 17; 3: Jaime Subira (Fantic-ESP) 17; 4: Josep Jo (Montesa-ESP) 18; 5: Charles Coutard (Montesa-FRA)19; 6: Danilio Galeazzi (SWM-ITA) 22; 7: Alberto Juvanteny (OssaESP) 24; 8: John Reynolds (Beamish Suzuki-GBR) 25; 9: Peter Cartwright (Italjet-GBR) 25; 10: Norman Shepherd (Majesty Yamaha-GBR) 26.