MILES: 96. SECTIONS: 32 DAY TWO: TUESDAY
It was time to get wrapped up on the close-on 100-mile ride for day two as ‘Vesty’ came back up the leaderboard like a rocket-propelled jet, parting with just a single mark. After a dismal first day, the 1980 winner hit the feet-up button, parting with his single mark at Allt a Chaoruinn before taking lunch at Invergarry.
Day one leader Burgat had his first wake-up call of the week with a stop at Achlain in the morning, and he parted with nine marks for the day to hold second position. On form was Steve ‘Butch’ Robson (Fantic-GBR), who, along with Rathmell, parted with just five marks for the day as they moved up to 10th and 11th positions on the leaderboard. As the scores were announced, another French rider led the event as Charles Coutard finished the day two marks in front of Burgat. Another English rider showing good form was Italjet’s, Chris Myers. Later in the week, he would be the lowest-scoring English rider on two occasions.
Missing from the results was Rob Shepherd. He was a challenger for the win over the previous decade. In 1981 he switched from the four-stroke Honda to the Majesty Yamaha. In 22nd position on Monday, he had mechanical problems on the Tuesday which halted his progress as he retired from the event.
BEST DAILY PERFORMANCE: Yrjo Vesterinen
(Bultaco-FIN) 1 Mark Lost
RESULTS: 1: Charles Coutard (Montesa-FRA) 22; 2: Gilles Burgat (SWM-FRA) 24; 3: Martin Lampkin (SWM-GBR) 26; 4: Jaime Subira (Fantic-ESP) 30; 5: John Reynolds (Beamish Suzuki-GBR) 32; 6: Yrjo Vesterinen (Bultaco-FIN) 35; 7: Danilio Galeazzi (SWM-ITA) 38; 8: Nigel Birkett (Fantic-GBR) 38; 9: Norman Shepherd (Majesty Yamaha-GBR) 38; 10: Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa-GBR) 38.