KING KARLSON
The defending champion Ulf Karlson (Montesa-SWE) threw himself straight back into the mix for the fight for the 1981 title, knowing he would need to do something special to win in Yorkshire. He beat Martin Lampkin (SWM) and Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa), who had ridden their hearts out in front of a home crowd. Organised by the Wetherby Club, a crowd of over 3,000 spectators watched the world stars in action on a fine day. From the start area at Raydale, Bainbridge, a long 28-section lap on the surrounding hills would be ridden twice. Rathmell led the way after the first lap with a two-mark lead over Karlson, with Martin Lampkin breathing down his neck just one mark behind.
Gilles Burgat (SWM-FRA) looked confident after a week spent in Yorkshire testing the new Michelin tyres as Eddy Lejeune (Honda-BEL) joined them in close company in fifth. Manuel Soler (Montesa-ESP) almost halved his first-lap score of 57 to 29 to hoist himself into the top five. However, Burgat remained consistent to secure a solid fourth place. The deciding factor was section number 21, where Karlson went through feet-up to record a clean as both Lampkin and Rathmell parted with marks. John Reynolds (Beamish Suzuki-GBR) scored the final point, making three English riders in the top ten.
ROUND 4: BAINBRIDGE, GREAT BRITAIN 15/03/1981. ENTRY: 80
RESULTS: 1: Ulf Karlson (Montesa-SWE) 70; 2: Martin Lampkin (SWM-GBR) 73; 3: Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa-GBR) 74; 4: Gilles Burgat (SWM-FRA) 81; 5: Manuel Soler (Montesa-ESP) 86; 6: Eddy Lejeune (Honda-BEL) 87; 7: Yrjo Vesterinen (BultacoFIN) 92; 8: Christian Desnoyers (Montesa-FRA) 94; 9: Charles Coutard (Montesa-FRA) 96; 10: John Reynolds (Beamish SuzukiGBR) 109; 11: Chris Sutton (Montesa-GBR) 113; 12: Kiyoteru Hattori (Honda-JPN) 113; 13: Chris Myers (Italjet-GBR) 117; 14: Toni Gorgot (Ossa-ESP) 117; 15: Bernie Schreiber (Italjet-USA) 118.