Closer look – 1961 SSDT
While a single, hefty dab on Grey Mare’s Ridge was all Gordon Jackson took on his way to his fourth and most famous SSDT win, the all-important manufacturer’s team competition remained in the balance for much of the duration.
Even in his wildest dreams, as Edinburgh MCC secretary Campbell McGregor received entries for the first ‘Scottish’ in 1909, he couldn't have imagined the event would gain such worldwide acclaim. Punctuated by two world wars, Foot and Mouth Disease and now Covid-19, the Scottish Six Days
Trial (SSDT) remains ‘the event’ for many trials riders and enthusiasts. What could be better than a week’s holiday in the Highlands, competing, watching or officiating on the most scenic trials sections in the world, against backdrops which have inspired thousands of artists and poets.
Over the years, many SSDT histories have been penned – rather than repeat them, here’s a few highlights to set the scene.
1909 (July 1): Twenty-six entrants assembled at Murrayfield tram terminus, Edinburgh, for the start of the first Scottish – a five-day event. In common with other period trials, there was no outright victor, and such was the event’s severity, only Messrs Salveson and Thomson were awarded gold medals.
• 1910: Just 19 entrants lined up for the start of the second Scottish to ride the full six days, making it the Scottish Six Days Trial. The only rider earning a gold medal was J Holroyd (1¼hp Motosacoche) who later described all other events as ‘mere picnics’ compared with the SSDT. • 1919 (July 21): Due to postwar difficulties, from an entry of 72 only 50 started, of whom nine were awarded gold medals.
• 1926: The system of tallying marks was categorised under four headings: brake tests, daily condition of machine, hill climbing and reliability.
• 1930: The efficiency with which the Edinburgh MCC complete their organisation is amazing. For example, in this subject year 102 machines were logged and weighed in at Alexander’s Garage, Edinburgh, in just three hours and within hours of the trial’s finish, Official Reports were printed and ready for presentation to each entrant by early evening.
• 1931: Although there was no outright winner, new rules penalised entrants for footing on hills.
• 1932: Despite colliding with a Morgan three-wheeler, Scotsman Bob McGregor (499cc Rudge) dropped only four marks to win the first fully observed SSDT.
• 1939: Motorcycle shop proprietor Allan Jefferies (Triumph) won the last SSDT before the Second World War.
• 1947: Hugh Viney (AJS) wins the first post Second World War SSDT.
• 1949: AJS teamster Hugh Viney completes the SSDT’s first hat-trick.
• 1955: Future double 500cc Motocross World Champion (1964 and 1965) Jeff Smith won his only SSDT, the only time a 499c BSA Gold Star was victorious.
• 1959: Roy Peplow (199cc Triumph Cub) became the first rider of an under 350cc machine to win the SSDT.
• 1961: Gordon Jackson (350cc AJS) drops just one mark all week.
• 1965: Riding a Bultaco he’d been instrumental in developing, Sammy Miller became the first entrant to win riding both a two-stroke and a non-British machine.
• 1966: Alan Lampkin’s win on a 250cc BSA
is the last victory by a British four-stroke.
• 1969: Riding a Greeves Anglian, Billy Wilkinson records the last win with a British motorcycle.
• 1972: Mick Andrews (Ossa) completes a hat-trick.
• 1978: Martin Lampkin (Bultaco) completes a hat-trick.
• 1980: Yrjö Vesterinen (Montesa) is the first non-British victor.
• 1986: Thierry Michaud (Fantic) completes a hat-trick.
• 1991: Steve Saunders (Fantic and Beta) wins four consecutive SSDTs.
• 1996: Dougie Lampkin (Beta) completes a hat-trick, making him and his father Martin the only father and son entrants to win the SSDT and complete hat-tricks.
• 2001: SSDT cancelled due to Foot and Mouth Disease.
• 2007: James Dabill (Future TRW Montesa), records first four-stroke win for 41 years.
• 2018: Dougie Lampkin (Gas Gas and Vertigo) wins seventh consecutive
SSDT. The 2018 victory also saw Dougie (Beta, Gas Gas and Vertigo) complete 12 SSDT victories.
• 2020: Cancelled due to the
Covid-19 situation.
The 1961 entries
Gordon Jackson’s single dab apart, 1961 was a significant year for the SSDT, as there were no sidecars, and a maximum of 200 solo entries accepted. Not willing to miss their Highland holiday, charioteers Arthur Pulman (246cc Dot) – last year’s Seton Challenge Trophy winner for second best sidecar (500cc Matchless s/c) – and Bob Collier, who secured a first class award piloting a near standard Norton Jubilee/Watsonian Bambini sidecar in 1960, entered on solos. Joining the scores of regulars headed by last year’s victor Gordon Jackson (347cc AJS) were entries from Holland, Poland, Sweden and Canadian GT Raza (199cc Triumph).
Factory teams comprised AJS, BSA, Dot, Francis-Barnett, Greeves, James, Royal Enfield and, for the first time, Cotton. There was no Triumph team, but riding the firm’s Cubs Gordon Blakeway, John Giles and Roy Peplow entered under the Jim Alves banner.
Arrivals
As Edinburgh roused on Saturday, April 29, privateers and teams looking forward to a week’s fun were arriving. But the usual hive of activity was subdued, as most entrants had adopted the modern, professional
approach, by arriving with machines fettled ready, the days of full engine rebuilds and frame repairs over the pre SSDT weekend confined to history. By Saturday night, half the entry had arrived, found their hotels and were out for an evening in the city, renewing friendships and making new ones.
As more riders arrived on Sunday,
Greeves boys Jack Simpson, Don Smith and Bill Wilkinson were among the few making minor adjustments to their all-new trials models, unveiled just after the season’s new scramblers. Boasting a steeper steering head angle (seemingly the handiwork of Smith) plus revised exhaust system for more power and glass fibre front mudguard, the Thundersley machines attracted lots of attention and their riders were given plenty of advice, most of it unwelcome!
Although the Polish boys had arrived on Saturday, their machines, held up by customs, didn’t arrive until Sunday. Unfortunately one of the favourites, Jeff Smith, was out with a damaged wrist following a crash at the previous weekend’s Belgian MX GP – Tony Davis took over as his BSA team replacement. Efficiently, the Edinburgh Club marked machine
components which couldn’t be removed during the week and after handing their mounts in, riders could enjoy a meal and an early night, or not!
First day, Monday
Dawn was bright and sunny, but, always, someone has to spoil the occasion, claiming there’d be stair rod rain by noon. Wearing number one, Foster Williamson fired up his tiny 75cc Capriolo at exactly
8am to lead the crocodile of machines out of Scotland’s capital for the 33 mile run to the first observed section at Culross, a former port city on the Firth of Forth.
While most warmed engines and settled nerves, Tom Ellis’ BSA seized its big end and near Lochearnhead Arthur Pulman’s Dot, unhitched from its usual sidecar, holed a piston. Clearly it liked company!
If Culross was kind, Glenogle wasn’t, with a large rock on the S-bend crunching crankcases. Soon after, the clutch of Williamson’s Caprilo gave up, and the Royal Enfields of Johnny Brittain and Irishman Benny Crawford ran big ends, then Lionel Wyer’s 246cc Cotton was out with a split tank. Mist and penetrating light rain descended over the Grampions and the seven sections at Altnafeadh robbed marks off many, as observers huddled for cover against the biting, cold wind.
After Kinlochleven, riders reacquainted themselves with Mamore, a hill that changes its mood within moments and always demands respect. Tipsters’ favourites Gordon Jackson and Arthur Lampkin (249cc BSA) showed respect and gave a masterclass in motorcycle control.
One unlucky spectator enjoyed closer contact with the countryside than expected, as, taking the bend at Lock Leven speedily, Donald McKenzie (249cc Francis-Barnett) pitched him down the mountainside. Later, the route crossed the Old Mamore Road, then into Fort William and the easy observed climb of Town Hall Brae, before handing machines in after their 152-mile run. Pat Brittain (346cc Royal Enfield), John Harris (249cc BSA) Arthur Lampkin, Gordon Jackson, Gordon McLaughlan (347cc AJS) and Sammy Miller (497cc Ariel) led on zero marks.
Day two, Tuesday
As the SSDT woke up to squally showers and the odd sunny interval, no one knew history was in the making. But before that, riders enjoyed a 23-mile damp ride to Grey Mare’s Ridge – well all except 1950 and 1954 victor Artie Ratcliffe (199cc Triumph), who’d overslept and was automatically excluded – which was one of the toughest SSDT hills with steep climbs, tight hairpins, rocks and mud scheming to pinch marks. Just four experts cleaned: Eric Adcock (250cc Dot), Arthur Lampkin, Bill Martin (249cc James)
and Ray Sayer (199cc Triumph). Many held their breath as joint overnight leader Jackson was forced to foot once, with reporter Peter Howdle on hand to capture the moment on film. For his part, Jackson, being the ultimate professional, made the most of his single dab.
The easier Martuim robbed marks off some (including Lampkin) and it witnessed Bill Wilkinson’s gearbox fail. Even riding the road sections requires upmost concentration, as AJS teamster Cliff Clayton rued over lunch; he missed a turning and arrived at the lunch stop missing sections, returned to rejoin the trial at his point of error, then ran out of fuel to lose a total of 57 marks. The afternoon run back to Fort William was relatively easy until the four sections on the lower reaches of Ben Nevis were eagerly waiting, trapping Sammy Miller, who made one of his extra-long single dabs.
In addition to Ratcliffe and Wilkinson, the lengthy retirement list included Bob Collier and Raza, and as all tucked into their evening meal, Gordon Jackson on one, led Arthur Lampkin two and Sammy Miller three.
Day three, Wednesday
Heading north from Fort William to Laggan Locks gave riders the chance to settle nerves, or perhaps unsettle them, at the thought of a long climb with loose stones – some fortunately washed away thanks to recent rain – and engine-wrecking rock outcrops. Jackson, Lampkin and Miller made light work of the sub sections, as did Bob Hart (246cc Dot). As Blakeway left the terrors of Laggan Locks behind, his 199cc Triumph ran its big end. Easier sections followed but by Loch Ness two more – Bryan Povey (249cc BSA) and Tony Davis (343cc BSA) – were nursing sick engines.
Before lunch at Inverness, Lampkin lost a mark at Convinth, then a mark apiece was robbed off Pat Brittain (346cc Royal Enfield), Adcock and Martin on Lochend climb. After the midday stop, the old military road took the trial to Foyers and a track lying in a narrow, rock-filled gully. To avoid wheelspin speed is needed; but not too much. Mick Dismore (249cc James) was too fast, almost lost it, then saved his day with extravagant body lean. Not so McLaughlan, who had to brake hard then foot heavily.
Just Hart, Jackson and Miller returned to Fort William’s hotels after a clean day. Unlucky were Arthur Brown (148cc Triumph), Ian Williamson (249cc FrancisBarnett) and Ted Wratten (347cc Matchless) whose collars were felt for speeding by the police, and, therefore, under SSDT regulations, excluded from the trial. The day’s retirements included Olga Kevelos (249cc James) and Alan Lampkin (249cc BSA), while McLaughlan would have all night to ready his spanners; he’d lost his silencer and needed to fit one after he was flagged off and with the penalty time clock ticking.
Day four, Thursday
Silencer fitted, McLaughlin pressed on hard – in fact, too hard, as he lost a mark at the easy Ashburn Lane on muddy slabs. Heading out over the Moidart peninsula, the hill by Lock Eil took marks off many. Drovers trails seemed tamer than the steep climbs, mud, rocks and at times seemingly bottomless bog, then on to Devil’s Staircase and lunch stop at Salen. Easier sections followed until Ravine and Bay, where a rash of marks were lost, including by top 12 runner John Giles, who cast his 199cc Triumph Cub away. While
the Devil’s Staircase wasn’t quite the terror it once had been, the large body of spectators crowding the banks made route finding difficult. Again Jackson, Lampkin and Miller were dab free all day, as were John Roberts (249cc Francis-Barnett) and newcomer
Don Smith.
Day five, Friday
With just two marks separating the leading trio (Gordon one, Arthur and Sammy three apiece), it was all to play for on the last day of observed sections. And in contrast to the past few days’ worth of rain and winds, the sun shone as the trial headed for Kinlochleven and then Caolasnacoan, with first watery, peaty sections, then a large rock step to the end of the third section. And this was the undoing of Arthur Lampkin; his machine started to slide near the step which it struck and came to a halt on, balanced by its engine bash shield. Arthur sat there knowing his challenge for victory had ended.
On the easier section at Altnafeadh, the demoralised Lampkin dabbed again, then riders arrived at the longest hill in the trial, Loch Eild Path, all 15 observed sections of it. Miller dabbed on sections six and seven,
while Jackson cleaned the lot, as did Sayer, making them only the fourth and fifth riders in the trial’s history to clean all sections; numbers one to three were John Draper, Artie Ratcliffe and Roy Peplow.
With Mamore proving easier than earlier in the week, Jackson claimed his fourth SSDT win with the loss of one mark, Miller was on for second and Arthur Lampkin third. What could possibly go wrong?
Saturday
Leaving in pairs at minute intervals, the entrants set off on the 146-mile ride back to Edinburgh, in strong winds. Through Kinlochleven and then the Glencoe pass and… the SSDT flexed its muscles once more when the 249cc unit engine of Arthur Lampkin’s
BSA suddenly locked solid, perhaps due to damage incurred during Friday’s rock balancing act. Gone was his certain third place finish, the Best 250cc Trophy and a Special First Class Award.
Later, Sammy Miller stopped to syphon some fuel out of his Ariel to get John Harris to the next available petrol station, before Miller too ran out, luckily in sight of the garage, and coasted onto the forecourt.
Then, the electrics of Harris’s BSA threw a wobbly, but he nursed the Beeza into Edinburgh.
Towards Scotland’s capital, Barry Worman’s 249cc BSA also died. Despite heavily bandaged, painful wrists, 44-yearold Fred Pearce (246cc Greeves), riding his first Scottish, nursed his aching body to the finish and a second class award. Of the three lady entrants, Mary Driver (249cc BSA) was the only finisher securing a second class award.
After the stop start test at Blackford Hill and machine examination, entrants found their hotels and guest houses for a welcome hot bath and spruce-up ready to gather for 7.30pm at Edinburgh’s Street Assembly Rooms for the awards, results copies and to enjoy a long, relaxing evening, and much jollity and laughter, before heading for home on Sunday.
Results
• Best solo performance, Alexander Trophy: Gordon L Jackson (347cc AJS) 1 mark lost
• Second best solo, Lochaber Trophy: Sammy H Miller (497cc Ariel) 5
• Third best solo, Nelson Trophy: Roy S Peplow (199cc Triumph) 17
• Best 150cc: Ernie W Smith (149cc Greeves) 73
• Best 200cc: Roy S Peplow (199cc Triumph) 17
• Best 250cc: Jim A Sandiford (249cc
BSA) 23
• Best 350cc: Gordon L Jackson (347cc
AJS) 1
• Best 500cc: Sammy H Miller (497cc
Ariel) 5
• Best first timer: PS Chamberlain Trophy: Don R Smith (246cc Greeves) 37 • Best manufacturer’s team, Blackford Trophy: BSA (Jim Sandiford, John Harris and Tony Davis) 83 • Club team prize, Andy Pattison Trophy (all entries): Sunbeam MCC (Gordon Jackson, Sammy Miller and John Giles, 199cc Triumph) 33 • Club team prize, Meteor Trophy (nontrade entries only):
Munro, 199cc Triumph, Lochaber W MacLean, (BW 246cc Greeves, and RS Thomson, 348cc BSA) 350