CONFIDENT BRISTOW
The Spanish brand Montesa, and Jim Sandiford go hand in hand. The Sandiford family have imported the machines since the late sixties. When Jim Sandiford passed away in 1993 it was his son and daughter Martin and Caroline who were left to continue with the business. They have successfully negotiated their way to enviable success with sales of machines, and competition success including SSDT and Scott To win with James in 2007 was unbelievable… Trial wins. In a male dominated sport it was Stood at the bottom of the hill with all my and Caroline who looked after the logistics. She has James’s family before he rode up onto the finish attended every SSDT since a very early age. ramp, and to see his (and team riders Jack Lee and With the change of direction in the Montesa/ Andy Huddleston’s) body language as they rode Honda trials importership she will not have the down the back street.. We knew he’d done it... I famous Montesa hospitality in the Parc Ferme, cried... Personally for me that year I needed that, leading her to have her first holiday in May! he knew that and didn’t disappoint. It was utterly Riding“I really withdon’t know the what confidenceI’m going to whichdo with has been fantastic rewardedand a real team effort. Exactly what this myselfwith a that 4th first Ladiesweek in BritishMay… It’s crowngoing to Emmabe Bristowsport is all addedabout. As for Amos in 2002, well what very strange. My brother is sad but relieved... he can I say... Amos and this family have a friendship two more wins on her way to the 2016 title. Alice Minta really hated the headache that went with it all, but going back YEARS (Back to Cyclo Trials Days) I sealedstill love the that place Girls andB the Route event, withit still oneis Dad more roundand his win remainingwas very very special and was for me… What will I do? .. I will probably still drive celebrated as only Amos can!! as they championship allows one round to be dropped. to Fort William for a few days’ holiday and for the Now I’m not going to get into the politics, the first time in over 17 years watch some sections. global meltdown and the impact that had on That will certainly be a novelty, after having been Montesa. The phone is ringing daily at the moment confined to the Parc Ferme day in day out running with the “Why aren’t you doing the Montesa our service for such a long time. I can’t NOT do the service in Scotland?” and it’s a question we cannot drive up through Glencoe, wave at the tree growing politically answer. The switch to four-stroke (and out of the rock (long story… but as kids Dad used being the leaders) should have paved the way for to wake us up to look at the same! – Ask Hemmo’s Montesa, but across the board it increased the and any Lampkin, they used to get woken up to base costs of the bikes and therefore the retail. look at it as well!) But yes, to watch some sections The economy took a downturn and the buying would be nice. Although I am sure I will feel like a public could no longer justify such a high end cost spare part. No working out of delay times (Wow)... (despite the brand’s unrivalled reliability). TwoI can do them in my head I’ve been doing those strokes made a resurgence… sales of four-strokes for so long, but I’m sure someone will chuck their diminished. With over 40 years of experience and delay card at me with the words “Caz – how long Montesa contacts all over the world we are a stick have I got?” Don’t get me wrong, the 14 hours of Montesa rock... cut us in half and that’s what (sometimes) on that car park is extremely hard is says... Coupled with unsurpassable knowledge work; the loading of all the spares, the setting and experience of the brand it’s been a sad out of the same, the preparation and logistics of demise… But looking forward, we as a family still the “hire” bikes, looking after riders… it’s always have a commitment to the sport. That’s what Trials classed in our family as THE WORST WEEK of is about – always has been and always will be... the year… but it still holds that special place in our Trials = Family and lifelong Friendships … simple. hearts. Our hospitality was branded “second to none” – other “contracted” riders used to try and sneak in for some of our scram… we generally let them. This sport is so family orientated it is (and will be) very difficult for someone from outside to integrate and ours is certainly a VERY hard act to follow.