INTERNATIONAL Scottish Six Days Trial
It was very much a case of a ‘Showdown on the Ben’ once again after the drama of the previous year, as James Dabill carried his advantage into the hazards on the final day of the 2019 Scottish Six Days Trial to take a welldeserved victory. Having led the event all week, he finally brought Dougie Lampkin’s run of seven straight victories to an end in the Edinburgh & District Motor Club’s famous event. These two riders had been in very close company all week, never being separated by more than a few marks over the five days, and slowly pulling clear of the chasing pack as the week progressed. They went into the final day separated by just two marks as James Dabill held the advantage over Lampkin in a repeat of the final day scenario of 2018. This time there was no drama for Dabill as he parted with a single mark as did Lampkin giving ‘Dibsta’ the win he so much wanted. It’s quite ironic that James on the Italian Beta was the last rider to win the Scottish before Dougie Lampkin’s incredible run in 2011. Riding the four-stroke Montesa Cota 4RT, he took his first ‘Scottish’ victory in 2007, the first for a four-stroke since Alan Lampkin, Dougie’s uncle, on a BSA back in 1966 making this his third victory.
JAMES DABILL: “I am delighted with this latest victory at the 2019 Scottish Six Days Trial after the win was snatched away in 2018 in the final hazards on Ben Nevis. The defeat made me so much stronger mentally, and this year I arrived at the event very calm and relaxed. As anyone who knows me they will tell you I am very much a family man these days. Having my wife, Emma, and my two boys, Archie and Noah, as well as my mother and father with me is all the motivation I need.
“Coming home in the evening after a day at the SSDT I can spend some family time which allows me to relax. My parents, Mal and Cherry, and Emma have all been on the trials journey since the very early days of my career sharing the highs and lows, and it’s good to have them about when I need some support.
“It was a nice gesture from the Clerk of the Course, Jeff Horne, to allow Archie and Noah to join me in the parade as the riders passed through the streets of Fort William. I appreciated that.
“The Beta has run like a dream, and the support from ‘Luca’, the factory mechanic, and the team at Beta UK has as always been second to none. Apart from the usual maintenance, and the fitting of new tyres, I have not used any additional parts. I have had a fantastic group of riders near me, and we have had a really good ‘crack’ which makes the six days of riding so much fun. To everyone who supports me in my trials career, I would like to say a huge thank you”.