BORN IN THE USA
Everyone wanted to win the FIM World Trials Championship and the SSDT. It was a boom time in motorcycle trials, and not just for the riders but also for the manufacturers, who valued the bragging rights as they knew winning these two titles sold their machines. As they came to Scotland, Belgium’s Eddy Lejeune on the four-stroke Honda RTL was on top in the world championship in front of the American Bernie Schreiber on the SWM; they both knew how vital an SSDT win would be. But, with over 100 foreign riders entered in the event, would a British winner break the winning mould from Europe?
The talk in the earlier part of the week was all about the atrocious weather and the superb performances shown by Eddy Lejeune during the start of a very wet week. Heavy rain stopped play at the very first group of sections at Glen Nevis on day one, which was subsequently cancelled. However, riders swiftly moved on to the lower slopes of Ben Nevis to get the six days underway.
Snow on the higher ground stopped some of the moor crossings, and day one turned into chaos for both the riders and officials! Lejeune struggled with his glasses, which constantly steamed up, but he certainly did not let it affect his riding.
A break in the cold, wet weather came in the latter part of the week as the sun shone through for the tarmac day, which takes the riders around the stunning Moidart Peninsula. On day four, Schreiber took his opportunity and moved into the lead as Lejeune fought back to the lead on day five. On day six, Bernie Schreiber was on fire as he became the first American rider to win the Scottish Six Days Trial.
1982 SCOTTISH SIX DAYS TRIAL
RESULTS: 1: Bernie Schreiber (SWM-USA) 105; 2: Toni Gorgot (Montesa-ESP) 123; 3: Eddy Lejeune (Honda-BEL) 126; 4: Martin Lampkin (SWM-GBR) 131; 5: Gilles Burgat (Fantic-FRA) 135; 6: Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa-GBR) 138; 7: John Lampkin (CCM-GBR) 139; 8: Danilio Galeazzi (SWM-ITA) 142; 9: Yrjo Vesterinen (Bultaco-FIN) 144; 10: Thierry Michaud (SWM-FRA) 147; 11: Nigel Birkett (Fantic-GBR) 169; 12: Charles Coutard (Bultaco-FRA) 174; 13: Adrian Prato (Fantic-FRA) 178; 14: Mike Skinner (Ossa-GBR) 205; 15: Peter Cartwright (Italjet-GBR) 210; 16: Chris Sutton (Ossa-GBR) 211; 17: Frans Haff (FanticGER) 213; 18: Scott Head (Italjet-USA) 214; 19: Gabino Renales (Ossa-ESP) 223; 20: Steve Saunders (Bultaco-GBR) 232.