A History of the Scott the Scott Trial Originated in 1914 When Alfred

A History of the Scott The Scott trial originated in 1914 when Alfred Scott, inventor and founder of the Scott Motorcycle Company, issued a challenge to his workers at the Scott motorcycle factory and those of his local agent. The challenge was to ride and navigate their way from the factory in Shipley through the Yorkshire Dales on a prescribed route to Bumsall. Of the 14 starters only 9 finished. Alfred Scott (far right) with Frank Applebee and Frank Philipp in the Isle of Man The event was reintroduced after the war in 1919 and although Alfred Scott died in 1923, the event was run by the Scott workers until 1926. Bradford & District Motor Club then took over, moving the start and finish to Blubberhouses. C.H. Wood riding a Scott in the 1924 Scott trial for the Armitage & Wilkinson Trophy near the Scar The Scott Trial became a prestigious event, and by the early 1920s it had contributed to the notion that Yorkshiremen were the best and toughest riders in all of Britain. In 1938 the trial was moved to Swainby in Cleveland due to the loss of land in the Dales. At that time the Leeds Waterworks Authority owned much of the land and with the consciousness of pollution, would not allow trials to continue over most of their property. The running of the event was now in the hands of the Middlesborough & Stockton Motor Clubs. In 1950 the trial moved to Swaledale where it has remained since. This time the move was political. The ACU split the area into the North Eastern Centre and the Yorkshire Centre. The Yorkies didn’t mind losing the Geordie riders and clubs but would not lose their favourite trial. The Darlington & District Motor Club took over the organisation until 1990 after which the Richmond Motor Club took over. In his career of over 1000 wins, Sammy Miller considered the 1962 Scott Trial as the greatest ever. The week of rain meant the course was muddy and dangerous. Conditions were so bad that only 40 finished from a field of 185 at the start. Sammy Miller (on his Ariel 500cc) won on what was to be his second win of seven Scott Trial wins overall. Trials maestro Sammy Miller seen here in the early 1970's in North Yorkshire. Maybe Orgate Falls. The Current Scott trial is a time and observation event run over an off road course of approximately 84 miles, divided into approx 75 sections. The riders lose marks for "footing" in the observed sections and for finishing behind the fastest rider who sets standard time. Marks used to be lost at the rate of 1 mark per minute but this has been relaxed to 1 mark every 2 minutes. Over the years a huge range of special awards and memorial trophies have become associated with the Scott, including best Yorkshireman (or woman!), oldest finisher, and various club and special awards. There are now 40 different awards given out at the presentation evening on the night of the Trial. A huge team gather in the observer boards throughout the day, and have the results worked out by about 10pm, following a charity auction. As in 1962 the weather can be as harsh as the course. In 1998 only 27 of the 147 entries completed the course. On this occasion Graham Jarvis won for the third tie with the fastest time of 5 hours 50 minutes. In 2008 rain reduced the finishers to 60 out of 200 with Jarvis winning for a record 8th time. In 2009 Graham Jarvis won again despite being 28 minutes slower than last years runner-up James Dabill. His unique skill over the sections, losing him 22 points compared to Dabill’s 38, gave him his ninth win Graham Jarvis in the 2009 Scott Trial It has been described as the greatest test of man and machine and is an event in which the clubman riders can still compete on the same course as top international stars. 2009 Scott Trial -Top Three Riders - James Dabill (2nd) Graham Jarvis (1st) Alex Wigg (3rd) Each year the Scott raises money for the "Scott charities", local non-profit making organisations who are often too small to attract grants from the usual sources. In 2009 a total of £100,000 has been donated in the time since Richmond Motor Club took over the running of the trial. 2009 Scott Charity Presentation Evening .

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