We still have a few more sections to put in, plus about 5-6 to card - then it will be a case of riding around and doing the fine tuning. -At least it was cooler on Wednesday, so Pete & myself made good progress.

We’ve heard from a number of people who are either on route or will be shortly - Tony is on his way from Colorado, complete with dogs & cat - A reminder that you are responsible for keeping your pets under control, as although we love dogs, not everybody does, and there will be small children at camp. - Please take care when driving, and remember to look well ahead when entering the narrow cut up the hill near the start area. - I doubt there will be any logging trucks this weekend, but you never know. ( Backing up with a Motor home or trailer really isn’t an option)

Also don’t forget that this is wood tick season, so wearing a hat while out watching all the action in the trees is a good idea. - and finally PLEASE keep an eye on the small kiddies if they are riding around on mini-bikes, we don’t want any accidents.

The pic below is from the Scottish Pre 65 - but could just as easily have been taken at Summerland. - Looking forward to seeing you all………………. Outlaw Dave.

SSDT 2012 PRE-65

- I will be at the site from Thursday afternoon through Sunday - please note, large motor-homes will have to park down near the gate to the gravel pit. I will add some pics to the gallery showing the road in.
We are at the location again today.

Next we followed the Horse trail, over to  “Laggan rocks” and “Log Hop” before getting to Adrian’s wall  and the nearby “Triple Step” - Pete & Jeff went on ahead to do some flagging, while I discovered that I was out of green arrows !! Damn, However, with the temperature in the +30’s and the time already 2pm, I started back down the mountain to the truck. - I’ve posted a couple more pics on the gallery. - today We take a day to catch up on other stuff - need to pic up the trophies etc. - Then tomorrow Pete and myself will tackle some more carding - as you can imagine, with 40 sections and 4 different lines through many, it takes both a lot of time and a lot of thought.

The weather is supposed to cool off a bit tomorrow and through the weekend, which will make life  more bearable out on the loop, but the forecast is still for sunny skies through Saturday/Sunday. - One of the highlights this year, will be the visit by Colorado resident, Tony Down, who will be bringing his immaculate vintage bikes to the Trial - I think this will be the first time many people will have the chance to see a British Royal Enfield Bullet and a special Sammy Miller Triumph cub. - we have heard from many other enthusiasts who are making the long trip, Marris will do the 18 hour jaunt from Ft Mac, while a whole bunch will be coming from Alberta - Pete Bustin is coming as is Steve Day, Steve Fracy, Stan Bakgaard and many other smiling faces, - not forgetting the regulars like Steve Richardson and Jimmy Corkle. - It should be a weekend to remember.

More News tomorrow night after the Wednesday shift>>>>>

A reminder for those people camping, that it’s a good idea to bring along a 5 gal container of water - things are drying out quickly in the bush, and camp fires will need to be strictly controlled.

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Sunday was spent relaxing at home - watched the super-bike races from Donnington Park in England - the second event was pretty exciting with lots of passing and a big crash on the final corner that took out both of the leading BMW’s

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Dabil second in closest ever SSDT finish

Factory Beta rider, James Dabill narrowly missed out on his third victory at the iconic Scottish Six Day Trial after finishing the event on the same 15 marks as fellow Yorkshire rider Dougie Lampkin (Gas Gas).  Lampkln won the event after the “tie breaker” ruling meant the rider who started the trial with most consecutive cleans would take the highest position.  

During six gruelling days, 245 passionate entrants cover as much as 100 miles a day over notoriously tough Scottish highland terrain and naturally unpredictable weather conditions. Now in it’s 101st edition of the event, James Dabill was keen to repeat the victory he had in both 2007 and at last year’s centenary trail. 
The Monster Energy rider started the week as expected and was one of five riders to clean the opening day, unfortunately, James dropped two marks on Tuesday which subsequently lost him the tie-breaking ruling when the time came on the final day.  

James was consistent though out the first three days of the event dropping only three marks and resting within the top three riders. Thursday’s severe Scottish weather saw freezing temperatures and heavy showers meant the longest route of the week saw high marks throughout the leader-board. Each batch of riders have an early day to contend with, James was unlucky drawing Thursday as his, and finished the day on 10 marks which couldn’t match up to the six marks lost by Lampkin and Michael Brown (Gas Gas) who eventually finished the event in third position.  

 Dabill’s week won’t be remembered for Thursday, but the immense come back effort through Friday and Saturday where the 26 year old recorded the lowest marks of both days.  The Friday route was full of various hazards, including the famous Pipers Burn and Glenuig and meant that Dougie Lampkin only held a single point advantage over James going into the final day on Saturday, where he again finished with the lowest marks on two, compared to three lost by Lampkin. 

Speaking about the trial, the Leeds rider commented  “Obviously I am a little disappointed not to win this week, it’s never nice to loose out on a “tie breaker” ruling, but at the same time, if there’s one rider you don’t mind loosing to it’s probably Dougie who has been such a inspiration to me in my career” 

“I was a little unlucky that my early day was Thursday, the longest and most severe day of the trial, we were carving out the routes in the sections all day which is never easy. However, I had a great ride on Thursday and Friday which was brilliant”   “I’ve got to say a massive thank you to Beta UK for all there help this weekend, and also my Mum, Dad,fiancé Emma, Dan at Amped clothing and of the team at Vito Sport for all there help.” 

 James was accompanied by a small film crew during this event, and together with Vito Sport are producing a short edit of the gruelling six days. Keep checking the Vito Sport blog (www.blog.vitosport.co.uk).

After that it was back to the van to pick up more Gatorade as it was really getting hot and my energy level was beginning to  wilt. - then it was over to the Shale climb ( Which caught me for a dab ) took a few pics at the top which I’ve added to the gallery, and then down the backside to where we have the Expert/Advanced riders dropping into Avalanche Alley. - a couple of “Goodies”at the end of the gully here, and that was enough for the day. - Next trip will be Monday, when we will start carding the sections - a huge job, but the weather looks to be fine all week, so they shouldn’t get wet.

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The 2012 Scottish will be remembered for the only time that two riders have had to be separated by a tie-break - There can of course only be one winner, and it was Dougie Lampkin (GG) who prevailed, beating out James Dabill (Beta) by going “Clean” the farthest during the week, after both had exactly the sames scores on cleans. ones, twos and threes. - For Dougie it was a fantastic achievement, putting him in the history books as the only 6 time winner of the event. - Michael Brown (GG) finished 3rd. - Jordi Pascuet ( Jotagas) dropped to 7th on the final day, but the team can be well pleased with their debut, - The top Scottish rider was on a JTG, one of four machines entered - Ross Danby was forced to retire on Thursday with bike trouble. - Young 17 year old Bradley Cox (Beta) impressed with the Best Newcomer Award, and Adam Norris (Beta) just pipped John Shirt (GG) for the over 40 class. - Full results can be seen on the ssdt website, but I’ve also printed them off for interested people to view next weekend at the Outlaw Trial.

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The F1 motor race today from Spain proved to be a surprise win for William’s driver Pastor Maldonado - who fended off local hero Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) finished 3rd.

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In Formula One News - Lewis Hamilton just clinched Pole position for tomorrows race in Barcelona, Spain. - surprise of the session was Williams driver Pasta Maldonado who grabbed 2nd, ahead of crowd favorite Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari. - next come the two Lotus /Renaults, but the reigning World Champ Sebastian Vettel is down in 8th position.

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more news and maybe a few pics later >>>>>>>>>>

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Meanwhile over in Scotland, Thursday saw a change at the top of the leader-board, with Dougie Lampkin, now in front as they head into the last couple of days, -  the long hard day, with bad weather, took it’s toll, and Jordi Pascuet lost 13 points to drop to 3rd spot, However, he is assured of a place in the history books after leading the event for the first three days on the brand new Jotagas. - I think the last time a brand new model won the Scottish was in 1999 when Graham Jarvis did it on the new Bultaco ( later renamed Sherco)

Here is the latest Scottish trivia courtesy Trials Mag:

SSDT - No other event like it.

 The Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) is special in so many ways, and one such part of the event that makes it unique is the diversity of the competitors who take part each year. Indeed, the SSDT is famous for being that one trial of the year that enables amateur riders from around the globe to compete alongside, and to complete the same challenging course, as their professional heroes.

276 riders (male and female) of all ages and backgrounds are competing in the 2012 Scottish Six Days Trial this week, and together represent more than 20 nations. Fifty years separate the oldest and youngest competitors - Austria’s Walthur Luft, 67 (number 98) and Great Britain’s Josh Atkinson, 17 (number 152) - and some riders have even travelled from as far afield as Australia to take part in the Scottish Highlands’ century-old trial.

Among the professional riders competing this year are twelve-times FIM World Champion Dougie Lampkin (Gas Gas), seven-times British Ladies Trial Champion and 2012 FIM Women’s World Trial Championship contender Becky Cook (Beta), and reigning British Trials and SSDT Champion James Dabill (Beta).

This year has also seen the welcome return of 50-year-old Giles Burgat (number 193) from France. Burgat won the SSDT back in 1981, and then went on to win both the French and World Championship in that same year. It is more than 20 years since Burgat last rode in the SSDT. Speaking during the trial earlier this week, he said:

“I have always wanted to come back here. I almost came last year for the centenary, but I was unable to take the time off work. So, I decided to practise a little more and to enter this year instead. The event is quite the same as it was 20 years ago, although I’m older now so it seems harder. It’s different as now I am able to enjoy the views and the people more, instead of just looking at my front wheel as I did before. My objective this time is to just finish and enjoy it.”

At the other end of the spectrum is 37-year-old James Connor (number 71), a London investment banker who is riding in the SSDT for the first time this year. James’ younger brother, Sam Connor (number 70) is an SSDT regular and won the event back in 2005.

“I run my own finance company in London, so this is a completely different environment from what I’m used to Monday to Friday,” said James. “It’s an amazing event, I’m really happy to be here. Right now I’m not thinking any further than the next section, I learned very quickly that’s all you can do at this event - hope you get round. But I’m really enjoying it, I’m making lots of friends and there is a lot of comradeship among the riders which is really nice.”

The SSDT also has a very special place in the heart of 49-year-old Steve Lloyd-Cox (number 119). Steve is originally from the Midlands, but emigrated with his family to Australia 10 years ago. Steve had ridden in the SSDT twice before leaving the UK, in 1991 and 1998, and made it his ambition to return to compete alongside his son, Sam Lloyd-Cox (number 118). Father and son rode in 2010, but were unfortunately unable to finish the event, and so they are both back again this year. Steve and Sam’s travel and entry expenses totalled over £12,000 this year, which highlights just how much this event means to them.

“Nothing else in the World compares to it, where you can get on your bikes, see all this beautiful scenery, and ride for miles across the moors and tracks. Now we travel 10,000 miles around the World to do it,” explained Steve. “I said to my mates when I left the UK in 2002 that I’d be back in 2010 for Sam to ride. We did, but we didn’t finish, so I said we’d definitely come back again, and here we are. We’re loving it and the bikes are doing really well.”

The SSDT is organised by the Edinburgh & District Motor Club. EventScotland is continuing to support the event this year as part of its national funding programme. There are 276 competitors taking part in this year’s event between 7th and 12th May. The SSDT is free for spectators to watch on all days. The official event programme, containing routes and spectating opportunities along with a range of interesting articles and additional information, is available to purchase in and around Fort William. It is available to buy online and further details can be found on the event’s website at www.ssdt.org.

 Jordi Pascuet (JotaGas) sat alone at the top of the leader board as the 2012 Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) reached its halfway stage earlier today. The Spanish rider went clean for the third day in a row, to give himself a real possibility of providing the new bike brand with an incredible SSDT winning debut with three days to go.

However having already won the SSDT five times previously, Dougie Lampkin (Gas Gas) remains a strong threat to spoiling the Spanish party as he dropped just a single dab today to stay very much in contention for top honours come the end of the week. The struggle at the top is far from a two-way fight at this stage, with a mere nine marks separating the top ten riders. Ian Austermuhle (Beta) and Alexz Wigg (Gas Gas) are a part of this elite chasing group having both gone clean today along with Pascuet, and currently hold fifth and ninth places overall respectively.

Centenary SSDT victor James Dabill (Beta) could still make it two wins in a row, his tally of one for today and three for the week thus far means he continues to be in touching distance of his two peers. It is a very similar story for Michael Brown (Gas Gas) who has often been the bridesmaid in this classic event, but is yet to get his hands on the famous trophy. His one dab ride today puts him on four marks in total and certainly keeps alive his dream of seeing his name engraved on the main piece of silverware come Saturday evening.

In the sub plots, Emma Bristow (Ossa) continues to lead her female rivals as she bids for a second win in a row, whilst young Bradley Cox (Beta) remains on course to be the best newcomer after yet another day that confirmed his liking of the traditional Scottish hazards. Runner up to Amos Bilbao (Montesa) last year in the Over 40 class, John Shirt now looks a good bet to go one better this time around. The fight to be top Scottish rider remains fierce, with Andrew Anderson (JotaGas) currently heading the pursuing clan.

Day three of the 2012 SSDT proved to be the toughest so far, with the many moor crossings taking their toll on the tiring riders on a day when there was little time to relax. The early runners were faced with a new opening group at Loch Eil that proved to be a slippery start before moving on to the more familiar sections at Annat and Trotters Burn, which were equally as slick for the front riders. This was a theme that continued throughout the day, with the later riders enjoying the biggest benefit of riding at the back of the pack thus far this week.

Tomorrow sees the second and deciding half of the trial get underway with the longest daily route of the six. Thursday begins with the hefty jaunt out to Chairlift, which accounts for 24 of the 126 miles that will be completed by the remaining riders. The long day will come to a close with seven sections at Fersit, which can often play an important part in deciding the eventual winner.

The SSDT is organised by the Edinburgh & District Motor Club. EventScotland is continuing to support the event this year as part of its national funding programme. There are 275 competitors taking part in this year’s event between 7th and 12th May. The SSDT is free for spectators to watch on all days. The official event programme, containing routes and spectating opportunities along with a range of interesting articles and additional information, is available to purchase in and around Fort William. It is available to buy online and further details can be found on the event’s website at www.ssdt.org.

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Over in Scotland, it was a wet day yesterday, as the riders in the Six Day, battle around the Highlands - Jordi Pascuet (JTG) continues to lead with another clean day, - Dougie Lampkin (GG) - also kept his feet up. -  other people on the leader board lost a few dabs, on what is traditionally a long tough day. - check out all the results on www.ssdt.org.

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Good first day for JTG at 2012 SSDT

Jordi Tarres, Jordi Pascuet and Steve Saunders at the SSDT

Jotagas brings four riders to its first race in Scotland and Jordi Pascuet succeeds and finishes the day with 0 points whilst Ross Danby comes in with just 2 marks lost.

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We are off to Summerland again for another full day working on our Outlaw Trial  - we had a few calls after announcing the 40 section loop - but be assured this will not take any extra time compared to shorter 2 or 3 loop events, and planning this quite historic number ( for Canadian Trials) will make the 25th running of the Outlaw different. - In fact I think the only other Canadian Trial that was one loop with 40 sections that I recall is the World Round that I did in 1975.

I’m running a bit late today as it’s already 6.40 am - so more news later >>>>

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