THE Richmond Motor Club staged the annual Scott Trial last Saturday, the famous event providing the ultimate test for both riders and their bikes.

The challenging course covered 80 miles and included a similar number of observed sections, which were in some cases steep enough to give a mountain goat problems.

Graham Jarvis, from Summerbridge, rode his Sherco round in 4hr 45min 25sec to set standard time and, with the loss of just 11 marks, he took the outright win for the Alfred Scott memorial trophy.

With a maximum entry of 200 starting at 20-second intervals, the early numbers were well on their way round before it started to rain. First man at Town End sections, near Booze above Arkengarthdale, was eventual winner Jarvis, who tore up the sections over the big rock slabs.

Things changed dramatically after the rain began. There was lack of wheel grip and some riders were having to foot, with many falling off or coming to rest with the back wheels spinning through lack of grip.

Ben Hemingway, from East Keswick, finished second overall on a Beta, followed by Rosedale's Iain Austermuhle, also on a Beta, in third place.

Last year's winner, Michael Phillipson from Crook, was fourth on yet another Beta, three marks clear of Sam Connor on his John Shirt Gas Gas.

Gerald Richardson from Skeeby, back in action after an absence of seven years, finished 23rd on his Beta. His friend from Northern Ireland, Harold Crawford, was tenth on his Gas Gas, two places behind Philip Alderson, from Woodhall near Askrigg, on his Sherco.

Four female riders took part, Lucy Gregg of Grinton, Vicky Ellis of Malton, Katy Sunter from Helaugh and Maria Conway from Henley, who made the biggest impression. She got three quarters of the way round to win the ladies trophy at her first attempt.

The Scott Trial also donates to local charities the proceeds from the sale of programmes and the after-trial auction, which took place in the Kings' Head, Richmond along with the prize presentation.

Results. - 1 G Jarvis (Eddie Flintoff rosebowl and the Frank Fletcher trophy); 2 B Hemingway (Raymond Bailey trophy); 3 I Austermuhle (Raspin challenge bowl); 4 M Phillipson (Folbigg cup); 5 S Connor (Galloway cup); 6 D Clark (Karthouse trophy); 7 M Crosswaite (Silver Jubilee trophy).

First class awards: 1 P Alderson 32 time, 55 observation; 2 D Thorpe 36, 65; 3 H Crawford 30, 78; B Hemingway 55, 60; J Lampkin 59, 60; J Baker 45, 88; G MacDonald 61, 75; J Knight 42, 95; J Dabill 45, 95; R H Williams 50, 95; A Drachenberg 59, 89; L Walker 43, 108; J Sagar 80, 94; J R Sunter 37, 140; R Gaskell 78, 109; G Richardson 58, 130; G Tales 78, 114; P Brown 64, 128; E McIntosh 70, 123.

* More motor sport on p28.