Silsden ace Lampkin scores record sixth win (From Wharfedale Observer)

Silsden ace Lampkin scores record sixth win

11:08am Thursday 17th May 2012 in Sport

Dougie Lampkin secured a record-breaking sixth win in the Scottish Six Days Trial on Saturday.

The Silsden ace pipped last year’s winner James Dabill from Cookridge in the closest finish in the event’s 101-year history at Fort William after both had finished on 15 penalties.

A delighted Dougie said: “To have become the only rider to have won the Scottish six times is a massive achievement and one that ranks up there with my world titles and grand prix victories.

“Each year it becomes more difficult to come up here and win against the younger riders, but that said I will be back next year and looking to make it seven wins so the young ones shouldn’t relax just yet.”

His latest victory adds to his family’s run of success in the demanding event.

The Lampkins’ first win came way back in 1963 when Dougie’s imposing uncle Arthur triumphed.

This was the start of a winning association for the family that has spanned over five decades.

Dougie’s other uncle Alan _ known as Sid – collected the famous trophy in 1966, as he became the last four-stroke mounted winner until Dabill (Montesa) won on a Cota 4RT in 2007.

In the seventies, it was Dougie’s father Martin who went on a three-year winning run from 1976 to 1978 as he battled it out with his old rivals Malcolm Rathmell (Montesa) and the event’s first foreign winner Yrjo Vesterinen (Montesa).

Dougie’s older cousin and UK Beta importer John did his best to uphold the family honour during the 1980s as he finished as runner up to Steve Saunders (Fantic) in 1989 on a hefty 102 marks.

John’s revenge came through other riders as his Beta squad filled the top three places the following year, which marked the start of a six-year domination for the Italian brand under his care.

Dougie first won the event on a Beta in 1994 and followed up with triumphs in 1995 and 1996 to match his father’s achievement before taking leave from the event as he focused on securing his record-breaking 12 FIM Trial World titles.

When he returned to the event he won again in 2008 and 2009 before an electrical fault on the opening day in 2010 and an ankle injury sustained on day four last year, both thwarted his efforts for the record win.

Having recently announ- ced his retirement from World Championship competition, some bystanders may have viewed Dougie as less of a threat to his younger rivals this time around.

However as has been the case throughout most of his career, Dougie’s desire should never be under estimated, and never was this more evident as he used every ounce of his experience and sportsmanship to cling to his narrow win on Saturday.