OUT of the 275 entrants who will take part in this year’s centenary edition of the Scottish Six Day Trial (SSDT), considered the worlds’ oldest surviving motorbike trial competition, from 2nd to 7th May, only three will be female.
Amongst this elite group of women warriors, whose bravery must be greatly admired, is a female competitor who is an excellent advert for ‘girl power’ in what is generally regarded as a ‘man’s world’.
Katy Sunter, from Richmond, North Yorkshire, is now preparing to compete in her sixth SSDT although this will be the first year she will have taken part without her brothers by her side, yet she is still as keen as ever.
“Like most riders the SSDT is pretty much the most important event of the year and something I’m always working towards.
“Every year since I first entered I’ve had my brothers John and Mark next to me, but this year I’ll be doing it solo. John has recently become a father and has less time, whilst Mark fancied a year off.
“It will be strange not having them riding with me, although my boyfriend Dan Thorpe will be riding, so that should be good,” commented Katy.
Being a part time shepherdess Katy has been kept busy recently as lambing season is in full swing, but she has still found time to practice on her Gas Gas trials machine on a regular basis.
As one of three female riders that have entered the 2011 SSDT Katy will be looking to beat Becky Cook and Emma Bristow.
“Running around after the sheep has kept me both busy and fit over the past few weeks, but it’s all good fun. I always try to enter into any competition with some personal target or goal and this year’s SSDT is no exception.
“The main female riders I’ll be up against are Emma Bristow and Becky Cook who are both excellent riders in their own right.
“My close friend and training partner Gavin Thornton will also be competing and beating him for once would be great,” she continued with a smile.
“The fact that this year celebrates the centenary of the SSDT makes it even more special than usual, there’s no doubt that the competition will be stiffer and the riding harder. Ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted to win the female class at the SSDT and I’ll be fighting hard for it this year. This year I’m determined to do it,” concluded Katy.
Marking its centenary, the 2011 Scottish Six Days Trial will take place in and and around Fort William – the Outdoor Capital of the UK – between Monday 2nd and Saturday 7th May – for more details please visit www.ssdt.org
The sport of motorcycle trials is a test of riding skill over observed sections where the winner is determined by skill alone. When competitors ride each of the 30 testing sections every day their feet must remain on the footrests of the bike.
They must negotiate steep gullies, slippery rock steps, rocky streams and boulder-strewn gorges. Sections vary in length and severity, and riders are penalised if they put their feet down to help them ride the section, and more so if they fail to negotiate the section in its entirety.
The Scottish Six Days Trial has the additional test of reliability over long distances, with riders completing up to 100 miles each day over a combination of rough moorland, rocky tracks and public roads; designed to challenge the ability, experience, strength and stamina of each rider and the reliability of the bike. There is also a set time within which each day’s route must be completed.
Ends
Media contact:
Paddy Cuthbert – Podge Publicity – M: 07968 699636 / E: Paddy@podge.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
Funders, sponsors and supporters
Event Scotland – www.eventscotland.org
Highland Council – www.highland.gov.uk
Putoline Oil – www.putoline.com
Lift Control – www.liftcontrol.co.uk
Birkett MotoSport Ltd – www.birkettmotosportukltd.co.uk
John Lee Motorcycles – www.lee-motorcycles.co.uk
Off Road Moto – www.offroadmoto.co.uk
Thistle Access – www.thistleaccess.co.uk
Highland Leisure Sport – www.highlandleisuresport.co.uk
Talon Engineering – www.talon-eng.co.uk
Oximoto – www.oximoto.com
Motorcycle trials
The sport of motorcycle trials is a test of riding skill over observed sections where the winner is determined by skill alone. When competitors ride each of the 30 testing sections every day their feet must remain on the footrests of the bike. They must negotiate steep gullies, slippery rock steps, rocky streams and boulder-strewn gorges. Sections vary in length and severity, and riders are penalised if they put their feet down to help them ride the section, and more so if they fail to negotiate the section in its entirety.
The Scottish Six Days Trial has the additional test of reliability over long distances, with riders completing up to 100 miles each day over a combination of rough moorland, rocky tracks and public roads; designed to challenge the ability, experience, strength and stamina of each rider and the reliability of the bike. There is also a set time within which each day’s route must be completed.
100 years of the Scottish Six Days Trial
The event actually originated as a five-day reliability trial back in July 1909, before being extended to a six-day competition a year later.
However, the start of the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) proper as organised by the then newly formed Edinburgh and District Motor Club began in 1911.
In those early years, the trial started and finished in Edinburgh with the route taking the riders to John O’Groats and back over the course of the week. Fort William was introduced as the hub for the event in 1938, although the start and finish remained in Edinburgh, which continued to be the case until all links with the Scottish city were cut in 1977. Today, the SSDT consists of six different daily routes that total approximately 500 miles, which begin and end in Fort William each day.
The Edinburgh and District Motor Club will once again be at the helm of this fantastic competition and will be responsible for upholding an event where club riders and the world’s best compete together over the same course that will include 30 boulder-strewn sections on each of the six days.
For more information on The Scottish Six Days Trial go to: http://www.g2fgroup.com/html/ssdt/docs/SSDT100.pdf
Previous winners of the Scottish Six Days – 1972-2010
2010 – Alexz Wigg – Beta 2009 – Dougie Lampkin – Beta 2008 – Dougie Lampkin – Beta 2007 – James Dabill – Montesa 2006 – Graham Jarvis – Sherco 2005 – Sam Connor – Sherco 2004 – Graham Jarvis – Sherco 2003 – Joan Pons – Sherco 2002 – Amos Bilbao- Montesa 2001- Cancelled – Foot + Mouth 2000 – Steve Colley – Gas Gas 1999 – Graham Jarvis – Bultaco 1998 – Graham Jarvis – Scorpa 1997 – Steve Colley – Gas Gas 1996 – Dougie Lampkin – Beta 1995 – Dougie Lampkin – Beta 1994 – Dougie Lampkin – Beta 1993 – Steve Colley – Beta 1992 – Steve Colley – Beta 1991 – Steve Saunders – Beta 1990 – Steve Saunders – Beta 1989 – Steve Saunders – Fantic 1988 – Steve Saunders – Fantic 1987 – Jordi Tarres – Beta 1986 – Thierry Michaud – Fantic 1985 – Thierry Michaud – Fantic 1984 – Thierry Michaud – Fantic 1983 – Toni Gorgot – Montesa 1982 – Bernie Schreiber – SWM 1981 – Gilles Burgat – SWM 1980 – Yrjo Vesterinen – Montesa 1979 – Malcolm Rathmell – Montesa 1978 – Martin Lampkin – Bultaco 1977 – Martin Lampkin – Bultac 1976 – Martin Lampkin – Bultac 1975 – Mick Andrews – Yamaha 1974 – Mick Andrews – Yamah 1973 – Malcolm Rathmell – Bultac 1972 – Mick Andrews – Ossa
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Contact: Paddy Cuthbert
Phone: 07968 699636
Email: paddy@podge.co.uk
Website: http://www.www.ssdt.org
