Martin Lampkin has overcome many obstacles in his life – things like 10ft high oil drums, 3/4 tonne tree trunks and the world’s biggest Michelin tyre for example.
In fact everything you’d expect from a British, European and World Trials Motorcycle Champion – a title he won in 1975…
One obstacle he never worries about, however, is shifting over 100 tonnes of Silsden Moor boulders, trees and equipment to the annual indoor motorbike trials he oversees at Sheffield Arena.
“I’ve been organising the event for about 15 years and I absolutely rely on Watkinson’s to get the gear there in time; they’re a very co-operative company and I wouldn’t think of using anybody else” says Martin.
Capacity Crowd
“We’ve tried one or two other people over the years but it’s a once-a-year logistical nightmare that Watkinson’s just take in their stride so we stay with them. Watkinson’s even helped us build a spectacular waterfall 6m wide by 4m high that the riders have to negotiate twice. It always has the audience on its feet!”
Martin comes from arguably the world’s most famous motorcycling family, and son Dougie is following in the family footsteps with no fewer than twelve World
titles to his name:-
“The trials were televised this year” Martin proudly reports, “and we had a capacity 8000 crowd for the 2010 event, so we’re looking to rebuilding the enthusiasm and audiences my brother Arthur generated back in the ‘60’s as a regular winner of the highly popular televised motorcycle scrambles”
Martin particularly praises Watkinson team member Terry O’Hara: “He’s fantastic. Knows where everything goes in the Arena and full of solutions rather than problems.
Remember this is a one night event, so we have to be in and out with our 100 tonnes in less than 48 hours. Only a company like Watkinson’s can do that and make it look easy!”
Special thanks go to Terry O’Hara (left) from Martin Lampkin!