Robin James has taken fourth place in a Classic Scrambling Championship class, scoring overall fourth place in the AMCA (amateur) all-UK championships - and signalling that his lifetime’s interest in motorcycle sport is continuing into his sixties.


Robin James astride his victorious 610cc modified BSA Gold Star. Copyright to article - reproduced by permission of The Hereford Times
Robin rode his modified BSA Gold Star in the ‘Pre- 60’ class - dominated by BSA-framed motorcycles in forms such as Tribsa, Mabsa, Japsa and Norbsa, with a few classic Gold Stars and the occasional Matchless or AJS - at Wiscombe Park, near Honiton, Devon. He had competed only twice, earlier in the 2000 season: at Abbey-cwm-hir (in mid-Wales), coming a strong third in very wet conditions (his favourite), and at Chirk (in north Wales), where he scored a good second place.

Now, sharing fifth place overall with several riders, all of whom were capable of out-pointing him, Robin knew that he had to do well at Wiscombe Park to take away a trophy.

Things could only get better

The day started badly. By the time Robin had recovered from a punctured van-tyre on the way to the Park, and had persuaded his Goldie to start once there, the scheduled practice was over.

“Fortunately, the Clerk of the Course allowed me to have four rapid laps of the demanding, bumpy and very wet track,” he recalls. “The Championship Race was the first on the programme,
though, leaving me with no chance of getting to know it better.”

Catching them up

“I held back slightly, following other riders until I was more familiar with the terrain and had the racing lines firmly memorised,” Robin continues. “The conditions were ideal for me, again: gloopy mud, with the bike more often sideways than straight.

“I picked my way through the field, though was out of sight of Mick Andrews, who had a fine win. Eventually, I caught up and harried the second place man, Neil Vanstone, who only had to maintain his position to clinch the Championship.”

Intense rivalries, strong friendships

Robin was elated by his third place result, and fourth overall placing, in what was his first attempt at the Championship. He had worked hard all season to develop the Goldie and to stay fit. “And,” he revels, “I beat my rival Rob Griffiths by one point!

“Some might think that, with competitors long past the day when they will see 50 again, the racing would be a gentlemanly affair,’ he continues. ‘Not a bit of it! The top 10 riders strive to beat each other, rattling handlebars in the corners, with no quarter given or asked.

“Although the best of friends in the paddock, not an inch is conceded out on the track. Rivalries are intense, but the friendships forged are strong and enduring.”

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