The Richmond Motor Club took a major risk way back in 1979 when they staged the Mintex Trophy Youth Trial, writes Barry Robinson.

Brian Clements listened to many requests from parents of teenagers who wanted to compete in an event similar to the legendary Scott Trial where terrain and time produced a winner. The moors above the village of Arkengarthdale hosted the inaugural event in 1979. The Richmond Motor Club ensured that several travelling marshals patrolled the trial route in the event of a spill or machine problems.

To date only wet ground in 2008 and a moot and mouth epidemic in 2001 have halted the trial. In recent years organiser Nathan Stones has staged the event at Hurst. The entry numbers grow every year. In 2019 competitors travelled from all parts of the UK plus the Isle of Man, Ulster and Ireland. The trial is also the focus of many Richmond area residents.

The results are more or less calculated as same the Scott Trial. The youngsters in the picture are all local to Richmond.