Offered from The Forshaw Speedway Collection, c.1929 Scott 498cc Dirt Track

Engine no. RZ 2155

• Believed that this machine was first owned by Belle Vue rider Eric Flynn
• Later Mk II version with Webb forks
• Purchased by Richard Forshaw in 1981
• Previous winner of Best in Competition Class at The International Classic Bike Show

Like many other motorcycle manufacturers the Scott evolved from the industrial Victorian era. In this instance Alfred Angus Scott had his roots in the steam and marine business entering the motorcycle market a little later than many others and with the radical idea of developing a two stroke engine announced in 1908. The first machines were made by Jowetts of Bradford but Scott was soon established at their own Saltaire factory at Shipley. Scotts were a success from the beginning with their very lightweight two stroke engine producing a lot of power. Within three years Scotts were setting fastest laps in the Isle of Man TT and winning outright in 1912 and 1913.

Scott produced mainly two engine sizes, 498cc and 596cc twins mostly water cooled but in some instances with air cooled heads. Unlike many other manufacturers Scott did not seem particularly interested in the new booming dirt track business but they soon became introduced to it. As early as 1924 the Scott factory was on the lookout for a tough young lad who could be useful for speed testing alongside the well-known rider and Scott employee, Harry Langman.

In the nearby village of Eldswick Harry had noticed just such a tough, robust village scrapper, sixteen-year-old Frank Varey. The strapping Frank soon found himself set to work in the Scott factory. Under Langman's watchful eye the young Frank flourished. From 1925 Frank rode Scotts in trials, sand racing and hill climbs where despite a lot of accidents he also accumulated a collection of trophies. Frank was still working at Scotts in 1928 when he heard of dirt track racing and where it appeared that it was possible for a successful rider to make a lot of money.

Frank's father had died the victim of gas attack in France and his mother was severely ill, the doctors prescribing an expensive operation. Frank was determined to earn some money. Starting with his Scott road model stripped of everything possible Frank began his dirt track life even starting to earn a little money. Aware that he needed something rather more suitable Harry Langman agreed to build him a more appropriate machine.

Cecil Knowles from the frame shop built the frame. All this carried out without any factory support. Frank Varey's dirt rack career really got underway in 1929 when he was signed for the Belle Vue team. With the Scott the only two stroke in the team with it's stubb exhausts spitting flames and an unearthly scream, Frank soon became a crowd favourite together with his spectacular attacking riding style. By August of that year Frank held all the track records.

The money started rolling in. The following year in 1930 Frank was a part of a team sent to Argentina where once again he gained more fanatical support and with his red riding leathers he was dubbed "El Diablo Rojo" - The Red Devil - by which he was known throughout his riding career. With Frank Varey's success the Scott factory started to take an interest and they eventually succumbed and joined the manufacturing masses listing a dirt track model. The Mk 1 had rather unsuitable plunger forks but late in 1930 the Mk 11 had the regular Webb type.

It has to be said that whilst El Diablo Rojo rode his Scott with considerable success few other riders took to these unusual machines. This machine is a later Mk II with Webb forks. The machine was acquired in July 1981 from Mr Whitworth. It is alleged that this machine was first owned by Eric Flynn a Belle Vue rider contemporary with Frank Varey who, years later, remembered both Flynn and his machine.

Apparently it was little used and after its first few years the Scott was put into storage. It remains to this day a remarkable reminder of a Mk II DT Scott, and at an International Classic Bike Show (year unknown) it won best in the competition class and came 3rd overall in the vintage class. Accompanied with photographs and extracts from the press with relevant Scott information. The mechanical condition is not known and therefore we recommend re-commissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent.
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