Fifty years ago this week the Lennox featured the story of a two-year-old from Alexandria sitting on a motorcycle for the first time.
The editorial joked that little Scott Walls was jumping on a BSA Bantam powered mini-bike constructed by his father, David, to beat traffic issues in the Vale.
Five decades on, Scott hopes he would’ve made the wee boy in the photo proud. He secured a top 10 finish in the Scottish Pre-injection 600 class championship this year, and also made a televised road racing debut at Aberdare Park in Wales.
“I am certain that the little boy in the photo is proud,” he smiles.
Holding the picture at his Tullichewan home, Scott says: “My grandfather, my great-grandfather and my father were always involved with bikes. That is probably a foundation of what I’m meant to be, and a part of where I’m meant to be going in life.
“At my age I came in chasing that dream I had as a little boy. If you want to make it go faster then how do you do that?”
Scott’s family left the Vale for South Africa shortly after the photo was taken, returning for a year before moving to Canada where he spent most of his early life.
But it was in South Africa where he first experienced the thrill of riding a motorbike – and was instantly hooked.
He explained: “My dad built another little bike when we were in South Africa. I remember sitting with this thing underneath me that I was in control of, thinking let’s see what we can do with this – how fast can it go?
“The exhilaration catches you and you just want to push it as hard as you can.
“People might look at me with a different perspective and think ‘oh my god he’s nuts’. But what they don’t see is all the seat time, all the times you’ve come off and all the little things you’ve learnt along the way.
“You build your confidence in certain areas. It’s a development.
“Nobody can just jump on a bike and do what they see on the TV.
“What they don’t see are the months and years that it’s taken those guys to get to the point that they are at, as well as the functions of the machinery. Asking yourself how you can improve and what might help you.”
Despite owning road bikes and taking part in motocross in his younger days, it wasn’t until he was in his late 40s that Scott got his race licence – something he admits he wishes he had done sooner.
The now 52-year-old continued: “I was 47 when I first raced, and only got my national solo licence last year.
“It was when I started doing a few trackdays that friends asked why I wasn’t racing, so I gave it a go.
“To be honest I wish I’d had the opportunity when I was younger.
“But it’s a thrilling adventure and a thrilling part of my life.
“It’s weird. You become one with the bike underneath you. You become one with your balance and with the skills that are within you.
“As a rider you develop throughout time. But the most exhilarating part is where you finish the race and think ‘wow’. It’s such a rush.”
And he says the bikesport community is one where he instantly felt at home.
“I’ve never really felt comfortable or accepted in large groups”, Scott explains.
“But that wee bit of respect that you get from fellow riders, that bit of appreciation and that bit of knowledge. A ‘hey, well done’. Once someone says ‘well done’ and you know that they meant it, then there is nothing better. Part of the exhilaration is the joint experience between one’s self and your competitors. Figuring out how to get past them, how to learn from what they are doing and assessing where to take risks. With risk is reward. But sometimes with risk there is also failure.
“You see the guys who you might’ve passed and you have a laugh with each other. Or you have a wee joke and a dig at them for moves they’ve pulled on you.
“The camaraderie that you build with people you are sharing a dangerous but exhilarating part of your life with is really special.
“There’s a great bond between riders. But we’re all competitive too. Everyone wants a bit of glory.
“The greatest reward is finishing that little bit quicker than the last time. Or getting that extra place is enough to put you over the moon.
“You get to give yourself that little pat on the back. And you immediately can’t wait until next time.”
After less than two full seasons of short circuit racing, Scott got his first experience of road racing earlier this year – events that take place on public streets closed off, and with obstacles like trees and lampposts just inches from where riders are battling for position.
He travelled to Wales for the Aberdare Park Road Races, and it was a particularly poignant experience as he carried the number of fellow Alexandria man Mark Buckley – a close friend, who lost his life at the North West 200 road races in Northern Ireland in 2012 at the age of just 35.
Scott takes a moment before continuing: “I was honoured to go down to Aberdare and run one of Mark’s numbers on a bike that he had been on years ago.
“Mark’s dad Jimmy took us down along with Mark’s son Arron, and the gratitude I have for the opportunity is immense. It meant the world to me.
“The road racing environment was so different; the feel and the track. The closeness. It gave me a totally different perspective.
“In that environment you’re meeting people from a broader spectrum of the racing community, compared to up here where we only have two competitive tracks at Knockhill and East Fortune.
“Road racing gave me a bigger picture. We, as racers, are who we are and this one event, once a year, brings together a group pursing their passion.”
And he has one bit of advice for any other riders thinking about moving into circuit racing.
“Just do it!” he says.
“It’s been an incredible learning curve this year, and with the knowledge gained I’m already looking forward to next year.
“What has occurred to me as of recently along this journey is to be grateful to this who contribute to support and promote this amazing sport.
“I look back and think if I had the opportunity to pursue this a few years ago where might I be?
“But there are a lot of people who dream of doing this, all I can say is that if you ever get the chance then stop stopping yourself.
“Do it. Take the risk, live your dream and keep that dream alive.”