Martin Lampkin was born on 28 December 1950 in Silsden, West Yorkshire, into one of the most famous families in motorcycling during the 1960s in the UK. His brothers, Arthur and Alan, were official test riders for the BSA brand of motorbikes, with which they achieved great success in motocross, trial y endurowinning many important competitions. Thanks to these triumphs they were promoted by the BBC as role models, which made them very popular.

Martin Lampking with some CLICE trial trousers

Martin started out like his brothers, competing in several disciplines at the same time, until he specialised in trials. He soon mastered the sport and by the mid-1970s was already considered one of the best riders. Corpulent and at a height of 1.87, his riding was noted for its impetuosity and recklessness. In fact, it was his physique that pushed him years later to contact Bultaco to develop the new 325cc Sherpa T, as the classic 250cc "was too small for him". It was at this point that Lampkin and CLICE' s paths crossed.

 Throughout his career he rode BSA, Greeves, Husqvarna, Suzuki and Bultaco bikes, achieving great successes including the 1973 European Championship and the first World Trial Championship, held in 1975. He also won the famous Scottish Six Days Trial three years in a row (from 1976 to 1978), the Scott Trial four times (1977, 78, 81 and 82), the British Experts Trial twice and the British Championship three times.

During the 70's, already on a Bultaco, his rivalry with Rathmell, also an official rider of the brand and also born in Yorkshire, was famous. It was a healthy rivalry that forced them to constantly outdo each other but which hid behind it a great friendship as they often trained and travelled together.
Martin Lampkin was the uncle of John Lampkin, who also excelled in international trials competitions during the 1980s and father of the 12 times world trials champion in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Dougie Lampkin, whom he mentored throughout his career.