2009 Event Report Thousands of enthusiasts descended on Mallory Park for the weekend of 10/11/12 July to witness what has become the best “live action” Classic Motorcycling event in the UK. Not only did this year’s sold out event attract the most Star riders of any event in Europe but the 1100 enthusiasts who rode in the “public” track sessions were stars in their own right having signed up for appearances on the 1.35 mile track on both the Saturday and Sunday. With the famous Ace Cafe providing their “Rock N Roll” stage in the big entertainment marquee which included DJs and live bands each night and a massive firework display provided by Norton it certainly made for a packed weekend. Saturday’s weather provided some showers with all but 5 of the 27 track sessions for road machines being dry & which saw almost 1000 machines on the track through the course of the day. Hosted by the Taverners Section of the VMCC Saturday also saw over 50 entrants in the pre-65 Trial that took place in the wooded area adjacent to Gerards Bend. The superb sunny day on Sunday brought record crowds through the gates who witnessed another 1000 machines out for the 23 Track sessions for racing machinery. Indeed, roads around Mallory came to a standstill as traffic queued for more than an hour to get into the public car park. The record crowds know that there is always so much happening on Sunday including 2 sessions of Sprinting on the circuit start/finish straight & a highly competitive Grass Track which saw over 30 entrants on both solos & outfits. Also on Sunday The Past Masters demonstrated to us that they have lost none of their style and their élan. Some iconic machines from the past wafted stylishly around the circuit piloted by some iconic names including Phil Read, Mick Grant, Sammy Miller, Charlie Williams & Jim Redman. An electrifying display of speed and skill came from the National Motorcycle Museum ‘team’ of Norton Rotaries under the watchful eye of their creator Brian Crighton. The huge crowd watched as the four National Motorcycle Museum machines howled around the circuit lead by the new Works Norton NRV 588 in the hands of works development rider Lee Dickinson. The highlight for many was when Carl Fogarty took to the track on a Ducati 996 which was a perfect replica of the machine that took him to 4 World Superbike Championships. With Foggy riding at Mallory for the first time in 18 years he was certainly turning back the clock & bringing the crowds to their feet as he left black marks on the tarmac as he spun up the rear wheel exiting some corners! Foggy said “I have not ridden that fast or had my knee down since I retired”. The Festival of 1000 Bikes gives 3 awards every year for best post war machine, best Pre war machine and best Club stand from within the massive 50 strong Ave of Clubs. The 2009 award for best Club Stand was won by The Harley Davidson Riders Club. The “1000 bikes” weekend offers EVERY lover of old motorcycles the opportunity to participate at some level- and if not participating, there is something to appeal to the broadest range of “classic tastes”. That’s why the VMCC Festival of 1000 Bikes is supported by some of the biggest names in the old bike movement including Footman James Insurance Brokers, Bonhams Auctioneers, Mortons Motorcycle Media, The Ace Cafe, the National Motorcycle Museum & corporate partner Eriks UK. VMCC CEO with "Foggy" before his parade session The Festival of 1000 Bikes gives 3 awards every year for best post war machine, best Pre-war machine and best Club stand from within the massive 50 strong Ave of Clubs. The 2009 awards are as follows- Colin Seaton VMCC President, presenting the Classic Racer award for the best club stand to Vince Lay of the Harley-Davidson Club for their recreation of a western saloon Colin Seaton, VMCC President, with John Aston of the National Autocycle and Cylemotor Club who received the Old Bike Mart trophy for the best post-war machine for his 1951 New Hudson autocycle The President of the VMCC Colin Seaton with Joan Crawford, who accepted The Classic Motorcycle trophy for the best pre-war machine on behalf of her husband, David, pose with his winning 1928 Moto Guzzi 'Sport' Want to know more? More fantastic images of the event are available on request from VMCC HQ. You can now enter for this event online using the 2011 Entry Form and Guidance Notes .. The Vintage Motor Cycle Club Limited Telephone +44 (0)1283 540557 Allen House Fax: +44 (0)1283 510547 Wetmore Road Email: [email protected] Burton Upon Trent Staffordshire DE14 1TR, UK TRACK SESSIONS Track sessions in which YOU can ride your own solo, outfit or 3 wheeler will take place over both days of the event. Machines will be grouped according to type with Road Machine Sessions on Saturday 11th and Sunday12th July and Race Machine session on Sunday 12th July only. With prices starting at just £30.00 for the first track session (£20.00 each for further sessions) this event is incredible value as that allows both you and a friend into the whole weekend’s event. Contact us via Phone, Fax, e-mail or write to us at VMCC HQ. PRE 65 TRIALS (Sat 11th July) Pre 65 Trial at the 2009 Festival of 1000 Bikes, Mallory Park. The Taverners section of the VMCC will again be organising a pre-65 Trial which will be taking place on Sat 11th July 2009 The Taverners have been running a winter trials series in and around Leicestershire for about 40 years. Our events are laid out to suit the ‘Big Old Bikes’ that have fallen out of competitive favour in most ‘classic’ trials events. With that in mind, our trials are usually restricted to Pre-57 solo motorcycles and are divided into 4 classes (see regs for details ). Machines should be, generally, of the period. Concentric Carbs, Electronic Ignitions and non-standard fork internals are acceptable modifications. We anticipate a healthy interest in the trial as it will only be held on the Saturday of the event to give riders the chance to enjoy everything that “Past Masters Sunday” has to offer. We therefore advise that entries are received as soon as possible & be accompanied by the correct entry fee which will be returned if the entry is unsuccessful. Successful entries will be entitled to two free passes to the event & Volunteers willing to act as observers are always welcome. Please contact the Clerk of the Course (Roger Monk, details below) if you, or friends, or family can assist. A free pass is the only reward we can offer other than our usual observers’ raffle! There may even be prizes for riders. We’ll let you know when we know. We hope to see a good range of interesting machines (and riders) over the weekend and hope to provide a good demonstration of our sport in a safe and enjoyable environment for all. ALL RIDERS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR HELMETS For more details and an entry form please contact- Festival of 1000 Bikes Trial VMCC HQ Allen House Wetmore Road Burton upon Trent Staffs DE14 1TR Observers please contact- Mr Roger Monk Tel:(01509) 412662 GRASS TRACK (Sun 12th July) The Grasstrack will be held on Sunday 12th July 2009 on the same course as in 2008 which is situated just outside the pay-line near the “Lodge Gates D” (see map for details ). “Oh how the gods smile on the assembled band of enthusiasts”. The Festival of 1000 Bikes brings joy to thousands of Vintage Grasstrackers. “Is that the fanatical vintage stalwart followers, the vintage bikes, or the vintage riders?” you may ask, (in jest of course.) The truthful answer is, a bit of all of these. This year the Grasstrack Demonstration promises to be just as good as last year’s exciting event with excellent racing with close dices and fearless passing. The format of the demonstration this year follows the usual structure of our race meetings. We have classes for: Vintage solo, Post Vintage Solo, Pre and Post War solo, Classic solo, Classic 4 valve solo, a new class for post 1975 250 c.c. solo machines and two classes for vintage and Pre- 75 sidecar machines. The Section also caters for a growing number of junior riders who enjoy classes commensurate with their age, experience and the machines they ride. It has been good to see a growing number of youth riders on real vintage machinery. This situation has been encouraged though our policy of allowing the youngsters to gain experience of our club by riding any and every machines the already have. The new track promises much. With a smoother surface to ride we can expect a show of full throttle intelligent bravery second to none At this venue the true spirit of the vintage movement really shows through. The gentle atmosphere with great racing and the friendly, helpful fellow riders, never fail to amaze and satisfy. These are true enthusiasts who care about their sport. Organised by he Grass Track Section of The VMCC for more details and an entry form please contact the entries secretary enclosing an SAE to:- Trevor Hopkins, 2 THE WILLOWS, DAVENTRY, NORTHANTS, NN1 OPY SPRINT DEMONSTRATION (Sun 12th July) Sprinting - possibly the earliest, purest and one of the most challenging of the motorcycle sports. The Sprint Section’s dedicated team of volunteers and their members will once again put on a Display of Alcohol Burning, Tyre Smoking and Ear Shattering action on the Mallory Start & Finish straight.