BSSO COMMENT: CHAIRMAN STEVE CHAPMAN

This was my first season as chairman, and I have to say it has been a fantastic year, with many highs, and a few lows. Some of the highlights for me were:

We became cool, attractive and exciting

I was a few years behind the ’79 revival so by the time I got my first scooter in 1984, despite feeling cool, it’s fair to say the ‘in crowd’ were no longer Mods. So I’ve never been cool. The race crowd (with very notable exceptions) seems to have shifted over the decades, from mullets and taches, to bald spots and pot bellies without ever seeing so much as a hint of glamour. But, thanks to Vittorio and all at Casa Lambretta the paddock this year has been, well, chic! From the hugely impressive set-up they have managed to bring Italian style to the paddock, and beyond. It was cool.

Production Class

Massive thanks to Andy Francis for having the vision for this class, and to Martin Weeks, Paul and all the other sponsors. The class was without doubt the surprise hit of the year. The turnout was spectacular, as was the prep on the machines. Several old faces returned, tempted by the simplicity and equality in the class and this gave us some of the best racing of the year. Hats off to Barrie Braithwaite for winning the class and overcoming a broken collarbone along the way.

Sidecars

A personal passion of mine, it’s been great to see the sidecar grid back. We have had enough entries for a championship this year, there have been exciting races and an end to the season which would give Days of Thunder a run for its money.

Holidays in the sun

Having the Italian riders over this year was a real treat. We had the chance to offer them some support in return. The Pomposa fixture was the weekend before our final meeting of the season. With championships still up for grabs we managed to get eight riders over to Italy, and around 30 supporters also travelled from the UK. The twisty track wasn’t best suited to the British set-up, but that wasn’t really the point. The opportunity to swim in the sea in the morning and race scooters in the afternoon isn’t one that we get too often.

Highs and lows – memorial

If I were to pick one highlight from the year, it was triggered by the lowest point in the season which was losing a great friend and a true champion in James Campen. It was most moving to see the turnout on the last day of the season for his memorial lap, we celebrated him in style. Led by his great friend and ex-champion Charlie Edmonds, a huge parade of road and race bikes, rather than pass by slowly, roared and revved their way round the Cadwell Circuit for two laps – it was the tribute he deserved. This moment stands out for me, as it embodies the spirit and comradeship that exists in the BSSO paddock, and explains why, despite the effort required, so many people come back year after year.

I’d like to thank everybody who took part, and in particular all those at BHR who despite having a very tough weekend on their hands did absolutely everything they could to make such a tribute possible. Steve Chapman