FIRST TIMER FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Pip Mayhew is well known on the scene, as he is a regular DJ and is often part of the security team at many of the Nationals. Pip rode the 100 plus miles to Great Yarmouth from Lincolnshire on his Vespa 210 Diablo on, for him, a rare weekend off from working on a rally somewhere in the UK. Pip is a member of Ace Of Spades and Troglodytes.
How was the journey?
“I was planning and hoping to ride here on my GP, but I’m still waiting for the registration to be sorted. My Vespa Diablo has been my rally and everyday transport for seven years, I’ve done pretty much all the Nationals, Venlo, Germany and just about everywhere in that time, all it’s needed has been one clutch. Didn’t miss a beat all the way here, I’ve not been to ’Yarmouth since the Nationals in the 80s. Coming over the ridge into ’Yarmouth it was kind of strange that there wasn’t a roadblock!”
How’s Great Yarmouth Rally been so far?
“I’ve been promising to support Sidewinders rally in ’Yarmouth for a few years now. This year I turned down work at another rally to be here. I’ve worked the last six weekends at a scooter rally of some sort, so decided to treat myself to a rare weekend off to enjoy myself as a punter. It’s nice being back in ’Yarmouth, lots of great memories. Sidewinders SC have got it right with everything on one site, with a bit of something for everyone, and a variety of different bands catering for all tastes. I’m going on the ride out, though my plan is to peel off from the main group in town and go for a reminisce for a while up at St Nicholas car park, and maybe outside Tiffanys and The Long Bar, great times spent at all of them. I’m looking forward to having some laughs this evening, even though I’ve got to set off early, at 5am, to get back in time to work.”
Into the final furlong
Stagefrite, who have a CD out with Western Star, provided a late afternoon set of primal rockin’ tunes. Next up were Anoraks catering for those of a punk persuasion. Both the Victory Bar and Vice Admiral’s Bar got under way by mid-evening. Coinciding with The Start embarking on a marathon set of Mod, indie and ska classics which went down an absolute storm.
While both rooms were reasonably busy from the off, once The Start finished there was a mass influx into the warm. There was a noticeable buzz of anticipation as stage time for Saturday night’s headline act Skabretta approached. It was standing room only inside the Victory Bar, with even the adjoining smokers’ balcony packed. Reggae and ska classics served up in style, Skabretta metaphorically had the rammed venue in the palm of their hand. Bizarrely after 45 minutes or so the band took a break of around 20 minutes. Not everyone it seemed got the message that the band would be returning, as when they did it was to a smaller crowd.
After the band, both rooms kept the drinking, dancing and partying going on into the small hours, with soul upstairs and reggae downstairs. Granted, music based rallies are not to everyone’s taste; Sidewinders SC rally, with seven live acts, is by definition a music based rally. Increased numbers and happy smiling faces for the duration add up to confirm its appeal. Well thought out, well planned, well run, it’s a huge well done to all involved in providing an excellent rally. Words: Sarge Photographs: Sarge and Gill Moore