Rally Report: IoW
The Isle of Wight Rally is both the largest and most commercial rally in the world, but in Stan’s view it’s still one of the best.
The Isle of Wight Rally is both the largest and most commercial rally in the world, but in Stan’s view it’s still one of the best.
La st year I gave the Isle of Wight Rally a miss. There’ s no doubt that it’ s the largest Scooter Rally in the UK and quite possibly the world, but it’ s also the most commercial. I’ d grown tired of its small-wheeled excess, but sometimes it takes a break to realise just what a gem it is. It was obvious on the journey down that the weather forecast was, for once, going to be spot on. The further south I rode, each petroleum stop saw another base layer removed and by the time I was filtering along a grid locked M 25 my summer gloves were out. A repeat of last year’ s mud-caked rally site an drained off ride out definitely weren’ t on the cards. At this point I’ d like to explain why I didn’ t camp this year, and I’ d like to say that there was some pressing journalistic reason for not doing so, but the truth is I simply didn’ t want to. It’ s the first time I’ ve ever used a BandB for the Festival and it gave mean entirely different perspective on the event.
F’in great
Keen-eyed readers will have noticed the first appearance of the‘ F’ word and yes, the IoW rally is a Festival, so from now on that’ s what I’ll call it. Even VFM have recognised that the event is bigger than its BSRA National status and a subtle change to the flyer listed the Small brook site as the‘ Rally Hub ’. It’ s a small change in branding, but suddenly the message is
that National isn’t just for die hards, it’s the centre of activities and everyone’s welcome. Adding to this sense of community is the Main Arena’s transfer from the large shed at the top of the hill to a marquee near the race track. This makes for a more compact site and a fantastic atmosphere.
Let your heart dance
Having dumped my gear at the BandB I headed down to see Friday’s headline act, Secret Affair. In truth I was never a big fan, but if someone had interrupted 14-year-old me dancing to ‘Time for Action’ at the school disco to tell me that 40 years later not only would I be working for an international scooter magazine but I’d also be covering a Secret Affair gig, I’d have laughed in their face. It wasn’t just me who felt that warm glow of nostalgia and I’ll save the blushes of several ‘hard-core’ scooterists by not naming those who could be seen rolling back the years on the dance floor. For entertainment value the band were hard to beat, and Ian Page’s voice has stood the test of time. Some I spoke to said that their heroes hadn’t weathered well but, newsflash, few of us have. Flying the flag for a new generation on Saturday night were Smoove and Turrell, who received universal acclaim. Proof again that the VFM can scoop the best of both new and established talent.
As I tucked into my full English on Saturday morning and reflected on what a lovely night’s sleep I’d had, the temperatures were already rising. With the sun enticing riders out onto the road even before the Custom Show had opened, Smallbrook was packed. Anyone waking up with a raging hangover could have been forgiven for thinking they’d lost a day somewhere as the sun brought out the crowds and the number of scooters on site matched some post ride out Sundays. As eever the Custom Show drew in some
incredible examples of British scootering. Many were first-time entrants and although Gary Wickham’s superb ‘Breaking Rocks’ was capable of scooping almost every ‘Best of’ trophy, it was nice to see the judges spreading their love and pressing trophies into the hands of some surprised, but very deserving entrants.
Perhaps it’s because I stayed off site, but this year the rally seemed different. I spoke to many visitors who’d combined the weekend with a longer stay. For them the National was part of the experience, not the whole reason for visiting. A trip around the island is always worth the effort. The riding and sights are comparable with anything Europe has to offer, and as I took my annual tour I noticed how widely dispersed people were. The campsite at Smallbrook was busy, but clearly I wasn’t the only one to have taken the BandB option. With Ryde seemingly booked solid for the Bank Holiday weekend until at least 2064, I stayed a little further afield in Shanklin and, although no one’s proclaimed it as the centre of the island’s night life, scooters still lined the streets and were parkedkd outsidetid seafrontft bbars.
It was the same wherever I rode, evidence that although VFM has done a superb job of revitalising the Smallbrook experience the rally, sorry, Festival, has a life of its own.
The final countdown?
Although it’s impossible to imagine a rally season without it, there were the usual rumours that this would be the last Isle of Wight National. Although there’s nothing new to such speculation, this year they may have some substance. The longplanned redevelopment of the Smallbrook site seems to have gained momentum and a community group has been formed to coordinate funding bids. If the local newspaper is to be believed, a completely new facility that offers ice skating and tennis courts, amongst other attractions, could be open within 12 months.
We’ll all have to wait until the BSRA meeting in Southport to see whether this news means business as usual, a new site on the island or a completely fresh National venue. Two things are for certain: firstlyy the traders on the island
will want us back, and secondly even if the National was to move ‘off island’, the Festival would continue. The Isle of Wight may be the scooterist equivalent of a theme park, but whilst I may occasionally tire of Disneyland’s rampant commercialism, I still go back
for more. I, for one, hope that August on the IoW continues for many years to come. If you’ve not been for a few years, give the IoW another chance. If you’re looking for fun by the sea you’ll never find a better way!
Words Photographs: Stan