CLASSIC DIRT BIKE SHOW SIMPLY THE BEST
I challenge anyone who attended the Classic Dirt Bike Show in February 2020 at the Telford International Centre to tell me that they did not enjoy it! Once again it was sponsored by Hagon Shocks and promoted by the Morton’s Classic Show team. The driving force behind its success is the dynamic duo of Nick Mowbray and Andy Catton, who took the lead role to guarantee once again everyone had a weekend to remember. For the many motorcycle trials enthusiasts, the icing on the cake was the guest appearance of American Bernie Schreiber, the 1979 FIM World Trials Champion and 1982 Scottish Six Days Trial winner. Spread over the adjoining halls, it was an ideal opportunity to meet many of the ageing superstars and view a superb collection of machines from the many two-wheeled off-road disciplines. The show also catered for the modern trials riders as it was attended by the majority of the UK trials importers who found it an ideal show to display machines and products and, most importantly, to speak with their many valued customers.
In truth, the gathering of so many motorcycle enthusiasts is a true celebration of the off-road sports where everyone can meet up and reminisce not just about the past but also the present. At any one time (and while dealing with the many visitors to the Classic Trial Magazine stand, of course) we could meet a generation of stars from the sport. As a printed publication it’s great to be able to put a face to the name of the many subscribers we are so grateful to for supporting our two magazines and various other products we can sell at the show.
MARLAND WHALEY TRIBUTE
Having for many years been friends with the guardians of Honda trials memories from France, Oliver Barjon, Jean Caillou and Patrick Pissis, they never cease to amaze me with new additions and updates to their collection of superb four-stroke machines.
On the 27th June 2019, American trials rider, Marland Whaley, passed away at the age of 60 after suffering a sudden heart attack at his home in Montana. The former Honda and Montesa factory rider was ninth in the 1979 FIM World Trials Championship, which was his highest placing in the series.
Born in San Diego, California, on the 3rd July 1958 he won the Trial De Espania in the USA which eventually brought him to the attention of the mighty Japanese Honda concern for which he campaigned their experimental RTL series four-stroke machines. He was the AMA national champion 1975–77 on Honda and 1979–80 on Montesa.
After retiring from motorcycle trials, he took up cross country mountain bike riding, which was a sport in which he also excelled.
I first came across the American at the 1977 Scottish Six Days Trial where he took two Best Daily Performance awards to eventually finish in 13th position. He also won the Second-Best Newcomer award behind his good friend and fellow ‘Yank’, Bernie Schreiber.
One of the funniest memories of that wet week was watching the Honda team manager Sammy Miller change a rear tyre for Whaley in a public house car park. It’s was very much against the strict rules of the event, but he had no choice as Marland had no idea! It was quite funny as my father, Ron, swore me to secrecy at the time.
The Honda trials display by the Frenchmen had three Marland Whaley Honda machines on display in a fitting tribute to the blond American, which was rewarded with an award from the organisers.
MOTORCYCLE RENOVATION
Over the course of the two days of the show on the Saturday and Sunday, I had a chance to walk around and enjoy the many renovation projects that had been carried out to such a high standard. It was a common sight to see people walking around with carrier bags full of parts and accessories needed to complete a project — or start a new one!
It was so good to meet many of the advertisers who support Classic Trial Magazine, who had their trade stands open for business which proved very beneficial for them all. It’s a good example of bringing the shop to the people, where they can speak with the proprietors one to one and not over the phone or via the internet.
Many of the British twin-shock series organisers across all the disciplines used the show as an occasion to present their awards to the winners.
On both days the chronicler of so many stories from his many years of attending events,
Jack Burnicle, kept people entertained on the centre stage as he carried out some fascinating interviews. Along with Bernie Schreiber from trials, the organisers had invited the legendary hard-charging motocross rider Bryan Goss as the guests of honour.
On the trials side, Bernie proved very popular. Many people requested autographs and photos to be taken with a rider who brought so much entertainment to the trials scene with his dynamic style in the late ’70s and early ’80s. They were both very well accepted and spoke at the sell-out Saturday evening dinner held at the adjacent hotel.
Trade, retail and display prepare stands before the doors open on the Saturday and Sunday. In truth, the show is very much about Saturday as many people want to ride the off-road machines the following day. It is not a criticism of the show, but maybe the organisers need to add something to the show to draw the crowds in on the Sunday which is generally much quieter.
2021 SHOW
As we went to print, still in Coronavirus lockdown in June, I spoke with the event organisers, and they confirmed that the dates were being set for the 2021 show around a similar weekend in February.
The classic shows, run by the Morton’s group, during the course of the year are always well attended and very popular. When we spoke with them, they were already looking at ways to continue this year while following the strict government guidelines. I for one am very much looking forward to a really good catch up in 2021, so let’s just hope that common sense prevails and we can all have a good old ‘chinwag’ the other side of this terrible disease.