Big7 - A South East Summer Sizzler!
The Big7 team couldn’t have wished for their rally goers to have been greeted by a better weekend of beautiful weather, fantastic entertainment and superb scooters…
The Big7 team decided that they’d hold this year’s National Big7 Scooter Rally two weeks later than the usual weekend set aside for the event. The decision paid dividends, and the event couldn’t have been greeted by a better weekend of beautiful weather, fantastic entertainment and superb scooters… Top job
This year saw the introduction of glamping tents, which easily accommodated up to eight people. The positioning of the tents at the venue was in the usual location of the dealers’ and traders’ market, and this meant that the dealers and traders were now nicely organised behind the main field. Also a new ‘Darkside’ room, sponsored by the Mersey Island Scooter Rally, was opened at the rear of the main room in the Dray, which made a fantastic addition to an already superb line-up of live music, themed music marquees and, of course, the main room itself. By mid-morning on Friday the final preparations for the weekend were complete. The team had done a fantastic job and the main gate at Hop Farm opened to allow a stream of scooterists to flow in. Arrivals were met by a friendly team and once they’d checked in they quickly got themselves set up in the main field ready for the weekend ahead.
Set up
By mid-afternoon the main field was nearly two-thirds full and it was clear by the numbers that this year’s rally was going to be something special. With this in mind I left my base camp and went to chat with rally goers who were by now cracking open a few beers and settling into the rally atmosphere. It was also clear from the banners around the field that groups of riders, independent riders and clubs had come from all over the country. Outside the front of the Dray it was busy with groups sat chatting and soaking up the sun. In the meantime, the traders’ market was a hive of activity with rally goers browsing round the ample stands selling full scooters, new and used scooter parts, scooter memorabilia and scooter workshop tools, and there was also a walk-in scooter workshop ready to help with those urgent fixes needed. The evening’s live entertainment saw fantastic performances by The Corsairs, Secret Affair and Orange Street, and whilst all
that was going on, outside, event goers moved from one themed marquee to another. Meanwhile, the mobile catering vans were busy and the mood around the venue was cheerful.
Saturday scorcher!
Saturday morning broke and I emerged from my tent to the sound of scooter chatter; the smell of breakfast being cooked; coffee being served; and a general sense of excitement about what was to come from the day ahead. Having freshened up, it was time to take advantage of the unbroken sunshine and set off around the rally site to check out what was going on. By mid-morning the Dyno Shootout was set up and a crowd had gathered around the safety barriers to watch scooters being tested by the dyno team under the watchful eye of their owners.
Variety and activity
At the same time custom show scooters started to form up outside the main marquee next to the Dray, which would later open its doors to deliver the custom show. Outside the Dray, whilst rally goers enjoyed a beer and a chat, they were treated to a live acoustic performance with a variety of BritBrit-Pop and scooter rally tunes. Just afterf lunchtimelhi aroundd 200 scooters and their riders formed up on the road near to the main gate ready for the rally ride-out. It was easy to see that all the riders taking part were enjoying the camaraderie of the event and, of course, the beautiful weather. Having watched the ride-out set off and having completed another circuit of the main field, it was time to grab a bite to eat before having a look round the custom show. The latter was then judged and the final scooters on the Dyno Shootout were making their lastminute challenge for the top speed title award. Dave Porter announced the
Sunset over the main field
custom show results, which were delivered with a helping of his own style of banter and interaction with the audience. Barry Ludlow from the Big7 S.C. handed out the awards to the lucky winners.
The sun sets
With the awards given out it was time for me set out on to the main campsite for the final time to decide on our ‘Campsite Custom’ winner. As the sun began to set the rest of the live entertainment followed, and the themed music marquees played out to event goers, who were all immersed in the Big7 love and in the atmosphere in general. This year’s rally was the eighth Big7 rally and the fourth Big7 with National status. The event is always a belter and the weekend is always a success. The venue is perfect, and over the years the club has donated over £20,000 to charity. Stu Smith
Stu Smith & Big7 S.C