Eurosceptic
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Euro Lambretta. Some, though, are now questioning whether the format has become tired and had its day…y
In 1988 the reformed Lambretta Club d'Italia set out bold plans for an International Lambretta rally involving any European nation that wanted to join in. Interest quickly began to grow and in 1989 the inaugural event was held on neutral territory in the city of Strasbourg. Though it was, shall we say, a little rough around the edges, what it did prove was the idea could work. Soon a ‘head of country' meeting was set up with plans for the rally to be held in a different country each year by a designated host nation, the idea being that whichever club was hosting would put on an event worthy of attending.
In 1992 it was the first turn of the UK and no one has ever doubted that Euro Lambretta located at the LPS museum was, and still is, regarded as the best one ever held. Since that time the LCGB has hosted twice more, in 2000 and 2009, both of them being a great success. With the UK having by far the biggest membership of any international Lambretta club, they not only have the finance, but also the infrastructure to put on such an event.
The problem comes with the nations that don't have such a big membership or the resources to deal with the organisation involved. Of course, they can hold the event, but no way will it be as lavish or extravagant as that of the LCGB. I don't think anyone is saying it has to be the same, but the questions of how good they actually are seem to stem from the fact that there simply isn't enough going on when you get there.
From the early days, the format slowly evolved around arrival and greetings on the first day, followed by events and custom shows on the main day. This would be crowned off with a gala dinner on the Saturday night before a pre-arranged ride out before the rally ended. This is how the calendar of events at each one seems to have remained ever since. Fair enough, but this style now seems to be going stale, and certainly if the moans and groans that are heard on the grapevine are anything to go by. The question that remains is how to change things to please all those that are in attendance? To a certain extent you can't, not without significant costs involved. Even
if more was put on to entertain those in attendance, it probably still wouldn't suit everyone. The year 2017 saw the 70th anniversary of the Lambretta and it was obvious that Italy would have to be the host nation. It was plagued with issues from the outset due to the political wrangling of their national club. In the end, two separate events were held on different weekends, thereby splitting the attendance. The official one held by the LCI promised a lavish affair, but even that failed to deliver with many moaning how disappointing it all was. Again it was most probably because it was based around the same old format. Perhaps that what needs to change is a totally different approach, with something totally new.
Most of the moans this year seemed to stem from the fact that it simply wasn't value for money. The location, just like many of the previous ones, was fine, and that side of it never seems to be an issue. With ticket prices these days approaching close to £100 it isn't a cheap affair and people want something decent in return.
We must remember, though, that the host nation will do things the way their country's tradition dictates. For instance, this year in Poland the food for the meal would not be the same as it would be in the UK.
Next year is Belgium, and again it will be different. Accepting a country's culture and the way they do things is something any visitor must respect.
Ever since the Euro Lambretta started the whole experience it seems it has been based more around the road trip than the event itself. Depending on which country is hosting, the journey travelling from the UK there and back can be in excess of 2,000 miles. That's some riding a 50-year-old small capacity two-stroke. It seems the challenge is like an endurance test to see if man and machine can complete such a feat. Is it really possible for a Lambretta to stand the test, while at the same time your body survives the physical toll being put upon it? Perhaps the real problem is that you face a great sense of anti-climax when you finally arrive at your destination.
There is no doubt that the build-up beforehand and then setting out on the journey get the adrenalin pumping. If travelling in a group, the feeling of camaraderie and helping each other in the event of a breakdown starts to make it even more memorable. When you get to the rally no one can argue the fact that you will be somewhat physically exhausted, whilst knowing at the same time that you have to repeat the journey again to get back home.
Perhaps then this is what the Euro Lambretta has become, a resting place or stopover on an epic adventure. There is no denying that putting on such a huge event takes a lot of time, manpower and funds, and each national club should be applauded for the effort they put in each year. Perhaps what are needed, however, are slight changes to make it more appealing to those that have made the long journey. Hopefully, that way the success that has become the Euro Lambretta will continue long into the future.