As we approach the final few days of the year, we thought we’d take a quick look back at the National Rallies and a few other events that took place this year. A year with highs and lows for many of us.
Having survived the pandemonium brought about by Covid – 2022 arrived with trepidation. Would things open up properly at last? Could our large-scale events take place? Would we find some kind of normality? As it happens the year panned out quite well for our beloved scooter events. Here’s a quick look back at some of the bigger ones, we’ve included plenty of links to features we’ve done on them over the course of the year so click through and have a read, look at the photos and enjoy the memories.
April BSSO Mallory Park – Stefan Manoli R.I.P.
The race season started off in a way none of us ever want to see again.
For the first time ever in British scooter sport we had a tragic death at a BSSO race meeting. Sadly, Stefan Manoli (a rookie racer taking part in only his second race meeting) lost his life during a race incident.
Stefan was writing about his exploits for SLUK and had left me a voice message from the track the previous day, he was buzzing with excitement and looking forward to the following day’s racing. That was the last time I heard from him…
His death shocked the paddock and any of us with any connection to scooter racing. Our thoughts go out to his wife, Shelley and family at this poignant time of year. R.I.P. #62.
BSRA #1 – Whitby
For the first few months of the year, it was still touch and go as to whether Covid restrictions would tighten up again but eventually things settled down and by Easter we were loading our scooters up to ride to Whitby.
The Easter event kickstarted the year nicely, although numbers were down and there was still a strange feeling about being back out again.
May – BSRA #2 Tenby
The BSRA circus headed to deepest, darkest South Wales for the May Day weekend for what has to be the prettiest seaside town on the National calendar. Tenby is only a small town but it’s big on atmosphere.
BSRA #3 – Kelso
Kelso almost fell foul to the huge costs being commanded by venues since Covid. Eventually the Scottish Number Ones managed to pull the rally off and even booked some sunshine! Many of us were away at the Euro Lambretta in Belgium at the time but Col covered the fort for us.
June – Euro Lambretta Jamboree: Belgium
After missing out on travelling abroad since 2019 it was a great feeling to be back with a group of friends on a Euro adventure. The Belgian Lambretta Club had put this event together in just a few weeks after being given the go-ahead once European Covid rules were finally relaxed.
BSRA #4 – Big 7
June arrived quickly and brought with it the annual visit to Big 7 in Kent for a smashing weekend of fun in the sun. Big 7 seems to get ever more popular and ticks all the right scootering boxes.
July BSRA #5 Cleethorpes
The first weekend in July saw a welcome return to Cleethorpes for the first National Rally in the town since 2018. Surprisingly, despite good weather for most of the weekend numbers were down significantly on the campsite. It’s still a fantastic rally town though.
BSRA #6 – Weymouth
Have you ever missed a rally and found out from your friends that it was the best weekend ever? Yep, well if you weren’t at Weymouth this year you really did miss a cracker. Wall-to-wall sunshine, a beautiful town, lovely ride, plenty of friends and good pubs. Don’t miss it next time!
August BSRA #7 – Isle of Wight
Settling into its new home at Sandown Airport for the second year, the IOW is still the biggest scooter rally in the world. A tragic event over the weekend put a dampener on things for some but scooterists still partied over the weekend in memory of German scooterist, Mattias.
Although this event was tinged with sadness it was great to see and hear what fellow scooterists had done behind the scenes to help Mattias, his family and his friends. Massive respect to everybody involved.
September – British Scooter Endurance Racing: Teesside
Having lead the July BSEC scooter race for 6 solid hours (of an 8-hour race), SLUK Racing were forced to retire after a crank span and wrecked our engine. We were back in September though with a new Quattrini motor and not only did we lead for most of the race but SLUK Racing went on to win it outright!
Happy days and as usual, the BSEC events are great fun.
BSRA #8 – Woolacombe
September sees the South West crew taking over a holiday park in Devon for three days and nights. This event is one on its own and provides the best Sunday night of any scooter rally. Plus of course another two nights of great scooterist entertainment, this year with the outrageous King Kurt headlining.
October Mammoth parts fair
It was good to see a new parts fair on the calendar. The first joint ScooterNova/EMSA ‘Mammoth scooter parts fair’ at the beginning of October was very busy and saw loads of jumble getting cleared out of overcrowded sheds.
It looks like becoming a twice-a-year affair but has found a new exciting-sounding covered venue in Melton Mowbray for the next one which will be held on Sunday 12th March.
BSRA #9 – Southport
The final event of the year saw us heading over to Southport for a damp season finale. As a rally it was a little bit too spread out this year but personally, I still enjoy it as a destination. Even so, in 2023 we’ll be moving to the pretty Welsh town of Llandudno instead for the final National of the year.
Novembrrrr Mablethorpe and Sandford Bay
Once upon a time scooter rallies would finish in October (usually at Bridlington) but these days the season is stretched through into November with a holiday park rally (or two). For some strange reason, there’s one on the north east coast at Mablethorpe and another on the south coast (this year for the first time in Landrum Bay) both on the same weekend! Even so, both were well-attended and geographically are far enough apart to not cause an issue.
Roll on 2023
Although we’re into the depths of winter, the nights will soon be drawing out again. I’m sure many of you will be making sure your scooters are ready for action in time for Scooterist Meltdown in February, or Easter in Scarborough.
We’ve posted our BSRA rally flyer for you to plan some diary dates.
2022 has been an emotional rollercoaster. We’ve lost countless friends and fellow scooterists along the way. Thankfully we still have the memories of those whose booming voices, infectious laughs, elaborate stories, calming influence or entertaining nature will be missing in the future.
I’m sure they’d be happy to see us doing what we do best, riding those small wheels to far-off places. Enjoying the crack with a group of friends and planning future adventures.
If those two bad covid years of enforced hibernation have taught us anything, it’s that we can’t take anything for granted so let’s get out there and enjoy life to the max.
See you on the road or in the pub in 2023…
Iggy
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Who am I?
Barry Downs apparently 😉