For many scooterists, the Isle of Wight International Scooter Rally is the biggest rally of the year and with a rumoured 8000 scooterists crossing over to the island, it clearly is the biggest in number terms.
However, sadly it’s also become the biggest in terms of geographic spread, as the whole island now embraces the rally. This does mean that the official rally is competing for support with other events across the island. This year it seemed that numbers were slightly down across all those parts, strange when so many have crossed the water to get there. It feels like the rally has become a victim of its own success and with so much on across the island it dilutes the attendance, although to be fair the weather also plays its part. With the island tourist board now advertising the event, it just shows how times change.
Sandown Airport
The official BSRA VFM International Rally is held at Sandown Airport, near Lake. For those that can remember the less welcoming years through the late 80s and early 90s we had a very soggy weekend of camping on a field in Lake accessed through a farm and a very muddy track. It was improved slightly by the addition of several straw bales and plenty of piss-taking as numerous people struggled through the mud. A rally can be made or challenged by the good old British summer weather and this year the gales on Thursday and rain on Friday night, coupled with the forecast for Saturday resulted in a number of people tracking down last minute digs or packing up early on Saturday. This did thin out the numbers camping on the official rally site a bit. Those that stayed had a great weekend, packed with options to keep everyone entertained.
Rain doesn’t stop play
The weather wasn’t too bad in the end, with decent weather Friday daytime and after the rain overnight the weather improved on Saturday afternoon and was even better for the huge ride out on Sunday. Credit to the VFM team who organise the official rally, for reacting to the weather conditions to maintain access, initially with straw, quickly followed by mats to keep the access safe. It is all too easy to forget that we wouldn’t have rallies if it wasn’t for a few top fellow scooterists who give up their time to organise everything, allowing us to have such a great time.
Willing volunteers
The VFM collective often relies on the same willing volunteers, it is always good to offer help to give something back, so it was good to be able to offer support with the silent disco again, keeping everyone dancing and singing (loudly, when there is actually no music in the room!) until close at 2 am on both nights.
As always there was a large traders area on site and it was great to see SIP over from Germany and their stall was busy all weekend. Thankfully they weren’t selling the bin bag waterproofs they were seen modelling.
The scooterist forecast
The numbers attending the site on Friday to visit the stalls, etc. were good. Clearly, scooterists have become wise to weather forecasts and visited the stalls early. Several reported they had their best-ever business on the Friday. With numbers visiting the site seemingly, slightly down on Saturday as the weather did its best to dampen spirits. Saturday was still a busy day though despite the showers. The custom show is always well supported, both in numbers showing their pride and joy and those visiting and filling in the punter’s choice slips. As usual, the standard of entries was very high, you can see them in the gallery above. The custom show results are below.
Best of Show
It was great to see the stunning murals on the Ocean Colour Scene Vespa getting the credit they deserve with a few trophies, including best of show (you can read all about it in the latest issue of ScooterNova). There were also a few scooters with quality engineering, including a trick Gilera Runner twin that sounded as good as it looked.
International event
The rally is truly an international event and it was great to see scooterists from France, Belgium, Germany and a large group from The Monkeys SC, Switzerland experiencing the delights of the biggest rally in the scooterist calendar.
Sightseeing
For those fancying a pint in a real glass, the VFM team also organise a regular coach service from the site, so that those looking to sample the atmosphere and alcohol in Ryde, Sandown or Shanklin can do so. Reports were that the numbers were slightly down on Ryde seafront and also in the pubs.
Party like it’s Friday night
I’ve mentioned previously about the Saturday night often being quieter than Friday night as we’re all getting older and can’t party quite as hard as we like to think we can. Having said that, the Saturday night on the campsite was a great night. The DJs kept the atmosphere going after the bands finished and many took the opportunity to stay up well past cocoa and bedtime to join us in the hangar for the silent disco after midnight.
The Beat
The bands over the weekend all went down well and the band marquee was heaving on both nights. Friday night saw The Beat take to the stage with Ranking Jnr keeping the crowd skanking to hit after hit. Saturday daytime, Double Barrel played a set in the Hangar to entertain those visiting the stalls, custom show and day tripping.
I’ve been stung
Saturday evening saw a great set from legends The Highliners, as expected Henry the Wasp went down a storm. They were followed by Jam tribute act A Band Called Malice, who played a good mix of the Weller 3 piece’s back catalogue. Unfortunately, I had to head home on Sunday so missed local band Outa Time playing their set on Sunday afternoon entertaining those arriving from the ride out.
The rideout
As always Booga was on hand to capture photos over the weekend and the rideout, which is the highlight of the weekend for many taking part and also many locals and holidaymakers who line the streets to watch.
Shaun’s thoughts
I’m a huge supporter of the National Rallies and encourage as many as possible to support those who support us all year, however, I can’t help thinking that the Isle of Wight is teetering on a knife edge. Unless more of us support the VFM National Rally at Sandown then can it remain viable?
The success of the rally and how it has been embraced by the whole island has diluted it to the point that numbers appear down everywhere. Maybe we should remember that ultimately without the National Rallies and their organisers paving the way, bringing us credibility on the island and across the country then things could be so different. Sadly if this dilution continues we could lose the Nationals and be faced with a fragmented, regionalised scene. Ultimately, who knows what the future holds, as we’re all getting older, so I personally will keep riding to, enjoying and supporting the National Rallies for as long as I am able to do so.
Let us know what you think
On a positive note, in typical scooterist fashion, we had a cracking weekend on the official campsite and it was also great to see a good number of youngsters at the rally, so maybe we will have someone to pass the baton on to yet. These are my own personal thoughts and not those of SLUK, but it would be good to hear the thoughts of you lot. Please leave a comment below.
Huge thanks to Tori, Kev, Daz and all of the VFM Collective for organising another great IOW International rally. Please support those who support us!
Ride safe, Shaun
Main photos: Booga, additional images, Shaun
Keep scrolling, there’s more below…
Henry and Alison at the IOW
Before we Forget Tour
My ride down to the Wight Isle was definitely a bit shorter and easier than the epic adventure that Henry, Alison, Dave & Beef experienced as they took the long way round to cover over 2000 miles, riding to all of the 28 National Rally destinations that we visited through the 1980s, finishing up at the Isle of Wight. They battled through challenging weather conditions, mechanical issues and also suffered a blowout, resulting in a Lambretta and rider on the tarmac in the middle lane of the motorway, thankfully with no serious injuries. So they really did enjoy the well-deserved beers when they reached their destination. The “Before We Forget Tour” was all done to raise money for a great cause and so far they have raised just short of a massive £20,000. A truly epic achievement. If you’d like to find out more and how to donate then please check out their website www.beforeweforget.uk
Organising an event on this scale is a 24-hour job whilst you’re there but also takes months of work beforehand. VFM’s Tori gives us her thoughts on the weekend.
The Isle of Wight: An organiser’s point of view
Having watched the forecast from two weeks out, we knew we would be getting wet at some point, but could’ve done without a solid 24 hours of rain on the Thursday, which made for some challenges during the final set-up. However, it was all faced with smiles, good humour and plenty of piss-taking – this is the (scootering) way.
Friday’s sunshine and wind helped dry the site out and brought in masses of day trippers to visit the huge trader’s village, and then Friday night’s headline band The Beat (ftr Rankin’ Jnr) saw the marquee at bursting point. Saturday brought more rain, but it didn’t stop the custom show entrants arriving to show their pride and joys – fair play to all of them for coming out, when we wouldn’t have been surprised to see Noah and his Ark on the nearby airport runway. Despite the weather, we still had a constant stream of day visitors, checking out the custom show and shopping at the trader’s village. Saturday night’s bands, The Highliners and Band Called Malice also had the place rammed, not to mention the dancers in the Soul Hangar and then the silent disco with the worst singing you’ve ever heard.
Still smiling
Sunday was dry – hurray! We made the decision to park the ride out down by the airport buildings as the ground there was still really firm, and less of a challenge for 10-inch wheels compared to the usual parking area in the camping field. Thanks to those who arrived and followed the marshalls, parking from the back of the field, then filling up to the front – it’s not rocket science, but if everyone just parked at the front then we could not get everyone in – simples. Due to the large numbers, we had to overflow the latter part of the ride out to park round by the traders and marquee. Was this the biggest ride out ever? I don’t know. I do know it took longer to park everyone this year, so that could mean higher numbers than previously.
After months of planning and work in the background (the equivalent of a full-time job), we couldn’t deliver this event without the entire team on the weekend – every steward, marshal, DJ and litter picker. Every one of them is a rally-going scooterist. VFM’s is run by scooterists, for scooterists.
Massive thanks to every single person who put on a VFM shirt and a smile over the weekend.
Did it rain? Yep. Did it dampen the spirits – not a chance!
Tori, VFM
Very interesting article with some thought provoking opinions. Personally the Isle of Wight is, by its very nature, a unique rally venue giving you the option to immerse yourself totally into the rally or, as many of us do, incorporate the rally weekend into a holiday, enjoying the many delights that the island has to offer and take up the entertainments on offer in various venues. It is a shame that the rally site had to move from the old speedway stadium, because the locality and hospitality shown by the Ryde shops and venues became a focal meeting and gathering / posing point for everyone. I don’t think that, with the best will in the world, Sandown grabs the scooterists imagination and judging by the amount of scooters buzzing in Ryde, this is a view shared by many. Over the weekend we, and our fellow scooterists, will visit the rally site on most days to sample whatever is on offer so putting funds into the VFM. Considering the negativity shown by most towns local to scooter rallies, if is a refreshing change to to feel welcomed by the majority of the islanders and long may it continue.