HOC Classic Show at Sammy Millers 21st July 2024
What a brilliant day we had at our 4th show at Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum.
After the wettest week possible we had an almost totally dry Sunday, and the sun even came out in time for the Awards ceremony at 2pm.
From early in the day bikers started coming through the gates and while some had come to just have a day out and there were many entries for our concours both ridden and trailored in.
By the middle of the morning bikes were flooding in and Diane from BikerPics was kept busy photographing bikes as they entered the gates of the museum.
Meanwhile in the courtyard the HOC Classic Team were occupied marshalling the concours entrants into the right location and then directing them to the gazebo to book in. By the end of the day we had signed in 62 entrants.
Allen arrived at about 10.30 with his Honda 6 .Sammy and Allen were often obscured by large crowds as they set about starting up a selection of bikes and chatting about them. Sammy also welcomed visitors into his workshop. In between all this noisy activity Sammy and Allen happily chatted to the show visitors and signed autographs and posed for photos. This really does make a lot of people very happy and is a big part of the show.. The museum featuring Sammy’s amazing collection of bikes and biking memorabilia also attracted a lot of visitors especially as we had a special show rate for members of the HOC.
Just before lunch (and again in the afternoon) Sammy and Allen treated us to an impromptu ‘race’ around the car park and what a sight and sound that was – unforgettable. Sammy on his RC181 and Allen on his RC374 (Mike Hailwood replica) I think that is one of the highlights of the day – seeing two legends doing what they love doing.
All this excitement is obviously very tiring and the catering teams were working flat out to feed the hordes of hungry visitors. As well as the museum café there was an outside coffee/burger bar and for those wanting something to cool down there was the ice cream tricycle by the courtyard entrance. (Best ice cream ever!)
After lunch with the judging complete it was time to present our concours winners with their awards. This year one of our members, Colin Nicholson, made us some unique trophies out of spare bike parts. He certainly has a flair for this. Sammy Miller Museum kindly donated some signed museum guides and a prize for the best non-member’s 400/4
Dave Thomas (Chief Judge) presided over the ceremony with the help of Steve Cribbin (Classic Secretary) with Allen Millyard and Sammy Miller presenting the awards and having a few words with each winner. We then thanked all those involved and gave a small token of our appreciation to Sharon (Museum Manager) who is our guru in all things bike show, the museum volunteers and this year we had a small surprise for Sammy. As always, I forgot a few thankyous – so apologies if I missed you out.
It wouldn’t be the same without Sammy and Allen and Sharon and all the museum volunteers – they are the shows Museum Dream Team. We appreciate all the effort that they all go to to help make our show a success
(cont)
I would also like to thank our Classic Show Dream Team –Steve C, Jon – the logistics man , Barbara the booking in expert, Graham and Sarah, Charles & the marshals, Dave T & the judges, and everyone else who helped in any way. A lot of people spent their weekend making this show work.
Thank you also to Honda UK and Gerry & Hazel for supporting us again – another integral part of the show.
And we were very happy to welcome many HOC Branches to the show – we do appreciate your support. There was even one gentleman who had ridden from Plymouth. He must have been going in for the Saddlesore Comp.
We don’t always get it right but we learn along the way whilst having the best time possible putting on something that we hope you all enjoyed.. We are very happy that we had over 500 bikes visiting and had 62 bikes in the concours.
NOTE – We had over 500 bikes visit the show and many cars. 62 bikes entered the concours. The club enrolled 6 new members – one of which was my daughter – and 3 renewals and Regalia took just over £153.
RESULTS
WINNERS
CLASS 1
1st—Dream E Type A Scott (Gerry)
2nd—CB750—M. Riger
3rd—305 Superhawk—T Wiffen
CLASS 2
1ST—TL 200—Mr Bowridge
2nd—VFR750—S. Butler
3rd—CB750 K7—P. Townsend
CLASS 3
1st—Monkey 250th Anniversary—A. Shoogin
2nd—VFR750 – P. Casling
3rd—NS125F—Mr Booth
CLASS 4
1st—CB250 Nighthawk—Mr Goudy
2nd—NRX 1800—Alan W
3rd—VFR750—Rees-Thomason
BEST IN SHOW
CB500—S Fox
Best 400/4—Member—I Troughton
Best 400/4 non member—Mr Hemmings