HOC First Classic Bike Show at the National Motorcycle Museum.

HOC GB Classic Show at The National Motorcycle Museum 4^th June 2023

The Classic Secs had a vision for this year and that was to try and move some of the HOC Classic Shows from the South and take it to all points of the compass and make it easier for all branches to access. This year we have been to Bristol, Birmingham and we still have our main date at Sammy Millers to go. If you would like to see a HOC Classic Show in your part of the country, please let the Classic Secs know,

Our date at the National Motorcycle Museum was a first for us. I have to say that James Hewing and Dan Powell of the NMM & Conference centre were incredibly helpful and positive about us being there. Nothing was too much trouble.

On the day a hardy group of Southerners (and Andy Smith! ) assembled at the NMM before 8am and proceeded to build our base complete with new giant sail flags. Ryan the NMM guy on the gate was on hand whenever we needed help and together with the help of Jon & Steve Hill, he sorted the bikes into classic/non classic. We also had the help of the resident peacock who seemed to want to get involved. Graham and Sarah & Chloe soon arrived to set up membership and regalia and having prepared the generous portion of the car park allocated to us we awaited our visitors.

At first they trickled in but soon we were busy parking the concours entrants in the right bays and Zoe was kept busy booking in the hopeful owners. It’s surprising how many people don’t know their registration numbers! There was an amazing array of bikes including several CB750K’s and an NS400 and RVF400 and a rather nice CB650K

By 12.15 we had a good number of bikes on display and the museum café had a steady flow of visitors wanting refreshments. Shortly after this the judges (Andy Smith, Dave Thomas, Tony Surridge and Steve Cribbin) started their rounds. At times it was a hard decision but eventually agreement was reached.

The prize giving was compered by Dave Thomas and Steve C & Tony and Zoe and Jude acted as presenters and Dan as official photographer. The trophies were hand made by Tony and Zoe—slate trophies for the 1st prize, wooden trophies for the 2nd prize and certificates for 3rd prize. We also had certificates for non-members.

Huge thanks to all involved in planning and running especially Graham Gull and Sarah Roberts Dave Thomas and Andy Smith. Thank you to all the branches who came—we appreciated it.

Facts and figures

Approx 70 people attended on 55 bikes of which 31 entered the concours (23 booked in but 31 classic bikes were parked) and 24 came along to look. Others came along by car including a posse from Durham and Northeast Branch—what a lovely surprise.

9 branches came along to support, 9 new members were enlisted and £147.50 was spent on regalia.

RESULTS OF CONCOURS

PRIZE WINNERS

CLASS 1 UPTO 250CC

1st—Steve Cribbin—SS50

CLASS 2 251-500CC

1st—RVF 400—Owen Lloyd Davies

2nd—400 Dream—Charles Deakin

3rd—NS400—Dave Thomas

CLASS 3 501-750CC

1st– CB 650—Chris Beebee (cont)

2nd—CB750 K6—Trevor Jones