Saturday evening bike line up
Last year’s 18th Beezumph Rally was held on the 14/15th of August at Cadwell Park, it turned out to be yet another cracker with the great British weather once again on our side.
The first Beezumph was intended to be a one off, one day event to allow the TR3OC members to have a change from the traditional rally offerings and, most importantly, to have a ride on the challenging Cadwell Park circuit. The initial Beezumph was such a success that it carried on, growing year by year into a two day event that is now one of the best known classic bike, track based events in the UK, indeed it is fair to say that it is known worldwide, with visitors last year from most of Europe, America and Australia.
The original formula has remained the same with club (and non club) members getting the chance to ride the circuit on their road or track bikes. The biggest changes have come off track with a range of displays to keep the spectators occupied.
The London Motorcycle Museum had a marquee with many prototypes including the TR3OC’s own P1 prototype Trident on show.
The National Motorcycle museum sent three ex factory Rob North racers (Gene Romero, Paul Smart and Ray Pickrell). These were on show alongside the Vetter 3 prototype Hurricane, loaned by the AMA Museum in America, accompanied by its designer Mr Craig Vetter and his wife Carol.
Mr George Pooley showed his famous specials, including a twin engined Bonneville and 4 cylinder Quadrent.
Beezumph has a tradition of attracting a wonderful array of ex factory riders and team members. Last year was no exception with the likes of Tony Jefferies, Ron Chandler, Mick Grant, John Cooper, Tommy Robb, Percy Tait, Peter Williams and Steve Jolly all joining in. The club also likes to recognise the part played by all the members of the race teams and the people who built, developed and maintained the race bikes in their heyday. Les Williams, Arthur Jakeman, Steve Brown, Bill Fannon, Fred Swift, John Woodward, Norman Hyde, Ron Barrett and the late Don Woodward all met up with the riders at Cadwell.
For many though, just wandering around the paddock and possibly bumping into one of the guests can take up a full morning or afternoon. The range of bikes is staggering, as well as the triples there is always a huge variety of other British, European and American classic machinery on show, including an increasing quantity of sidecar outfits.
Beezumph starts early Friday morning with noise testing (a necessary evil), this was followed by scrutineering and riders’ briefing before the track sessions began at 9 am. There are a variety of classes so everybody’s riding capabilities are catered for, including track novices who get a gentle introduction in Entry Level where speeds are controlled by travelling marshals, with no overtaking allowed. There are a further 3 classes with the fastest being Expert.
Saturday follows the same pattern as Friday, but with 4 classes, riders in each class having at least 5 sessions on track by the end of the afternoon, probably more track time than most race meetings.
On Friday night George Pooley did a question and answer session in the marquee that not everyone understood but was enjoyed by all. This was followed by an autojumble.
The afternoon saw Craig Vetter giving a talk on the development of the Hurricane and his involvement with the BSA and Triumph factories.
After the track heroics finished on Saturday all bikes are invited to join in the line up with prizes given to a wide variety of bikes and individuals who had made a special effort.
The Bouncy Castle was finally turned off for the kids, the excellent Hog Roast was served, and the band kicked in to round off the event.
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