2nd VJMC Show, Uttoxeter, July 2008
The 2007 Uttoxeter Show was originally intended to be a one-off to celebrate the VJMC's 25th anniversary. But it was
such a success that it was immediately pencilled in for 2008 (and beyond) so we signed up again straight away.
Having spent all of the previous show admiring Ben's lovely YSR's, Sara was planning to paint her NSR in Nastro Azzurro
colours. We knew of other Gag bikes already in Rizla, Pepsi, Rothmans and Repsol schemes so the theme pretty-much
chose itself - an assortment of race-rep paintjobs in both full and half sizes.
Mick got us off to the perfect start with a matching pair of Repsol NSR's (250 MC21 and 80). Mike offered his
immaculate Rothmans MC28-SP. Tim's mate Graeme had an RG400 in Telefonica colours which he kindly lent us and Sara
went ahead with the Rossi-rep NSR50. Darin added a few stickers to his blue/yellow YSR80 to turn it into a proper
little Gauloises replica, and while trying to persuade the owner of the Rizla RB50 to bring it along, he ended up buying it
instead !
Progress stalled at that point, and as Ben couldn't make it this time and the show loomed ever closer, requests for other
bikes were made on the forum(s). Nigel then offered his 3XV in Yamaha 50th Anniversary colours and said he also had a
nice 3MA if we wanted it. We did ! With room for one more bike and a complete lack of Kawasaki's, Mike said he
could bring along his KR-1S as well. Not quite the full GP grid recreation but 10 super-cool bikes as usual.
Make that 11, 'cos Tim decided to put his RB50 mini-GSX-R in the van too.
We'd asked for and been allocated the same stand as last time, so we set to work making yet another lighting unit and also
ordered another pair of display banners to help encourage the public towards our location. Shortly before the show it
looked like we might be moved to a marquee on the grass instead, but we persuaded George to let us stay where we
were. As we know, there are downsides to the pavilion but we could definitely do a lot worse. How many other
clubs have their own secret little kitchen area ?!
With all the bikes in place, the stand looked pretty good. The lighting helped of course, as did borrowing a big
table and using it to display the RB50 up in the air. The new banners were positioned outside with arrows directing
the public towards the pavilion, so it was depressing to see so many enter the venue, fixate on the main hall and walk
straight past us without even a glance in our direction. Despite being aware of the problem, no action had been taken
by the organisers to address it. Even so, a wander round the soggy infield marquee showed we could have been worse
off...
Better news was finding out that we'd been awarded 2nd Best Club Stand this year, an improvement on the previous
show. Not only that, but Mike's gorgeous MC28 deservedly won Best 90's Bike overall. And on the Sunday, more
recognition that we must be doing something right, when Doug Perkins wheeled in a Mk.1 RG500 and asked us to look after it
on our stand. The engine is allegedly the actual one out of the works XR14 upon which Barry Sheene won his first ever
GP, hence the replica paint job.
The race bike was taken outside and fired up a couple of times for the benefit of the public, and Doug's helmetless
full-bore starts in the pouring rain on a priceless piece of history deserved a medal. Being immediately outside our
pavilion, the sound-off's also had the effect of bringing a few more punters in.
Grateful thanks are due to Mick, Mike and Nigel for each bringing along 2 stunning bikes, and to Graeme for lending us his
RG400 for the weekend. Thanks to Doug for his continued support, PB magazine for giving us a little plug again, plus
of course everyone who turned up to look at the bikes and say hello. What are we gonna do next year to get Best Club
Stand ?...
