VMCC Banbury Run™

59th VMCC BANBURY RUN™  17th June 2007

    Once again - we had a nice day for the Banbury Run - but there were heavy showers on the Saturday and that made the car parks and Autojumble grass areas very soft and one or two vehicles had difficulties.

    The event had over 560 entries once again and, although we retained 35 Reserves, it turned out that the number of cancellations was rather higher - most of these happen in the final week - and so we had to telephone the folks who had their entries returned in order to offer them a ride.  And it is fitting that one of these 'day before' entries won a major award.

    Overall the Marshals and Officials took to their 'usual' duties and the day ran smoothly.  It is a great pleasure that all of these kind people lend their time and efforts to put on the event - and thanks also to all those who have dusted down these fine machines so that they can be seen and heard once again.

    We did not marshal Sunrising Hill this year - and it seems that there were no major problems.  At least - not that have been brought to our attention!!  One or two riders did ask for their thanks to be passed to the spectators for a much needed push up the hill.

    There was one minor hitch in the Prizegiving concerning the Team prize - and again it goes to the Essex Boys - for the second year in succession.

    The Timed competition had 238 riders which is slightly fewer than previous years.  Only 32 Golds were awarded but there were a record number of 52 Silver awards.  Maybe the lower number of Golds  was affected by the fact that we had published that all routes were on OS Sheet 151 whereas part of the B/C routes used OS Sheet 164 as well - this was an accidental error that make the award winning performances all the more impressive.

    Des James was pleased to equal a couple of past winners of the oldest bike/rider trophy by winning it for the 8th successive year - and you have to complete the full course each time.....his total this year was almost 183 years!!  Not bad for an 86 year old!!

    One can't comment on all the concours award winners but suffice to say that the Judges were very impressed with both Rider and Machine standards - many riders dressed for the occasion and the photographs on our web site at www.banbury-run.co.uk testify to that fact.  It is also worthy to note that a 1902 machine can still complete 30 miles in today's traffic conditions.  And we had slightly fewer breakdowns that needed recovery this year.

    The awards were presented by Harry Wiles - the 2007 VMCC President.

    The route statistics were:

A Route – Veterans          - 33.6 miles     2 hours 14m     59 Timed, 53 Untimed Riders

B Route – Early Vintage   - 54 miles       2 hours 42m      70 Timed, 85 Untimed Riders

C Route – Late Vintage    - 63 miles       2 hours 37m    109 Timed, 124 Untimed Riders

Route Mileages:       Class A          Class B         Class C

                Start                    0                       0                      0

       1st Check                 12                     17.9                17.9

       2nd Check               25.9                  37.6                46.5

      Finish Miles              33.6                  54                    63

    The event was again filmed by CJB Photographic who are able to supply copies on DVD or Video. All classes were filmed during the day including arrivals, car park shots, early starters and out on the roads of the Cotswolds. For further information they can be contacted on 01564 703215 or by email cjbphotographic@aol.com.

Dick Hodge – Secretary, VMCC Banbury Run

59^th VMCC Banbury Run™ - Sunday 17^th June 2007

PERFORMANCE & CONCOURS TROPHIES

59^th VMCC Banbury Run™ - Sunday 17^th June 2007

TEAM PERFORMANCE RESULTS

Three Timed riders to a Team:

A Veteran, an Early Vintage and a Late Vintage bike - all riding different routes.

Gold Award = 4, Silver Award = 3, otherwise zero