24th Annual IMOC Rally
by Steven Rossi

On Sunday, September 9, 2007 the cognoscenti and their motocicletta made the scene at the Italian Motorcycle Owners Club’s (IMOC) 24th Annual Rally at the Hamilton Rod & Gun Club in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. And what a scene it was…but perhaps, not the one you might have expected.

For the first time in a l-o-n-g time, IMOC Rally-goers were met with fog, sprinkles and some high humidity. Back in the day, when the event was held in August, this was all too common of an occurrence…which is why the Rally was moved to September. We thought we’d permanently dodged that bullet but by 2007, we were back in the cross-hairs. (Pun intended…we were at a Gun Club, after all.)

Though that didn’t seem to bother the motociclista, at least those aboard machines made in places like Bologna, Breganze, Mandelo del Lario, Noale, Rimini and Varese.

In fact, the turnout was quite impressive. After 24 years, the IMOC Rally (America’s oldest and longest-running all-Italian motorcycle event) has once again demonstrated that it proudly has some solid momentum and heritage behind it. There were at least 350-400 folks on hand despite the drizzle at the Rod & Gun Club, compared to the usual 700-800.

One reason is because there was a rain or shine, once-in-a-lifetime sale of early Moto Guzzi and Ducati parts, held in conjunction with the Rally. Graciously donated by Dwight Williams of Pine Bush, NY, these last remnants from the old Reno Leoni shop proved too enticing to ignore…even with the hand Mother Nature may have dealt. All the proceeds were donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (J.D.R.F.), and special thanks go to Tom Bailey of Weathersfield, CT who devoted his day to the cause by manning the sale tables.

In addition to all the dignitaries that passed through the gate (each and every attendee), Rick Panettieri’s participation was particularly appreciated. He’s Piaggio America’s Moto Guzzi and Aprilia Brand Manager. Jack Robinson…of the Four Stroke Single National Owners Club (F.S.S.N.O.C.)…also thumped in, all the way from Hutchinson, Kansas. F.S.S.N.O.C. coincidentally (or in fact, not so coincidentally) had a Regional ThumperCafé in nearby NorthEast Connecticut the day before.

Questionable weather couldn’t stop the New England area dealers either. With retail representation from Aprilia, Bimota, Ducati, Moto Guzzi and Piaggio, not to mention purveyors of various aftermarket and performance products, there sure was a lot to look at…beyond what was on the show field, beside Hamilton Pond. And all their tents and awnings proved particularly pleasing when the previously mentioned sprinkles turned into drops. They also donated a deluge of much appreciated door prizes.

Individual award winners were as follows :

With 353 Italian-made machines in Sturbridge, this was obviously a new record! Some 600-700 people were easily on the ground, and the food service folks had to run out twice for reinforcements.

MV Agusta was this year's featured marque, and the owners did not disappoint. Three wonderful singles were present, and the depth and breadth of the brand was displayed by both the early and late examples of the four cylinder varieties.

The award winners were as follows:

When it came to the special trophies, the High Mileage Award was accepted by gristled-Guzzisti Norman Moquin, and his well-traveled 1984 SP. Longest Distance went to Ray Shaw, all the way from Cleveland, Ohio (650 miles).

This year’s IMOC Rally feature was “any and all Moto Guzzi Singles,” and the Airone, Falcone and Stornello’s on hand (considering, the weather being what it was) did not disappoint. But it was Mark Goldfarb’s 1959 Ercole three-wheeled, commercial utility that hauled home the Best Guzzi Single award…and the trophy wasn’t even that big. But Mark would eventually need a little extra carrying capacity, because his Ercole also won People’s Choice.

Finally, the 2007 Concours Cup was bestowed upon George Vincenze and his exquisite 1966 Ducati 250.

Next year’s IMOC Rally…the Silver Anniversary, 25th Annual…will once again be held at the Hamilton Rod & Gun Club in Sturbridge, Massachusetts (on Sunday, September 7, 2008). Ducati SuperBikes will be the feature…from the original tri-colore 851, right up through the most recent tri-colore 1098.

As usual, expect to see anything and everything from Aermacchi and Aprilia to Vespa and VOR, and so, so much more in between…not to mention all the latest and greatest temptations Italy has to offer. And that will certainly be a scene in itself.

The 24th annual IMOC Rally was held on Sunday, September 9th, 2007 at the Hamilton Rod & Gun Club in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.

For more information about IMOC, the annual rally or to receive MOTOCICLISTA, IMOC's monthly newsletter, please contact:

Bob Andren - 401.397.4253 | bobkandren@verizon.net
Steven Rossi - 860.873.2999 | sldmrossi@aol.com