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Annual IMOC Rally Photos by Steve Cote According to Mr. Webster, magnificence is defined as “the quality or state of being strikingly beautiful or impressive,” along with a “splendor of surroundings.” So what better way to describe a glorious, September Sunday, in a stunning setting, shared by a bunch of passionate friends and enthusiasts, delectable dealer displays, a charitable cause (Juvenile Diabetes Research), “still-only-$5” admission and at the center of it all…some 400+ incredible Italian motorcycles? It’s no wonder that the Italian Motorcycle Owners Club (IMOC) Rally has become America’s biggest and oldest all-Italian motorcycle extravaganza…and once again, this year’s 26th Annual event did not disappoint! As usual, the beautiful Hamilton Rod & Gun Club in Sturbridge played host to the cognoscenti from Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and beyond. This year’s featured machine was Vespa, and the scooter squadron certainly rose to the occasion. And so did Mother Nature. After a somewhat misty morning, the sky cleared and rally-goers enjoyed a splendid, mid-70 degree day. Fortunately, the rain the day before was not as extreme as last year, so we were back in our rightful place on the lush grass beside Hamilton Pond (if you recall, back in 2008 we were forced up into the rocky parking lot ). This year’s turnout was magnificent, too…despite the fact that there were two other competing events on the same day…the Larz Anderson European Bike Day in Boston, and the (always, coincidentally nearby) Vintage Japanese Rice-a-Roni. Certainly, a lot of discussion ensued concerning the above, but for the record, IMOC and Larz very much joined forces (well in advance) to work together to resolve the issue. Unfortunately, the ensuing domino effect was not the result of either of the two. Enough said… But the good news is that we have already come to terms (IMOC and Larz, at least) for next year’s dates. Larz Anderson will be Sunday, September 12, 2010 at the Museum, while the 27th Annual IMOC Rally (featuring the small-block Moto Guzzi twins) will be Sunday, September 19, 2010 in Sturbridge. The Vintage Japanese Club has already been notified, and the Hamilton Rod & Gun Club has even offered up their venue for a non-competing date. With a year’s advance notice, and an available venue, it’s hoped that Rice-a-Roni addresses the date conflict as well, in the interest of New England enthusiasts. Back to this year though, in addition to our best scooter turnout ever, the multitude of Moto Guzzi’s on hand was astounding. It seems that a good number of Ducati’s must have gone to Larz, because the Bologna boys were actually outnumbered by machines from Mandello del Lario! Though again, the date conflict…and thus, that issue, as well…has already been rectified for 2010. What was also interesting to learn was…how little we know about scooters! Unfortunately, there were some rumblings about who and what we gave the scooter awards to. But we certainly didn’t feature them this year to piss ‘em off, so they say they’ll be back next year and will provide their own judges. Problem solved…because we definitely want, and look forward to, their participation. In addition, a lot of our dealers who always come out and display at the Rally also hold scooter franchises. You can be sure that their scooter sales are no doubt helping pay the bills, nowadays, and keep them afloat. So we also look to do whatever we can for the well-being of our local Italian retailers and service providers. The Hamilton Rod & Gun Club did their part, too, to rev up the event. In addition to the impeccably manicured grounds, for the first time ever, Italian sausage was grilled…and it sure sold out fast! Expect to see more of the same, next year. Yum… Something else you can also count on is the support we receive in running this event. In addition to my Co-Chairman Bob Andren, guys like Tom Bailey (who worked the parts sale table), Steve Cote (who handled photography), Norman Moquin (who was on parking duty), and Chuck Petersen (who also worked at the Gate) further helped make it all come together. Melissa Pierson, author of The Perfect Vehicle, was on hand for the first time, autographing copies of her landmark book. Also at IMOC for the first time was an exquisite, Moto Guzzi-powered Morgan 3-wheeler replica, and participants obviously liked what they saw! Another significant development was the announcement that a New England Moto Guzzi Rally will now be held at the beginning of next August. Tom Halchuck has agreed to expand his incredibly successful Moto Guzzi gathering at the Damn Yankee BMW Rally in Heath, Massachusetts into a broader, Regional event for all Guzzisti. Other Moto Guzzi National Owners Club Rep’s, including yours truly, plan to step up and help make it happen. But there was nothing as incredible at this year’s IMOC Rally as all the participants and their bikes. An Italian TV crew was on hand, and when they asked me to summarize the event in a few words on camera I concluded that it’s: “a two-wheeled, all-Italian extravaganza and family reunion, rolled into one.” Want to know why? Just take a look at some of these award winners, for 2009. Many of the names are indeed familiar, and their machines were just spectacular: The award winners were as follows:
By the way, if anyone knows Sebastian Puglisi, winner of the Best Vespa Award, Todd Mazzola, winner of 2nd MV Agusta and Sam Miller, winner of 3rd Moto Guzzi Big-Block please let them know that we still have their trophies. They must have left early. So Webster was obviously right. Any “quality or state of being strikingly beautiful or impressive” in a “splendor of surroundings” must just be…magnificence. Or in the case of the 26th Annual IMOC Rally…“moto magnificenza.” The 26th annual IMOC Rally was held on Sunday, September 13th, 2009 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
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