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Annual IMOC Rally Photos by Steve Cote Every September, the Italian Motorcycle Owners Club (IMOC) Rally serves as the first sign of sunset on the annual motorcycle season in the Northeast. And as with the coming of Fall in New England, it’s a glorious and spectacular cacophony of contrast. This year was no exception. When the weather cooperates, it’s not uncommon to see some 400+ Italian motorcycles and scooters on hand, along with almost 1,000 spectators up in Sturbridge, Massachusetts…which is the way it went in 2011, as well. But that’s not to say it wasn’t touch and go. Although it was a beautiful day, recent rains took their toll on the Show field. As did some local delinquents the night before, who decided to do donuts in a four-wheeler through what became a muddy mess. But after 28 years of annual events, we’re used to shifting gears at the IMOC Rally. A quick relocation down to the far end of the field to higher ground solved the immediate issue. Due to that difference though, the event was a little less cohesive than usual. The Show was at one end, entry and parking for the “other” (non-Italian) motorcycles was at the other…and the Hamilton Rod & Gun Club food Pavilion was in the middle. But and least everyone got their exercise. And…a good bit of entertainment! You see, as hard as we tried to direct incoming arrive-es away from the sloppy stuff, some just wouldn’t be detoured. Force of habit, perhaps, after all these years? Many just rode right by Hamilton Lake…which seemed to be at high tide, with standing water in many places beside it. A nice, new Ducati Diavel with its big, fat, 240/45 x 17 rear tire put on the best display of white-knuckled, mud slinging wanderlust. The good news was that it also gave us a great idea for next year’s featured machine (on September 16, 2012) for the 29th Annual…Italian Dual-Sports! Benelli Enduros, Moto Guzzi Stornello and Parilla Wildcat Scrambler(s), Morini Camel, Cagiva Elefant, Ducati R/T and E900, Moto Guzzi Quota and Stelvio…and the like. By early afternoon, the relocated field was filling fast. Just like the diverse palette of Fall color, the spectacle from Aprilia to Vespa…and the complete array of everything in between…made for spectacular event. There were Italian bikes of every variety imaginable, including singles, twins, triples, fours and sixes. The only thing missing was an eight-cylinder Moto Guzzi racer or Morbidelli. This year’s featured motorcycles were the original, small-block, Ducati Pantah-based machines…along with those so specified by Cagiva. Piaggio Americas (Rick Panettieri and Michael Fiduk) went out of its way to support the event with an incredible abundance of door prize give-aways. No doubt, with the ever-growing number of Piaggio products on hand (Aprilia. Moto Guzzi and Vespa) it was money well spent. Likewise, the numerous vendors on hand appeared to be doing a brisk business…which was great. A wonderful opportunity for some early Holiday shopping, no doubt? Here’s who was kind enough to come out and set up shop: Dunbar Euro Sport Yet another beneficiary of all the attention was the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (J.D.R.F.). As is tradition, all the IMOC Rally proceeds beyond expenses get donated to this worthwhile cause. Due to such a good Gate this year, I can assure you…they were well taken care of. With more awards than ever this year, the cognoscenti were well treated, too, at the anxiously awaited trophy presentation. See for yourself: The award winners were as follows:
As the event drew to a close, there was yet one more startling contrast that I’ll long remember. A lone, Vespa scooter, with all the patina of extensive, inner city experience, passed by the Pavilion doing…the longest Scooter wheelie ever seen, while its rider was simultaneously waving frantically with delight on the way out. As America’s biggest and longest running all-Italian motorcycle extravaganza, when they say “you’ll see anything and everything” at the IMOC Rally…they’re right. The 28th annual IMOC Rally was held on Sunday, September 18th, 2011 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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