The Triumph Big Day Out
Saturday 18 August 2007
Saturday 18 August 2007
“This event should run every year not once every two years.”
Triumph Big Day Out attendee speaking to Gordon May.
“You showed great courage in the face of enemy fire.”
Coventry Telegraph email to Motorcycling Big Days Out.
Motorbike fans and the just plain curious had travelled from far afield to our showground in this Warwickshire village for a day of all things Triumph. We had displays, competitions, speakers, and a big dollop of Triumph fan solidarity.
Torrential rain four days before the show enforced a last-minute shift to an adjacent site which, due to better drainage, enabled the event to go on. But the sun gods were not with us. The weather forecasters, whose long-term predictions had vacillated between dry and showers, finally agreed it was going to rain big time. The day started out okay but heavy skies gave us some idea of what was to come.
Unfortunately the weather forecasters got it right for our little patch! The rain began to fall – and it did not stop. It sheeted down! This did affect attendance numbers but we soldiered on and were delighted by great exhibits.
One of the most exciting sights was the world’s oldest Triumph from 1902. Seeing this remarkable machine juxtaposed with the very latest Triumph model, the Street Triple, which was released just one week before our event, was a fantastic spectacle.
Another welcome visitor was a 1948 GP racer. Onlookers were thrilled to hear the roar of its megaphone silencers when it was fired up. We were also pleasantly surprised to see a 1909 Triumph whose lady owner had ridden the machine 25 miles to the show. She told us she had been stopped by the police on the way!
We welcomed the Coventry Transport Museum, whose premises in central Coventry house all manner of material realting to the outstanding contribution British manufacturers have made towards developing the world's road transport industries. People loved looking at the rare Triumph exhibits the museum brought to our event. Displays by the national Cycle Collection which had travelled from Llandridnod Wells, mid-Wales, were also well received.
Attendees were particularly impressed by our four speakers; every seat was taken for their talks. Dave Porter kicked the show off with a fascinating, in-depth look at Edward Turner’s contribution to Triumph between 1936 and 1966. Peter Britton and John Nelson, who both spoke with great knowledge and fondness of their associations with the company and its contribution to the British motorcycle industry, followed him. Finally, Peter Clarke from Triumph in Hinckley gave an interesting talk on Triumph’s recent years and whetted everyone’s appetites by giving us a glimpse of the future.
We were disappointed that seven traders and three exhibitors cancelled at the last minute due to the horrendous weather forecast, yet the 27 that traded on the day reported that they had done brisk business. One even commented that the trading fee was too low considering all the stock he had been able to sell on the day.
Gordon awarded show prizes at the end of the event. Those who braved the elements and stayed on for the presentations saw some beautiful machines. Prizes went to:
Pre – 1941: 1927 350cc LS, Mike & Annie Lawson, Dorset.
1941 – 1949: 1949 Speed Twin, Alan Broad, West Midlands.
1950 – 1959: 1954 650cc Thunderbird, Charles Doran, Warwickshire.
1960 – 1969: 1961 650cc Thunderbird, Dave Wilson, West Midlands.
1970 – 1979: 1974 T140 Bonneville, Tim Doran, Warwickshire.
1980 – 1989: Triumph Trident, Mr. Aston, Leicestershire.
1990 – 1999: 1998 885cc Thunderbird Sport, Nigel Kirby, Suffolk.
2000 – 2007: 2004 Thruxton 900, Steve Randay, Leicestershire.
Triumph Special: Chopped 2004 Bonneville, John Osborne, Yorkshire.
Concours: 1953 Tiger 100, Mike Lewis, Shropshire.
Bike of the show: 1949 Speed Twin, Alan Broad, West Midlands.
Torrential rain four days before the show enforced a last-minute shift to an adjacent site which, due to better drainage, enabled the event to go on. But the sun gods were not with us. The weather forecasters, whose long-term predictions had vacillated between dry and showers, finally agreed it was going to rain big time. The day started out okay but heavy skies gave us some idea of what was to come.
Unfortunately the weather forecasters got it right for our little patch! The rain began to fall – and it did not stop. It sheeted down! This did affect attendance numbers but we soldiered on and were delighted by great exhibits.
One of the most exciting sights was the world’s oldest Triumph from 1902. Seeing this remarkable machine juxtaposed with the very latest Triumph model, the Street Triple, which was released just one week before our event, was a fantastic spectacle.
Another welcome visitor was a 1948 GP racer. Onlookers were thrilled to hear the roar of its megaphone silencers when it was fired up. We were also pleasantly surprised to see a 1909 Triumph whose lady owner had ridden the machine 25 miles to the show. She told us she had been stopped by the police on the way!
We welcomed the Coventry Transport Museum, whose premises in central Coventry house all manner of material realting to the outstanding contribution British manufacturers have made towards developing the world's road transport industries. People loved looking at the rare Triumph exhibits the museum brought to our event. Displays by the national Cycle Collection which had travelled from Llandridnod Wells, mid-Wales, were also well received.
Attendees were particularly impressed by our four speakers; every seat was taken for their talks. Dave Porter kicked the show off with a fascinating, in-depth look at Edward Turner’s contribution to Triumph between 1936 and 1966. Peter Britton and John Nelson, who both spoke with great knowledge and fondness of their associations with the company and its contribution to the British motorcycle industry, followed him. Finally, Peter Clarke from Triumph in Hinckley gave an interesting talk on Triumph’s recent years and whetted everyone’s appetites by giving us a glimpse of the future.
We were disappointed that seven traders and three exhibitors cancelled at the last minute due to the horrendous weather forecast, yet the 27 that traded on the day reported that they had done brisk business. One even commented that the trading fee was too low considering all the stock he had been able to sell on the day.
Gordon awarded show prizes at the end of the event. Those who braved the elements and stayed on for the presentations saw some beautiful machines. Prizes went to:
Pre – 1941: 1927 350cc LS, Mike & Annie Lawson, Dorset.
1941 – 1949: 1949 Speed Twin, Alan Broad, West Midlands.
1950 – 1959: 1954 650cc Thunderbird, Charles Doran, Warwickshire.
1960 – 1969: 1961 650cc Thunderbird, Dave Wilson, West Midlands.
1970 – 1979: 1974 T140 Bonneville, Tim Doran, Warwickshire.
1980 – 1989: Triumph Trident, Mr. Aston, Leicestershire.
1990 – 1999: 1998 885cc Thunderbird Sport, Nigel Kirby, Suffolk.
2000 – 2007: 2004 Thruxton 900, Steve Randay, Leicestershire.
Triumph Special: Chopped 2004 Bonneville, John Osborne, Yorkshire.
Concours: 1953 Tiger 100, Mike Lewis, Shropshire.
Bike of the show: 1949 Speed Twin, Alan Broad, West Midlands.
We thank all of you who allowed your treasured bikes to be submitted to the weather. And a big thank you to the team that made the day happen: the stewards, caterers, exhibitors, traders and, of course, all of you who came along for the show.
We look forward to seeing you next year when we hope that August Summer weather will be return to normal!