"WOW!"
If you could sum up the 31st Annual BMW RA International Rally with one word, this would be it. The combination of riders, the Barber racing and museum facility, and the excellent weather made our rally one to remember forever. Check out the pictures!

This IS/WAS the perfect rally location – lots of green grass, trees, lots of hot water for showers, lots of camping areas, brand new everything, and one of the Nation’s premier motorcycle museums ON-SITE, and then right smack dab in the middle of all this beauty is a world-class racing track! Gorgeous! Will we ever go back there … you bet!

OVERALL

The total attendance for the rally was 2,039 happy people. The entertainment – Jim "Dawg" Parks and Microwave Dave & The Nukes was superb and made more enjoyable with the FREE beer each night from 8 PM until 11 PM.

Where will we be next year? Probably West Virginia, but in a wonderfully beautiful part of the State … good roads, mountains, sights to see, and great camping/hotel rooms/cabins & cottages, food, beer, entertainment, vendors all in one place … just everything (and more) you expect at our year International Rallies. We’ll announce the rally dates and location real soon. Then we’ll follow with lots of info and articles in OTL … and loads of stuff on our web page too!

A quick recap of the various activities:

RALLY AWARD WINNERS

BIKE JUDGING WINNERS & JUDGES

Ten Judges from 9 States judged 51 BMW’s from 11 States in 19 judging classes with 19 First Place Awards presented. The oldest BMW entered was a 1928 model R62.

Winners:

MULTIPLE WINNER: Jack Wells

Judges were: Rich DuBarton, FL; Jack Wells, FL/NJ; Jeff Carpenter, MA; Jeff Yost, MI, Roland Slabon, NH; Larry Sparber, FL; Herb Langston, IL; Dale Monson, MI; John Andol, MS; Jeff Stracco BMW NA, NJ; Laurence Kuykendall BMW NA, NJ.

FIELD EVENTS

Many, many thanks to the Poverty Riders and Rog Vanderhoof for their efforts ... what a crew! They even held two practices meets several months prior to the rally … now that’s dedication. Four events were staged: The Joust, Quarter Toss, Bike Parts Balancing, and the Slow Race. The winners will be listed in the next issue of OTL.

DOOR PRIZES

The Grand Prize – a 14-Day "Best of Brazil" Tour with Ayres Adventure Touring. The winner was Karen Stombaugh and she was one happy lady! Many thanks to Ron Ayres, Owner. Other Grand Prizes (i.e., Kermit Chairs, Cortech Jacket, etc.) were given and merrily accepted throughout the Saturday night Awards Ceremony.

VENDORS

We had a total of 49 Vendors and there was room aplenty for them to spread out! A diverse group of merchants, with many of OTL’s advertisers in the mix. Thanks to them all for supporting this event –AND- a big thank you from them for the wonderful supply of $$ that our attendees threw their way! BMW of North America was ever present with their Apparel Trailer full of the latest riding wear and gear – thanks, BMW NA!

CLASS Motorcycle School

Background "music to our ears" was much appreciated and provided by Reg Pridmore and his CLASS Motorcycle School. Three (3) full days of CLASS … we thank Reg for coming and adding to our rally experience.