The
Vespa Club of Scotland
2007 Scottish Cannonball
Dunbar , 8th September 2007
The 3rd Vespa Club of Scotland Cannonball Run was held on the 8th of September. This was the second time we would utilise the Rossborough in Dunbar, with its friendly management and its cozy function room, fitted our needs.
After last years success we had booked early and Niffy was totally on the case with his local knowledge, business contacts, organisational skills and enthusiasm. Sorting out a free bus from the do and arranging the route and a change to the format. A big well done to Niffy!
I booked the week off on the lead up to the run to ensure that there was no carry on in getting the weekend off (retailing is a pain in the
arse when it comes to getting a saturday off), so spent a couple of days getting the scoot ready and chasing up rafffle prizes and the winners trophy.
Soon it was Friday and i headed off. The plan was to head to Aviemore and have a fill up and ciggie brake, then Pitlochry for same, stop in Perth for a meal and a pint at the Hungry Horse and then high tail it to Dunbar with a dinner time arrival. All very civilised and familiar as it is had been the same form for Kelso albeit this time I would be on my tod instead of with another 4 or 5 riders as I had been for Kelso.
It all started very well, I headed to Forres then onto the Grantown road and fly across the Dava Moor with little weather arriving in Aviemore ahead of shedule. Great start, the scoot Big Bri's px200 was going well with the jl exhaust and upjetted carb. NICE. Then it went pear shaped! I was scooting along quite the hing when i experienced a loss off power. Thinking it might be an over adjusted clutch, (it had happened before) i pulled over and slackened of the clutch cable. Seemed to go ok again for a mile then i had no power at all, and pulled in at the side of the A9 to have another look. Loosened it up again no difference the kick start was kicked but the thing wouldn't start, BUGGER!
Now the bodger in me was revealed as i tried to phone home, no credit, no signal anyway, no break down cover, oops!, no mechanical knowledge to suss it out further, i decided to walk with he scooter back to a few houses i could see off the A9. So that i did sweating like fuck, lovely weather! down a tractor track to a B road and eventually to a hotel, I was in Kingussie!
I got a coke and was pointed across the road to a phone and called Mr Hardie for some advice, Brian to tell hm the bad news and my mrs ditto.
Billy gave a few pointers so the clutch backplate was removed (not after fighting with the jl to get the wheel off) & and eventually it was diagnosed as fucked and beyond my ability. So i then had a choice, arrange for a pickup and head home or get on the next train and head for Dunbar.
The mrs was for me heading home, big bri was for me heading on , the bike would be safe and someone would be able to help get it back home.. ...
So after a cpule of pints and a clean up i jumped on the next edinburgh bound train and finally got to Dunbar around 10 with Skolar waiting to pick me up and take me to the hotel.
After a ribbing and being questioned about how come i ended up in Carnoustie? i got down to some drinkies and had a good laugh,with the small gathering getting back to Niffs at about 6 SHIT! That was not the plan. Sorry Niffy for keeping you up!
A few hours later and we were getting set up for the race with Minxxy set up at one end of the hall with the entry forms and Niffy issuing the cannonball packs and starting the clock. at the other. With added comedy with them passing messages through imaginary phones with rings n all.
the format this year saw the route kept secret with the racers getting the details when they were ready and then they had a choice to either head off or do a bit of planning. Start time was taken and a board was set up to record the time people came back and where they would be on the leader board.
11 racers took part with most spending time planning their route before heading off.
At 3pm Scotland were playing so alot of us headed through to watch the match and have a few beers.
The racers started to come back with a few giving up and a couple of fast times especailly from the dragster.
With a few still to come in we got the door set up and started the do, which was a fair bit quieter than last year, and alot of people outside chatting until we had the raffle and with all the racers back the trophies where presented.
The results were:
overall winner
Glenn Smith- italjet dragster 172- member number 132
4hrs 29 mins
1st Auto
Glenn Smith
1st geared Vespa
MaDGe- Vespa T5 mk1 210 MaDgespeed (member 011)- & Gary Villiers -LML 200- (member 096) (joint)
Team England
5hrs 56 mins
Entrants
Bob Chalmers DNF Vespa PX210
Nik Skeat 6hrs 33 PX210 disc
John Davies 6:41 Vespa PX200
Cindy DNF (puncture) Lambretta GP 225 TS1
Gary Villiers 5:56
MaDge 5:56
Mark Golder DNF (broke down) Vespa sprint
Jamie Pearson DNF (Gave up half way)- Vespa PX210
Nic Lowther- DNF (Gave up half way) Vespa PX200
Brian Robson- 6:51 Vespa T5 125
A technical problem with the lights was unfortunate but shit happens and we just got on with it. So thanks again to Niffy for his efforts, making it the most challenging yet, Minxxy shop, door, raffle and MC duties, Skolar for DJ liasion , Tara and Sparky The solos and clubs in attendance especially the Edinburgh Blues and the Coyotes who came in numbers, and the biggest mention to the racers who took up the challenge, good on you all you are part of a very unique group, RESPECT! See you in 2008 !
