Despite being a fan of the Modrapheniacs rally as it’s a relatively local one to kick start the season, we hadn’t been for a few years. So, after a long winter of chemotherapy, I was keen to get back on two wheels, so we booked up in early 2019 and I was really looking forward to heading back to deepest Dorset.
After a delicious lunch at the nearby Bakers Arms we arrived at the site and my eyes were immediately drawn to this hot pink P Range!
It’s owned by Rob from the Modrapheniacs, who races as Team George (named after his son). 2018 was his debut year and he built the scooter himself from a road-going Vespa using (mainly) bits and bobs he had hanging around. He wants to prove that anyone can get into racing, and apart from some tyres and a few parts it was relatively cheap to start from scratch.
He finished a creditable 10th overall in the BSSO, but what’s so impressive is that he was the 2nd best Vespa – in his very first season. He will be selling Team George t-shirts to raise much-needed funds for his race team so keep an eye out for them – not that you can miss their eyecatching colour!
We were greeted on the gate by new Number 1, Kev Holden!
We popped into reception to get our keys and headed for the caravan, with just a quick photo of this Lambretta en route…
In the evening the soul room was busy with dancers and very noisy so we escaped to the balcony above the main room. Early DJs Johnny Freeman and Tiny played excellent sets.
The band, Butterfly Collective, then played a great range of tunes. From Billy Ocean to The Stone Roses and Plan B – it made a refreshing change from a typical rally setlist of ska covers. We called it a day after they finished and headed back to the caravan with some chips!
It was lovely to catch up with so many friends, especially those we hadn’t seen in a while.
Modrapheniacs Custom Show
Saturday was nice and sunny and there were some lovely scooters in the custom show.
I’ve never seen so many grown men drooling over a scooter like they did over this Lambretta with a Yamaha RD350lc YPVS engine. Owned by Colin Barrett from Lowriders SC, Old Blue features twin exhausts, shocks, chrome and special engineered parts which display a fantastic level of detail which was stunning.
The cooling has been reconfigured from a radiator under the body to be located in the legshield, which meant the fuel tank had to be repositioned to be within the under-seat frame.
Every conceivable inch has been utilised as space is at a premium. The engine was rebuilt using all genuine Yamaha parts. The gearchange uses an electric Kliktronic solenoid which shifts using two coloured buttons on the left hand grip.
The front brake is a Casa twin disc with great stopping power which is needed for this type of scooter. All the bodywork alterations and engine rebuild were undertaken by Mark Wheeler of All2Wheelers in Poole. It kicks out a massive 48bhp and handles surprisingly well, Colin says. The SIP speedo, which has been checked, has recorded a fasted speed of 94mph, but it had much more in it.
The colour is a Yamaha R1 blue, and all the dressings and stainless steel such as the front air grills are by Keith Newman of K2.
This Lambretta is owned by Tiny’s better half, Carol Morgan, and was originally owned by her late husband. He sadly passed away before he had a chance to do it up so she took it on and it was built from donations and goodwill into this Project Cancer tribute. It raised £6500 from being raffled at the Oddballs rally but a deal was struck with the winner and Tiny got it back for her.
Sean Robinson rode his latest project into the custom show, Indo Low. As you’d expect from a Garagista, it has many unique features including a dagger as a suicide shift gear change. Sean had to make a blade as the original wasn’t great quality and melted when he tried to weld it on.
Read about Sean’s first rally here and how he got into scootering.
It’s hard to capture how sparkly the metalflake on this Vespa is but the sunny weather was perfect for showing it at its best.
And finally, what was to be voted Best In Show, The Rattler. This Lambretta is dedicated to its owner’s love of Cornish Rattler Cyder. This beverage is produced by Healey’s Farms and their bright colours are perfect for a street racer style. The paint is by the legendary Dave Dickinson and the engraving by the equally legendary Adi Clarke. It is a stunning scooter and looked lovely in the sun with the engine on show.
We had a quick stroll around the stalls and stopped for a chat with the lovely Teri England who had these stunning vintage shoes on display!
We then rode into Swanage ahead of the rideout to get a fish and chip lunch and wait for the scooters to arrive. There were around 40 or 50, some on the pier which was the official end point and some who parked a few yards up the road.
After chilling in the caravan we headed out for the evening do. Once again we stuck to the main room and were rewarded with a second playing of Mr Blue Sky especially for me, by DJ Tiny, which was brilliant!
After catching up with a few people we went downstairs when Marquis Drive started their set. I first saw them at the Isle of Wight a couple of years ago when they supported Dave Wakeling, and we actually enjoyed them more than him! They were on top form again and the room was buzzing, especially for their rendition of I Am The Resurrection.
It had been a fantastic weekend, but Sunday was rainy with blustery winds which didn’t bode well for the ride home. I bottled out and was kindly offered a lift home by Ben from the Talismen, leaving Lee to battle the gales on his own. He’s not usually fazed by poor weather but had to admit that it was one of the worst rides of his life, luckily getting home in one piece!
I’m so pleased we went, and really appreciated everyone’s hugs and kind comments. It wasn’t quite the same without the rest of my crazy Detour gang but it was nice to get out and about again!
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