Stag Rally

Courtesy of Les Hobbs, from MOTOR CYCLE NEWS in 1974.

MOTOR CYCLE NEWS, July 3, 1974

Farthest travelled -
after ten mile walk!

LES HOBBS from Wolverhampton wiped a grimy hand across his forehead and glanced down at the aged BSA A10 combination that had done him so proudly. "I think it's up in the valve gear somewhere, she just stopped in Peterborough." he told MCN's Jerry Clayton.

For Les had just won last weekend's Stag Rally's furthest distance travelled with a total of 630 miles - and because the 1951 Beezer had expired he'd had to walk the last ten in order to get a tow to Aldwincle, the Northants camp site!

Traditionally held at nearby Bythorn, the Mid Anglia Group's Stag has moved for the past two years to the paddock of the Rose and Crown at Alwincle. Landlord of the pub, Bob Bartlett was delighted with the smooth running of the event. We've got over 400 motor cyclists here and they've not caused a moments anxiety to anyone in the vallage - they're bloody magnificent!"

Winner of the Miss Stag award, 18-year-old Mary Clint from Cowling, near Keighley, Yorkshire, presented awards on Sunday morning and then turned to the event's benevolent host with a silver salver bearing the Stag Rally badge.

Third in the Miss Stag contest, 20-year-old Dot Tilley from Poole Dorset won the furthest travelled lady award with 208 miles.

Only reported casualty was Belgian policeman Jean-Luc Bujadin, who was involved in a road accident at Thrapston, just five miles from the site and taken to hospital with both legs fractured. On Monday morning Kettering Hospital reported him "satisfactory".

And as the riders gradually dispersed on Sunday morning, Les Hobbs was still there commiserating with the owner of the outfit, Steve Porter, over their latest discovery - a broken conrod on the right hand side of the engine ...

PROVISIONAL RESULTS

Furthest travelled 100cc or under:
D Penfold (100 Suzuki) 100 miles.

Youngest rider:
A Adams (16) Raleigh Runabout.

Largest club turnout:
St Christopers (Kent) 25 members.

Special club award:
Welland Valley Sidecar Club.

Concours d'Elegance Pre-'62 solos:
A Lambert (1954 Sunbeam).

Concours d'Elegance Pre-'62 sidecars:
J Cooper (1953 Ariel Sq-4).

Concours d'Elegance Post-'62 solos:
A Bennett (500 Honda).

No sidecar award

Best Special:
P Wills (RGS).

Best under 100cc:
D Penfold (100 Suzuki).

Grottiest outfit:
G Tidman (1960 BSA 650).

Grottiest solo:
R Osborne (1954 Triumph 650).

Furthest travelled overall:
L Hobbs (BSA s/c) 630 miles.

Furthest travelled lady:
D Tilley (250 Honda) 208 miles.

Beer drinking, men:
D Hancock (Potteries Phoenix).

Beer drinking, ladies:
J Walford (Wansworth).

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There is a whole album of 1974 Stag Rally Photos with people mentioned in this article.