If you want a Testers Run in 2011 you need to support this one, don't leave it to others!
8 DAYS TO GO!
This has to be the easiest, simplest, interesting Testers Run yet
1. 3 events in one
2. Short distance Ride (25 miles) Aston - Trimpley near Kidderminster
3. One of the best classic vehicle rallies in the Midlands at destination (over 450 vehicles entered)
4. Free entry to show, everyone else pays
5. Former Olympic champion Tommy Godwin starts event off
6. Professional video coverage of Testers Run at start and en route
7. No prior registration
8. Grouped starts
10. All proceeds to THE MIDLAND AIR AMBULANCE
11. Come in or on any vehicle, or even bowling a hoop!
Event details at
https://sites.google.com/site/
The TrimpleyVintage Rally
https://sites.google.com/site/
You all hold the answer, its all down to you this year - I have struggled over the last 12 years with appeals, events and websites, mostly by myself with little support. It will be me that arranges the event at Armoury Road on November 28th to remember the 70th anniversary of the BSA bombing and writes to local councillors, yet again, to see if an on site memorial can be erected, not only to remember the 53 that died but the to remember the great company that was BSA, a company that provided over half of the armament used in the second world war. It will be me that organises the next years Mike Hailwood Memorial Run, the 30th, since the tragic death of Mike & his daughter.
Its me that's organising letters to local councilors and the Department of Media and Culture & The Civic Society to try and prevent the Norton factory in Bracebridge Street being demolished (and I am loosing the battle as yet and again no one in Birmingham is really interested, they are only interested in saving coffin factories!)- the factory has been empty now for over 6 months (this is the first time this information has been released by the way). And this is before I even mention the 10,000 items in the Made in Birmingham website that all need changing (new website should be up and running in September 2010).
Now I know most of you are in tears by this stage feeling sorry for me but in reality you all know what I want, I don’t want your thanks or appreciation. I don’t need my ego massaged, I don't even need your money!
ALL I NEED IS YOUR SUPPORT!
You all know you have never even had to pre register, so I cannot make it any easier for you.
All of these events, the appeals and the website are so that people are encouraged to remember that Birmingham was built on industry and mainly the automotive industry. If our generation doesn’t care the next won’t, so lets have some support please!
All you have to do is publicise the event, bring a friend, encourage some of the other members of your club to take part or just come along and support the event yourself even in you car if you do not want to get your bike out of the garage! This year anyone can come in any vehicle or even bowling a hoop! Ron Swinburne is coming in his Army Austin K9 truck!
Last years Testers Run was a bit of a disaster, OK fair enough, it rained heavily but without the local Vincent Owners Club and David and Mark I would have been pretty lonely! (Thanks also to the guy who turned up in the car just to say as it was raining and he couldn’t come)
So please, this year make the effort to support the event because this years is the most important Testers Run we have had so far as it is one of THREE events, and other people are relying on us
The events are THE HERCULES 100, THE BIRMINGHAM TESTERS RUN & THE TRIMPLEY VINTAGE RALLY (over 450 classic vehicles entered), where we have been so warmly welcomed and I do not want to let the organiser down.
Event details at
https://sites.google.com/site/
2010 is the 100 year anniversary of the Hercules Cycle & Motor Company formed by the Crane brothers in the back streets of Balsall Heath. From assembling bicycles on the pavement, the company rose to become the largest cycle manufacturer in the world by the 30s, lead by one of Birmingham’s most successful and forgotten industrialists, Sir Edmund Crane.
From their formation to the first world war they certainly sold motorcycles and sidecars, we can not be sure they manufactured them and the motorcycles in their catalogues look very much like early Sun models. In the 50s the company also produced lightweight motorcycles. Obviously It could be said that this factory is not a true motorcycle factory but it is good to remember that many Birmingham motorcycle factories started off by producing bicycles.
90 year old ex Olympic cycling champion Tommy Godwin, who was an electrician at the BSA, and ran a cycle shop in Birmingham for over 30 years will be seeing the event off. The procession to Trimpley will be in three groups, classics, moderns and Ron Swinboune (sorry Ron but even the cyclists are faster than you!)
This year for the first time we have a professional video team at the start who will be videoing everyone and their progress to Trimpley, copies will be available for purchase.
I will be on Carl Chinn’s on Radio WM this Sunday to publicise the event.
I have to put the same effort in every year if 1 person or a 1000 turn up, so its down to you now, if there is a poor turnout this year it will be the last one!
I looked forward to seeing a lot of you on the 1st!
THE BIRMINGHAM TESTERS RUN is sponsored by Carole Nash Insurance
All proceeds this year are for THE MIDLAND AIR AMBULANCE.
This years run is only 25 miles to THE TRIMPLEY VINTAGE RALLY at Trimpley near Kidderminster where we have been allocated our own exclusive enclosure. Free admission for our group.
Getting to Hercules
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/
Pics from the 2001 event, courtesy Simon Evans
http://www.simonevans.co.uk/v-
07528 315821
01746
I thank you
JP
Event details at
https://sites.google.com/site/
