The home of automatic scootering

Mersea Island

It has always been well attended by the ‘Darkside’ of the scootering community and from Friday lunchtime the rip of two-strokes and the drone of ‘beefy’ 4T thumpers could be heard throughout the Essex ‘Isle’.

After paying the ‘inclusive’ £20 entrance (each) we were given a wristband, patch and very professional magazine explaining the programme and facilities; the helpful stewards then directed us onto the campsite. As we came through the trees it was great to see a field full of machines including ‘vast’ numbers of GTSs, Drags, Aprilias, Runners, MP3s – in fact you name it and it was probably there.

As we headed towards our usual haunt I spotted fellow GTSer Jessie from Whitby, standing can in hand, awaiting our arrival. Gent as he is, he’d saved space for our tent, so we parked up, set up home and toasted our arrival with some contraband cider.

By early evening the site was buzzing and scooters continued arriving throughout the night. This year, as well as two large function rooms with attached bars, the campsite also housed a large marquee for live acts, a ‘food court’ and a ‘Darkside’ silent disco! Live music has always been a highlight of this rally and with 12 live acts over the two days, the marquee was at bursting point on both nights. This was also true of both halls and of course the now very popular Darkside venue. In all attendance must have reached well over the 2000 figure – amazing when you think it’s all organised by a single scooter club.

During Saturday much of the spare field area was converted into a Dealers’ Village selling all the rally related items you could require, such as replacement parts, clothing and music items. It was here I also found the PM Tuning stall, giving me a chance to check out the new Scomadi Lambretta 300 autos and the new Monster Gilera forks – I want some!

To keep the punters amused during the day, several scooter riding activities took place in the show field – these included tug of war, beer and banana race, scooter chariot and even scooter football – the referee’s a ******! There was also an excellent custom show including a few full custom autos, the silverware going to a stunning hand muralled silver GTS based on Luther Vandross. Another draw was the Shiny Red mobile dyno where for only £8 you got your bike dyno tested, receive a printed readout and even got a free SIP T-shirt.

To be honest, the £20 entrance (only £15 in advance) for this package is an absolute bargain; of course being an on-site event you need the weather, but this year it was ‘scorchio’! Add to that excellent bands, great facilities and the phenomenon that is the Darkside silent disco and you have a winner. Next year’s event takes place the first weekend in September – miss it if you dare!

Less Stress GTS