Stag Rally

These I remember all about and can recall absolutely nothing. Except I believe they may have been organised by the South Beds MCC which was a club within a small group including the Kettering MCC (became the Corby and Kettering) which held non-badge invitation camps.

Then again I could be totally wrong according to Les Hobbs and Rob Winnett.

Start of quotation The Stag Rally was organised, not by the South Beds MCC. They ran the Hatters Rally near Luton organised by, if my memory is right, Keith Raft. Stag Rallies were run by a chap called George Cousins and the club was more to the north nearer Peterborough. I attended several of their rallies at Thrapston and later at Aldwinkle and won the furthest travelled male 3 times. I also organised the Golden Eagle Rally. End of quotation

- Les Hobbs


Start of quotation This rally was organised by the Hunts & District club, the Cousins that Les Hobbs mentioned is I think George Cousins. He had very thick jam jar bottom glasses. There is a picture of him, back to camera with the check shirt in the Stanford Hall camp photos from the Kettering & Dist club. End of quotation

- Rob Winnett


Start of quotation My name is Jim Burton from Prestwich. Went on this rally on YNN 83 my '58 650 Ariel in 1971.

I remember sitting outside the pub when a Bonneville turned right into the pub carpark and a woman overtook it in a VW beetle!

The resulting scrape is the only bump I've seen with well over 100 witnesses. The blokes face, who was a passenger in the car, was an absolute picture! I can still visualise him sliding down his seat trying to hide in the footwell.

Also went in '72 & '73. Can remember loads about early 70's rallies but not enough space. Nearly 50 years ago!

Now own 2 modern Bonnies and still got my 1952 500 Red Hunter bought for £50 (with 3 boxes of bits) in 1973 End of quotation

- Jim Burton


Start of quotation The Rally was held at the Rose and Crown at Oundle, near Thrapston (a wonderful name for a town!). I went in 1973 or 1974 (or both!), on board a rather well-used MZ250.

The weather was tremendous and I camped opposite Snuffy and Porker. Unfortunately the hot and sunny weather resulted in me suffering a severe bout of hay fever. The Saturday morning was the first time I had ever had beer for breakfast.

The landlord of the pub was a fine man, thoroughly enjoying our company ... and enjoying even more the fact we were drinking his beer like there was no tomorrow!

The bobbies rolled up on the Saturday evening just to make sure there weren't any problems. The police were quite happy with the situation and as they got back into their car one idiot turned to walk into the pub, lobbing an empty pint pot over his shoulder as he did so - it left a nasty dent in the top of the police car. I don't recall what happened after that, but it did spoil the evening. End of quotation

- John J


Start of quotation Hi I'm Dave Jackson from Hubspinners Gainsborough.

My very first Rally was the Stag in 1969. I had in them days a B31 BSA 350cc which I paid £10 for and ran it for two years then flogged it for a tenner to my mate.

The 69 Stag I seem to remember was on an old railway embankment. All I can recollect was it were a brilliant weekend, I got totaly blathered and was hooked on Rallies for years to come.

I did five Stags in all. One year I dressed up as Aldwincle Phylis in the womens Miss Stag competition. It was a bet from the landlord of the pub. I used his wife's bra, pants and underskirt and won 5 pints for the bet. Somewhere I've got the pics, I'll have to try and sort em out and stick 'em on here.

What great days. Petrol, site fees, badge, booze and food rarely came to 15 quid. Oh well, it was good while it lasted.

Hello to anyone who remembers Dave & Shiela from Scunthorpe. End of quotation

- Dave Jackson

There is also a whole album of 1974 Stag Rally Photos from George Cousins.

 

This rally was organised by the Hunts & District club, the Cousins that Les Hobbs mentioned is I think George Cousins. He had very thick jam jar bottom glasses. There is a picture of him, back to camera with the check shirt in the Stanford Hall camp photos from the Kettering & Dist club.
Open quote Well worth the trip down Memory Lane! Close quote