Cowpat Rally
1981
Run by the Shoulder of Mutton MCC.
Despite the distance involved, we seemed to get there quite early and had most of the field to choose from.
It did seem to get quite full by the close of play. There was no marquee to take up space as we were using the pub and, mainly, the function room for the festivities and some open space (possibly a building site?) next to it for the games.
- Phil the Spill
This was a mostly enjoyable weekend, although it was shattered following the fatal accident just outside the field late Saturday afternoon. I had never seen such a bad aftermath and I hope never to do so again. If I was a drinking man, this is one thing I would drink to forget. It has to be said that it appeared to be the bike rider's fault, as he failed to give way to the Land Rover hurtling down the main road, but this was not the attitude of the rallyists that approached the vehicle immediately afterwards. Luckily a group of organisers managed to prevent any violence occurring.
- Phil (the Spill) Drackley
I was there in 1981. The fatal accident occurred during the tug-of-war. The unfortunate Landrover driver was nearly lynched because he failed to stop - his brake pipes had been ripped out as it went over the bike that had pulled out in front of him. The children in the Landy were petrified. I pleaded unsuccessfully with the police to expedite the clean-up... unsuccessfully.
We were adjourning to another pub to escape the atmosphere, swapping bikes for the ride when my oppo changed down with the brake on my Beezer — his was a 400 four — and went through the hedge. He ended up sparko in Chesterfield Hospital. Luckily no-one was breathalised and I collected him and the bike a week later in the works van.
One to forget, alas.
What was the pub venue that year?
I was there in 1981. The fatal accident occurred during the tug-of-war. The unfortunate Landrover driver was nearly lynched because he failed to stop - his brake pipes had been ripped out as it went over the bike that had pulled out in front of him. The children in the Landy were petrified. I pleaded unsuccessfully with the police to expedite the clean-up... unsuccessfully.
- Keith Searing