We held our eagerly anticipated 15th Wakefield MAG Biker Quiz Nite on Wednesday 21st November, in our HQ, the Grey Horse on Kirkgate, Wakefield. We were very pleased to welcome along 36 quiz contestants, who formed multiple teams representing Leeds MAG (x2), Huddersield MAG (x1), South Yorkshire MAG (x1), Wakefield MAG (x3) and the West Yorkshire VJMC (x2).
We followed our tried and tested format, with 60 questions in total being asked, 30 pure bike / biking knowledge questions and 30 general knowledge. After collecting the entry fees and issuing the answer sheets and pens, Steve the Quiz Master started around quarter past 8 with the first set of 10, all about motorcycle sport and bike knowledge, then handed over to his glamourous assistant Chas Milner, for 10 general knowledge, then 10 more bike questions, 10 general knowledge and so on.
Some of the questions this year really tested the grey matter, but if it's too easy, it's not worth winning is it ? Others were more obvious, but not sufficiently so, thus causing lots of self doubt and team debate (so many correct answers were subsequently crossed out and replaced with an incorrect one - always frustrating when that happens, and of course, the guilty party always gets the venomous blame from their team mates). The best answer of the evening came from Mr Whittaker - 'On the 27th of March 2010 the Russian Federation had eleven. Today they only have nine. What are they?' .... 'Bottles of Novichok Nerve Agent' shouted Mr Whittaker enthusiastically, to a room full of guffaws ... the correct answer is time zones, but he's quite possibly correct there :-)
We continued until all 60 questions had been asked, and then had a 20 minute break, when we ran a raffle, to win various prizes (mostly of the chocolate, sweets and wine variety).
Time then to swap the papers with your neighbouring team ready for marking. But before we went through the quiz answers, we drew the raffle tickets and had multiple lucky winners already, regardless of their quiz scores.
We then went through the answers, the scores totted up, papers were swapped back and we had a run down to find out who had won.
Nobody had 50-60 right, or even 40-50, but 1st place, with 35.5 points, was Leeds MAG, just for a change ;-)
Leeds MAG have a bit of a history with this quiz, having won it outright ten times previously (2004-2007 & 2012-2017) & coming second twice (2008 & 2009). Being outright winners, they got the choice of the beer related prizes (opting for the case of Bud) and also got to retain the champions trophy, which, can be carefully replaced on Dave Nash's mantlepiece, thus avoiding the need to dust the aforementioned mantlepice !!!
Continuing our count down, we had two teams on 29.5 points (Leeds MAG Team B and VJMC Team A), so it was time to breakout the tie breaker question: Emilio Scotto undertook a record breaking 10 year world tour by motorcycle from 1985 to 1995, covering a total of 460,000 miles, on a 1980 Honda Goldwing 1100. How many gallons of fuel did he use (nearest wins).
This resulted in a lot of sums, desperately trying to work out average mileage rates, and hence total consumption. The answer was 12,500 gallons and nearest was Leeds MAG Team B. Team Captain Gav duly collected the team 2nd prize, a case of John Smiths.
Third place automatically then went to the VJMC Team A, with Team Captain Paul collecting the third prize, a case of Carling.
Finally, it was time to determine that equally highly contested prize (and the only one worth winning in the Quiz Masters opinion) - the coveted 'Fat Bird on a Scooter' Booby Prize trophy for coming last. We started the count backwards from zero to 10, then 10 to 20, and, the winner of the booby prize, on a pitiful 12.5 points, was Lorna's Wakefield MAG Team (at least we can win something in our own quiz). In addition to the much sought after Trophy, the winners (losers) also got a four pack of Morrison's own brand bitter (there is a greater alcohol content in tap water than this bargain brew ;-).
Wakefield MAG must also get a prize for the Best Photobomb, for gatecrashing Leeds MAG Team B's team photo ......
Sally later commented "I didn't know he was there" .... to which Kate replied "He was asking the questions" .... Belly Laugh !!!!
A huge thanks to everyone who attended the Wakefield MAG Quiz. I think it's fair to say we all had a scream. Congratulations to all teams, it was a brilliant night and a good time was had by all. Educational and fun (why couldn't school have been like this ?!?!!?).
and the icing on the cake ....
The quiz raised £40 and the raffle raised a further £68 - £80 profit after the cost of the prizes had been deducted, which all goes towards the MAG Fighting fund. It wasn't so long ago that the quiz always used to make a loss, nowerdays, it turns a tidy profit. Awesome ... no other word for it.
A huge thanks again to everyone who turned up and contributed to a most memorable quiz. Hope to see you at our 16th quiz in a years time !!!