A few years ago, the YPR had the unenviable reputation of being the rally where you were always guaranteed hot and sunny weather .... alas, this is Great Britain we are talking about, and we have obviously pushed our luck far enough, last year's YPR was the coldest on record, and this year the forecast was for heavy and prolonged thunder storms .... deep joy :-(
A few of us arrived on the Thursday and enjoyed chilling with other marshals, which due to Covid, some of whom we hadn't seen since last years YPR !!!
Friday saw the punters flocking in, and before long the site was full. The YPR sells out every year, usually just after Farmyard, but this year incredibly it sold out in April !!!
Folks were obviously desperate for a Yorkshire MAG rally !!!
We did get some rain on the Friday but it was only short showers. Mainly it was just overcast. With tents up, the drink started flowing and before long it was time for the evenings entertainment. Scott Dangleberry was on in the Acoustic Tent (a regular at Yorkshire MAG rallies), whilst in the Mainstage, 3 bands were on - Kindred, Friday Street and headlining at 10:30 were Re-Generate. Traditional rally rock covers, with some 90's Brit Pop thrown in for good measure.
Saturday soon came round and Saturday lunchtime was the kick off of the Custom Show and the Smacked Arse Comedy Show in the main marquee.
Usually we have a Back Street Heroes staff member to judge the show but this year it fell to the marshals. A few years ago we had a vicar in Wakefield MAG and he gave me some of the best advice I have ever had, which came from personal hard won experience judging the local church flower show for the OAP parishoners - "Never, EVER judge a show and let it be known that you were the judge" LOL. However, we formed a panel of three judges, and kept a low profile whilst doing the incredibly difficult job of judging the custom show in the main arena. There were only 20 entrants in the show this year, but the quality of entries was right up there. Eventually, by consensus, we came up with six show winners, and an overall Best in Show:
The last two winners were both built by Mark 'Sandy' Sanderson, who is a regular show winner at the Yorkshire MAG rallies, and for good reason, he's an incredibly skilled custom bike builder who's bikes invariably win wherever he shows them (and he shows them in lots of places). No one seemed to have complained about the show results and agreed with the judges decision so we got away with it .. phew !!! ... but next year BSH can do it !!!!
Saturday night's entertainment saw 'That lad from Armley' in the Acoustic tent whilst the Main Stage had Fiery Biscuits, Gun Law and headlining were Planet ABBA !!!
Que a packed marquee with lots of drunken bikers singing Super Trouper and Dancing Queen.
Saturday evening also saw the promised storms, and boy did it rain.
Sunday came around and it was interesting getting off the field on two wheels for some given the somewhat waterlogged and now muddy site. However, we all agreed, a fantastic Yorkshire Pudding Rally just had. The weather wasn't quite as bad as forecast, a few showers Friday during the day but not too bad, Saturday it didn't rain until 8 in the evening (but then it did rain !!!). Great entertainment, great laugh, great rally, not much else to be said really.
A huge thanks to Wakefield MAG's volunteer marshals (amongst many others) for helping to make it happen. Hip .. Hip ... Hurrah !!!