The Return of Del Mar

The left coast beckons in the fall, and the appeal reaches past sandy beaches, Alpine passes and some of the best roads in North America. For years, the annual trek to Del Mar and the classic bike show came precisely when the temps broke sufficiently for the long trek across the Baja's wind-swept dunes. But sadly, that hasn't been an option over the last decade.

Organized for years in expert fashion by promoter Theresa Worsch and her crew (evolving to include flat track racing on the famous Mile, trails competitions, a Wall of Death exhibition, and more) by the late 1990s the event changed its focus to something appealing more to the 'OCC' crowd. Filled with glitzy, big inch trailer queens and enough bouncing silicon to seal the north side of Hoover Dam, there was no longer room for the classic and special interest motorcycles that had previously made the event an autumn highlight. An odd twist of reason, in its final incarnation the promoters at Del Mar hired the Hells Angels to provide security.

Kicking around the idea of returning to Barber for Vintage Days or cashing in a long standing invite to the Harvest Classic in Texas, JJ and I found ourselves blasting along Interstate 8 on a warm Friday morning in mid-October. Doing our best to return a bit of the outlaw element to Del Mar, we added another third to the posted limit as our Hinckley triples howled. Practically deserted, no one was around to really notice save the spare chicken hauler or the occasional Yuma county shoveler. Crossing the border and whistling westward, reality set in when a pretty senior from El Centro High School sailed right on by in her Kia, brushing on mascara and chatting on her phone. I guess banditos don't ride Triumphs or stash trail mix in their kit.

I spoke with San Diego vintage motorcycle enthusiast Dan Reichel both before and after the event and helped out a bit by contacting potential exhibitors and doing some quasi-promoting.  Dan recalled when he, Worsch and other individuals stepped away to concentrate on other endeavors, the Del Mar show became a faded dot in the mirror. When asked about the motivation to revive Del Mar, Reichel explained “No matter where we were, people would express they missed the show.” The questions didn't go away, so the idea was investigated. Willing to invest the needed capital to make it happen, when promoters Tim and Julie Henry (right>) stepped in the idea took wings. “That was a tremendous leap of faith” said Worsch, whose vast contacts in the world of vintage bikes and AMA racing were vital to the show's success. ”We didn't get a chance to promote the show through traditional media channels.” “More than anything, it was word of mouth and a very strong sense of tradition” interjected Reichel. “We opened the gates...and prayed.”

Cool and typically misty, when our hosts Bill and Moni Ross, John and yours truly stepped into the paddock at the Fairgrounds early on October 15th, we shared an overwhelming feeling that something special was about to happen. Situated, stadium-like in a bowl filled with lush ivy, exotic plants and flowers we watched as the bikes were rolled in one after another. Some highlights included Patrick and Christine Simmons (yes, that Patrick Simmons) and his wife Cristine's 1913 Thor, Gene Brown's breathtaking Brough Superior SS80, and Steve Hunsinger's Best of Show 1915 Henderson. Included in that line up was Bill's pristine 1972 V7 Sport; finished in non-standard Telaio Rosso green and red. With a shelf of trophies already earned, Bill's Sport faced stiff competition but was awarded again. While the European segment was nicely represented an equally impressive number of English, Japanese and American motorcycles ranging from the mid-teens to select late models were displayed for judging. Most all ran and many were ridden in. After being organized according to origin and class, the press was awarded a full hour of shutter time before the crowd flowed in.

Using their deep pool of resources, Worsch and Reichel brought in Tom Meadows as Chief Judge and Ed Gilbertson (Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance) as Honorary Chief Judge. Opening her home, Worsch housed then presented four legendary racers and AMA Hall of Fame members to serve as grand marshals; Indian 'Wrecking Crew” teammates Bobby Hill and Bill Tuman. three-time Daytona 200 winner Dick Klamfoth and the legendary Ed Kretz Jr.

The reward for all this planning and enthusiasm? Over 4000 passed through the turnstiles to view some of the finest vintage motorcycles in the world. “The reaction to both the Celebration of the Motorcycle and Sunday's Concourse d'Elegance far exceeded expectations” Reichel remarked humbly. “Tim Henry was right when he said history was made, because the turnout and environment enjoyed by everyone proves how import Del Mar is to the people here”.

The important thing for the rest of us is another great destination has opened for the vintage motorcyclist, and this one is filled with upside. The San Diego area is loaded with incredible roads in all directions, great restaurants, affordable lodging and a dizzying variety of things to do when off the bike. I've attended most of the larger events both in the USA and in Europe, and the Del Mar ranks at or near the top for accessibility and enjoyment. Here's hoping 2011's 'Celebration of the Motorcycle' is the start of a new tradition that lasts for years to come. Nolan Woodbury

Thanks to Bill and Moni Ross, Dan Reichel and Gene Brown.         

For more information and info, please visit: http://www.celebrationofthemotorcycle.com/

Click here for the 2011 Del Mar photo gallery