Stormy Conditions do not hinder Sherco Success!

Once again the Malcolm Rathmell Sport Sherco Open Day was a renowned success with more people testing the 2007 Sherco’s than in any previous test day. Despite the horrendous British weather conditions during the afternoon, this did not deter the enthusiastic Sherco fans from testing the full range of trials machines from the 80cc up to the 4-Stroke.

Eight dealers from across the country had a full range of bikes to test. Local Dealer TW Bikesport from Ravensworth, Colin Appleyard – Keighley, Highland Leisure – Inverness, John Wren – Barrow in Furness, John Lee – Higham Ferrers, B & B – Royston, David Jones Newtown – Newtown and RPM Motorcycles – Dinnington. In total 24 new Sherco’s were all out throughout the day on demonstration and each dealer gained positive feedback.

As the heavens opened the North Yorkshire venue took a battering from the harsh weather conditions turning what were relatively easy sections into more testing terrain.

This was much to the delight of the UK Sherco team consisting of Gary Macdonald (Scottish Champion), Gary Jenkins (Welsh Champion), Hannah Styles, Richard Ellwood, Josh Woods, Lee Sampson, Harriet Peacock, Joanne Coles (Ladies B Class Champion), Chris Pearson (Clubman Champion), Jack Lee, Tom Hicks, Luke Walker, Adam and Matt Jones and new signings Chris Stay (C Class Champion) and Jason Bayliss.

With testing going on until the early evening the dealers were confident with the results despite the bad weather. A short journey saw 160 people sit down to a fantastic buffet at the Catterick Bridge Hotel. Dealers, Riders, Customers and guests all enjoyed a splendid evening.

After dinner the guests were greeted with the highly fought out trials quiz which was eventually won by John Lee Motorcycles. This was followed on with speeches from Malcolm and Rhoda Rathmell announcing their plans for 2007 and also the hotly contested ‘Dealer of the Year Award’.

After the sad death last year of Willie Dalling, MRS have now had a special award engraved which is named ‘The Willie Dalling Memorial Trophy’ in honour of everything that Willie did for our sport. This will be presented each year to the Top Sherco Dealer. Willie’s widow Creena made the journey down from Scotland especially to present the award for us. All at Malcolm Rathmell Sport were most grateful for her making the journey and eventual winner of the award, Chris Tennant from TW Bikesport was extremely moved by this.

Once all the speeches had taken place the fun carried on long into the evening with the entire Sherco Team doing an ‘interesting’ version of ‘We are the Champions’ on the Karioke.

All in all it was another brilliant weekend and Malcolm Rathmell Sport would like to thank all their Dealers, Riders and landowners for making this such a superb event.