Petrol heads ride into town for a classics open day

Members of the Vintage Motorcycle Club,  Norton owners club and BSA owners club met at motorcycle shop, Comet Classics in Emsworth for the first Motorcycle Morning.

Phil Hannam from Norton owners club helped to organise the day.

The 65-year-old from Widley said: '˜Our club sometimes go out for runs on our motorcycles and it is usually to a pub but this time I thought it would be nice to come to Comet Classics.

'˜It is only open by appointment so I arranged with the owners for them to open and then I reached out to other clubs in the area because I thought it would be nice to get enthusiasts from different areas congregate together.'

Phil started riding motorcycles in the 1970s and continues to ride to work in Eastleigh on his Norton.

He said: '˜I love riding with the group but I also use it to ride to work which I have done for many years as it is cheaper and also a lot quicker.

'˜On my bike I can get to work in 20 minutes and in the car it can take two hours so they really are great.'

More than 70 enthusiasts went along to the event which had competition from the Goodwood Revival weekend up the road in Chichester and motoring events in Brighton.

Phil added: '˜Considering there were events elsewhere this weekend we did have a good turnout but it would be great to have it again and make more of it with some stalls.'

Local racer Andrew Windsor was also at the event talking about his experience racing around the Isle of Man and his current championship lead in the Thundersport GB series. 

Ray Waller from Comet Classic's hailed the morning a success.

The 71-year-old from Gosport said: '˜We had a big open day when we opened a few years ago but this is the first event we have done since that and it has been successful.

'˜We have lots of British bikes here which is what the members want to see and talk about.'

GardX International, the sister company of Comet Classics, helped to host the open event.