Robinsons Poker Run

                                                     

BSB Rider Joins in Run.

Left: Steve (Robinsons Manager)
Center: Robinsons Test RiderRight: Gary Mason (BSB Rider)

When your doing the first article for SYB Magazine you would expect everything to go right, right?
Wrong!   Due to a mix up in time & where, I arrived at the wrong place half an hour late.
An attempt was made to get to the official start point for 'Robinsons of Rochdale' with 'Real Radios' first Poker Run only to find that to catch up would require highly illegal speeds & the attendant danger to the health of one's licence. A definite no no. So a return to Robinsons to await the return of the riders seemed the best decision & so it turned out.

Radio Presenter Joins in the fun

Saturday 12th August, & rarely for this year sun & fun set the tone for the first day of this two day event as along with, 'Niell Mackenzie' & 'Gary Mason', the impressive sight  of one hundred or so bikes returned to Rochdale from a run that started at 'Lymm truckstop' on the M6, taking in 'Haigh Hall' & 'Rivington Barn' on the way. It is no understatement to say they filled the street as bike after bike after bike arrived.

Smiles abounded & stomachs were well catered for on arrival by 'Dolly P's' excellent catering van on site for the occasion as the final playing cards were collected & studied for the best hands. Then into 'Robinsons' impressive showroom for a question & answer session with Mr's Mackenzie & Mason.
Two more genial & friendly subjects for such an afternoons chat it would be hard to imagine as these two men answered all thrown at them with obvious honesty & great humor to boot.



Left: Russ Collington of Real Radio XS
       
Russ was supplied with this Kawasaki VN900 cruiser
for the Poker Run courtesy of 'Robinsons of Rochdale'.

A Presentation for Gary

Questions ranged from riding on the road & track to the importance of sponsor's. Tracks & bikes were discussed all underlined with the obviously total commitment required to reach the level all these men ride at. I hope 'Neil' wont mind me describing him as the elder statesman with a world of experience, which juxtaposed with the youth & growing talent of 'Gary Mason' made for a most entertaining hour for all that stayed to hear them. The session ended with the presentation of a new set of racing leather's to Gary made by 'Steve the shop manager, on behalf of Robinsons who also assured us that 'Robinsons', will without a doubt be there in BSB next year. More of that in future article's.
Thus ended the first day of 'Robinsons' first, but not last I wager, Poker Run.

Former British Superbike Champion

Left: Niall Mackenzie (Former British Superbike Champion)

Niall gave a most excellent talk about his days racing two-strokes, such as the legendary Suzuki RG500 back in 1986; and how the 500 two strokes of the eighties compared to the racing bikes of today.

On the Saturday Niall also participated on the Poker Run, riding his KTM RC8R.

Sunday Afternoon

Sunday afternoon was set for those with the three best poker hands to receive their prizes & this time I made sure I was early. This afforded me the time to have a good look around the showroom & spend some time in the company of three very good looking ladies & Gary Mason.
Now this dude may have been riding for some time already, but a more friendly, unpretentious & entertaining young man one could not hope to meet. His disarming manner could be mistaken for someone who is only in it for the laughs but, Don't you believe it!  "Here is a Man on a mission" & you can quote me on that one.
He talked very frankly about the pressure's as well as the pleasure's involved in what he dose. I for one wish him the best for everything he dose in the future & look forward to meeting him again for an on the record interview which, will of course be brought to you here, at SYB Magazine.

But this weekend was after all about 'Robinsons Poker run'. So to sum up: An excellent event, well attended by cruisers & bruisers to racereps. And quite simply, the people involved in the wonderful world of motorcycles!
Final word's go out to 'Robinsons';   More please! 

Right: Andrew Filson
Editor SYB Magazine