Motorcycles Invade

The Eighth Annual Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance and Motoring Festival was held October 30 - November 1, 2009. Motorcycles, which have been a part of the Festival since 2007, had an expanded role at the 2009 event. This year, over 30 vintage and special interest bikes were featured along with the club and classic cars as a gallery of over 11,000 enjoyed a fantastic fall weekend in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

The motorcycles on Saturday's "Motoring Midway" show field did not have an age limitation and, therefore, ranged from a 1912 Abingdon King Dick to a 2005 Custom Suzuki Hayabusa. A rare 1990 Norton F1 (twin rotor Wankel powered) was a must see among the thirteen Japanese, German, Italian, British, and American bikes and scooters on display. Special Guest Dennis Gage picked a custom 1966 Honda CA 77 built and shown by Billy Aldrich of Lake City, FL as the best motorcycle on the Midway.

The field for Sunday's judged Concours included vehicles 30 years and older and was divided into two classes with 10 motorcycles in each division. Best in Class among the American entries was awarded to a 1931 Henderson KJ owned by John Landstrom of Norcross, GA, and a 917 Indian Power Plus with original sidecar from the Cofer Collection in Tucker, GA was honored with the Palmetto Award. Best in Class International went to a '66 Triumph TR6C owned by H.C. Morris of Lexington, KY and the Palmetto Award was given to a '74 Moto Guzzi Falcone Nuovo also entered by John Landstrom.

For the first time, the 2009 Chairman's Award was presented to a motorcycle. Philip Capossela selected a '38 Brough Superior SS-100 of Jack Wells for this honor.

The 2010 event will be November 5 - 7. You can learn more about the registration for motorcycles for both the Motoring Midway and Concours d'Elegance show fields at: www.hhiconcours.com.