Here is a letter wriiten by myself, addressed to Andrew Greenwood.
Please read, comment welcome.
RE: Yamaha Thumper Club UK
Mr David Newitt “Chairman”
February 4, 2007
Re: The 7th Japanese International Classic Motorcycle Show
Dear Andrew Greenwood.
After 3 successful & exciting years exhibiting motorcycles at your shows, I sadly now have great cause to complain about the above event.
I clearly indicated on your official booking form, sufficient space to exhibit 10 individual bikes.
But upon arrival, it was quite obvious we had been allocated insufficient floor space?
The thought of having to decline a club member exhibiting a bike, bearing in mind they might have travelled many miles to attend was a very worrying thought.
Lucky enough for all concerned:
One of our members failed to arrive due to personal problems, which luckily saved all potential embarrassment.
During Sunday when I spoke to you regarding our problem, you stated our club would be allocated more space at next years show?
Besides encountering the above problem, we also planned dressing our club stand up with materials/ banners etc to create a theme, so to attract more attention to our stand which also failed to materialize due to space.
Then on Sunday to everyone’s amazement!
I have been exhibiting bikes at your show for over 3 years, then to be told.
Sorry but this show doesn’t cater or award prizes for any off road derived machines?
Last year one of our club members “Bob Bednarek” won Best Yamaha at your show.
Then this year! No award for the best off road class?
Your actions have clearly discriminated owners of certain classic bikes and this kind of
News will travel fast.
Andrew for your information:
1: Our club stand exhibited some of the most desirable bikes, ever to leave the Yamaha factory.
2: Combined value of all bikes exhibited on our stand was worth in-excess of £45,000
3: We exhibited 2 very rare bikes: 1976 TT500 + 1976 XT500C
Possibly the only 2 left in existence in UK?
Andrew you must have known how many off road derived machines where at your show, even before the event took place?
I’m not sure what other exhibitors thought! But my club members were outright disgusted.
Just imagine how much effort these guys put into restoring these bikes, then to hear over the microphone not one of them could win a single prize.
This announcement was nothing short of jaw dropping.
You have clearly discriminated owners of individual Japanese classic bikes.
I would suggest you consider changing the events name, because the current one is completely inappropriate: 7th Japanese International Classic Motorcycle Show
May i kindly request a written response or explanation for these actions, because I do plan to broadcast my finding via the internet?
I will also be posting a copy of this letter on our own club website, so to alleviate questions relating to today’s event.
As the principle of the “Yamaha Thumper Club UK” I am obliged to notify other motorcycle clubs to notify them that your shows now discriminate all off road derived machines.
Sincerely
David Newitt “Club Chairman”
