Has it really been two years since the last Sandford rally? Two years of pestilence, flood and even war has certainly changed our perspective on life…

But now it’s time to party like it’s 2021, and what better way to do it than head off to Dorset for the Modrapheniacs pre-season rally, the Modrapheniacs 46th year as a club and their 21st (and final) Sandford rally.

An easy, dry, though cold, ride up from Portsmouth to Sandford, park the scoots up at the caravan (adding about 20 minutes to our ride as we can’t find it!), then down to the venue to catch up with all those I haven’t seen for too long.

Getting there I notice the drinking has already started in earnest, so it’d be rude not to join the party (afternoon drinking oh how I’ve missed you!).

Getting drunk turns out to be a little harder than expected as Parkdean (the owners of Sandford Holiday Park, the venue for the rally) seem to have forgotten just how much alcohol scooterists can actually drink and have put on a minimum of staff on the bars. Still, they managed to take 18 grand on the Friday (a record for a Friday apparently), which, also considering we managed to drink the bars dry of various beers and ciders is pretty damn impressive!

Food time, a new food stand has been added since I was last there, so it’d be rude not to try it out, I was not disappointed. And I’ve now discovered there’s actually something better than cheesy chips, American pulled pork cheesy chips… my new favourite food!

The Corsairs

Friday night’s band, The Corsairs play a brilliant rockabilly/psychobilly set, I’ve seen them many times and they never fail to deliver, I’ve said this before, but if you haven’t seen them, you need to.

A few more beers and it’s time for bed.

Flick through the Saturday daytime rallery above
Saturday morning it’s the custom show, parts fair… and beer.
Having had a few pints I pass on the opportunity to go on the rideout and watch it flood past me instead, it’s always good to watch.
Somehow before I know it it’s Saturday evening, more food, then back to the bar, this time it seems easier to get a drink, and the beer has been restocked, it also seems a little quieter than last night, I suspect quite a few people were getting beered up in their caravans before heading to the venue.

Best of show

The custom show Best of Show is awarded to Dean Percival for his lovely looking Lambretta cutdown ‘Stray Cats’. His face was a picture when his trophy was handed to him in a Southampton FC carrier bag (those that know, know).

Loonee Toons

Saturday’s band Loonee Toons, a ska band from Eastleigh near Southampton. After becoming the ‘go to’ band in the 1990s they called it a day in 1999, reforming in 2021 they are rapidly regaining their ska crown, another band you definitely need to seek out and see if you haven’t already.

Sadly they will be the last band to play at a Modrapheniacs Sandford rally as the Modrapheniacs have decided enough is enough. Parkdean (along with many other campsite owners) have hiked their hire prices since Covid. Short term greed and, I think, a misplaced sense that the great British public will staycate in their droves have pushed the Modrapheniacs (and some other organisers) out.

If it’s any consolation to the Modrapheniacs they’ve gone out on a high, not with a whimper but a bang.

Words and photos: Booga

Can you find yourself in the Rallery above?