Press Release #12 - George Albright's 9th Annual Car Show in Ocala, Florida

February 17, 2019

By: David L. Morrill
@ Mototique Racing

Ocala, Florida

I have been busy the last few weeks, preparing Rat Racer, my 1921 Harley-Davidson racer for the upcoming Sons of Speed Races on Saturday March 9th, @ the New Smyrna Speedway. Friday morning, my lovely wife Kim received a message from her friend Tammy Albright, asking if we were going to bring Rat Racer to their car show on Saturday. Tammy's husband George is the Marion County Florida Property Appraiser, and each year they sponsor a huge car show at the McPherson Complex just up the road from out house. I had to admit I had forgotten about the event but told Kim to tell Tammy we would be there.

Saturday morning, I scurried around getting Rat Racer presentable, and my friend Joe Niles rode over to help me load the bike, for the two-mile trip up the road to the show. When we unloaded Rat Racer, we realized we had left the stand in my garage, so I ran back to the house, while Joe sat on the bike.

There were only a handful of motorcycles on display, including Rat Racer, and Joe's Ultra Classic Harley-Davidson, but the McPherson Center parking lot was filled with about 200 antique, classic, and custom cars. I did manage to get a short video of our end of the show.

Click on the link below to see it:

George Albright's 9th Annual Car Show

We spent the rest of the day starting Rat Racer for the crowds, and letting folks get their picture taken on both our bike. Kim showed up, and we finally got her photo sitting on Rat Racer.

Joe's friend Stephanie showed up with her dog Dura and got her photo on both bikes.

There's a little surprise waiting for anyone sitting on Rat Racer. They look down and see Captain Cockroach, Ocala's fastest cockroach, our Mototique Racing mascot on the tank. It's a blast to watch folks' reaction to him!

I got a trophy for best motorcycle, which really should have gone to Joe's Ultra Classic.

Once again, it was a great event which raised money for local charities. A big thank you to George and Tammy Albright for inviting us, and to all their volunteers, and sponsors. Great job folks!

Motorcycles in the Magic City - as Seen through the lens of O.V. Hunt - Press Release # 4

November 14, 2014

By: David L. Morrill

@MototiqueRacing

Sylacauga, Alabama

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum - Birmingham, Alabama
Wikipedia Commons

In 2014, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Alabama received a Guinness World Record Certification as the largest collection of vintage motorcycles in the world. There are some 600 motorcycles of a total collection of 1200, on currently on display at any time. The museum is a must do for all motorcycle serious enthusiasts.

The museum has published several of my episodes on early Birmingham motorcycle events, and personalities in their membership newsletter Vintage Inside News. A few months back, I was asked to consult with Brian Slark, and Kelly Stewart, of the Museum Staff on their new exhibition Motorcycles in the Magic City - as Seen through the lens of O.V. Hunt.

O.V. Hunt was an early Birmingham photographer, who took many early iconic photographs of Birmingham landmarks. He was also an early motorcycle enthusiast, and a close friend of the Birmingham Indian dealer Robert Stubbs.

Motorcycles in the Magic City - as Seen through the lens of O.V. Hunt
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum Collection

Barber Museum's O.V. Hunt exhibit features photographs of early motorcycle competition events, as well as various motorcycling personalities of the time. I have over the last few years been able identify many of the people in these photographs. Working together, we were able to caption the events, and identify many of the people featured in the exhibit's photos.  The Museum was nice enough to acknowledge my contribution to the exhibit. It is a great honor to have played a small part in this important exhibit on Birmingham's early motorcyclists.

Motorcycles in the Magic City - as Seen through the lens of O.V. Hunt
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum Collection

I have been invited to assist in a presentation on the new exhibit for museum members, sponsors, and the general public: Here is then Barber Museum Press Release of the event:

"Motorcycles in the Magic City"

Join us on Wednesday, December 3rd, from 6:30 - 7:30 PM, for the first of two events on "Motorcycles in the Magic City." Curator of the O.V. Hunt exhibit, Kelly Stewart, and museum consultant David Morrill will discuss how and why motorcycles played such an important role in people's lives and livelihoods in the Magic City a century ago, as seen in the images captured by Hunt in the early 1900s. 

Be on the lookout for information about our next "Motorcycles in the Magic City" event, which will take place on January 21st, 6:30 - 7:30pm, and will feature Motus Motorcycles. 

Both these events are free for museum members and volunteers, and $25 (per event) for non-members. To purchase tickets or RSVP, visit the Barber Museum or call 205.702.8713.

It is a great honor to have played a small part in this important exhibit on Birmingham's early motorcyclists.  For more information on the career of O.V. Hunt, check out O.V. Hunt -Birmingham's Photographer Episode #25:

O.V. Hint - Birmingham's Photographer Episode #25

Sources: 

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum

Chris Price @ Archive Moto

Kelly Stewart @ Barber Vintage Motorports Museum

Wikipedia Commons