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NEWS > LOCAL


Gypsy Tour organizers strive to restore biker lore
Jun 25, 2009
 By Colin McConville

This artist's rendering is from 1997, two years before the last Gypsy Tour event was held near Hollister. Organizers of the Gypsy Tour Motorcycle Classic set for July 3-5 at Bolado Park expect to keep the event going after this year. The new event is not associated with the former Hollister Motorcycle Rally, which Hollister officials canceled this year due to its costs.
Photo by: Special to the Free Lance
Babe and Johnny Lomanto are seen in this 1951 photo provided by organizers of the 2009 Gypsy Tour Motorcycle Classic.
Photo by: Special to the Free Lance
HOLLISTER

To bring back the "spirit" of the previous motorcycle events in the area, a local group of riders has brought back the Gypsy Tour Motorcycle Classic to Bolado park on July 3 through 5. One of the organizers, who was alive during the notorious 1947 "invasion," said this event is not meant to "duplicate" the rally, but restore it to its former prestige.

"We're excited that we can bring it back to the local community," said Gypsy Tour organizer Roger Grimsley. "(We're) bringing back the event to the spirit of what it was."

Fellow organizer and San Benito High School teacher Rob Campbell also said the event is an "important thing here."

"It's a local legacy," Campbell said. "It's been an important thing here, from an outsider's perspective."

The event will be Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is set to include live music from local bands, a D.J. for times in-between live bands, a car and bike show, and a car corral where people can sell used bikes and cars for $10.

Admission is free to the event is free and camping is available for $20 per person per night with restroom and eating facilities available. Parking also costs $5. Food and beverage will also be available for the event, some provided by local vendors and groups.

"It's a community-based event for charitable organizations," Grimsley said. "Locals don't have to pay for a booth. It should benefit local organizations - that was the highest priority."

Grimsley added that in addition to local vendors, he extended an invitation to the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce to sell T-shirts from the 2008 Hollister Rally to recoup some of the costs that were lost in 2008.

Organizers couldn't say exactly how many people would be showing up for the event, but "1,000 would be tremendous," Grimsley said. Banking on the success of this year's event, it is slated to continue next year.

"We have a good event," said organizer Bob Duffy. "We hope to have something to look forward to next year."

The last Gypsy Tour Motorcycle Classic, Inc. events were held in the late 1990s and prior to that, in the 30s, 40s and 50s.

Below, see the premiere of The News and You, with Gypsy Tour Motorcycle Classic promoter Roger Grimsley as a guest.



Colin McConville
Colin McConville is a reporter with the Hollister Free Lance. You can reach him by email or at (831) 637-5566.

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