The Texas Hill Country reverberated with the sound of classic British bikes growling through its winding roads as the 2025 North American Vincent Owners Club (VOC) Rally took place in Kerrville, Texas, from April 1-5. Hosted by the Lone Star Chapter of the VOC, this year’s rally marked the fourth time the group has hosted the North American VOC rally and the third time they’ve made Kerrville home base.
The VOC holds International Rallies every four years. The first one was held at Shadow Lake in Ontario, Canada, in 1977. The annual North American VOC rallies were also started in the late ’70s and rotate among the various American and Canadian club chapters. The Chicago Chapter hosted the 2024 rally, and the location for the 2026 North American rally is yet to be determined.
Headquartered at the Inn of the Hills — a sprawling 1970s-era conference center and hotel with ample parking for trailers, vans, and motorcycles — the rally brought together more than 100 attendees and over 70 Vincents. The setting was ideal, both for its nostalgic feel and its logistics-friendly layout. But location was only half the story.
The timing of the rally was no accident. Sandwiched on the calendar neatly between the weekends of Austin’s MotoGP at Circuit of the Americas and Handbuilt Show, plus the AMCA Cherokee Chapter’s Texas Fandango in Fredericksburg, the event offered vintage motorcycle enthusiasts a unique triple-play of classic motorcycle culture in Central Texas.
At an elevation of 1,600 feet, Kerrville is surrounded by hundreds of miles of rolling rural roads that snake through oak-covered hills, creeks, and bluebonnet fields — some of the best riding in the United States. Little traffic, springtime temperatures, and acres of wildflowers set the perfect scene for riding bikes as unique and timeless as the Vincent.
A rally, engineered
Organizing a national rally is no weekend affair. Mark Scott, one of the authors of this article, also serves as the section organizer for the Lone Star Chapter and was one of the instigators/leaders of the rally. He described the planning as “an intricate web of logistics.” Aligning the rally dates with three other major Texas motorcycle events was just the beginning. Securing a hotel that could accommodate over 100 riders, trailers, and motorcycles — and negotiating a 20-page contract covering food, parking, hospitality, insurance, and more — was a challenge in itself.
Over many months, a core group of volunteers stepped up to help coordinate registration, plan rides, have awards made, and secure large (and small) sponsorships. Expenditures for printed materials, T-shirts, insurance, catering, swag, etc., all had to be balanced to keep the registration fee within reach while staying within the chapter’s budget for the event. Hundreds of collective volunteer hours went into making this rally a standout success.
In gear and on the road
Over the five-day rally, two full days of group rides offered participants routes ranging from 100 to 200 miles. Long and short versions were available, with GPS-compatible files provided for those riding with Beelines or other nav systems. The routes were planned and led by Peter Allen, a former Colorado resident who relocated to Kerrville and brought with him a keen sense for Texas’s most enjoyable local roads.
Ride participation was strong, with dozens of Vincents heading out each day. Thankfully, there were no crashes or injuries, only a handful of the mechanical gremlins that tend to accompany machines over 70 years old. One particularly unlucky rider suffered a fractured crankcase due to a thrown primary chain — but even that story had a silver lining, thanks to another rally participant with a spare set of Series C twin crankcases back home. That kind of camaraderie is exactly what defines a VOC rally.
The rally featured a full bike show, with nine categories including Best Special, Best Series A, Best Series B, Best Series C, and Best of Show. The lineup showcased immaculate restorations as well as patina-rich survivors, each with a story to tell.
The final day of the rally featured a group ride to Fredericksburg, about 25 miles away, to take part in The Texas Fandango event, where VOC members were given preferred placement in the show field — a fitting finale to a week of two-wheeled celebration. Produced by the Cherokee Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, The Texas Fandango features a swap meet and a bike show.
For many, the motorcycles may be the draw, but it’s the people who make the memories. At the 2025 VOC rally, a handful of standout personalities reminded everyone why this club is more than just a collection of bikes.
Bill Easter: a living legend
Born in 1935, Bill Easter is an Honorary VOC member who has logged nearly 500,000 miles on his 1952 Series C Black Shadow, which he bought in 1959. Bill is the kind of rider every younger enthusiast wants to grow up to be: sharp, funny, and endlessly capable. When his gearshift lever broke mid-ride, he reached into his Craven pannier, pulled out a spare, and installed it by the roadside within minutes. His bike won “Best Series C” at the rally, and Bill himself remains a legendary, yet humble, figure in the community.
Honoring the heart of the club
A moving part of the event was the recognition of Debbie Johncock, Marilyn Dishman, and Gail Bowen — widows of cherished Lone Star Chapter members Allan Johncock, Steve Dishman, and Bev Bowen. Allan founded the Lone Star Chapter of the VOC in 1999 and served as the first chapter section organizer (SO) for three years. Bev Bowen was the Chapter’s SO for seventeen years. Steve Dishman was serving as the chapter’s treasurer when he passed a few years ago.
Each woman presented a special award at the banquet, honoring their husbands’ legacies and the community that rallied to support them in the wake of loss. These women may not ride, but they remain vital parts of the Vincent Owners Club family.
Reborn Grey Flash
Another Honorary VOC member, Somer Hooker, brought a Grey Flash which he reassembled from far-flung components. The Grey Flashes were factory production race bikes based on their 500cc single-cylinder street bike engines. Vincent built 31 such race bikes, and only three with lights for use on the street. They were essentially the single-cylinder version of the legendary Black Lightning twin. Somer began collecting parts in 1991 when he found a set of forks and an upper frame member in Buenos Aires, and in 1998, he located the matching rear frame member. Now completed, the bike was one of the rally’s highlights.
Fast company: Alp Sungurtekin’s “666”
Land speed racer Alp Sungurtekin displayed his 193mph “666” Vincent, a purpose-built machine dripping with craftsmanship and engineering detail. The bike’s name is derived from the engine number stamped on the crankcase — it ends in 666, the biblical number of the beast. Alp plans to add bodywork and return to Bonneville to set new records in the Streamlined class. Filmmaker David Martinez attended the rally and gave attendees a sneak preview of his upcoming documentary Slowly Going Faster, which follows Alp’s quest to build the fastest Vincent ever. “Best of Show” honors went to Alp’s incredible creation.
The Vincent Kid
John Clark, a 90-year-old Texan, was in fine form at the rally, sharing tales of his youth as a Vincent racer in the 1950s. As a young man, he studied aeronautical engineering at University of Texas, Austin, and took a summer job in Southern California. He used to hang around legendary Vincent racer Marty Dickerson’s motorcycle shop in Hawthorne. When John returned to Austin, he bought a new, in-the-crate 1953 Series C Rapide in 1955. After building up the bike, John competed in and won road races and drag races, establishing a reputation as a fast guy and earning the nickname “The Vincent Kid.” Though he no longer rides, John’s presence brought a deep sense of continuity and tradition to the event.
Big D brings the heat
Keith Martin of Big D Cycles in Dallas brought a pair of standout machines, including a blue Rapide that won “People’s Choice” at the 2023 International Rally in California. Big D has a long and distinguished history of building record-setting British motorcycles, including the famous “Texas Ceegar” Bonneville streamliner, and is currently the go-to shop for Vincent restoration and repair. Keith is a strong and active supporter of owner’s clubs like the Vincent Owners Club and the North Texas Norton Owners Association. Without shops like Big D and part suppliers like Coventry Spares in Massachusetts, it would be much harder to keep the old Vincents on the road.
The Phoenix rises
Canadian VOC IT officer Phil Mahood lost his beautiful Series B Rapide in a 2022 house fire. Before the blaze, the bike had won top awards at Mosport, Montreal, and the VOC International Rally. Phil began restoration in 2023, and the newly resurrected machine took home “Best Series B” honors in Kerrville — a fitting return for a bike now dubbed “The Phoenix.”
Building the future
David Dunfey, author of a 475-page tome on building a competition Vincent Grey Flash, attended with a racer project he’s constructing for a lucky owner. The bike showcases technical improvements developed over his years of competitive experience.
Don Danmeier: a Brit bike institution
Known to many in the vintage community, Don Danmeier is a British bike icon from Northern California. Now in his 80s, he’s still riding and wrenching, and brought his 1955 Black Shadow to Kerrville. He founded the Northern California BSA Owners Club in 1985 and organized the annual Clubman’s Show in San Jose for over thirty years. At one point, he was a member of over twenty clubs. Don has remained a stalwart supporter of the scene for decades. Don’s 1963 BSA Rocket Gold Star won “Best British” at the Fandango bike show on the last day of the rally.
Why rally?
For Vincent owners, the national rally was a celebration of everything that makes their club and their machines special. The well-organized rides offered stunning scenery with the reassurance that help is never far away. The bike show fostered camaraderie and knowledge-sharing. Rallies can also act as a kind of deadline — an incentive to finally finish that long-term project and hit the road.
Shared meals, parking lot chats, and late-night sessions in the hospitality suite created bonds between riders from all corners of the continent and from all walks of life. Each Vincent is a rolling testament to hours of labor, love, and perseverance, and the rally was a gathering place for the people who share that passion.
At its best, a rally strips away life’s distractions and leaves only the bikes, the road, and a state of focused relaxation that makes every moment feel vividly alive. That’s what this year’s North American Vincent Owners Club Rally delivered. That’s what keeps riders coming back. MC
The 10th Handbuilt Motorcycle Show
Held over MotoGP weekend, March 28-30, 2025, the 10th Anniversary Handbuilt Motorcycle Show returned to downtown Austin, Texas. Hosted by Revival Cycles, the show has grown from a niche gathering of custom builders into a world-class celebration of mechanical artistry. And this year, it was bigger and bolder than ever.
With over 250 motorcycles and cars on display and an estimated 13,000+ visitors over three days, the show transformed The Printhouse — a 100,000 square-foot former newspaper facility just south of downtown — into a buzzing hub of creativity and community.
Billed as “an inspiring showcase of works from builders and craftsmen that combine knowledge, skill, and ingenuity to create one-of-a-kind, truly hand-built machines,” the Handbuilt Show delivered on that promise. The floor was filled with a mix of vintage motorcycles, custom builds, café racers, and a few select modern marvels. But it didn’t stop at bikes — exotic and custom cars, interactive exhibits, and a curated art gallery gave the event a rich, immersive atmosphere. Outside, the Ives Brothers’ Wall of Death thrilled crowds, while local vendors served up food, drinks, and a taste of Austin culture.
While the show celebrates innovation, it also honors the roots of motorcycling. Many of the custom builds featured classic motorcycle engines and components, a nod to the lasting legacy of vintage machines. On the floor were reimagined Ducatis, Bultacos, Hondas, and more — some modified for road racing, others adapted from motocross origins. These were not simply restored; they were reimagined.
Yet the purists weren’t left out either. A handful of immaculate stock vintage bikes stood out in stark contrast to the wilder customs. Among the highlights: a stunning Ducati F1, a near-mint Ducati 888, a 1915 Scott, and a gleaming Velocette Thruxton.
BMW, a returning major sponsor, brought a real piece of racing history to the party: Reg Pridmore’s 1976 Butler & Smith R90S Superbike, masterfully restored by Udo Gietl. For race fans, it was a rare opportunity to get close to the machine that kickstarted Superbike racing in America.
The event’s founder, Revival Cycles’ honcho Alan Stulberg, offered a fitting reflection on the event’s growth: “The Handbuilt Motorcycle Show was originally conceived as an excuse to get together with creative builders of all kinds from all over the world who inspired team Revival. What it developed into over the years is an artistic display driven by a passion for design well beyond motorcycles, which now far exceeds our wildest expectations. This year, we’re not just pushing boundaries — we’re redefining them.”
Following a successful Los Angeles edition in July 2024, the Handbuilt team is set to return to LA in September 2025 for a second SoCal show — proof of the event’s expanding reach and cultural relevance. Back in Austin, the 2026 Handbuilt Motorcycle Show will once again coincide with the MotoGP weekend at Circuit of the Americas. Official dates are still pending, but details will be available at the Revival Cycle website.
The 2025 Texas Fandango
The 2025 Texas Fandango returned to the Gillespie County Fairgrounds in Fredericksburg with a three-day celebration of motorcycles past and present. Hosted by the Cherokee Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America (AMCA), the event has earned its place as a must-do for vintage motorcycle fans. The 2025 Fandango, held April 4-6, packed in a vintage swap meet, a bike show, and a strong showing from clubs and vendors, even if wet weather curtailed the dirt track racing somewhat — it took place on only one day this year.
A walk through the swap meet is always a treat — and always a test of willpower. The booths are heavy with Harley parts, but look closely, and there are plenty of British, Japanese, and Italian nuggets mixed in. I scored a couple of real gems: an original piece of 1952 Vincent sales literature, plus an autographed copy of Sammy Miller’s biography — an unexpected find for just ten bucks.
The indoor vintage bike show featured an impressive lineup of machines from across the eras. American V-twins, British classics, European exotics, and early Japanese icons all shared the floor. Judging was by “People’s Choice,” and in the end, it was a 1926 Triumph Model P that took home “Best of Show” honors — a testament to design excellence and expert restoration.
Outdoors, the chopper show added another layer of character to the weekend. Among the usual assortment of Harley-based creations, several custom builds broke the mold with British powerplants under the tank — a nice nod to old-school innovation.
One showstopper that had everyone talking was the “Vindian”, brought in by Mike Tomas of Kiwi Indian. The bike pairs a deep blue Indian Chief chassis with a Vincent twin engine — a hybrid that looks as good as it sounds. Around 1948, Indian sent a complete Chief rolling chassis to the Vincent works in England, essentially asking Vincent to install their engine, construct a prototype overhead valve replacement for the outdated Chief. Mike’s bike is a replica of that 1948 prototype, and he says it rides great.
The Vincent Owners Club (VOC) made a strong showing this year by riding over to the event on Saturday, the last day of the North American VOC Rally. Riders who came in from the rally were given a dedicated section inside the show hall. Fifteen Vincents lined up in one row, a rare sight that drew admiration and created lots of photo ops.
Though rain canceled some of the dirt track racing, the weekend was still a popular success by any measure. The Fandango crowd is resilient, and the energy never dipped.
The next Texas Fandango is already on the calendar for March 27-29, 2026. If you’ve never been — or just need a good excuse to return to the Texas Hill Country — mark your calendar. You’ll find more details at The Texas Fandango website.
