The Quail Motorcycle Gathering continues as one of the premier motorcycle-specific shows in the country.
The 13th Annual Quail Motorcycle Gathering was held on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Quail Lodge and Golf Club in Carmel, California. According to the event’s organization, more than 3,000 people attended with 250 or so motorcycles on display. There had been a threat of rain in the days leading up to the event, but thankfully the weather cooperated, and it was a perfect day for sightseeing on the lawn.
This year, there were 29 awards given in 19 categories. In addition to the traditional categories (American, British, Italian, Japanese, other European, competition, custom/modified, choppers and bicycles/scooters), there were three special categories this year: Italian singles, 1970s Vintage Muscle and “Bring on the Baggers.” As in previous years, evaluation of the show bikes was overseen by head judge Somer Hooker and a team of about 40 judges. Awards were presented by Somer and perennial emcee Paul “The Vintagent” d’Orleans.
Best of Show this year was an Italian 1939 Miller-Balsamo 200cc single owned by San Franciso architect John Goldman. Beautifully restored by Zen House in Point Arena, California, it’s one of only a handful left intact in the world. The “Spirit of the Quail” Award went to Robb Talbott for his 1956 AeroCapriolo Corsa 75, which also won the Italian Single class. The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum Heritage Award went to Wayne Rainey for his 1971 Yamaha Mini Enduro 60. It was his first competition bike and bristled with go-faster modifications.
This year’s honoree as “Legend of the Sport” was Wayne “Bubba” Shobert. He’s a three-time AMA Grand National Champion (1985, 1986 and 1987) and the 1988 AMA Superbike Champion, all won while riding Hondas. Chris Carter (owner of Motion-Pro) brought Bubba’s 1987 championship-winning Honda RS750D and fired it up to the delight of Bubba and the crowd.
Wayne Rainey and Eddie Lawson joined Bubba on stage, and they engaged in an entertaining chat, sharing war stories from their days on track in the 1980s with Gordon McCall, the Quail Gathering impresario.
I was on the team judging the Custom/Modified Class which was won by a 2020 custom built by Max Hazan. The bike was built around a pair of supercharged 350cc Velocette singles. From conceptualization to fabrication, the machine was spectacular and typical of the extremely high quality of Max’s work. His Vincent Rapide-based special won Best of Show at last year’s Quail Gathering. I wish I could have heard the blown bi-Velo run but, alas, ’twas not to be …
If you haven’t been before, it’s worth considering a trip to this event. The venue is beautiful, the bikes are extraordinary, and the attendees are an interesting bunch. The Quail Motorcycle Gathering is usually held the first Saturday in May, which would put next year’s edition on Star Wars Day, May 4th, 2024. MC
Originally published as “The 2023 Quail Motorcycle Gathering” in the September/October 2023 issue of Motorcycle Classics magazine.
