Watsonian sidecars celebrate their centenary this year and to mark the occasion the British manufacturer is throwing a party at Stoneleigh Park near Coventry on 18-19th Aug 2012.
Founded by TF Watson in 1912, Watsonian has survived two world wars, the Great Depression of 1929 and a devastating factory fire in 1930. Today the company still makes Great British sidecars in the Heart of England, exporting across the globe.
Both the Warwick and Stareton exhibition halls at Stoneleigh will be packed with attractions, including historic sidecars like Eric Oliver’s world championship winning Norton, the Brough outfit that starred in the hit 1970′s sitcoms George and Mildred and Dad’s army and a prototype Watsonian 1000cc v-twin motorcycle combination from 1950.
Star guests include Isle of Man TT racers Dave Molyneux and Tim Reeves, who will bring their racing outfits with them; Mick Boddice and sidecar speed record holder Norman Hyde will be there too.
Among the many other attractions are the company archives, driving skills test, sidecar trials display, prizes for Best in Show (whatever the make), trade stands and an opportunity to test ride Royal Enfield motorcycles, which have been distributed by Watsonian since 1999.
Camping is available on site for anyone planning to stay for the weekend. On Saturday evening there will be entertainment with a live band and bar selling a special centenary ale.
Tickets for the weekend cost £10 per person in advance; day tickets will only be available on the Sunday and can be purchased at the gate for £5. Children under 16 go free and parking is also free For more information on the Centenary Rally call 01386 700907 or visit the website below.
Hi,just to advise you that the “Eric Oliver Sidecar”you mention is NOT the actual machine it is a copy made up about 12 years ago by the Bennets from the midlands area. I own the actual machine and have done for nearly 40 years,having bought it from Reg Dearden .The machine you advertise started life as a result of an article in one of the motorcycle mags (I think I still have it)saying that a chap had an engine,which indecated that it was ex Eric Oliver and that he would be willing to part with it to someone building a replica machine. Via the mag I contacted the chap,who was quite abrupt as I remember,and told him I had the actual Oliver machine. He said its not for sale and in any case its a 500 and at best only the crankcases were ex Oliver ! By chance I sat next to the Bennets at the Goodwood Festival of Speed dinner and mantioned the above. They admited they had made up the machine and engine believing the actual machine no longer existed ! they also undertook not to suggest that thier machine was the Oliver machine.I am a believer in acuracy and dont feel it right that this “replica”should be advertised as the actual machine. As I say I have the actual machine in my garage alongside the Seeley 500 sidecar,the only one ever built. I appreciate that you publish information given to you and hope that,for historical accuracy,you will make it clear that the one you have advertised is NOT the Oliver machine. Thank you. John Davies