Discover the International Norton Owner’s Association Rally and learn about the revival of this classic touring event in the aftermath of the global pandemic.
The International Norton Owners’ Association rally is an annual event held, alternately, in the east of the Continent and the west. That was until the schedule was kiboshed by Covid. The British Motorcycle Owners’ Club Okanagan section made a valiant attempt to host “Nortorious 2” (named for the 2010 INOA “Nortorious” Rally in Lumby, British Colombia) in 2021 but was defeated by post-Covid logistical difficulties.
Stepping boldly into the fray were the Northwest Norton Owners Club and the Washington Vintage Motorcyclists, who with logistical support from BMOC members organized an epic “homecoming” rally in June 2023 in the faux-western town of Winthrop, just east of the Cascade Mountains in Washington State. Winthrop is an ideal rally destination: there’s a king-sized RV and camping resort, plenty of nearby hotels, half a dozen excellent restaurants, a craft brewery at the “Schoolhouse” pub, and an artfully restored saloon, Three-Finger Jacks.
Winthrop was first settled by gold prospectors around 1885 after placer gold was discovered in the local streams. Winthrop burned down in 1893 and the remains were washed away in a flood in 1894. Although rebuilt in the 1910s, the town gained its western theme in the 1970s when the North Cascades Highway was proposed to run through the town. To take advantage of its tourism potential, a theme town like nearby “Bavarian” Leavenworth was proposed. Now its pioneer character attracts visitors, vacationers and outdoor enthusiasts. It’s also a motorcycling mecca because of the outstanding riding roads (and trails) in the area. The North Cascades Highway 20 was declared the best riding road in Washington State by Destination Highways.
In a time of generally declining rally participation, the 2023 organizers counted more than 200 registrants, and on check-in day they ran out of T-shirts: that rarely if ever happens, and points to the popularity of the event! Over the next four days, there would be an organized 100-mile ride, a poker run, tech sessions, a barbecue and a prime rib banquet. The organization was second to none; registration was smooth, breakfast favorites were available on site, and the coffee was specially imported. Even the organized ride ran smoothly, with the 100-plus riders departing in batches of 15 to avoid bunching (something other club rides could copy), corner marshals to ensure everyone stayed on route, even a pre-arranged sandwich lunch at the Sweet River Bakery in the riverfront town of Pateros.
One unusual aspect of the tech sessions was a “hands-on” project undertaken by two rally participants. Their project was to install an electric starter on an 850 Commando. Erin Reddy and Matt Bush successfully installed the Colorado Norton Works kit over the time of the rally with some supervision by Mark Zenor of Zenor’s Norton Service.
But the Rally’s premier event was the Concours Show ‘N Shine. And while the entry list was dominated by Commando Roadsters and Interstates, a number of other rare and desirable machines were on display, including Jim Ware’s Rickman-framed race bike, which was started at the rally for the first time in 27 years! Jim took the people’s choice award for Best Norton Custom and third in the judges’ choice for Outstanding Norton.
No stranger to winning awards is Brian Doan, whose 1950 Model 7 twin took both the people’s choice and judges’ awards for Best in Show as well as Best pre-Commando Twin. Taking the people’s choice for Best Single was Jim Bush’s 1951 “Garden Gate” International, with Mark Zenor’s cross-country 1945 Model 18 in second place. Notable in the “Other British” class were Dan Danmier’s 1939 Levis, Doug Saugen’s 1937 Series A Vincent Comet and Gaylen Bliss’s 1959 650cc Panther 120 “Redwing.” Well known Norton restorer Colin Kelly scooped three awards: second in the pre-Commando class with his 1967 Atlas; third in the low-production class; and fourth in the Outstanding Norton class with his Combat-engined 1972 long-range Fastback.
One machine that engendered both head-scratching and admiration in the people’s choice Custom class was Dan Doersam’s 1959 Triumph special. Based on a pre-unit 650 with a Nourish-Weslake 8-valve engine, Dan has extensively upgraded the bike with such unusual features as Campagnolo mechanical disc brakes.
But the show was really about the Nortons, with Commandos to the fore. Top awards in class went to John Kerr (Roadster), Steve DeBella (Interstate), Andy Davidson (Fastback), and Bill Atkins’ John Player Norton (Low Production).
Overall, the rally was a great success: “We knocked this one out of the park!” said NWNO Vice-President Doug Saugen. The 2024 INOA Rally will be held from June 17-22 at the Lincoln/Woodstock KOA in Woodstock, New Hampshire. MC
