The 22nd Annual Lake O' the Pines Rally
October 6, 7 & 8, 2006
Rally Chairman – Dennis Tackett

Sam Wheeler - 2006 Grand Marshal

This year's rally drew over 450 people and a display of over 100 of the finest restored British & European motorcycles anywhere in the country.  Thanks to all for making this one of the best.

Check out these Photo Albums.
<[Mike Poteet's]>    <[Randy Bauer's]>

Sam Wheeler, fastest man on two wheels, was invited to be our Grand Marshal for the 2006 Lake O the Pines Rallye. Sam was recognized for setting the current fastest one-way pass of 355mph at the recent BUB Speed Trials as well as his record in 1970. In 1969 Sam built a streamliner out of an old aircraft fuel drop tank powered by a single 750cc Norton engine. He took this machine to Bonneville in 1970 and set the record at 208mph on regular pump gas. This was the fastest single engine Norton in motorcycling history. The Norton streamliner is currently being restored at RPM Cycle. Upon completion, it will reside in the British National Motorcycle Museum. We invited Sam to give an account of building and racing both streamliners. Sam spoke at the beginning of the LOP awards ceremony and the crowd was fascinated as he described what it was like to pilot a motorcycle at 200mph+ speeds. He calmly described how the front tire blew out in his EZ Hook streamliner as he set the 355mph record. He also described racing the Norton streamliner and then taking it to England for wind tunnel testing sponsored by the Norton factory. Norton planned to back Sam and go for the overall speed record, but unfortunately these plans were scrapped due to a US lawsuit filed just before the record run. The Norton never ran again. At the end of his talk the club presented Sam a trophy in appreciation of the Norton record.

"Doctor Norton"

During this years 22nd annual Lake O’ The Pines rally, it was my extreme pleasure to recognize one of our original club members. Joe Edwards aka “Dr. Norton” was awarded a “Life Time Membership” to the NTNOA. Dr. Norton holds the proud designation of being member number one in our club. Besides being one of the founding members, Dr. Norton has faithfully attended almost all of our LOP rallys. Traveling many times from as far away as California and the last couple of years all the way from Washington State.

Joe has also been instrumental in providing the T-Shirts for our rallies as well as collecting door prizes from many out of state supporters/dealers.

God speed Dr. Norton and we’ll see you again next year!

Captain Commando

2006 Lake O' the Pines Rallye Recap
by Dean Baker

This year’s Lake O’ the Pines rallye, by all accounts, will go down as one of the best events in the association’s history. The 22nd annual rallye enjoyed record attendance, outstanding weather, arguably the best collection of motorcycles this side of the Barber museum and the fastest man on two wheels for the Grand Marshal. It was a recipe for success, and the ingredients delivered.

Following previous years’ honorees that include David Edwards, T.C. Christenson and Ed Mabry, this year’s Grand Marshal was Sam Wheeler, accompanied by his wife Carol. Sam has a long affiliation with Norton: Not only was he employed by Norton during the ‘70s, Sam holds the speed record for a single engine Norton streamliner at 208 mph. That machine is currently undergoing restoration at Keith Martin’s RPM Cycle. More recently, Sam’s Kawasaki powered E-Z-Hook Streamliner clocked a one way pass of 355.303 mph at the 2006 BUB International Speed Trials at Bonneville. Unfortunately, failure of the front tire during the run made a follow up run impossible. During the rallye’s awards ceremony Sam held the crowd spellbound as he spoke of his career and described what it is like to have a front tire come apart in excess of 300 mph. Later to everyone’s amazement, (particularly his own), Sam won the 1972 Norton Commando raffle bike. Electing to concentrate his efforts on the E-Z-Hook Streamliner rather than restoring the Norton, Sam agreed to sell the bike back to the club. Look for the Commando to be raffled off again next year. Being owned, albeit briefly, by Sam Wheeler makes the Norton even more desirable!

We have become accustomed to having a remarkable collection of classic motorcycles at our rallye, and this year was no exception. Under a cloudless sky nearly 500 participants and spectators were treated to the finest in vintage European motorcycles, with an exceptional sampling of American and Pacific Rim machines rounding out the display. After the People’s Choice balloting was completed, some of those bikes went on to the field events. There they revealed the beasts within the beauties as they vied for honors in cold start, ride the plank and slow-ride competitions.

Putting on an event like this requires months of preparation. Planning for this year’s rallye began a few weeks after last year’s rallye ended. During the past several months a small group of dedicated volunteers spent countless hours in preparation, and then devoted the majority of their weekend to ensuring a successful event. Club President Clay Walley, VP Dave (JCFR) Edinger, and Rallye Chairman Dennis Tackett seemed to be everywhere at once and were tireless in their efforts. The Jefferson Chamber of Commerce team handled registration, entry control and t-shirt sales. Paid attendance was 447 participants and guests. Our annual dues are very low, and LOP profits provide the vast majority of the club’s working capital for the year. Although it will be a tough act to follow, the hard work and dedication of these volunteers and the unqualified success of the 2006 rallye have laid the groundwork for the 23rd LOP Rallye in 2007. Preparations have already begun. We hope to see you there.

Click on photo to enlarge.

Photo courtesy of Paul Valentine

This year's Rallye Raffle Bike was a 1973 Norton Combat Commando.  It's street legal and runs.  It was won by our Grand Marshal - Sam Wheeler and sold back to the club for next year's raffle bike.

For an overview of the rally click on "Pines Needles and Chrome".  This year the Lake O' the Pines Area Chamber of Commerce under the direction of Judy Stafford handled our registration desk, food service and after hours security. 

Lake O' the Pines Rally Recaps:
                    ['05 Lake O' the Pines Rally]
                    ['04 Lake O' the Pines Rally]
                    ['03 Lake O' the Pines Rally]
                    ['02 Lake O' the Pines Rally]
                    ['01 Lake O' the Pines Rally]
                    ['00 Lake O' the Pines Rally]

Link to Jefferson Texas tourism guide - http://jeffersontx.com/
Link to Big Cypress Marina - http://jeffersontx.com/bigcypressmarina/
Pine Shadows Guest House (on the lake)

Copyright © 2000 NTNOA All rights reserved.
Revised: February 14, 2019 .