TRURO - The smoke will be rolling Saturday afternoon as a new addition heats up the second annual HubTown Rally.
The brake burn competition will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. at The Pond Tap and Grill in Bible Hill. It is part of the two-day festival organized by the Organization of Responsible Bikers.
"The boys bring some sleds down and they do a brake burn. They don't have to worry about getting a ticket and the crowd loves it," said Lloyd Rector, provincial representative. "You know what guys are like with the smell of burning rubber ..."
The brake burn competition will be held behind the restaurant, providing an opportunity for fans to watch from a safe distance.
The town approached the organization about pushing back its' annual bikes blessing, but officials were reluctant to do so as it has been an established tradition for more than 20 years. From there the rally was created.
The first year more than 500 bikes were parked along Inglis Place for the show and shine. This year's event will take place Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. during which time the popular downtown street will be closed to motoring traffic.
Rector is excited about this weekend with the forecast calling for highs in the mid 20s after a week of rain. He said that would have an impact on the number of people who attend the event.
"That's the $54 question, all depends on the weather and everything else," Rector said.
The future of the festival is also bright. Rector points to the Wharf Rat Rally in Digby which annually attracts between 15,000 and 18,000, that started with 100 bikes its first year.
"So it could grow exponentially," Rector said of the local event. "It has the potential of being the biggest rally east of Montreal."
The first year was deemed a success with riders from across the Maritimes and organizers have had at least one email from Ontario of a biker planning on coming to take part in this year's rally.
The word is spreading quickly and the other activities taking place during the weekend in the Truro area help bring people to the community.
"Where else on a weekend, do you have ... the HubTown Rally going on, you have the blues festival going on over in Bible Hill and there's motorcorss racing going on in Brookfield?" Rector said.
"Come on out and enjoy yourself."
The event starts Saturday at 9 a.m. with an opening in Victoria Park. There will be a trick riding demonstration at the Cat Shack from 10 a.m. to noon as well as a poker run, barbecue, swap meet and rodeo.
jmalloy@trurodaily.com
