Thunder Roads LA Magazine September 2017 Thunder Roads September | Page 28

UNITED SIDECAR ASSOCIATION 39 TH ANNUAL NATIONAL RALLY nd a B r a k Lec By GLENN C. McGOVERN Motorcycle Attorney and MSF Basic Instructor Email [email protected] The Vic BIKES and ROCK n’ ROLL With the early influences of Jimmi Hendrix, Terry Kath, Ritchie Blackmore, Jimmy Page, Alvin Lee, Paco De Lucia, Santana, Joe Perry, Al DiMiola, Van Halen, MSG, and much more, Vick LeCar has created his own signature through his guitar playing, songwriting, and singing. Vick currently performs with his band, Vick LeCar Band, along with Thumper Tarver on drums and Jonathan Limjuco on bass. He also works as an international session player with artists found around the globe.VOODOO Since he has moved to New Orleans, Vick has shared the stage with many different artists, such as Russell Batiste, David Batiste, Walter “Wolf Man” Washington, Jelly Bean, Corey Duplechin, and much more and even performed in front of New Orleans’ very own Allen Toussaint. LATEST SINGLES Some Kinda VooDoo. V.L. 2017 ( to be released July 2017.) Black And Blues V.L. 2017 Vick LeCar guitars. Elizabeth V.L. 2016 Vick LeCar guitars. Black Car V.L. 2014 Vick LeCar guitars and vocals Live And Love Again. VL JLT 2013 Vick LeCar guitars and vocals. To experience the Vick Lecar Band you can see them September 15th @ Voodoo Patio Bar Bike Night in Metarie September 30th @ Pier 90 Bar and Marina, Luling, LA United Sidecar Association 39th Annual National Rally took place in Corning, New York this year. Corning is located in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of upper New York Sta te. It is a scenic area with eleven large, north-south oriented freshwater lakes. Upstate New York is very rural with mountains, elevation changes, forests and glistening lakes. There is excellent for hiking, camping, fishing and has beautiful winding roads winding through breathtaking scenery. I had an invitation to speak on motorcycle safety issues at the. More specifically, I was asked to speak on Saturday to a large crowd in the main pavilion on motorcycle safety, the latest helmet technology, motorcycle sidecar statistics (they are safer, believe it or not), the importance of carrying UM or uninsured motorist’s coverage, the need for the Vulnerable All Road Users Act (VARUA) nationwide, and dressing for the ride in preparation for a crash to minimize injuries. This was my first National Rally, so I wasn’t sure just what to expect. The event didn’t disappoint though. There were numerous skill sessions, educational sessions, group tour rides and other activities for the over 210 sidecar participants in attendance. As it turns out, this year was the was the largest turnout for the national rally in its 39-year history. Most of the participants camped with large tents in their sidecar or pulled a trailer with their sidecar. The rigs were from as far away as New Mexico, Alaska and Texas. Only a few trailered their sidecar to the event. Very impressive! The camaraderie of the sidecar community is very unique. Beyond my presentation, there were also sidecar games of skill including reverse sidecar racing. Only the Honda Goldwings and Russian Urals sidecars could do this reverse racing event. Urals are available with two-wheel drive and are excellent off-road motorcycles. Dogs, kids and sidecars go together so there were also a lot of dogs and kids there. This made it a great family event. Even my baby grandson, Miro got a taste of sidecar riding; so the 1200-mile drive was worth it for that alone! The event then wrapped up on Saturday night with a huge dinner and awards ceremony with entertainment. One of the many events that stood out to me was the computerized weight and balance measurement of everyone’s sidecar rig. This is an important safety consideration. This is because while motorcycles are complex. motorcycles with sidecars are even more complex. There is no counter steering in a sidecar with all three wheels on the ground, but when you lift up the sidecar in the air and it reverts to counter steering. Just like loading an airplane is critical within the design envelope, you have to keep the sidecar within its weight and balance limits in its designed envelope, so knowing this information is invaluable. I learned I must have at least 60 pounds of ballast in the sidecar or it could flip in a sharp right-hand turn. The best thing about an event like this is the many unique sidecars. There are some with Hannigan sidecars that have “swamp cooler” air conditioning systems. These had fully covered cockpits and luxury leather bucket seats for one or two passengers. Then they had the classic the Moto Guzzi, Harley Davidson, Triumph and Indian Chief sidecar rigs in full force. They also had several off-road rigs with custom off road style GS1200 BMW’s with huge sidecars. One such rig had its own LP gas system, a sleeping compartment, and a sleeping compartment for the owner’s dog in the first floor. Many of the large rigs were custom made with impressive sway bars to make them corner well. The creativity of the engineering was very impressive. Take a look at the enclosed photos. One of these rigs may be just right for you! Discography Joe Lynn Turner. Usual Suspects. Vick LeCar. songwriter. Spirit Of The Black Rose. Thunder And Lighting. Tribute to Phil Lynott. (Thin Lizzy) Vick LeCar Guitar and vocals, RHM Sweden. 2003. Shine On.( American band. Tribute to Grand Funk) Vick LeCar, guitar, and vocals. RHM Sweden. 2002. Vick LeCar. Bad Influence 2005 Aaries Records T.X. Vick LeCar guitar’s/Vocals, Erik LeCar. keyboards Dino Castano, Drums, Wade Parker, Bass Six Shooter. Metal Mayhem Records.2004. Vick LeCar, guitars, John Collura, Vocals, Dino Castano Drums, Bill Berends Bass. Vick LeCar’s Blue Moon, 2001 RHM Records (Sweden) Album. Vick LeCar guitars, Ed Terry vocals, Madona, Stevie Wonder. Michael Sciotto Drums.Sun Red Sun, Vince Niel. Gordon G. Gebert. keyboards, (Ace Frehley -Frehley’s Comet, Vince Martell (Vanilla Fudge) Danny Miranda, Bass, MeatLoaf, Blue Oyster Cult, Queen. Paul Morris Keyboards, Rainbow, Doro, Nina. Vick LeCar, Never Stranded,1998 , Vick LeCar guitars/backup vocals, Joe Lynn Turner lead Vocals, (Fandango, Rainbow, Deep Purple, Yngwie J.Malmsteen), George Mena Keys/engineer. Blessed Fury, 1984 to 1986 Lead & Rhythm guitar. Vikron, 1986 to 1989 founder/guitars. Foxxie, 1990 to 1992 guitars. Platinum, 1992 lead guitar. LeCarr, 1993 to 1996 founder/ guitars. LeCarr II (1997 to 1998) Many projects and session work. 26 Thunder Roads Magazine Louisiana | September 2017 | www.thunderroadslouisiana.com www.thunderroadslouisiana.com | September 2017 | Thunder Roads Magazine Louisiana 27