Reflection • Gas Gas UK
1988 — A NEW ERA
2018 STILL RIDING
GAS GAS UK
A NEW CHAPTER There are some things in my life I feel very privileged to be a part of. One of them is the Shirt family. My enduring relationship started with John Edward Shirt and his lovely wife, Margaret, in the late ’70s, both as friends and sponsors. As the years moved on, my relationship continued with their son, also called John, as the business continued to grow. From the early years of the Majesty Yamaha days, and the game-changing mono-shock Yamaha to the Spanish Gas Gas in 1988, we think you will agree it’s been an adventure. The Yamaha years have been well documented before and, yes, we have touched on the Gas Gas UK story as well. As we move into 2020, a new chapter in the Shirt family book will start as the Gas Gas brand changes direction and so does the future of the business. As the saying goes ‘as one door closes, another one opens’; a very true statement if you look at the past history of the Shirts importing motorcycles, parts and accessories into the UK. Over these next four pages we take a brief look through the eyes of the camera at the life and times of Gas Gas UK from 1988–2019, a history of 31 years of importing the Spanish brand onto the UK shores; something to reflect on I am sure you will agree. Words: John Hulme • Pictures: Many of the pictures seen here are from the Shirt family album. Others are from the following contributors: John Hulme, Eric Kitchen, Dennis Fowler and Toon Van De Vliet
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2008 DAD AND LAD
February-March 2020 • Trial Magazine