Category: Events and Shows

1. 'Banbury Run' - 71 years old and still going strong!

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 30th May 2019

   The VMCC Banbury Run might be 71 years old but it still manages to attract the largest gathering of pre-1931 classic bikes in the world. Around 500 veteran and vintage motorcycles will ride out from the British Motor Museum on various routes as they make their way to Banbury on Sunday 16 June. The routes vary between 30 and 60 miles and many will hope to make them without breaking down! 

   Viewing areas in the Museum grounds will give spectators the chance to see the motorcycles start up as they begin their nostalgic Run. Riders will depart at 5 per minute from 10am with the last leaving at 12noon. Riders will begin to return to the Museum from 12:30pm.The event is supported by the Banbury Town Mayor who will be starting all the competitors on their journeys including scaling Sun Rising Hill at Edgehill.

   There will also be Club and Trade Stands, over 100 Autojumble pitches and special interest displays. This year the event will take place on one site without the need for shuttle buses. There is now a newly extended car park and new road layout giving easier access to the M40.

   Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum stated “The VMCC Banbury Run is aimed at those who enjoy the thrill of riding out with other Vintage, Veteran & Pioneer bikes.  Its amazing that the Run is now 71 years old and still going strong. With many of the vehicles over 100 years old it’s not surprising that some don’t make the journey to Banbury!”

   The Museum will be open from 9am – 5pm. Spectator tickets for the Run cost £9 in advance or £11 on the day for adults and concessions, children cost £7 advance or £9 on the day. All tickets include entry to the Museum and Collections Centre. Camping is also available on the Saturday and Sunday night for a discounted advance price of £26 per pitch for 1 night or £34 per pitch for 2 or 3 nights.

   To find out more about the Banbury Run visit www.banbury-run.co.uk, for more information on the British Motor Museum please visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk  or call 01926 641188.

2. Queen of Bikers Maria Costello proudly takes IAM RoadSmart logo onto the road race circuit

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 22nd May 2019

   Queen of Bikers Maria Costello MBE is now carrying the IAM RoadSmart logo on her Paton Supertwin racing bike, and you will be able to see it at high speed on the Isle of Man and in Northern Ireland this year.

   Maria is a motorcycle legend and for the past three years has been IAM RoadSmart rider ambassador.

   She will race her Supertwin featuring the IAM RoadSmart logo in this year’s road race season; her LCR F2 sidecar will also feature the logo too.

   Maria has an exciting year ahead of her as she will not only run the Paton for her own team at the fearsome Isle of Man TT, but also be competing in the Supertwin class at the International Ulster Grand Prix, where she has held the fastest female lap record.

   Maria said: “I am proud to be running the IAM RoadSmart logo on my bike this year. I always say that road racing is not only about speed - it is about precision, skill and riding to the best of your ability. It is you and your machine in harmony, making the most of what you and your bike can do.

   “These are lessons that can be applied to riding on the road. There is nothing cool or glamorous about riding fast on public roads and putting your own and other lives in danger. The joy comes in handling your bike well, enjoying every dip and curve, while respecting the road and other road users.”

   Maria’s racing CV makes impressive reading: she has made more than 40 starts at the Isle of Man TT and returned there last summer. She became the first woman ever to claim a podium at the 2016 Classic TT alongside 23 times TT winner John McGuinness.

   For five years Maria held the Guinness World Record as the fastest woman to lap the Isle of Man TT course when she lapped the Snaefell mountain course at an average speed of 114.73 mph in 2004.

   Last year she became the first female President of the TT Riders Association in its 67 year history.

   Maria will also be leading a women-only IAM RoadSmart Skills Day for riders, on 16 July at Mallory Park.

   During a day that aims to be fun as well as safe, riders taking part can expect to learn new techniques and gain greater understanding about the capability of their motorcycle from Maria herself. 

   She will be coaching riders to recognise their own capabilities and that of their machines; entry, apex and exit points, how they vary from road to circuit; where to brake, when and how much to brake, how it feels in an emergency; controlled, progressive, smooth cornering; and how to use the accelerator or throttle to add stability to the motorcycle when cornering.

   The cost of the whole day session is £149 per rider. Spaces are strictly limited and subject to availability¹. For more information visit our dedicated web page on Skills Day here: https://www.iamroadsmart.com/skillsday or to book call our Support hotline on 0300 303 1134.

3. ALLIED MEMORIAL REMEMBRANCE RIDE July 6th 2019

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 26th Mar 2019

   This year the date set by the Royal British Legion Riders Branch (RBLR) in association with the American and Canadian veteran riders to hold the 11^th annual Allied Memorial Remembrance Ride (AMRR) will be Saturday the 6th July 2019.

   The ride takes place in Cambridgeshire starting near Cambridge Services on the A14 with a run to the American Military War Cemetery just outside at Madingley. The event commences at 12:30 and runs from the Services with the support of Cambridgeshire Police, ride onto the A14 into Cambridge, escorted by military vehicles and then onto the memorial where there will be a short service.

   It’s organised by the Royal British Legion Riders (RBLR) Branch, a UK charity that safeguards the welfare, interests and memory of those who are serving or who have served in the armed forces

   This event is open to all bikers, not just for members of the RBLR. Anyone can come and join the run and show their respects not matter what their age or what they ride.  People who just want to watch the event or to come along and show support at the service are most welcome to attend or line the route through Cambridge.

   Up to a thousand bikers of all ages and interests from trikes, sidecars, Japanese, Italian, Harleys to classics sports, old and new, attend from all over the country to this growing national event.   Canada and America are also holding many events at the same time as this ride for those fallen heroes of the allied forces past and present who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.   7 rides are taking place across the USA, 3 in Canada and 2 in New Zealand.  

   www.alliedride.org

4. KICKBACK + Prescott Bike Festival 2019

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 6th Mar 2019

   Devitt KICKBACK (The National Custom Bike Show) was launched back in 2010 and this year will be taking place from 15 – 16th June at the annual Prescott Bike Festival in Gloucestershire.
   Devitt KICKBACK will once again be proudly providing a wonderful platform - for the UK’s finest and most talented custom bike builders - to display and showcase their masterpieces. The event will also be hosting The 2019 National Championships (for custom bike building), where all the finalists will be competing for the UK’s most prestigious awards.

   The five classes for the National Champs are:
   Best Freestyle
   Best Young Builder
   Best Butchered (Modified) Classic
   Best Budget Build
   Best (Modified) Performance Sportsbike
   Plus one separate award for Best in Show

   Judging takes place on the special preview day Saturday 15th June with the awards ceremony on the afternoon of Sunday 16th. The specially selected judging panel consists of previous custom bike building award winners, custom magazine editors and VIPs. Racer turned broadcaster Steve Parrish will be one of the judges bringing his own brand of expertise and humour to the occasion. The winning bikes and builders will be given the opportunity to run their masterpieces up the hill after the awards ceremony!

   Devitt KICKBACK and the National Championships takes place inside a massive marquee - as part of the fabulous Prescott Bike Festival, the biggest annual fundraiser for Blood Bikes.

   About Prescott Bike Festival: Prescott Bike Fest prides itself on its diversity and unlike a static bike show, Prescott gives you the unique opportunity to get up close and see, smell and hear and watch the bikes take to the historic hill climb course. The Festival celebrates the best in custom builds, race bikes, factory bikes, prototypes, historic to record beating machines. Featuring the ever popular ‘Run the Hill’ where more than 200 members of the public run the historic hillclimb course on a range of magnificent machines! Plus, paddock specials, celebrity guest appearances, thrilling passenger ride experiences, Show ‘n’ Tell, great food, live hot rockin’ bands, a large exhibitor zone featuring over 100 trade exhibitors with lots to see and buy and a Kids Zone to keep them entertained for hours.

   A ‘Must Do’ day out for all motorcycle enthusiasts!

   For further information on Devitt KICKBACK, please visit: www.TheCustomShow.com
   
   Event Date: Saturday 15 June 2019 (preview day, 12pm-5pm) and Sunday 16 June 2019 (main show, 8.30am-5pm)
   
   Venue: Prescott Hill Climb, Gotherington, Cheltenham, GL52 9RD
   
   Admission Tickets: £12 (advance) for adults on Saturday, £15 (advance) for adults on Sunday, under 16’s free when accompanied by a paying adult.
   
   About Blood Bikes: All proceeds from the event supports the work of Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and Severn Freewheelers. The Blood Bike charities provide a FREE vital out of hours medical transportation service to the NHS. Since its inception, Prescott Bike Festival has raised over £200k to date!

    

5. Four days until the MCN Scottish Motorcycle Show!

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 5th Mar 2019

   There's just four days to go until the 2019 Carole Nash MCN Scottish Motorcycle Show at the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh.

   Bag a bargain in our extensive trade area, view the latest manufacturer models on display - including the 2019 Ducati Panigale V4 R seen for the first time in Scotland, jaw dropping stunts in the Scottish Stunt Freestyle Championship, spend some time down memory lane in our Classic Bike Hall, hear the roar of a range of fantastic engines in our Fire Up Paddock, drool over the metal on show in our brand new Built Not Bought Custom Show and even see guest appearances from Ian Simpson and Tarran MacKenzie on the Knockhill Stage!
   
   Visit www.scottishmotorcycleshow.com for all event details and show tickets