Biker News - Regularly updated

Welcome to our News section, where articles are listed below and if relevant within the categories on the right, just to make it easier for you to find what you wish to read...

Please note that the content within our News section (text and images), follows the same copyright laws/notice as all other content on the website - ie not to be reproduced (including slightly amending) without prior consent. 

 RSS Feed

Category: Events and Shows

  1. RARE MIKE HAILWOOD WATCH TO BE AUCTIONED AT STAFFORD

    Posted on

    A rare timepiece given to Mike Hailwood by gifted watchmaker and pioneer entrepreneur Jack Heuer will feature in the Bonhams auction at the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show at Stafford later this month.

    Regarded as one of the greatest motorcycle racers of all time, “Mike The Bike” Hailwood later went on to compete in Formula One and other classes of car racing, making him one of a very select few men who competed at Grand Prix level in both motorcycle and car racing.

    It was during his time competing in Formula One that he was presented with the 18k gold Carrera with “To Mike Hailwood for a successful 1972 Jack Heuer” engravedon the case’s back.

    Having only recently been added to the auction, this ‘timely’ late addition was presented to Hailwood in 1973, and was likely to have been partly in thanks for his role in pulling Clay Regazzoni from his burning Formula One car.

    Jack Heuer said about the 18k gold Carrera 1158, which was his favourite model: “These watches have a deep emotional meaning for me, as we have lost drivers to racing accidents.”

    A similar 18k gold Carrera 1158 timepiece sold for around £87,000 at a previous auction.

    Other stand-out lots in the Bonhams auction include a 680 Brough Superior, and a 1949 Series C HRD-badged Girdraulic fork sporting Vincent Rapide expected to prompt a lot of interest. Two Nortons will also feature – a flat tank model 18 and an early, bolt-up frame Featherbed frame Manx which will be both admired and desired. The auction takes place over the Saturday and Sunday of the event, attracting bidders from across the globe.

    Outside of the auction hall, the showground will also be home to excellent club stands, exciting live action including the wall of death and Classic Racer GP Paddock, classic competition machines and special guest stars from iconic eras of motorcycling. Throughout the weekend, the event will feature more than 900 traders, dealers and autojumble stands offering a wealth of parts and spares for every project.

    For October 2019, guests of honour are 10-times world sidecar champion Steve Webster MBE plus the ‘Genius Engineer’ and Classic Motorcycle Mechanics contributor, Allen Millyard, who will both be interviewed by compere Steve Plater.

    The 26th Carole Nash International Classic Motorcycle Show will take place on October 19-20. To find out more about the show, and to save money by buying your advance tickets, visit: https://www.staffordclassicbikeshows.com/

  2. Family Fun at Motorcycle Live…

    Posted on

    Doors open to the ‘two-wheeled-extravaganza’ that is Motorcycle Live in association with Bikesure Insurance at the NEC, on Saturday 16 November - with the show running until the 24 November.
    The show offers families a great place to bring their budding bikers. With free entry for children five and under** and just £1* entry for 6-16 year olds*, there's no excuse not to bring the kids along for a fun-filled day for all.
    Get them on two wheels!
    Whether it's their first go or they're looking to try something electric, there's something for our smaller visitors from 2-12 years old to get involved in - and the best thing? It's FREE!
    Children aged 4-12, can take part in the FREE Arenacross Youth Experience which offers kids the chance to get kitted out, and ride an electric bike on a learner-friendly track. Those aged seven or over can try out OSET machines in the ACU Try Trials area in Hall 3, in the OSET Children’s Riding Feature.
    Brand-new for 2019, the Arenacross Toddler’s Experience is suitable for kids aged 2-5 years old. It's the perfect activity for those too young for an electric bike who still want to have a go. Watch as they take to the specially built course to have some fun and build their confidence on two wheels.
    Family Fun
    The Moto-Cirque Arena is a ‘must visit’ action-packed show - with entry included as part of your entrance ticket. Meet, and watch our professional riders performing breathtaking aerial FMX stunts just inches from the roof, and each other!
    New for this year, the Motorcycle Live Treasure Hunt will offer under-10s the opportunity to work their way around the show, answering questions and bagging goodies along the way.
    Car parking has been subsidised with advanced car parking £10 and £12 on the day. As always, motorcycle parking is FREE in the Monimoto Bike Park.
    Advanced tickets are on sale now, priced at just £19.50 per adult, £12 for Seniors and £1 for 6-16 year olds*. There is also a £25.00 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and an Oxford Products Secure HD Max disc lock worth £25.00, which is collected at the show.

    For book or for more information, visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

  3. Build your perfect day out at Motorcycle Live, in association with Bikesure Insurance

    Posted on

    Calling all motorcycle enthusiasts, Motorcycle Live 2019 - in association with Bikesure Insurance - promises showgoers everything they need to build their perfect day out, under one roof…

    Between Saturday 16 November and Sunday 24 November 2019, bike fans across the UK, and beyond, will descend upon The NEC, Birmingham to visit the UK’s biggest motorcycle show, Motorcycle Live.

    Advertising for the 2019 show is based on the design of a model kit. The concept behind the creative being that Motorcycle Live provides visitors with the tools to build their very own perfect day out - acknowledging that one visitors’ day out, may be very different from another – yet still perfect for them.

    Finlay McAllan, Managing Director of Motorcycle Live, comments: “We pride ourselves on being a show that offers everything under one roof and we place a lot of importance on making sure there is something for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been riding for 40 years or you’ve not got your licence yet, Motorcycle Live is a great place to visit.

    “We know that visitors make the show ‘their’ perfect day out - we just aim to give them the tools to do that - whether you’re bringing your great grandparents or a toddler, there’s something for everyone and we wanted that to be reflected in our advertising this year. There are retail bargains and the chance to try on kit, interviews with riders, a chance to chat directly with manufacturers on their stands and much more. ”

    So, it doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of classics or customs, sports bikes or cafe racers, or you want to take advantage of the 10 FREE opportunities to ride. It’s a great place to go if you want to meet racers and celebrities or if you’re looking for somewhere to go with the kids - Motorcycle Live 2019 has everything you need under one roof.

    Start planning your day now as advanced tickets are on sale. There are savings to be made too with advanced tickets priced at just £19.50 per adult, £12 for Seniors, £1 for 6-16 year olds*. Did we mention it’s FREE for children aged five and under**?

    For the second year, there is also a £25.00 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and an Oxford Products Secure HD Max disc lock worth £25.00, which is collected at the show.

    New for 2019, and following customer feedback, show organisers have subsidised car parking costs for all Motorcycle Live visitors. Advanced car parking will be £10 and £12 on the day. As always, Motorcycle parking is FREE.

    So, what are you waiting for? Whether you’re planning on going yourself or buying them as a gift for a two-wheeled fanatic, buy your tickets for Motorcycle Live now and take advantage of the savings by booking in advance.

    To book or for more information, visitwww.motorcyclelive.co.uk or call 0844 581 2345.

    *Advance ticket prices, closing date for advanced tickets 5pm on 15 November 2019. There is a £1.50 fulfilment fee per order. **Under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult.  All information correct at time of release.

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

    Posted on

    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! VMCC Banbury Run

    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 bikesIts 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.

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

    Posted on

    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.