Prescott Bike Fest 2018 is set to be the biggest and best yet having been extended to a two-day event. Not just two days doing the same thing though, much more than that. The popular, family-friendly event will return to the Gloucestershire hill climb on 16-17 June 2018.
Saturday isn’t about track action, that’s being kept for the Sunday but make no mistake, no track doesn’t mean not exciting. Sunday remains as marvellous a day as it’s always been. Together it all adds up to Two Amazing Days – One Winning Weekend.
As ever at Bike Fest, there will be extensive displays of historic, modern and racing motorcycles throughout the weekend with a Paddock Specials Show ’n’ Tell featuring the best in historic, customised, road, race, factory builds, prototypes, shed builds, wacky, jet powered and record beating machines. Literally everything from a 1903 Royal Sovereign, Salon Privé class winner thanks to Brian Glover to the ‘Warhorse’ – the World’s Fastest Monowheel and everything in between. You can chat away to the owners and bike builders on the Saturday and watch them take to the hill on the Sunday.
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; “better than Goodwood”, said one visitor. All the classic marques are well represented with the likes of AJS, BSA, Royal Enfield, Douglas, Matchless, Cotton, Ariel, Norton, Moto Guzzi, Triumph to Velocette to lesser known ones. There are far too many to mention, but here are a few to whet your appetite;
- 1903 Royal Sovereign. The only known survivor from the London Machinist Company who produced motorcycles between 1902-1904. Found in a cellar in Birmingham by the previous owner, restoration had been commenced but he passed away before completion. The present owner purchased the bike and completed it in 2016. It has since been voted ‘Best Veteran’ at the 2016 Stafford Classic Bike show and class winner at the 2017 Salon Prive.
- 1922 Unibus. The granddaddy of the modern scooter. This example is believed to be the only working Unibus in the world and is normally tucked away in a glass case at the Jet Age Museum. This is a unique occasion to see the machine in action. The Gloster Aircraft Company built a handful of these machines post WWI. Talented aviator/designer Harold Boultbee used aviation practice to design a truly “ahead of its time” (by some 30 years!) scooter.
- 1964 Bianchi 498cc Factory Grand Prix race bike designed by the renowned Italian engineer Lino Tonti. This bike has been built utilising original race shop spares with others being re manufactured using the original race shop drawings and casting patterns.
- 1968 BSA 750 special - This beautiful example of a classic British motorcycling icon is probably the finest BSA twin in the UK.
- 1969 Paton Factory Grand Prix bike. This tiny Italian manufacturer produced a small number of 4stroke 500 twins in the late 60s and early 70s which had great success in the World Championships. This bike was sponsored by Liverpool motor dealer Bill Hannah, a well-known sponsor at the time and was raced extensively.
- 1972 Mv Agusta Factory 750cc 4Cyl World Superbike. When Count Augusta heard that Ducati were entering the Imola200 round of newly formed world 750cc championship in 1972, at the very last minute he instructed the race shop to build and enter a factory 750cc bike to win the race. Arturio Magni the race-shop manager produced a small number of bikes for factory riders Giacomo Agostini and Alberto Pagani. This bike was ridden by Pagani.
Gracing the paddock will be iconic motorcycle builder Allen Millyard with five of his marvellous creations including his popular vintage looking (but don’t be fooled!) ‘Flying Millyard’ fitted with two cylinders from a Pratt and Whitney 1340 radial, and a 5.0-litre V-Twin, engine designed for an aeroplane! plus the Millyard crafted Honda SS100 V-twin, believed to be the smallest road legal V Twin motorcycle in the world - even Soichiro Honda would surely have admired this early multi-cylinder effort, a deceptively standard looking V-twin made using the engines from two SS50 sports mopeds.
Matt ‘Madcap McKeown’ creator of both the world’s fastest shopping trolley and the world’s fastest hearse will unveil his new project – the World’s Fastest Wheelbarrow, being built especially for the event using a Honda Fireblade motorcycle engine!
Love it or hate it, Electric is here and BikeFest want to be among the first to showcase it, from high performance supersport motorcycles such as Energica - the ultimate expression of Italian luxury through to Super Soco an affordable urban inspired commuter bike for those who want to get from A to B as cheap as possible. Saturdays ‘Electric Avenue’ will feature the latest in road and race technology, an innovation zone from the Universities and their EV projects plus special displays featuring Formula E and the TT Zero. Of course, motorcycles will always remain at the heart of the event and you’ll be able to see, get close and question the experts in the latest electric vehicle technology too!
Aside from all the incredible machinery, there’s a stellar line-up of entertainment to keep the whole family entertained. On the Saturday there’s ‘Gin & Jazz Fest’ in the Clubhouse – 50 regional gins plus legendary jazz vocalist Tina May, considered as one of the finest jazz vocalist's in the UK, performing throughout the day with supporting acts. Meanwhile the Orchard will be rockin’ with ‘Brews and Blues’. A huge marquee will feature over 20 regional and craft beers, plus a stunning line up of live blues and rockabilly bands.
Throughout the weekend there’s non-stop live music, special guest appearances, ‘On the Edge Stunt Show’, Show ‘n’ Tell area, passenger ride experiences, large kids zone, over 100 quality trade stands, clubs, a beer tent, the Blood Bike Village and great food. You can grab yourself a bargain or maybe treat yourself to a new bike from one of the dealers or manufacturers represented including Harley Davidson, Ducati, Triumph, Honda and MV Augusta.
Prescott Bike Festival is a ‘Must Do’ day out for all motorcycling enthusiasts. What’s more, all event proceeds of the event go to The Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and Severn Freewheelers.
For tickets and more information, visit: www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk
