Category: Events and Shows

1. World GP Bike Legends Roar into the Silverstone Classic‏

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 19th Jul 2016

   Star-studded line-up of World Champions, Grand Prix heroes and awe-inspiring 500cc machines is announced  

   It’s the final countdown: there are now less than two weeks until the star-studded World GP Bike Legends make their eagerly-anticipated UK debut at the Silverstone Classic at the end of this month (29-31 July).
    
   Already firmly established as the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival, the magical event features an unrivalled line-up of races featuring the full spectrum of four-wheeled motor sport history. Now the addition of two-wheeled action will add yet another notable dimension to what’s already an incredible event. 
    
   Even more so as the illustrious line-up of two-wheeler heroes is topped by no fewer than six World Champions – Troy Corser, Wayne Gardner, Jim Redman, Phil Read, Christian Sarron and Freddie Spencer – all riding iconic 500cc two-strokes bikes from the golden age of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
    
   Described as the biggest, baddest and most evil racing motorcycles ever to see a track, these much-missed 200+mph monsters dominated the premier league of bike World Championships for almost three glorious decades. Back in the eighties both Gardner and Spencer won the British Motorcycle Grand Prix at Silverstone aboard these 500cc beasts and both champions will be reliving those victories on their return to the superfast Northamptonshire venue at the Classic.
    
   Visitors to Silverstone not only will be treated to the evocative sights and sounds of these legendry riders and bikes roaring around the full Grand Prix circuit on both Saturday and Sunday but they will also be able to meet their idols during what are certain to be massively popular autograph sessions over the weekend.
    
   The riders entered for the World GP Bike Legends showcase at the Silverstone Classic are:
    
   Troy Corser (AUS) 1981 Kawasaki KR500
   Competed in seven 500cc GPs in 1997 also 377 Superbike World Championship starts from 1992 to 2011 with 33 wins, 130 podiums and 43 pole positions. Superbike World Champion in 1996 and 2005.
    
   Simon Crafar (NZL) 1989 Cagiva V589
   Competed in 32 250cc/500cc GPs from 1993-1999 winning the British 500cc GP at Donington in 1998.
    
   Didier de Radigues (BEL) 1998 Suzuki RGV500 XR88
   Competed in 82 500cc GPs between 1983-1991 with two podium finishes. Four wins in 250cc & 350cc GPs with 12 pole positions.
    
   Wayne Gardner (AUS) 1999 Suzuki RGV500 XR89
   500cc World Champion in 1987, runner up in 1986 & 1988. Scored 18 500cc GP wins with 51 podiums, 19 pole positions and 19 fastest laps.
    
   Phil Read (UK) 1976 Suzuki RG500 Mk1
   500cc World Champion in 1973 & 1974 with 10 500cc GP wins from 1973-1975. 250cc World Champion in 1964, 1965, 1968 & 1971. 125cc World Champion in 1968. Scored 52 GP wins.
    
   Jim Redman (UK) 1980 Suzuki RG500
   250cc and 350cc double World Champion in 1962 & 1963. 350cc World Champion in 1964 & 1965. Scored 45 GP wins, 98 podiums and 35 fastest laps.
    
   Christian Sarron (FRA) 1995 Yamaha YZR500
   Competed in 148 250cc/350cc/500cc GPs from 1976-1990 scoring seven wins, 37 podium and 11 pole positions. Won the 250cc World Championship in 1984.
    
   Niggi Schmassmann (SUI) 1996 Yamaha YZR500
   Competed in 57 500cc GPs from 1988-1996. Four-time German 500cc Champion.
    
   Freddie Spencer (USA) 1984 Honda NS500
   500cc World Champion in 1983 and 500cc/250cc double World Champion in 1985. Scored 27 GP wins, 39 podiums, 33 pole positions and 24 fastest laps.
    
   With so many renowned champions and such an awesome selection of 500cc bikes, it’s no surprise that World GP Bike Legends rider and ambassador, Wayne Gardner is excited by what’s planned for the Silverstone Classic.
    
   “It’s an absolute honour for us to be invited to such an unbelievably successful event,” enthused the Australian. “The two previous events we have been part of in Spain and Germany proved huge successes with the riders and fans, and I have absolutely no doubt that Silverstone will be every bit as special. It’s a daunting circuit that has some fantastic memories for many of us who were lucky enough to race in the epic 500cc era.
    
   “I’m sure those lucky enough to have experienced the racing back then will be really excited now to have the chance to relive those glory days. For others who were perhaps too young back in the eighties and nineties, this will be a wonderful opportunity for them to understand just why so many people are still raving about these phenomenal two-strokes.
    
   “We have put together a fabulous collection of spine-chilling bikes representing all the top manufacturers: Cagiva, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha. The gathering of legendary riders is pretty impressive, too. Believe me, it will be an absolutely fantastic show.”
    
   All tickets for the Silverstone Classic must be purchased in advance. Adult admission starts at £42, with £6 admission for accompanied children aged between six and 16 years old. A wide range of weekend, camping, VIP hospitality and Family Tickets are also available. Adding to the festival’s immense appeal, tickets include free entrance to both racing paddocks and pit complexes, trackside grandstands, the World GP Bike Legend autograph sessions plus the live music concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings. Full details can be found on the official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.  

2. Festival of Bikes update

   Posted on 12:16pm Tuesday 12th Jul 2016

   Real Bike Sheds getting ready for Festival     

   Motorcycle designers, fabricators, engineers and assemblers are getting their masterpieces all sorted for the 2016 Festival of Bikes. In garages, sheds and workshops all over the UK our finest builders are putting the finishing touches to their works of art. Around 100 stunning machines will be on display at the Cheltenham Racecourse inside the Centaur Hall.
   
   To complement all the gorgeous custom engineered bikes, classics, vintage and rare race bikes there will also be a fine display of top draw clothing, gear, accessories and motorcycle art. There will be live music, coffee, tea and a bar of course. Plus ample free car parking. Most visiting motorcyclists will be able to rock up and park their bikes right outside the main entrance, always cool!

   The 2016 Festival of Bikes takes place at the World famous Cheltenham Racecourse on Sunday 21 August. The show opens at 11am - 5.30pm.

   Tickets are available for just £8.95 in advance (including kids for a quid deal). Please visit TheCustomShow.com

3. National BMW Festival to celebrate 100 years of BMW's!‏

   Posted on 9:00am Sunday 10th Jul 2016

   Hundreds of BMWs will descend on the British Motor Museum when it hosts the annual BMW Car Club National Festival on Sunday 14th August. The event, which is Europe’s largest gathering of BMW’s, will celebrate 100 years of BMW and promises to be even bigger and better than before. Last year there were over 800 vehicles on display and this year they hope to double it, with models including M Power, Alpina, ZED, as well as modern, classic and modified models plus MINI’s will take part in the popular show.

   The focal point of the event will be the driving arena, where there will be a master of ceremonies, Steve Deeks. There will be speeches by the regional chairs, presentations of the concours and competition winners as well as live music entertainment. Other activities will include a drifiting track, laser shooting, mini tanks, radio controlled cars, a wheel changing competition, show and shine competition, tombola, lots of trade stands and a special display of 100 cars forming the figure ‘100’ to be photographed from the air.

   Representatives from insurance companies will be on hand as well as staff from the BMW Car Club to answer questions and enrol new members. There will also be the club’s register and regional displays, all taking place in and around the British Motor Museum.

   Tom Caren, Show Manager for the British Motor Museum stated “The BMW Festival is a fantastic family day out. To mark this special anniversary year we will be organising plenty of additional activities to entertain visitors. Seeing so many BMW’s on display from different decades is a brilliant spectacle to see!”.

   Tickets cost £17 for adults, £9 for children (under 5’s are free) and £45 for a family. Entry to the Museum is also included in the ticket price. Discounted tickets are available in advance from the BMW Car Club Office on 01970 267 989 or www.bmwcarclubgb.co.uk

   To find out more about the British Motor Museum please visit the website at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk

4. Motorcycle Live 2016 – buy in advance to save money and win prizes

   Posted on 9:00am Saturday 9th Jul 2016

   Tickets for Motorcycle Live 2016 – the UK’s biggest bike show, offering live features, riding opportunities and entertainment for visitors of all ages – go on sale next month. This year advance purchasers will enjoy even bigger savings on the entry fee, plus the chance to win one of hundreds of prizes in the show’s all-new Golden Ticket promotion. The all-inclusive ticket will now also include FREE entry into the FMX Live Arena.

   An advance adult ticket is priced at just £19.50 – a massive £5.50 less than the on-the-door price. Families will also benefit from the new pricing structure, with kids aged 11-16 paying just £1, both in advance and on-the-door, and kids aged 10 and under getting in FREE. This means the entry fee for a family of four now comes in at well under £50.

   Those buying in advance online could be in with the chance of receiving one of hundreds of Golden Tickets, and will find out instantly whether they have won a prize. The Golden Ticket prize pool will include anything from keyrings, caps and t-shirts, to motorcycle clothing, helmets and boots, VIP racing tickets and experience days. The prize pool will be constantly replenished so there is always the chance to win.

   Motorcycle Live 2016 takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 19-27 November. Advance tickets go on sale at 9am on Monday 1 August, at just £19.50 per adult, £12 for Seniors, £1 for 11-16 year olds* and FREE for children aged ten and under (accompanied by a paying adult).

   *Advance ticket price, closing date for advanced tickets is midnight on 18 November 2016. There is a £1.50 fulfilment fee per order.
   
   
   

5. ON ANY SUNDAY STARS TO HEADLINE THE STAFFORD SHOW

   Posted on 8:00am Friday 8th Jul 2016

   FOUR of the cast from iconic motorcycle documentary On Any Sunday are set for guest of honour duties at Stafford’s massive annual motorcycle event this autumn.
   

   Gracing the Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show on the weekend of October 15-16 will be former racers David Aldana, Don Emde, Mert Lawwill and Gene Romero who each had central roles in Bruce Brown’s legendary 1972 film.
   

   Classic Racer magazine editor Malc Wheeler said: “On Any Sunday will have played its part in inspiring many of our Stafford showgoers to get on two wheels in their youth, and I’m sure there will be plenty of excitement as they get to meet four of its stars.”
   

   As well as finding fame on the big screen, all four of the guests also took part in the Anglo-American Match Races in held in the UK in the 1970s at circuits such as Brands Hatch, Mallory Park and Oulton Park. Mert Lawwill’s appearance at the show will be his first visit to the UK since that time.
   

   The rest of the event – the biggest of its kind in the world – will feature its traditional blend of hundreds of trade stands, a massive autojumble, firing up of race bikes in the Classic Racer GP Paddock, trials demonstrations in the Classic Dirt Bike Experience, the Stafford Autumn Sale from Bonhams, a live restoration theatre and more.
   

   classicbikeshows.com