Category: Events and Shows

1. Queen of Bikers joins festival line-up!

   Posted on 10:20am Monday 8th Feb 2016

   Prescott Bike Festival takes place once again on Sunday 17th April 2016 at Prescott Hill Climb, near Cheltenham. The Festival prides itself on its diversity and celebrates engineering excellence; from rare, classic, modern, customised to hand built bikes and those of historic significance, this year the organisers have secured the most diverse motorcycles yet, from the World’s fastest shopping trolley powered by a Chinook helicopter engine (holds record speed of 70.4mph/ 113.298kmh), the Carlos Checa's MotoGP bike through to Bob Farmer, winner of the 1966 Lightweight Manx TT with his 1960's Aermacchi (the model he took the win on).

   The organisers are delighted to announce that Blood Bike ambassador and ‘Queen of Bikers’ Maria Costello MBE is the latest personality to join the line-up for this year’s Prescott Bike Festival. Maria is best known for being the female TT lap record holder and first woman to ever secure a podium finish at the Manx Grand Prix. She has held the Guinness World Record for the fastest woman to lap the Isle of Man TT Course, with an average speed of 114.73mph, and is currently the fastest female ever around the Ulster Grand Prix course. Maria was awarded an MBE in 2009 for services to motorcycling. Maria founded “Woman on a Motorcycle” in 2012, her women only track days is for women of all riding abilities, that wish to improve their riding skills, gain confidence, receive support, training and guidance from Maria. This will be Maria’s debut at Prescott and she is really looking forward to taking to the historic hill climb course.

   Unlike a static bike show, Prescott gives visitors the unique opportunity to get up close to see smell and hear lots of historic, classic and race bikes run the historic hill climb course; “better than Goodwood”, said one excited visitor. There are so many significant motorcycles heading to Prescott this year including the Kevin Schwantz' 1995 Suzuki RGV500 XR85, the last Suzuki GP bike Schwantz ever rode.

   Whilst there are just too many entries to mention, here are a few to whet your appetite;
   
   • A 1988 Bimota YB6, 1000cc - One of only 510 YB6’s built by Bimota with the FZR1000 engine. This bike was owned by the President of the Bimota Club in Italy, before being imported to the UK in 2015 by present owner
   • A 1989 Yamaha FZR750RR OW01, 750cc. Only 500 of these bikes were built to homologate them for World Superbike entry, most of which went straight onto the race track, with very few remaining in road trim
   • A 1997 Honda CBR600 600cc World Supersport race bike formally raced by James Toseland
   • The 2002 Vertemati Supermoto 570cc David Jeffries Supermoto factory race bike
   • The 2005 Honda Fireblade 1000cc, Ex Ian Hughes TT bike, Southern 100 winner and Macau GP bike
   • Plus an incredible collection of KTM SuperMoto bikes, including the British Championship winning machine

   For the first time, we welcome riders from British Mini Bikes plus Talan Skeels Piggins, the world’s first paraplegic racer, in between racing his SV650 and skiing for Great Britain, he runs the charity ‘The Bike Experience’ helping soldiers injured in combat to get back on a bike.

   Another Prescott debut will be Tom ‘The Atom’ Anable, a Lincolnshire based rider, who has designed, built and engineered several Monowheel machines that has held several records. It’s sure to be a great spectacle, when he completes an extraordinary run of the renowned hill climb course.

   Also in the paddock, will be Nuclear Research Engineer and iconic motorcycle builder Allen Millyard who will regularly fire up, and take to the hill on his home-built ‘Flying Millyard’. Despite resembling a classic 1920s sedate two-wheeled Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, this beast has two cylinders from a Pratt and Whitney 1340 radial, and a 5.0-litre V-Twin, engine designed for an aeroplane.

   Prescott Bike festival is truly a big celebration of man and machine with large displays of historic, modern and race bikes, plus a Paddock Specials Show ‘n’ Tell area and the unique opportunity for members of the public to take part in the spectacle by ‘running the hill’ or participating in a thrilling passenger ride experience. There’s also a whole raft of entertainment too from live music, stunt shows, biker celebrity appearances and hundreds of trade stands, motorcycle manufacturers, dealer zone, motorcycle clubs, demo areas - what’s more it helps to raise vital money and awareness for the Blood Bike charities.

   There’s so much to see and do:

   Ride: You can ride the world famous Prescott Hill and be a Star of the Show, entries are limited and all places for 2016 are now booked but there’s lots of general admission tickets – book now to save 20% off the gate price

   See: Get up close and personal with over 100 historic, rare, modern, factory race bikes, one off special builds and more. Lunchtime interviews in the Paddock with the riders and their bikes. Plus Club stands, Motorcycle manufacturers and more.

   Do: Take the ride of your life with a thrilling passenger ride experience in a Formula Two or Watsonian Squire Sidecar, a Morgan Three Wheeler, Grinnall Trike or Scorpion – available to purchase on the day (leathers required). The Army Reserve will be attending with a Man SV Recovery Truck and providing Career advice; plus visitors can try their hand on the climbing wall and Airsoft Rifle Range.

   Meet: Come and meet our special ‘biker’ celebs including; James Hillier, Lightweight TT (650cc) outright lap record, a member of the exclusive '132 club' and the 3rd fastest man round the TT course; former British Superbike and Isle of Man TT road racer Steve Plater; multiple British and Australia Supermoto champion, Chris Hodgson; son of ‘Mike the Bike’ David Hailwood plus BSB rider Richard Cooper, Charlie Nesbitt and for something a little bit bonkers - Matt McKeown and his World's Fastest jet-powered Shopping Trolley! Plus lots more yet to be announced!

   Watch: ‘On The Edge’ motorcycle stunt show - probably the best Trials Stunt Show we’ve ever seen. Plus the welcome return of the George Formby tribute act from the motorcycle film, No Limit? He’ll also take to the hill on his 1920 ‘Shuttleworth Snap’

   Buy: Bring lots of cash, with over 100 trade stands and all the motorcycle manufacturers there’s bound to be something you like.

   Plus: Live music by 1950s inspired rockabilly band, Josie and the Outlaw plus Chickenbone John and his custom guitars! And great food and drink throughout the day.

   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.

   Gates Opens at: 08:30am, Track starts at: 10:00am, Festival closes at: 17:00.

   Exclusive infield motorcycle parking for Pre-1990 motorcycles: limited numbers, advance booking essential.

   Advance general admission tickets cost just £12 and are available online at www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk

   Free parking, free motorcycle side stand puck and free helmet park for bikers
   
   All details of exhibitors and celebrity appearances are available on the website.

   Prescott Bike Festival - Sunday 17th April 2016

   Prescott Hill Climb, Gotherington, near Cheltenham, GL52 9RD

   The biggest annual fundraiser for the Blood Bike charities

    

   

2. Iconic Motorcycles to take to Prescott Hill Climb

   Posted on 4:00pm Tuesday 2nd Feb 2016

   Prescott Bike Festival will take place once again on Sunday 17th April 2016 at Prescott Hill Climb, near Cheltenham. The Festival prides itself on its diversity and celebrates engineering excellence; from rare, classic, modern, customised to hand built bikes and those of historic significance, this year the organisers have secured the most diverse motorcycles yet, from the World’s fastest shopping trolley powered by a Chinook helicopter engine (holds record speed of 70.4mph/ 113.298kmh), the Carlos Checa's MotoGP bike through to Bob Farmer, winner of the 1966 Lightweight Manx TT with his 1960's Aermacchi (the model he took the win on). 

   Unlike a static bike show, Prescott gives you the unique opportunity to get up close to see smell and hear lots of historic, classic and race bikes run the historic hill climb course; “better than Goodwood”, said one excited visitor. There are so many significant motorcycles heading to Prescott this year including the Kevin Schwantz' 1995 Suzuki RGV500 XR85, the last Suzuki GP bike Schwantz ever rode.

   Whilst there are just too many entries to mention, here are a few to whet your appetite;
   
   • A 1988 Bimota YB6, 1000cc - One of only 510 YB6’s built by Bimota with the FZR1000 engine. This bike was owned by the President of the Bimota Club in Italy, before being imported to the UK in 2015 by present owner
   • A 1989 Yamaha FZR750RR OW01, 750cc. Only 500 of these bikes were built to homologate them for World Superbike entry, most of which went straight onto the race track, with very few remaining in road trim
   • A 1997 Honda CBR600 600cc World Supersport race bike formally raced by James Toseland
   • The 2002 Vertemati Supermoto 570cc David Jeffries Supermoto factory race bike
   • The 2005 Honda Fireblade 1000cc, Ex Ian Hughes TT bike, Southern 100 winner and Macau GP bike
   • Plus an incredible collection of KTM SuperMoto bikes, including the British Championship winning machine

   For the first time, we welcome riders from British Mini Bikes plus Talan Skeels Piggins, the world’s first paraplegic racer, in between racing his SV650 and skiing for Great Britain, he runs the charity ‘The Bike Experience’ helping soldiers injured in combat to get back on a bike.

   Another Prescott debut will be Tom ‘The Atom’ Anable, a Lincolnshire based rider, who has designed, built and engineered several Monowheel machines that has held several records. It’s sure to be a great spectacle, when he completes an extraordinary run of the renowned hill climb course.

   Also in the paddock, will be Nuclear Research Engineer and iconic motorcycle builder Allen Millyard who will regularly fire up, and take to the hill on his home-built ‘Flying Millyard’. Despite resembling a classic 1920s sedate two-wheeled Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, this beast has two cylinders from a Pratt and Whitney 1340 radial, and a 5.0-litre V-Twin, engine designed for an aeroplane.

   Prescott Bike festival is truly a big celebration of man and machine with large displays of historic, modern and race bikes, plus a Paddock Specials Show ‘n’ Tell area and the unique opportunity for members of the public to take part in the spectacle by ‘running the hill’ or participating in a thrilling passenger ride experience. There’s also a whole raft of entertainment too from live music, stunt shows, biker celebrity appearances and hundreds of trade stands, motorcycle manufacturers, dealer zone, motorcycle clubs, demo areas - what’s more it helps to raise vital money and awareness for the Blood Bike charities.

   There’s so much to see and do:

   Ride: You can ride the world famous Prescott Hill and be a Star of the Show, entries are limited and all places for 2016 are now booked but there’s lots of general admission tickets – book now to save 20% off the gate price

   See: Get up close and personal with over 100 historic, rare, modern, factory race bikes, one off special builds and more. Lunchtime interviews in the Paddock with the riders and their bikes. Plus Club stands, Motorcycle manufacturers and more.

   Do: Take the ride of your life with a thrilling passenger ride experience in a Formula Two or Watsonian Squire Sidecar, a Morgan Three Wheeler, Grinnall Trike or Scorpion – available to purchase on the day (leathers required). The Army Reserve will be attending with a Man SV Recovery Truck and providing Career advice; plus visitors can try their hand on the climbing wall and Airsoft Rifle Range.

   Meet: Come and meet our special ‘biker’ celebs including; James Hillier, Lightweight TT (650cc) outright lap record, a member of the exclusive '132 club' and the 3rd fastest man round the TT course; former British Superbike and Isle of Man TT road racer Steve Plater; Skyzone Racing featuring multiple British champion, Chris Hodgson;; son of ‘Mike the Bike’ David Hailwood plus BSB rider Richard Cooper, Charlie Nesbitt and for something a little bit bonkers - Matt McKeown and his World's Fastest jet-powered Shopping Trolley! Plus lots more yet to be announced!

   Watch: ‘On The Edge’ motorcycle stunt show - probably the best Trials Stunt Show we’ve ever seen. Plus the welcome return of the George Formby tribute act from the motorcycle film, No Limit? He’ll also take to the hill on his 1920 ‘Shuttleworth Snap’

   Buy: Bring lots of cash, with over 100 trade stands and all the motorcycle manufacturers there’s bound to be something you like.

   Plus: Live music by 1950s inspired rockabilly band, Josie and the Outlaw plus Chickenbone John and his custom guitars! And great food and drink throughout the day.

   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.

   Gates Opens at: 08:30am, Track starts at: 10:00am, Festival closes at: 17:00.

   Exclusive infield motorcycle parking for Pre-1990 motorcycles: limited numbers, advance booking essential.

   Advance general admission tickets cost just £12 and are available online at: www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk

   Free parking, free motorcycle side stand puck and free helmet park for bikers. All details of exhibitors and celebrity appearances are available on the website.

   
   Prescott Bike Festival - Sunday 17 April 2016

   Prescott Hill Climb, Gotherington, Nr Cheltenham GL52 9RD

   The biggest annual fundraiser for the Blood Bike charities

3. Ace of Hearts at Ace Cafe

   Posted on 10:00am Monday 1st Feb 2016

   Ace Cafe is joining the British Heart Foundation in its fight for every heartbeat. Wear it. Beat it. this February 5th to help raise £1 million for life saving research

   Ace Cafe London will be joining the fight against heart disease by encouraging all to wear red on February 5th at the cafe to help support the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) Wear it. Beat it. campaign to raise £1 million for life saving research.

   From 6pm, Bike Night – Streetfighters, everyone who puts a donation into the BHF charity collecting tins on the counter at the cafe will receive a raffle ticket and the chance to win some Ace goodies, with the draw being held at 10pm.

   Cardiovascular disease is responsible for around 155,000 UK deaths each year – around one every three minutes. Through the public’s generosity, the BHF will fund half a billion pounds of new research over the next five years which will be central to discovering vital treatments for people living with heart and circulatory conditions.

   By signing up to Wear it. Beat it. You can help power these life saving discoveries. Whether you choose to go all out or just wear a splash of red, join the fun across the UK by wearing red and organising an event this February 5th to show your support.

   It’s a great way to get friends, family or work colleagues together and help make a difference to millions.

   Since 2009 Wear it. Beat it. has raised over £6 million towards new cardiovascular science. Last year, an amazing 23,000 people took part in Wear it. Beat it. The BHF is calling for even more of you to get involved to help us raise £1 million next year!

   Fancy a cheery red tea break at work, a yummy red bake sale after school or a jolly red happy hour at home with your friends? Whether you think up your own idea or pinch one of our ready-made ones, it’s the taking part and showing your heart that matters.

   Don’t forget to put yourself and your friends in the picture and share your photos on our Wear It. Beat It. photo wall to inspire more people to get involved.

   Nicola Reavey, BHF Fundraising Manager for Central, North and West London, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Ace Cafe London for organising and for joining us in the fight for every heartbeat and signing up to Wear it Beat it. “Our life saving research is powered by the enormous generosity of our supporters. Every pound raised will help us change the lives of millions living with heart and circulatory conditions. That’s why we want everyone to join us and wear red this February 5th.”

   To find out more or to sign up to Wear it. Beat it. Visit www.bhf.org.uk/red to get your free fundraising pack, full of ready-made ideas to make the most of your event.

   For more information about what's on at the Ace, check out the scrolling calendar: www.ace-cafe-london.com

4. VMCC at MCN Scottish show‏

   Posted on 10:00am Friday 15th Jan 2016

   The VMCC will have a big presence at the Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston, near Edinburgh, on 12-13 March, 2016. Auld Reekie Edinburgh (ARE), Clyde Valley and Central Scottish Sections and the new Glasgow Group will all be exhibiting. HQ will also be attending, bringing up the latest raffle bikes and opportunities to meet and talk to Tim Penn, VMCC President and Giles Willison, General Manager. This combined effort should result in the VMCC being one of the largest exhibitors in the Classic Hall. There will be at least twenty bikes on display covering all ages from the veterans through to the modern classics. The Club hopes that it will help to get a stronger message across to attract new members with a special "join at the event" offer just for the show.

   VMCC President, Tim Penn, said,” It is the first time that VMCC HQ has taken the decision to exhibit in Scotland and offers a great opportunity for members to meet Allen House staff. Scotland is a hotbed of activity at present and we are keen to do our bit to support the Scottish membership. The raffle bikes should attract a lot of interest and there will be a promotional offer at the Show to encourage new recruits to join the Club. Make a note in your diary and come along and see us at Ingliston and spread the word that it would be a great opportunity for new recruits to join the Club and get involved in the vibrant Scottish scene.”

5. Motorcycle Race-Aces Whitham And Plater Steal The Show At Newark‏

   Posted on 10:00am Tuesday 12th Jan 2016

   ON-STAGE chats between former motorcycle racers James Whitham and Steve Plater were among the highlights for a bumper crowd at Newark Showground's classic bike event this past weekend - January 9-10.

   The Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic

   The duo shared plenty of laughs with the audience at the Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic as they talked about James’s race career and subsequent life as a TV commentator; many behind-the-scenes tales and outtakes being revealed from the latter.   James said: “I love these shows; talking to people about bikes and racing… I can’t get enough of it.”   The Yorkshireman had also bought two of his own restoration projects – a 1981 Suzuki GT250 X7 and a 1986 TZ50 S – to display at the classic event alongside the hundreds of private entry and club bikes being inspected by showgoers throughout the weekend.   James added: “I’ve worked on both bikes myself. My aim has been to keep them simple and original – and also I want to not make them too ‘mint’ as I plan to ride them. I don’t like the idea of having a bike that’s not going to be used.”

   Also getting plenty of attention was the Best-in-Show-winning Triumph Trident ‘Hyde Harrier’ owned by Jeff Elliot.

   Jeff built his machine from scratch with only the frame as a starting point – a project he started two years ago. When asked what made triples so appealing to him, he replied simply by saying: “The noise,” with a grin on his face.

   Scooter World proved popular once again with club displays and trade stands lining up alongside have-a-go activities such as the skills challenge and an engine rebuild competition.

   Charity events took place in two scooter halls and Saturday evening dinner – including two auctions of scooter accessories and memorabilia – raising a total of around £4000.

   Classic Bike Shows’ head of the event Nick Mowbray said: “This fifth running of the show has undoubtedly been one of the most successful yet. The superb variety of machines on display is testament to the come-one, come-all theme of the show and it really was a celebration of all things classic motorcycling.

   “Add to that the atmosphere and enthusiasm of the Scooter World halls and it’s fair to say we are going home delighted with how the weekend has gone.”

   Motorcycle events return to Newark Showground throughout the year at the ’Normous Newark Autojumbles which take place on selected Sundays in 2016 – the next being on January 31.

   For Classic Bike Shows, attention now turns to the South West and the February 6-7 Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show at Shepton Mallet.