Category: Events and Shows

1. BBC “Bake Off” Star Paul Hollywood to Open 2014 Henry Surtees Challenge

   Posted on 1:02pm Thursday 25th Sep 2014

   ...at Buckmore Park, Kent, on Wednesday 8th October and shall also be taking to the iconic karting track for a few laps ahead of the event!
   
   Over 30 of the finest young British motor racing talent have so far signed up to compete in the unique charity and career enhancing competition, organised by former F1 World Champion John Surtees OBE and the Henry Surtees Foundation, which invites young drivers to battle it out using Club100 Birel karts for the chance to win the best prizes ever offered at a kart meeting and the top three drivers a prestigious Henry ‘H’ trophy.
   
   2013 Challenge winner David Pittard shall be joined by colleagues including 2011 event winner, ex-team mate of Henry’s and BMW driver Alexander Sims; 2012 event winner and current Fortec Motorsports Eurocup driver Jack Aitken and his team mate, Caterham Young Driver, Matt Parry; 2014 ‘Henry Surtees Foundation Team Challenge’ winning team member, Esmee Hawkee (Ginetta Junior Championship driver); recently crowned Formula Renault NEC Champion Ben Barnicoat; six times Buckmore Park Champion, Piers Prior; Bobby Thompson, Scott Malvern, Oliver Rowland, Jack Barlow, Seb Morris and Laura Tillett are just a few of the best of British talent who have signed up to compete again this year. The event seeks to attract drivers from all classes of motorsport, who are in their 15th year and over, but spaces are limited and the field is already 90% complete.
   
   Also on display at the event, after its global media launch this Saturday, will be the new ‘MSA Formula Certified by FIA Powered by Ford EcoBoost’ Mygale car - the UK variant of FIA Formula 4 which replaces the British Formula Ford Championship from next season. The new series adopts the world governing body's blueprint for a universal junior formula open to drivers aged 15 years and over.
   
   John Surtees, OBE: “Paul Hollywood and I have recently had an adventure at Brands Hatch when he tested my 1960 MV Agusta World Championship model motorcycle. When Paul isn’t baking or judging others he is a great two and four wheel enthusiast with his Ducati motorcycle and Aston Martin. He is enthusiastic about karting and will be joining us for the Henry Surtees Foundation charity event at Buckmore Park on Wednesday 8 October. This is targeted at Britain’s finest young up and coming drivers. He will put on a race suit and do a few laps to open the circuit. The same circuit where Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton learnt their skills”.
   
   Now in its fourth year the Henry Surtees Challenge offers a spectacular and unique range of prizes that will accelerate the careers of young drivers and aid them in their race programme preparation for 2015. Prizes for fastest lap, the most unlucky driver and highest finisher 80kg or over will also be awarded.

    

    

   All funds raised by the Henry Surtees Challenge 2014 will support the Henry Surtees Foundation, registered charity number 1137388.

   The funds raised from this event have in the past helped the Henry Surtees Foundation equip the Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance with blood transfusion equipment, and create a new centre at the head injury unit of Headway Tunbridge Wells.

   www.henrysurteesfoundation.com

   Mission Statement - To assist people with accidental brain and physical injuries, provide education and training in technology, engineering and fitness. Advance young people by developing their skills and capabilities so that they can participate in society as independent and responsible individuals.
   
   

2. Kickback show at Donnington

   Posted on 4:09pm Saturday 20th Sep 2014

   Some shots from today's Kickback show at Donnington from Glenn Mills

    

    

    

3. CHILI SET TO FIRE UP THE FANS AT STAFFORD

   Posted on 1:20pm Saturday 20th Sep 2014

   A WORLD superbike legend will add a bit of spice to proceedings this autumn as the red hot action of one of the world’s largest classic motorcycle events heads once again for Staffordshire County Showground.

   Frankie Chili, best remembered in the UK for his battles with rival Carl Fogarty, will be in attendance as the special guest of honour for the 21st Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show on October 18-19 and he’ll be regaling showgoers with stories from a legendary career on track.

   Fogarty too will be in town on the Saturday of the event; the four times World Superbike champion will be stationed on the Oily Rag stand for the day.

   Bertie Simmonds, editor of Classic Motorcycle Mechanics magazine, said: “Frankie’s incredible career stretches back into the 1980s and covers all the eras of machines and famous motorcycle names that are celebrated and showcased at the Stafford event.

   “Many will recall him winning the controversial 500cc race in Misano where wet conditions had meant other top riders refused to start and surely all will look back fondly at the passion and determination he displayed in the WSB races of the 1990s and early 2000s.

   “During that time he was a pace-setter among riders of a high-calibre; not just Foggy but also Aaron Slight, John Kocinski, Anthony Gobert and Simon Crafar.

   “I have no doubt he’ll be a big hit and a popular draw; I for one am already looking forward to the third weekend in October.”

   A new live element has been added to the show for 2014, with organiser Classic Bike Shows utilising the main ring at the venue to host parade sessions.

   Bikes from 1960 through to the present day have been sought out and, as they circle the display area, guest commentators will be talking about the history of each machine and the work that has been done to it.

   Exhibition manager Nick Mowbray said: “Our Stafford event is renowned for its collection of display machines which is one of the most extensive in the world.

   “Now, visitors will be able to see a handful of these machines in action and we expect this to be a welcome addition to our line-up.”

   Bonhams’ annual Autumn Stafford Sale will once again be taking place on the Sunday of the event, with viewing open on Saturday.

   The auction house will be hoping to repeat last year’s success which saw 436 lots sold to make a combined total of over £1.3 million and set a new world record for the sale of a Manx.

   There are also the traditional displays from the Classic Racer Grand Prix Paddock and the Classic Dirt Bike Experience, more than 500 trade stands and autojumble plots to rummage through and a host of exhibits from the top motorcycle clubs in the business.

   Nick added: “The Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show is, by far, the most comprehensive motorcycling weekend when it comes to the modern classics that such a vast number of us bike fans know and love from our younger days.

   “Despite how busy I am, I always have to stop myself from taking home my next project because there’s just so much to see, to do and to buy. And, with a one day adult ticket just £10 when bought in advance – a saving of more than 20% – it’s not just one of the biggest bike shows, it’s the best value-for-money too.”

    

   www.classicbikeshows.com

4. NEW CLASSIC BIKE AUCTION TO DEBUT AT BRISTOL EVENT

   Posted on 9:00am Saturday 20th Sep 2014

   
   CHARTERHOUSE AUCTIONS will host a brand new motorcycle sale next February after announcing a partnership with Classic Bike Shows, organiser of the UK’s biggest classic bike events.

   Taking place on Sunday, February 8, the auction is to be a new addition to the Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show, held annually at the Royal Bath and West in Somerset.

   Matthew Whitney, an associate partner as Charterhouse, said: “We’ve been conducting classic and vintage vehicle auctions for nearly 15 years and now we are looking ahead with great anticipation to our first dedicated motorcycle sale.

   “We are working with Classic Bike Shows and its team to put together some exciting plans and we look forward to seeing them come to life early next year.”

   The event’s exhibition manager, Nick Mowbray, said: “Auctions are a big draw for any motorcycle event and we’re delighted to be working with Charterhouse at our Bristol show.”

   Viewing of the auction lots will be open to all showgoers on Saturday, February 7, at no additional charge on the price of entry while admission to the Sunday sale is by catalogue only and will cost £10, a fee that will give entry to two people.

   With details confirmed, Charterhouse will turn its attention to finalising consignments.

   Matthew added: “Classic machines of all ages, makes and models are welcome, from pioneer bikes of the early 1900s through to the modern classics of the late 1980s.

   “And it’s not just motorcycles; we are interested in rare parts, spares and memorabilia too.”

   Anyone interested in selling at the auction should contact Matthew Whitney via email at [email protected] or by calling 01935 812277.

   And for information on the Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show, visit www.classicbikeshows.com.

5. Thundersprint Takes a Year Off in 2015

   Posted on 5:49pm Wednesday 17th Sep 2014

   Thundersprint organisers Frank and Carol Melling announced that this iconic event will not take place in 2015.

   Frank Melling said: “It’s well known that we have had two disastrously bad years with the weather in 2013 and 2014. The 55mm of rain we had over two days this year at Darley Moor hit spectator attendance very badly. In the simplest possible terms, we just cannot take a chance on a third year of hostile weather.

   “The problem we, and many other organisers, face is that the cost of promoting a big, complex event like the Thundersprint rises every year. Circuit owners want their income guaranteeing regardless of ticket sales. There is nothing wrong with this policy but it means that all the pressure is on the event organiser to cover costs and, hopefully, make a profit. We have talked extensively to a number of venues but there are none available which make economic sense. In the final analysis, we are a two person business and we can’t continue to risk what we have built up over the last seventeen years on the bet that we will have good weather in 2015.

   “The Thundersprint is very much alive and well and Carol and I remain as enthusiastic as ever for the future – if and when the event can make economic sense. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all competitors, traders and spectators for their fantastic support and we hope that they we will all continue to remain the good friends that they are now.”

   www.thundersprint.com