Category: Events and Shows

1. Edenbridge, Kent came to a standstill to honour Motor sport legend John Surtees OBE

   Posted on 8:27am Thursday 29th May 2014

   Edenbridge, Kent, came to a standstill on Monday 26 May 2014. Undeterred by the weather, thousands of spectators lined the streets to watch motor sport legend, John Surtees OBE, ex Formula Renault and British Formula Ford Champion Scott Malvern and ex Formula 3 British Champion and A1 Grand Prix racer Robbie Kerr, roar through the streets of the town in Team Surtees race vehicles.. The special event in John’s home town helped commemorate the 50th anniversary of his Formula 1 World Championship title, as well as his 80th birthday.

   The parade of John’s rarely seen F1 race cars and bikes ran twice through Edenbridge High Street, before returning to the site that was the Surtees team factory and business base for the past 56 years. John Surtees led the parade in the Ferrari 158 which he won the 1964 Formula One Driver's World Championship driving kindly loaned by George Barber of Birmingham, Alabama, USA and was followed by a Team Surtees Formula One cars for the Seventies, and a procession of over 200 classic bikes and cars all drawn to Edenbridge by the town’s festivities.

   ‘Papa Smurf’ even made a debut appearance to Edenbridge, straight from the Monaco F1 Grand Prix. Papa Smurf is rapidly becoming a social media phenomenon, as his F1 adventures this year pays tribute to the late John Button, aka ‘Papa Smurf’ and, at the request of the Button family, is raising funds for the Henry Surtees Foundation.

   The event was organized by the Eden Valley Chamber of Commerce, as part of Edenbridge Fun Day and featured non-stop entertainment throughout the day including live bands, pram races, dog show, trade stalls, and a classic car and motorcycle display. The event also raised awareness and funds for the Kent Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance and The Henry Surtees Foundation, a foundation established by John Surtees following the tragic death of his son Henry while competing in Formula 2 race in 2009 aged just 18.

   Speaking at the parade John Surtees said: “it’s fantastic to have the High Street closed on a busy Bank Holiday weekend so that we could give all the visitors the sight and sound of Formula One and times gone by. It’s not often that people get to hear and watch Formula 1 cars up close, and judging by the response of the crowds who cheered us through, they must’ve enjoyed it as much as I did.”

   Racing driver Scott Malvern said “it was an absolute honour to drive the TS7, the first Formula 1 car built by Team Surtees here in Edenbridge. I can’t thank John Surtees enough for such an amazing opportunity; truly a day to remember”.

   Peter Kingham, Chairman of The Eden Valley Chamber of Commerce said: “it has always been our intention to make this an annual event centering on the town's racing construction heritage and to help put Edenbridge on the map. The rain certainly did not dampen the spirits of the event; the streets were packed with visitors, many of which had made a long journey specifically to watch the Team Surtees parade. Personally, I would like to thank John Surtees for all the help and effort he, his staff and friends put into making it such a great day and to the Ferrari Owners Club for their support.”

   The Team Surtees and John Surtees related vehicles that took part in the parade were displayed throughout the day outside the Bradford shop, Station Road, where they were built and designed by predominantly local residents, the display included:

   · Ferrari 158 - The actual car that John Surtees won his 1964 Formula One Driver's World Championship racing title driving

   · The TS7 - The first Formula 1 car built by Team Surtees at its Edenbridge base, which John Surtees raced at the British Grand Prix in Brands Hatch in 1970. The vehicle was driven in the parade by Formula Renault Champion, and British Formula Ford & Eurocup Champion Scott Malvern

   · The TS14 Formula 1 car - The first car to be introduced to the new safety regulations in 1972 and was driven by Mike Hailwood and Carlos Pace setting lap records in the German and Austrian Grand Prix. The vehicle was driven in the parade by past Formula 3 British Champion and A1 Grand Prix runner-up Robbie Kerr.

   · The TS15 2-litre Formula 2 car built in 1973 which finished 2nd in that Championship, this car is the prototype that won the prestigious Interlagos race in Brazil driven by Carlos Pace

   · A 1960 MV Agusta four-cylinder GP motorcycle – John Surtees won seven motorcycle championships riding for MV Agusta and 6 Isle of Man TT’s

   · 1957 BMW 507 this is possibly BMW’s most prestigious car and was produced in limited numbers. John Surtees acquired this part as a prize on winning his first motorcycle World Championship with MV Agusta.

   · 500cc 1949 Vincent Grey Flash motorcycle built by John in 1979 using a large number of parts from the original machine that he built in 1950 whilst working as an apprentice at the Vincent Company. John won his first ever race on a Grey Flash at Aberdare Park in Wales that he had built whilst working as an apprentice at the Vincent Company. It was the first of many wins before he transferred to a Norton to compete in International events.

   · 350cc Works Norton this is one of the last works machines built by the original Norton company in the early Sixties and featured an ultra-short-stroke engine of 86mm x 60mm and outside flywheel

2. National Motorcycle Museum 30th Anniversary Photo Competition & Pop Up Art Gallery

   Posted on 8:22am Thursday 29th May 2014

   To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the National Motorcycle Museum is holding a series of celebrations including a photography competition, from 1 August 2014 until the anniversary year culminates with the “free” open day, on Saturday 1st November 2014.

   The winning images will be those which most inspire admiration for the British Motorcycle & the British Motorcycle industry. At the free open day, Museum Director James Hewing plus a leading “classic” magazine editor and one of the star guests from the world of motorcycle racing will judge the photos and announce the winners. Shortlisted entries will be displayed at the Museum prior to final judging.

   First prize will be a weekend break at a UK Best Western hotel. Runners-up will receive a free visit to the Museum for up to five people, including a personal VIP guided tour and lunch at the Museum Restaurant.

   Each image must specify the make and model of British machine featured as well as the photographers name and location where the image was taken. Both professional and budding photographers are invited to contribute with copyright of all material submitted being granted to the National Motorcycle Museum.

   Contributions are invited by e-mail to [email protected] or by post from the following age groups & in the following categories-
   Age Groups- Under 12 Year’s. 12-18 Years. Over 18 Years.
   Categories- Best or Most Unusual Location. Best or Most Unusual Subject Matter. Humorous.

   Pop Up Gallery

   The National Motorcycle Museum is also running a pop-up art gallery; ‘A Celebration of the Motorcycle’ which opens on 1st July 2014. The gallery will feature a variety of works from different specialisms, including sculptures, paintings, photographs and alternative media art. The gallery will be held in the foyer at the museum, for visitors to view at no extra cost, until the 30th anniversary free open day on Saturday 1st November 2014.

   
   The National Motorcycle Museum
   
   Conveniently located in the heart of the Midlands Transport Network, with Birmingham International railway station just a five-minute taxi ride away. At over 1000 machines the National Motorcycle Museum is not only the largest collection of British Motorcycles in the World but also an award-winning venue with conferencing and events facilities. 

   www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk

3. RECORD VISITOR NUMBERS FOLLOWING LAUNCH OF NEW HAYNES INTERNATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM

   Posted on 11:39am Wednesday 28th May 2014

   · Museum sees a 246% increase in visitors following re-launch last month

   · Educational visits up 77%

   · Increase heralded as an “encouraging result” for the West Country economy

   Haynes International Motor Museum has announced an impressive 246% increase in its visitor numbers since its re-launch last month (period 16 April-21 May 2014) – a record in its history. It has also reported a 77% year on year increase in the number of educational visits.

   The Museum, which has a collection of over 400 of some of the greatest cars and motorcycles from around the world, last month saw over 500 guests come to see Culture Minister Ed Vaizey MP open the brand new facility and praise it for the prominent role it plays in the Somerset and West Country economy.

   The £5 million project included the creation of three new exhibitions halls, modernisation of three other halls, creation of Haynes Motorland for children, the development of new function room facilities, new shop, café and entrance foyer and also included the introduction of new interactive exhibits.

   Marc Haynes, Managing Director of Haynes International Motor Museum, said: “We are delighted to have welcomed such an increase in visitors over the last month since our re-opening. This is fantastic news for us and importantly also for the local economy, particularly after a difficult winter when the region was devastated by flooding. All our facilities are fully operational and we look forward to further establishing ourselves as a gateway destination for tourism in the region.

   We are also pleased to see the uplift in visitors for educational reasons. As an educational charitable trust, we have always prided ourselves on providing a fun experience, yet one where visitors can discover the evolution of the car and engineering through the generations, encouraging the young to take an interest in our heritage in an authentic interactive way. Our family friendly exhibits and the new ‘paint a car’ are proving to be particularly popular with our younger – and some of our older! – guests.”

4. Sunshine and big crowds make BMF Show great success

   Posted on 9:00am Thursday 22nd May 2014

   For the first time in 5 years the weather was kind to the BMF Show and as a result thousands flocked to enjoy the weekend.

   From early Friday afternoon campers arrived to enjoy the weather and evening entertainment and they weren’t disappointed with many claiming that it was the best Friday night for years!

   Show organisers The Mulberry Group received very positive feed-back from exhibitors including KTM who were exhibiting for the first time and running demo rides along with Kawasaki, Honda and Suzuki. Harley Davidson, Victory & Indian, WK Bikes and Boom Trikes all reported good interest.

   Visitors arrived early on Saturday morning with the bike park almost full by early afternoon.

   There was a great ‘party’ atmosphere throughout the weekend and appearances by Carl Fogarty, Henry Cole and Don Powell (founder member of 70’s super group SLADE) added to it.

   The Adventure & Overland area was crowded throughout the weekend with people listening to presentations from Sam Manicom, Graham Hoskins, Nick Plum (Touratech), Alex Jackson (Kaapstad), Jacqui Furneaux, Dom Giles, Ed March and Graham Field who was launching his new book Ureka.

   The Best in Show competition received the most number of entries for the past 9 years and the Cavalcade of clubs attracted over 135 bikes of all shapes and sizes!

   Mulberry’s MD Martin Chick said “The weather coupled with manufacturers and the new show areas have clearly boosted attendance which was up by just over 3% giving us 40,889 on site over the weekend” “The show was a great success and gives us a platform to keep building from, increase the numbers further and to get more manufacturers to come back to the show”

   For more information about any of the BMF shows visit www.thebmfshow.co.uk. Or talk to the show organisers, The Mulberry Group, on 01869 277077.

5. Rattlesden Five Bells Bike Show

   Posted on 8:01am Thursday 22nd May 2014

   The show was held on the one acre meadow behind the Five Bells pub was a great success with a fantastic turn out of over 400 bikes of all types.

   The weather was wonderful and everybody had a great time, supported and assisted by local community organizations. There was a small service by local rector Tiffer Robinson, together with the CMA, who blessed the bikes and remembered those no longer with us. Music was provided by Long Days a 3 piece blues/rock outfit from Ipswich. The meadow at the rear of the pub had to be closed at one point due to the high numbers of attendees and local residents allowed parking in their gardens.

   The primary aim was to raise funds for the BBRF (British Biker Relief Foundation, registered as a small charity) and so they managed to raise £2000 for the charity to assist in their work.

   Best in show was won by Clive Ransom, aka Hip from Solo Choppers on a 1976 Harley Shovelhead with paint by Hillary of Hurricane Airbrush Art. The landladies choice was Richard Battley aka Chum on a Harley Softail Breakout.