Category: Events and Shows

1. Motorcycle Live 2014 – tickets on sale now!

   Posted on 5:00pm Monday 4th Aug 2014

   The countdown to Motorcycle Live 2014 has officially begun. Tickets for the UK’s biggest and best bike show, which will return to The NEC, Birmingham from 22-30 November, are available now.

   Every November, thousands of two-wheel fans and their families make the winter-season pilgrimage to Motorcycle Live to see the next year’s new models in the UK for the first time. This year will be no different, with more manufacturers signed up than ever before – each one showcasing the very latest machinery, from sports bikes and scooters to adventure models and off-roaders.

   In addition to the new metal, visitors get a jam-packed day of entertainment with Classic and Custom Xtreme zones, the Crank’d live action stunt show, the Behind Bars cinema experience, more than nine opportunities to ride a bike, loads of retail stands to bag a bargain, the chance to meet and greet their racing heroes and the ever-popular Blackhorse stage in the British Eurosport Entertainment Zone – which will again feature non-stop action every day with live chats, games and quiz shows.

   Motorcycle Live takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 22-30 November 2014. Advance tickets are just £17 per adult, £11 for Seniors and £7 for children aged 11-16* (kids ten and under accompanied by a paying adult go free). There is also a £20 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and a three-pack of Oxford Comfy neck warmers worth £15.

   To book, call 0844 581 2345 or click here.

   *Advance ticket price, closing date for advanced tickets 5.00pm on 21 November 2014.
   
   All information correct at time of going to press.

2. BHR RACE MEETING AT DARLEY MOOR ON THE 26/27TH JULY 2014

   Posted on 9:03am Saturday 2nd Aug 2014

   The penultimate race meeting on the sun blessed Derbyshire circuit and with sixty points maximum to gain at our final race meeting at Cadwell Park on 27/28th of September eight of our championships were concluded. This leaves five to be determined at Cadwell.
   
   47 Mervyn Stratford on his beautifully engineered 250cc Rudge has secured the Tuers Garage pre 1949 and the pre 1963 up to 250cc championships. This is despite being led home four times by 2 Ian Bain Norton CS1 in the pre 1949 races.
   
   The Palletforce pre 1963,251-350cc Championship winner is 195 Graham Buller Norton 40M despite have to abandon the meeting half way through after becoming ill, get well soon Graham, and 59 Jack Hebb not able to close the gap.
   
   The Goodwin 1963 to 1972, 251-350cc Championship winner although beaten four times by 261 Richard Hawkins Ducati Mk111,is 74 Dave Matravers Norton Manx by 99 points.
   
   The Classic Racer Magazine BEARS F1, 751cc to unlimited and F2 501 to 750cc championships have been settled. 257 Richard Stubbs BMW R100 is more than 100 points clear of 55 Ben Kingham BMW K110RS in the F1 championship and 229 Bobby Bevan Norton Commando in a similar position in the F2 championship.

   The Bonhams Auctioneers vintage members aged over 50 years solo Championship winner is 253 Scott Harris Norton Kirby. Joint second place are 26 Tim Woolley and 68 Keith Riley.
   
   The Penguin Speed Shops B3 Cyclecars & Morgans unlimited to 1972 champion is 34 Bill/Maggie Tuer Morgan Racing having a comfortable 90 point lead over 27 Steve Hutchinson/Norma Prime Berkeley T60.
   
   The 1963 to 1972 up to 250cc solo championship will be a two man battle at Cadwell between 100 Andy Hunt Ducati and 97 Rob Butler Ducati with a points difference of 31.
   
   The Footman James pre 1963 solo pre 351 to 500cc Championship is being led by 239 Mike Bevan Norton Dommi from 59 Jack Hebb Norton Manx but with a 59 point difference Mike only needs 2 point to secure the championship.
   
   The Bob Newby Racing for 1963 to 500cc solo’s is probably the closest championship battle with only 4 points separating 33 Mike Powell and 74 Dave Matravers both Seeley G50 mounted a cliff hanger for Cadwell.

   The 1963 to 1972 over 500cc solo Championship races was dominated by 114 Rob Walker Velocette Venom Seeley winning all four races but the championship is a battle between 239 Mike Bevan Norton Seeley and 253 Scott Harris Norton Kirby with 50 points separating them. The sidecar based twin cylinder two valves per cylinder up to 750cc three wheelers will be a three team battle at Cadwell with only a few points separating the top three of 77 Phil Holt/Jeff Gamble Crick BSA A65, 61 Denis Whitehouse/Ben Weston Triumph NMS and 197 Adrian/Robert Dawson BMW 70 , bring on Cadwell. Sidecar outfits of pre 1959 is being led by 29 Adam Pope/John Christopher Triumph Thunderbird by 48 points from 12 Mark and Sue Whittaker BSA Road Rocket.

   The BEARS Sidecars is being led by 13 John Lorriman/Jim Steel by 8 points from 49 Phil Jones/Claire Duplock both BMW K100’s. 29 Adam Pope/John Christopher who came into the fray late in the season are out of contention.
   The BSA Bantam championship race became a battle all weekend between 33 Mike Powell and 51 Michael Brown with 3 wins to Mike and one to Michael.
   
   The BSSO Geared Scooter races became a battle between 2 Damon Tunniclife and 41 Stuart Day winning two race each. The minor places behind them was a close battle all weekend between 5 Steve Conneely, 3 Michael Bonett, 69 Tom Russel and 51 Bert Conneely.
   
   The BSSO Zip Scooters (twist and go) became a battle between 6 Jon Davis and 52 John Woods winning two races each.
   
   Next up is Cadwell Park 27/28th September, see you there.

    

3. VMCC FESTIVAL OF 1000 BIKES 2015, THE ULTIMATE CLASSIC TRACK WEEKEND IS BACK!

   Posted on 10:20am Friday 25th Jul 2014

   The Vintage Motor Cycle Club are delighted to announce that next year will see The VMCCs Festival of 1000 Bikes returning to Mallory Park on the weekend of 11th/12th July 2015.

   With the support in principal already flowing in from our partners Footman James Insurance Brokers, Bonhams Auctioneers, Mortons Motorcycle Media, The National Motorcycle Museum & ERIKS UK, the 2015 event will be another weekend to remember.

   As in previous years the event gives enthusiasts the opportunity to ride their own machines in multiple track sessions over the weekend. On the Saturday of the event we cater for all classes of road machines from the earliest Veterans (discounted entry fee available for pre 1925 machines) through to machines of the superbike era which reflect the wide range of interests within the VMCC. With lesser noise restrictions Sunday is the day for riders to display their race machinery in special track sessions running throughout the day.

   The VMCC festival of 1000 Bikes is unique in its sheer breadth & scale. This includes showcasing one of the best line ups of “Past Masters” and famous machines assembled during any given year. At previous VMCC festivals this has included many unique happenings such as “King Kenny” Roberts first UK Track appearance in 30 years at the 2011 event, Kevin Schwantz’s (in conjunction with Michelin) return to Mallory Park for the first time in a quarter of a century in 2012 and 1987 500cc GP World Champion Wayne Gardner (Courtesy of Michelin) headed up 2013s’ line up and took to the track on a genuine works Honda RS500. Announcements for 2015s’ line up due early in the New Year!

   More details and features will be released over the coming months. However as the Track sessions for both road and race machines sold out early in previous years, entry forms will be distributed in the autumn to all previous entrants.

   They will then become available later in the year (dates to be announced) via VMCC HQ direct or downloading from the dedicated event website @ www.vmcc.net/1000bikes

    

4. UNCOVER YOUR DARK SIDE AT ACTION-PACKED SCOTTISH MOTORCYCLE SHOW

   Posted on 11:20am Thursday 24th Jul 2014

   FREE test rides, incredible stunt displays, the latest machines and competitive racing are among the attractions visitors can enjoy at Scotland’s biggest and best motorcycle show in just a few weeks’ time.

   The Carole Nash Great Scottish Bike Show takes place at Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Centre on the weekend of August 9-10, and topping the bill of live action is Yamaha’s Dark Side MT Tour, which sees the Japanese manufacturing giant offering an array of free activities.

   Test ride opportunities will be available on models across the MT range, including the MT-09 Street Rally and the new MT-125, and there will also be a host of other riding experiences.

   John Milbank, editor of Motor Cycle Monthly and MoreBikes.co.uk, said: “We were the first publication to test the new Street Rally, and we think it’s a fantastic and unique opportunity for riders to be given a chance to do the same.

   “Yamaha has sold the MT range as ‘the dark side of Japan’ and I can tell you, this is more than just marketing babble – the MT-09 delivers on that ‘dark side’ promise.

   “Make no mistake about it, these bikes are going to be popular. Those wanting to have a go should book their places now.”

   A fleet of MT models will be available to test for those with a full motorcycle licence, while novices, A1 and A2 licence holders can sample the MT-125 and the 35kW version of the MT-07 on a specialist test course with instructors on hand to assist.

   In addition to the unique test ride opportunity, the MT Tour events will include the incredible Dave Coates Stunt Show, ‘have-a-go’ activities including the MT-09 Extreme Wheelie Machine, the amazing MT Tour truck with exclusive MT apparel and accessories on display, a paddock for existing MT owners and much more.

   Another display team, the madcap Purple Helmets, will be making their way to Edinburgh from the Isle of Man adding their own brand of stunt humour to proceedings.

   There’s competitive action too in the form of Moped Mayhem and Scottish Supermoto demos as organisers look to make the most of facilities, both inside and out, at the RHC.

   “We’ve gone to great lengths in our efforts to provide an all-round motorcycle weekend with interactive, live action taking place outside supplementing the usual excellent trade and club stands filling the halls,” said Nick Mowbray, exhibition manager.

   A host of top dealers will be bringing the latest models from Honda, Suzuki, Victory, Indian, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi along with autojumble plots offering all manner of machines and motorcycle parts and accessories.

   The event will also welcome racing royalty, with Giacomo Agostini as star guest alongside one of Scotland’s own, three times TT winner Alex George.

   “The show will celebrate all that is best about biking, from classic to modern and everything in between,” added Nick.

   “We’ve even got Scottish indie-rock cover band Shardlake playing three separate hour-long sets each day of the show – the entertainment simply doesn’t stop.

   “Whether it’s someone looking to fill their boots with biking bits or a family looking for a great day out, there really is something for everyone at the Carole Nash Great Scottish Bike Show.”

5. LANCASTER INSURANCE CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW ENCOURAGES THE NEXT GENERATION

   Posted on 9:00am Thursday 24th Jul 2014

   This year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show is encouraging the next generation of classic car enthusiasts to share their passion for motoring with a dedicated area of ‘YoungTimers’. These are the clubs focusing on younger members, which are on the increase and as such, bringing new ideas and fresh blood into the classic car world.

   November’s NEC show will play host to these clubs with the likes of Oxford University Motorsport Foundation (OUMF), Young Guns Classics, the Morris Minor Owner’s Club Young Members Register and the Supra MkIV Owner’s Club all set to feature in the show’s first dedicated ‘YoungTimers’ area.

   Event Director Dan Nwaokolo said: “By having a dedicated area for ‘YoungTimers’, we’re giving these young clubs a platform to introduce themselves to the classic car movement while also promoting the scene to like-minded enthusiasts of a similar generation. We know that they’re not only the future of our show but the entire classic community and we’re thrilled at the number of younger people we see each year – it’s great to see so many clubs either embracing younger people or youngsters forming their own clubs.”

   OUMF was founded in 2005 specifically with the intent of bringing younger people into motorsport. “We wanted to give youngsters a practical side to their theory and encourage them into classic motorsport” says Ding Boston from OUMF. “For first timers the simplicity of classic cars makes them perfect for students. It’s always interesting to see what cars inspire these youngsters.”

   Another club focusing on younger members is the Morris Minor Owner’s Club, which has set up a specific section within the club to cater for younger members. Matt Tomkins, Chairman of the club’s Young Members Register, said: “We’re heavily involved with promoting the entire classic car scene to the younger generation, having spoken at a number of events.”

   The number of youngsters in the scene is growing all the time, thanks no doubt to the formation of clubs like Young Guns Classics. Member Georgina Davies said: “I feel we are a bit more laid back, which is why we have such fun. We all know each other very well and I would almost describe us as one big family. Unlike other classic car clubs we don't mind what car you drive be it a classic Beetle to a Land Rover!”

   Supra MkIV Owner’s Club member James Jefferson is another owner with a broad interest in classic and retro cars owning a ’67 Mustang and a MkIV Toyota Supra. “I’m 22 now and I finished the Mustang when I was 19” said James. “I grew up around classic stuff – my Dad has MGBs, I used to ride around in Rover P4s, Minis, allsorts.”

   James has found that the older generation is largely accepting of the new breed – with one or two exceptions. “They’re usually pretty pleased when they realise that people like me are genuinely interested. That said I know when my Mustang was part of a restoration feature, the magazine got a few letters from people who found it really difficult to believe it had been built by a 19yr old!”

   Richard Morley, Operations Director for Lancaster Insurance said “We are passionate about getting more young people into classics and recognise that we must nurture new members so that we can preserve our motoring heritage. Introducing the ‘YoungTimers’ section to the show and encouraging young people to love and cherish classic cars, is not only a brilliant idea but vital to the future of the industry. ‘YoungTimers’ will inspire new recruits to become lifelong devotees, ensuring that this social pastime is carried on for years to come.”

   While some clubs suffer from stagnating or even dwindling memberships, those that look to embrace young members look set to flourish. The youngsters are the future of the classic car movement, bringing with them a wider and wider selection of cars into the scene and with them the enthusiasm needed to keep the scene alive for years to come.

   The 2014 Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show will be held from 14th to 16th November. For more information on the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show or Classic Motorbike Show as well as all the ticket prices and booking details, visit www.necclassicmotorshow.com