Category: Events and Shows

1. Sign up to the big biker event of the year

   Posted on 2:04pm Monday 3rd Feb 2014

   Bikers from Shropshire and the wider Midlands area are invited to start the season off in style on Sunday 27th April 2014.

   Bike4Life Fest is being held at RAF Museum Cosford in support for two local charities - the Midlands Air Ambulance and Royal Air Force Museum. The event is being run in collaboration with the Safer Roads Partnership and West Mercia Police and this year is being supported by radio station Planet Rock and is set to be the biggest organised biker gathering in the Midlands this year.

   The event will feature various trade stands, bike dealers, arena displays, live music at the Planet Rock stage and refreshments with plenty to entertain the non bikers of the family! The popular Bike4Life Ride Out will also be taking place on the same day, and is expected to attract over 2,000 bikers. Leaving from Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, the 23 mile Ride Out will finish at the event at RAF Museum Cosford where all the bikers can enjoy the entertainment on offer at the Bike4Life Festival.

   There will be the opportunity to speak to various local clubs and dealers, watch the activities on display in the arena and enjoy live music and food with fellow bikers. One of the main focuses of the event will be the opportunity to speak to The Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists (IAM), Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and other trainers to find out more about further training and additional courses that are out there to brush up on your biking skills.

   Vicki Bristow from the Safer Roads Partnership says: “It promises to be a great day out for riders. It doesn’t matter if you’re thinking about buying a bike, just getting started, or have been riding for years and are an experienced biker there will be something there for everyone. Put the 27th April in your diary now so you don’t miss the event!”

   With hundreds of bikers already signed up, organisers are expecting thousands will show their support on the day and join in the fun, so, if you’re a biker and you’re not already registered for the Ride Out or just want to find out more visit www.bike4lifefest.com or call the Bike4Life Festival team on 01902 376 252. Find us on Facebook by searching for Bike4Life Fest and follow us on Twitter @Bike4LifeFest.

   The festival will run from 10:00am to 4:00pm and visitors of all ages, not just bikers are encouraged to come along. Bikers wishing to participate in the ride out MUST have a full licence as the route to the Museum will travel along the M54 motorway.

   Bikers can find out more information on the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity by visiting www.midlandsairambulance.com or for more information on the RAF Museum Cosford visit www.rafmuseum.org. Further details about the Safer Roads Partnership can be found at www.srpwestmercia.org.uk

2. CLUBS, TRADERS AND ENTHUSIASTS SET FOR BRISTOL CLASSIC SHOW

   Posted on 8:43am Thursday 23rd Jan 2014

   THE doors will soon be open for the 34th Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show and this year’s event is set to be a real spectacle.

   With 18,000 visitors expected, 60 clubs putting on displays and 600 classic motorcycles restored to pristine condition, the show, taking place on the weekend of February 8-9, is set to be bigger and better than ever before. As is now tradition, many of the UK’s top clubs will be flocking to the Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet, to showcase the best that the classic world has to offer.

   The London Douglas Club has promised a wide ranging display and, in Cotton’s centennial year, the Cotton Owners and Enthusiasts Club will be making a special effort with 16 bikes earmarked for display; the earliest being a 1926 Blackburne. Although the show is predominately about motorcycles, 2014’s offering will also have a good helping of scooters on display including the Soul City Scooter Club and the Bristol Lambretta Club. And the Stonehenge Section VMCC will have their usual collection of immaculate machinery, including Jim Devereux’s 1931 Ariel SG which was featured in the February 2014 issue of The Classic MotorCycle. The prize money up for grabs this year ranges from £100 for individuals to £250-£750 for clubs so, with John Phizacklea bringing along a 1947 EMC Mk.1 that is sure to be up to his prize winning standards, there will definitely be an atmosphere of friendly competition. As far as trade stands go, there will be a wide variety of sellers offering everything you need to get your bike prepped and ready for the summer.

   In attendance will be City of Leather, known for visiting India to track down specially made pieces of clothing, Davida Helmets offering retro headgear and Metalman – offering you the opportunity to go DIY and make your own metal parts. West Midlands Motorcycle will also be there selling top quality clearance items and Motorcycle Lifts will make working on your bike that little bit easier with the bike benches it supplies.

   “Bristol is the traditional season opener and is looked forward to by many involved in the classic movement,” said James Robinson, editor of The Classic MotorCycle. “There are always a few surprises with some top quality restorations making their debut, the atmosphere is always friendly and it’s a pleasure to attend.”

   Gates are open from 10am until 5pm on both days. Tickets are £10 when purchased in advance and £12 on the day.

3. FESTIVAL OF 1000 BIKES - Cancelled

   Posted on 9:10am Friday 17th Jan 2014

   It is with great reluctance that the Management of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club Limited announce that the Festival of 1000 Bikes™ will not be taking place in 2014.

   Motorsport fans will be aware of the uncertainty that surrounded the future of Mallory Park in the latter parts of 2013, which placed the circuit operators (Mallory Park Motorsport Ltd) into administration in the autumn. The new operators, Real Motor Sport Ltd, were recently announced and we have full confidence in them, indeed our racing arm (BHR) already have a date in their calendar at Mallory Park this year. However because crucial months of planning and preparation have been lost we are not equally confident of delivering this prestigious event with the amount of time remaining.

   We sincerely apologise to all those members of the Club and to the many other enthusiasts who look forward every year to this event. The Festival of 1000 Bikes, being widely acknowledged as one of the premier events in the motorcycling calendar, we did not feel we could proceed without full confidence of being able to offer an event of the high quality which is now expected from this wonderful weekend.

   We would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors including Michelin, Footman James, Mortons Media, Bonhams and Eriks for all their support in the past. Also to all the VMCC members and enthusiasts who have embraced the Festival and made it the unique event it has become. We hope to see many of you at our other events and shows throughout the year and look forward to making an early announcement regarding the Festival for 2015.

4. Prescott Bike Festival raises money for a life-saving charity, Bloodbikes

   Posted on 9:00am Friday 17th Jan 2014

   The annual Prescott Bike Festival will be taking place on Sunday 6th April 2014 and promises to be an action-packed day for all the family in support of the Nationwide Association of Bloodbikes charity.

   The fourth annual event will be larger than ever before, with even more bike manufacturers and clubs confirmed, plus a large display of historic, modern and race bikes on display in the paddock, demo areas, passenger rides, stunt show, trade stalls, live music, good food and a host of entertainment both on and off the track to keep the whole family amused. Special guest appearances include: former three times British Superbike Champion and Bloodbike ambassador John Reynolds, MotoGP commentator Steve Parrish, motorcycle adventurer Nick Sanders and making his debut appearance – Michael Rutter.

   Some of the many hundreds of historic, classic and race bikes at Prescott Bike Festival 2014:
   
   * Carlos Checa’s MotoGP Ducati Desmosedici GP5 and Checa’s 2011 WSB winning Ducati 1198 F1 (courtesy of Dawn Treader Performance)
   * David Jeffries' GSX-R1000 TT bike and James Toseland's first WSS machine
   * The 1930 Rudge Ulster belonging to David Osborne
   * Chris Sawyer's 1928 Cotton Blackburne
   * A rare Sachs R800 Roadster from 2002 owned by Barry Fahey
   * The 1959 Norton Dominator of Ian Cordes
   * Rare Excelsior Manxmans from Dave Lee and Adrian Sellars

   New features at Prescott Bike Festival 2014:
   
   * The Angelic Bulldog 400mph streamliner land speed motorbike project
   * Saturday night party and camping for Advance Ticket Holders only
   * Bigger and better Happy Hour of activity by rare race machinery and factory bikes on the hill
   * The first 100 Run the Hill bookings receive a free festival T-shirt
   * Kuberg electric motorbikes – have a go!
   * UK Garrison Star Wars costuming club
   * Early Bird breakfasts from 8.00am to 9.30am at special low prices

   Lots of live entertainment at Prescott Bike Festival 2014:
   
   * The Dave Coates Stunt Show as featured on TV and at many major motor sports events
   * George Formby Tribute
   * 1950s inspired rockabilly, rock & roll and R&B band, Josie and the Outlaw.

   Motorcycle and racing clubs already confirmed as attending:
   
   * Honda OC
   * Norton OC
   * XJR OC
   * Rolling Hills (Harley OC)
   * Classic 50cc Racing Club

   Festival organiser, Gordon Downie, says, “The annual Prescott Bike Festival continues to go from strength to strength. For 2014 we'll have more of everything alongside the usual attractions of the unique opportunity to ride the hill. As usual, all major motorcycle manufacturers will be in attendance so fans will get the chance to see all the major models up close and personal. There will be a host of trade stands as well as famous racers and great entertainment too. The Prescott Bike Festival 2014 really does offer something for everyone.”

   Venue:
   
   Prescott Hill Climb, Gotherington, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 9RD,
   Easily accessible from junction 9 of the M5 and from London via the A40 to Cheltenham.

   Tickets:
   
   Advance tickets are £12; under 16s (with a paying adult) get in free.
   On-the-day tickets are £15; under 16s (with a paying adult) get in free.
   Run the Hill tickets are £35 and must be purchased in advance.
   There is no charge for bike parking (free side stand puck provided and free helmet park)
   Gates open at 08:30 and track action begins at 10:00. The festival closes at 17:00.
   All Advance Ticket holders (including Run the Hill) are invited to a pre-event party on the Saturday evening in the Clubhouse. Camping available to advance ticket holders only (limited availability)
   
   To purchase tickets in advance visit: www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk

   Exhibitor space is much sought after and limited to those who will add real value via their higher end product offer. The organisers welcome all enquiries; anyone interested in taking space should, in the first instance make their enquiry via the New Exhibitors section via the Exhibitors page on the website or email them directly at [email protected] for further information.

5. As promised.. an evening with Ian Hutchinson!

   Posted on 10:30am Thursday 16th Jan 2014

   As promised, an evening With Ian Hutchinson will take place on Friday 31st January 2014 @ Colin Appleyard in Leeds

   One of our most hotly anticipated events returns. In the hot seat is multi TT and recent Macau GP winner, Ian Hutchinson. Ian was due to attend our Evening With back in 2012 but was rushed to hospital following a second break to his leg. The injuries threatened to end his career, but he has just completing one of the most successful comebacks racing fans have seen in recent history by winning the Macau GP. We are honoured to have him join us to share his amazing story - make sure you don't miss this opportunity!

   As usual we'll be putting on a bit of food & drink and will also have a few goodies to give away plus some special one night only offers! Doors will be open from 6pm onwards & we'll aim to get things underway at 7pm. Sounds like a pretty good Friday night to us so why not come along and bring a friend? But don't forget to register! We look forward to seeing you there.

   Places are LIMITED and as we've had full houses every year so far so we'd suggest you register immediately to avoid disappointment (full details below).

   To register your place(s)* please contact Karen Halifax:
   Email | Call/Text: 07855 807342

   www.colinappleyard.com