Category: Events and Shows

1. DOWNTON ABBEY STAR TO APPEAR AT FOOTMAN JAMES CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW

   Posted on 12:01am Thursday 10th Nov 2011

   One of the stars of ITV’s hugely popular costume drama Downton Abbey is to appear at the Footman James Classic Motor Show at Birmingham’s NEC this weekend (11-13 November). Forget about Hugh Bonneville or Dame Maggie Smith; this star is of the four-wheeled variety!

   The 1911 Renault type CB12/16hp driven in the show by chauffeur Tom Branson, played by actor Allen Leech, will appear on the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain stand and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. The car has appeared in many of the drama’s storylines including when Lady Edith, the middle Grantham sister played by actress Laura Carmichael, attempts learning to drive. Ironically, this was at a time when the actress herself was a complete novice behind the wheel.

   The beautiful 1911 Renault is totally original and in its day would have been a luxury and fit for royalty. With its open drive laudelette body, the chauffeur was exposed to the elements whilst passengers traveled in relative comfort inside.

   Downton Abbey is created by award-winning writer Julian Fellowes who himself is a keen classic car fan known to have visited the Classic Motor Show in previous years.

   The car can be seen on Stand 8C16 at Birmingham’s NEC this weekend. On Sunday 13 November members of the Veteran Car Club in period costume will join the Renault.

   For more information on the Footman James Classic Motor Show or Classic Motorbike Show, visit www.necclassicmotorshow.com

2. Bid on Lorenzo’s bike at Motorcycle Live

   Posted on 12:01am Wednesday 9th Nov 2011

   One lucky visitor at this year’s Motorcycle Live could become the proud owner of the Yamaha R1 machine ridden and signed by Jorge Lorenzo during his parade lap at the 2010 Isle of Man TT.

   The bike – which was recently ridden from the UK to Spain as part of the Viva Valencia! charity trip by BBC’s Matt Roberts – will be up for grabs in the Riders for Health auction supported by Arai.
    
   The Yamaha will be one of the star lots in the auction, which will take place at 12.30pm on Sunday 20 November with the help of Arai-sponsored riders Cal Crutchlow, Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam. Visitors will also have a chance to bid for an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at the Riders for Health Day of Champions at the 2012 Silverstone MotoGP, including the opportunity to meet and greet top riders from the championship.
    
   Other one-of-a-kind lots will include a ride in the pace car at the Silverstone MotoGP, a signed Mick Doohan replica Arai helmet, signed Arai side pods from Ian Hutchinson and Kevin Schwantz, a signed Rossi cap and a signed canvas print of Crutchlow at the 2011 Misano MotoGP. All proceeds will go to Riders for Health, which makes sure that millions of people in rural communities in Africa have the health care they need by managing and maintaining reliable vehicles for health workers.  
    
   The ticket price for Motorcycle Live 2011 is completely all-inclusive, meaning visitors can enjoy everything the show has to offer at no extra cost. Tickets are £16 in advance* for adults, £10 for seniors, £6 for children aged 6-16 and  kids 5 and under accompanied by a paying adult go free.

   www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

   www.facebook.com/motorcyclelive

   or follow @motorcyclelive on Twitter

3. TT takeover at Motorcycle Live

   Posted on 12:01am Monday 31st Oct 2011

   TT fans have a new date to add to the diary as Motorcycle Live 2011 will once again be dedicating a full day to the legendary Isle of Man event. The final day of the show – which takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 19-27 November – is officially TT Day. 
    
   On Sunday 27 November, the likes of John McGuinness, Conor Cummins, Bruce Anstey, Ryan Farquhar, Michael Dunlop, Michael Rutter and sidecar stars Dave Molyneux, John Holden and Andy Winkle will all make an appearance for a celebration of one of the world’s most thrilling road racing events. 
    
   The Black Horse Stage, in the Arai Entertainment Zone, will feature a TT takeover, with a themed Q&A hosted by James Whitham and a special Fast Bikes Question of Bikes quiz hosted by Steve Parrish and contested by the TT stars. The racers will also be around all day for fan meet & greets and autograph sessions. TT star Guy Martin won’t make it for TT day but will make an appearance at the show on Sunday 20 November. 
    
   The ticket price for Motorcycle Live 2011 is completely all-inclusive, meaning visitors can enjoy everything the show has to offer at no extra cost. Tickets are £16 in advance* for adults, £10 for seniors, £6 for children aged 6-16 and kids five and under accompanied by a paying adult go free.

   Visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk or call 0844 5812345. For the lastest news and updates, visit www.facebook.com/motorcyclelive or follow @motorcyclelive on Twitter

4. Motorcycle Live goes mobile

   Posted on 12:00am Thursday 27th Oct 2011

   Planning a trip to Motorcycle Live 2011 could not be easier this year with the launch of a free, multi-platform mobile web app containing everything visitors need to know about the show, which runs from 19-27 November at The NEC, Birmingham.
    
   Motorcycle Live Mobile will allow users to keep up to date with all the latest news, buy tickets, find out who is exhibiting, discover all the live features and events and plan everything from travel to parking to getting around the show – all from a mobile phone or other wireless device.
    
   The web app includes a downloads section featuring detailed show maps as well as the schedule for the Black Horse Stage in the Arai Entertainment Zone, ensuring visitors don’t miss their favourite racing stars in action. Users will also be able to access the Motorcycle Live Twitter, Facebook and You Tube accounts to view live news from the show.
    
   Motorcycle Live Mobile doesn’t need to be downloaded and there is no cost attached. Simply visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk from your smart phone and you will automatically be re-directed to the mobile application. You can then add it to your home screen or bookmark the page to re-visit it quickly and easily each time. Motorcycle Live Mobile is compatible with all smart phone devices, including iPhone, Blackberry, Android, PalmWeb and Symbian.
    
   At Motorcycle Live, adults and kids alike can enjoy a whole host of interactive activities covering all aspects of motorcycling – including two-wheel taster sessions in the Get On Learner Zone, off-road experiences, on-road test rides, trials riding and of course, the experts will be doing their thing in the Ramp’d Up Freestyle Motocross Arena This will all be accompanied by non-stop entertainment and appearances from racing stars and biking celebrities.
    
   The ticket price for Motorcycle Live 2011 is completely all-inclusive, meaning visitors can enjoy everything the show has to offer at no extra cost. Tickets are £16 in advance* for adults, £10 for seniors, £6 for children aged 6-16 and  kids under five accompanied by a paying adult go free. Visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk or call 0844 5812345. Visit www.facebook.com/motorcyclelive or follow @motorcyclelive on Twitter

5. Gearing up for Prescott Bike Festival 2012

   Posted on 12:01am Tuesday 25th Oct 2011

   The Prescott Bike Festival was born out of the need to raise awareness and fundraise for the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and one of its member groups, Severn Freewheelers. For 22nd April 2012, the Prescott Bike Festival will be bigger, better and hopefully generate even more money for this worthy cause than before.

   Set at one of the most prestigious hill climb venues in the UK against the beautiful backdrop of the Cotswold Valley, the Prescott Bike Festival aims to provide something for everyone; a relaxed family atmosphere, a huge variety of entertainment and a rare opportunity to ‘Run the Hill’ on your own motorcycle.

   Well supported by the bike industry, highlights of the 2011 event included the UK debut of the Morgan Three Wheeler, classic machinery from the Brooklands Museum, helicopter rides, live bands, the Stunt Starz stunt riding team and the chance to meet the stars of the British Superbike Championship. Not to mention riders aged from 8 to 81 taking to the hill.

   In 2012, the Festival will feature the addition of a new Race Bikes Thru’ the Ages display area. Never before has such an extensive collection of bikes been brought together. Here, festival goers will not only be able to get up close with rare exotica, early pioneering machinery, modern MotoGP bikes and more but see many of them in action, ridden by race riders. Of particular note is support from the Lansdowne Classic Series, who will be displaying some of the most prestigious race bikes of the 50’s and 60’s. The 2012 Festival also promises a kids demo area, a new Orchard Food & Bar Village, a Run the Hill Fancy Dress competition and so much more.

   One of the most amusing new features for the Prescott Bike Festival 2012 was inspired by the unexpected entry of super hero, Superman, into last years’ Run the Hill. This year, entrants can choose to tackle the hill climb in fancy dress, raise money for the Blood Bike charities and win a fantastic prize for the best costume of the day!

   www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk has just been launched to provide more details on what will be in store and give the opportunity to purchase advance tickets and secure your place to Run the Hill. There are just 200 entry places to Run the Hill, so it’s best to book early!

   Prescott Bike Festival will take place on Sunday 22nd April 2012 and all proceeds from the day will go to the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and Severn Freewheelers.

   www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk

   www.serv.org.uk