| | Biker News - Regularly updated
Category: Events and Shows
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Motor cycling legend Carl Fogarty will be roaring into North Wales next month - and is looking forward to meeting a local hero.
Four times World Superbike Champion, multiple TT winner and arguably Britain's best ever motor cycle racer, Carl Fogarty MBE, is the star attraction at the Motorbike Show in Llangollen.
The increasingly popular bike fest, organised by Xuberance Events, is being held at the Royal International Pavilion on Saturday and Sunday, August 7 and 8.
Carl is full of heartfelt praise Llangollen TT rider Paul Owen who was awarded the inaugural Spirit of the TT Award at this year's races. Paul was following his close friend, New Zealander Paul Dobbs, during the Supersport race at this year's June TT when Dodds crashed. Owen stopped, dismounted, giving up his own race ambitions to assist race marshals in controlling the incident warning other racers of debris in the road.
Sadly, Dobbs suffered fatal injuries in the high speed crash at Ballagarey. Carl said: "The TT is a fantastic event and I am proud to have won three TT races as it's real between-the-hedges and walls road racing. What Paul Owen did in giving up his own race chances to stop and help was fantastic and really does sum up the spirit of the TT. "I enjoyed being back at the TT this year and took part in the parade lap of former winners before the final race, the Senior TT."
And Foggy, as he is affectionately known by his army of fans, says he can't wait to catch up with visitors to the popular show in Llangollenas well as his Welsh fans. He said: "I always enjoyed great support from Welsh fans, particularly at Assen for the Dutch rounds of the World Superbike Championships. Assen was always a favourite track of mine and I was always amazed at the number of British fans, many from Wales, who made the journey over to cheer me on. I know Llangollen pretty well and have done some trial riding around the area in the past. I have also got a place on Anglesey. In fact I even had some success racing in Wales. In 1986, 1987 and 1988 I won the 250cc and 1,000cc events at Aberdare at a time when I was really learning my trade and before I moved up to superbikes and factory machinery. So I do have a great connection with Wales. Going to the show makes a change from actually riding and will give me a real chance to catch up with a few friends and fans who gave me so much support over the years. I know the show has only been going a few years but it's already got a big reputation. It's a great place to have a motor cycle show and there's a good mix of different things and attractions going on so it's not just about trade stands, although clearly, that's an important feature of any event."
But which of his considerable racing achievements does Carl Fogarty think of as his most precious title.
He said: "They all mean so much I can't really say. The TT wins, and holding the lap record for seven years, is something very special but so are my four World Superbike titles, my three World Formula 1 motor cycling world titles and my World Endurance title too. I have never regretted anything in my career. People often ask whether I think I should have gone and raced in Grand Prix but to be honest I'm not really bothered. I did the odd race but World Superbikes was getting bigger and bigger, I had a crowd of more than 120,000 at Brand's Hatch in 1999 to watch me race, that I didn't see any need to go the Grand Prix route. In fact Grand Prix were declining, crowds were down and it was only when Valentino Rossi came along that it started to pick up again."
And who does the Blackburn flyer consider, other than himself, to be the best racer of all time?
He said: "The American, Kenny Robert was always my favourite, I loved his style and controlled aggression. The best British riders for me were Joey Dunlop, who was simply awesome at the TT, and Ron Haslam. Those are the riders I grew up watching."
Organiser David Green, the Managing Director of Xuberance Events, says this year's show will be bigger and better than ever.
He added: "The local biking fraternity has given us fantastic support from the outset and this year's event will be bigger and better. We have doubled the number of exhibitors ¨C not only selling but also providing advice. This is a show for bikers from all disciplines, from the vintage and classic bikes right through to the road racing bikes."
One of the highlights of the Motorbike Show will be the popular Biker Babe competition and biker fans can vote for their favourite on the event's website, and it's not yet too late for aspiring biker babes to enter.
Among the displays at the show will be beautiful old bikes from the collection of Llangollen Motor Museum proprietor Gwilym Owen.
There will also be motorbike displays, expert advice clinics, a club corner, a live action arena as well as a custom bike show.
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Registration will remain open up to and including day ticket passes to the event, for a full line-up of all attractions and performing artists please see below.
We are going to open the raffle on-line with ticket sales commencing on Saturday 12th June 2010, the online raffle will be removed from web sale at 12'0'clock midday on Thursday 24th June. Raffle tickets can then be purchased at Thunder Rally from 12'0'clock midday on the 25th until 6pm on the 26th. The raffle will be drawn on the main stage..
For confirmation the first prize in the raffle will be a brand new Harley Davidson SPORTSTER XL883 LOW. The machine will be delivered in black for collection from the Afghan Heroes offices, in the Autumn of 2010. The winner is responsible for the purchase of the road-fund license and first registration fee.
This is a very special prize and the cut off times and dates will be strictly adhered to for complete transparency. You will be purchasing tickets for the Saturday evening draw, which will be drawn by a third party without any reference to the charity or its events management team. Unfortunately, no member of the Afghan Heroes team or its event team will be allowed to purchase a ticket. This limitation is imposed on Trustees and the Management of the Thunder Rally. This does not apply to Marshalls, Security or any other person involved with the running of the Thunder Rally, just the organisers.
Click here today and purchase your tickets at £10 each, all profits will go to Afghan Heroes.
THUNDER RALLY EVENT INFORMATION
- Entry wrist bands will be posted on Monday 21st June 2010
- All merchandise ordered up to the 31st May will be despatched with the wrist bands
- Any merchandise ordered in June will be available for collection at Thunder Rally
- You are respectfully reminded that access to the racing surface is prohibited at all times, enter and you will be asked to leave the event permanently.
- Gates will open at 12'0'Clock (midday) on the 25th June
THUNDER RALLY LINE-UP - FRIDAY 25TH JUNE
From 17:00
The Parachute Regiment Parachute Display Team (opening Event and Main Stage)
Just Supposin
Head Stagger
Wally The Jug
Dementia
Matt Shaw
THUNDER RALLY LINE-UP - SATURDAY 26TH JUNE
12.55 - 13.00
14.00
15.00 |
Battle of Britain Fly Past
Tigers (Junior Motorcycle Display Team)
The White Helmets
Hot for Teacher
Grinder Girls
The Other Half
Guns or Roses
90% Proof
The Cheap Suits
Frixton
Lime Shark
Hells Bells
The Jug Band
Yellow Brick Road |
GENERAL ATTRACTIONS
Over and above the main stage, the following will be available for your overall entertainment and enjoyment: -
- Stall Holders and Motorcycle Retailers
- Funfair
- The Army Rally Car
- Sale of Raffle ticket (Until 18.00 on Saturday 26th June)
- Sale of Afghan Heroes Merchandise
10,000 BOXES THAT SAY THANKS
Afghan Heroes has delivered on its first strategic mission. We can confirm that 10,000 boxes have arrived in Afghanistan in time for distribution to all forces on or before the 26th June 2010 (Armed Forces Day).
Founder Denise Harris has commented that the completion of our first key mission provides a fantastic morale boost for our forces and proves that we as a nation care passionately about our Troops.
Full Story
A group of volunteers spent the weekend packing 10,000 "home comfort" boxes that will now be delivered as a "thank you" to all British service personnel in Afghanistan. The specially-produced ammo-style boxes contain DVD's, Memory Sticks, lip balm, shower gel, Haribo Sweets, toothpaste, puzzle books and other items to remind soldiers of home. They have now been handed over to the Ministry of Defence which will deliver them to the front line as part of Armed Forces Day on June 26.
Around 150 volunteers from children to pensioners, army cadets and members of the military from all over the UK, gave up their time over the weekend to pack the boxes at a building donated for the purpose by the Bath and West Showground in Somerset.
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Six hundred vintage motorcycles will converge at the Heritage Motor Centre on Sunday 20 June for the nostalgic Vintage Motor Cycle Club Banbury Run. The event, which starts at 10:00am, is the 62nd Banbury Run and the largest gathering of motorcycles manufactured before 1931 in the world.
The Banbury Run is aimed at those who enjoy the thrill of riding with other Vintage, Veteran & Pioneer bikes. The Run operates over three different routes which all converge back at the Heritage Motor Centre. This year the Run will feature new routes and checkpoints to challenge the riders. Visitors can enjoy wandering around Club and Trade Stands as well as the famous Banbury Run autojumble which is one of the best sources of Veteran & Vintage motorcycle spares. An auction featuring Pioneer, Veteran and Vintage motorcycles will take place the day before on Saturday 19 June at Bonhams auctioneers saleroom in Kidlington, Oxfordshire.
Emma Rawlinson, Event Executive for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “We’re delighted to be hosting the 62nd Banbury Run in conjunction with the Vintage Motor Cycle Club. The Run is a fantastic event enabling visitors to watch hundreds of vintage motorcycles cruise the roads of Warwickshire and Oxfordshire. It really is a spectacular sight to see! ”
Advance tickets costs £5 or £6 on the day and £25 for an advance family ticket or £30 on the day. FREE museum entry is offered to entrants and spectators. Camping is available for the evenings of Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 June. Prices for the two nights are £13 in advance or £18 on the day. Advance tickets or camping can be purchased by phoning the new ticket hotline on 01926 287728 Monday – Friday from 9:30am – 5pm.
The VMCC Banbury Run is just one of many exciting and unique motoring events held at The Heritage Motor Centre in 2010.
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Following the lamented loss some while ago of the cafe's infamous annual Streetfighter Sunday, as a consequence of outgrowing the historic North Circular Road premises, Ace Cafe London in association with Stunt UK and the international Stunt Bike Freestyle (SBF) competition, have teamed up to present this new Ace Cafe London Streetfighter & Stunt Festival, to be held on Sunday 25th July, 9am - 5pm.
Now relocated to the iconic and world famous venue of Wembley, in addition to trade and industry stands and displays, this inaugural event combines the cafe's legendary Streetfighter Sunday, with showcasing the live action finals of the SBF competition, with riders from France, Germany, USA and Ireland as well as from across the UK.
Other highlights include a Streetfighter "Best Bikes" display, tyre frying burnouts, Dyno Shoot Out, Show Up n' Shine competition, prizes, awards, a double wheelie machine for those who want to have a go, plus entertainment featuring a host of hot tricks from the East Coast FMX display team and Belinda in her drift car "playing" with stunt rider "Sparky"!
The Ace Cafe London sponsored Harris Performance modified HD XR1200 race bike, will be on display and rider Gary Byrne has promised to "guest stunt" on a Harley!
The Ace stage, with DJ mixing it up, will also be the focus for the "Ace Hostess of the Year" competition, the winner of which will have the opportunity not only of two fully paid photo shoots, with Streetfighters magazine and the prestigious and internationally renowned Crossbow Calendars, in which many of the UK's top glamour models have appeared, but will also be the official Ace Cafe London model of choice for a year, with a prize award of £1000 to be paid in the form of fees for appearing in Ace photo shoots, at Ace events as well as events at which Ace attends during the year.
All applicants for "The Ace Hostess of the Year", who must be over 18 years of age, are to apply and submit two recent photographs together with name, contacts details, measurements and interests to Will Jobbins at Streetfighters magazine via email to: [email protected]
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The 50th Anniversary bmf Show saw sun, smiles and bikers in their thousands turn out over the weekend for one of the best bmf shows of the century!
As Europe’s largest outdoors motorcycle show, the bmf show is the traditional season-opener for thousands of motorcyclists and this year certainly did not disappoint.
The bmf’s new event organisers the Mulberry group were determined to pull out all the stops to make this a show to remember and they succeeded big time. With an improved layout, more manufacturers and top-line traders plus fantastic sunny weather, it’s no wonder that over 60,000 people were smiling over the show weekend!
Advance ticket sales had been down on last year, but with the forecast good weather people turned up on the day and formed massive queues, so much so that for the first time ever, tickets ran out and the bmf show found itself with ticket touts! However, the organisers soon resolved that and showgoers gained admission without paying a premium!
With the official presence of BMW, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Triumph, Norton, Victory, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, plus Ducati, there were plenty of new bikes to look at and test rides to be had on BMW, Suzuki and Kawasaki.
Norton were there for the first time and Norton Sales Manager and top BSB racer Chris Walker, having sold four of the stunning new Nortons over the weekend, was well pleased commenting that “the bmf show has everything going for it with good organisation, a good crowd and good security. It’s a great place to be and to be seen,” he said.
On the other hand a regular exhibitor for the past seven years, Richard Spies of Victory Motorcycles, was also well pleased with the weekend. With a prime corner position in the newly defined manufacturer’s area Richard said it had been a “great show with a great crowd.”
BMW, currently riding high in the sales charts was similarly pleased with the weekend. “The bmf show is good for us with plenty of serious enquiries from serious enthusiasts” said BMW Marketing Manager Tony Jakeman.
On a completely different level, thousands come to the bmf show on a shopping expedition to buy their kit for the new season so smaller traders too reported brisk business. Chris Hawley of Baglux, a regular for the past 25 years and just one of the 300 traders on site, said that business had been good and that “there was a buzz about the place again that had been missing in recent years” while Paul Burdass from Fat Skeleton said: “We’ve had our busiest Peterborough bmf ever in terms of revenue, reversing the general trend we've seen at both indoor & outdoor events over the past year.”
Someone really happy was Norman Ford, the winner of the bmf’s Win-A-Bike/Choose-A-Bike prize draw. Stunned that he had won, Norman is yet to choose which bike he wants to take home from either a Yamaha XVS1300 ‘Midnight Star’, a Suzuki GSXR600 or a Honda CB1000R.
Another winner on the day was David Light who having joined the bmf over the weekend, found that he was also the lucky winner of a Giacomo Agostini replica helmet in the bmf’s special membership promotion.
The stunning weather also made the perfect back-drop to two action-packed days of arena activities featuring Jason Smyth – The Adrenalin Tour, The Stanage International stunt display team and of course, old favourites the madness that is Moped Enduro and the thrills of Short Track racing.
Commenting, bmf spokesman Jeff Stone said, “This really was an excellent show. I’ve run the press office at most of the bmf shows since 1977 and this was one of the best. It wasn’t as packed as some, but in a way it was better for it and given the current economic climate, we did amazingly well. To be honest, the bmf show had lost its way over the last few years, but due credit to the Mulberry Group, their input means it’s now back on track!”
Still to come for 2010:
bmf GEMS, the Garden of England Motorcycle Show at Detling, Kent 12th-13th June
bmf Kelso Bikefest, Union Borders Showground, Kelso 10th - 11th July
bmf Tailend: NEW location, Lincoln Showground, Lincoln. 18th - 19th September
On line booking via: www.bmfevents.co.uk or ticket hot line:
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