Category: Events and Shows

1. BRISTOL CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE SHOW – STILL THE BEST IN THE WEST

   Posted on 5:00pm Monday 12th Feb 2018

   IT was a weekend to remember at the 38^th Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show, with the Best in the West event drawing huge crowds to admire the hundreds of classic machines on display.

   The February 3-4 show enjoyed a high number of visitors all eager to witness the delights that the show had to offer, including fascinating classic motorcycles, bargain buys on autojumble stands and a nail-biting auction to boot.

   Tony Pashley took home the coveted Best in Show prize with his award-winning 1934 Model 95 Sunbeam. It was once on display at the National Motorcycle Museum where it was a casualty of a devastating blaze in 2003, but was then passed into the hands of top restorer John Phyzacklea, who lovingly rebuilt it to its current condition. Since being restored the bike has been showcased at numerous shows and has quite a few awards under its metaphorical belt, such as Best Road Racing Bike and Best Pre-War Bike.

   This show is renowned for the efforts from the motorcycle clubs, whose members again proved their commitment to creativity. Wells Classic Motorcycle Club won Best Club Stand in Show with its inventive shop front theme, which attracted the eyes of judges and visitors alike. New Imperial and Goldstar came in a close second and third.

   Event organiser Nick Mowbray said: “What a brilliant weekend! We have received marvellous feedback from visitors and traders alike. We constantly strive to make the show bigger and better and this show has been no different.”

   A message from show sponsors, Carole Nash:

   "We were delighted to sponsor this fantastic show again, getting up close with bikes and bikers from all over the UK. It’s always one of our favourite events on the calendar and this year’s show was better than ever. The Carole Nash stand, like all others, was buzzing, and we can’t wait to be back again next year."

   Attention now turns to The Classic Dirt Bike Show Sponsored by Hagon Shocks, celebrating all things classic dirt bike, at The International Centre, Telford, TF3 4JH over the weekend of February 17-18. The show is set to be an off-road jamboree for all fans of the dirt bike scene. 
   For more information please go to: www.classicbikeshows.com

2. Motorcycle Live organisers announce 2017 show awards as voted by visitors

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 31st Jan 2018

   The organisers of Motorcycle Live have announced the winners of the 2017 show awards, based solely on feedback from the visiting public. Kawasaki Motors UK, Triumph Motorcycles, Infinity Motorcycles and Suzuki GB all collected accolades for their efforts at the annual event, which took place at The NEC, Birmingham last November.

   Kawasaki Motors UK was awarded Best Manufacturer Stand for its innovative design, which was based around the concept of the “ultimate Kawasaki showroom”. The stand drew inspiration from the past with its retro-themed area, while also looking to the future with a focus on Kawasaki’s cutting edge technology.

   The award for Best Manufacturer Experience was presented to Triumph Motorcycles, with visitors praising the friendly atmosphere, excellent customer service and in-depth product knowledge demonstrated by the stand staff.

   For the second consecutive year, Infinity Motorcycles received the award for Best Non-Manufacturer Stand. The company’s retail space, in conjunction with Oxford Products, spanned ten stands and offered a huge range of motorcycle clothing and accessories from all the top brands.

   For 2018, show organisers introduced a brand-new award, reflecting the increasing number of exhibiting manufacturers bringing live features and experiences to their stands. Visitors gave the highest rating to the Suzuki Classic Restoration feature, which saw Team Classic Suzuki’s chief mechanic Nathan Colomb meticulously restore Kevin Schwantz’s 1989 RGV500 over the course of the nine-day show.

   Suzuki GB’s aftersales marketing co-ordinator, Tim Davies, said, “When we’re thinking of ideas for each show, we just do what we know we’d like to see. We’re enthusiasts, ultimately, the same as everyone that visits Motorcycle Live, and we were just as excited to see the full restoration of such an iconic race bike as everyone else. However, there are lots of great features at Motorcycle Live each year, so it is really special to know that what we did was appreciated, and we’re very grateful for the title.”

   “We had a brilliant Motorcycle Live,” said David Holloway, sales director of Infinity Motorcycles. “There was a great atmosphere and we had so many enthusiastic people visiting the stand and buying new kit. We put a huge amount of hard work and effort into what we offer at Motorcycle Live, so to know the visitors enjoyed what we did makes that all the more worthwhile.”

   Over 100,000 bike fans visited Motorcycle Live 2017 over nine days, enjoying what many have hailed the most interactive, entertaining and action-packed event in the show's history. 

   Motorcycle Live 2018 will take place at The NEC, Birmingham from 17-25 November – save the date!

3. Have you entered your bike yet?

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 27th Jan 2018

   From shed to show!

   In a few weeks time we'll be able to see what's been going on in sheds and workshops around the UK. 
   
   Bike builders of all ages and experience are putting the finishing touches to their masterpieces; they're getting ready to enter the definitive competition - which celebrates and embraces young, experienced, non-pro, professional, shed, home, garage and showroom based customisers.
   
   We have received over 80 applications to date, with over 50 custom builders qualifying for the finals of the National Championships which will be staged at Stoneleigh Park this coming April.

   Enter your custom / modified masterpiece, simply send a couple of good photos to [email protected] and they will let you know if you've qualified for the finals of the 2018 National Champs at KICKBACK.
   
   Best Modified Triumph is sponsored by Bonnefication.com and Best Cafe Racer is sponsored by Antigravity Batteries. 
   
   Each finalist will receive two free weekend passes for the event and one free Shed Jumble space for the purpose of selling motorbike parts, engines, accessories and spares.
   
   More information can be found at TheCustomShow.com

   

4. Prescott Bike Fest 2018 - In Aid of Blood Bikes

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 6th Jan 2018

   Prescott Bike Fest 2018 is set to be the biggest and best yet following the announcement that, for the first time, it has been extended to two days. Not just two days doing the same thing though, much more than that. The popular, family-friendly event will return to the Gloucestershire hill climb on 14-15 April 2018, and will once again boast a brilliantly diverse range of machinery.

   Saturday isn’t about track action, that’s being kept for the Sunday but make no mistake, no track doesn’t mean not exciting. Sunday remains as marvellous a day as it’s always been. Together it all adds up to Two Amazing Days – One Winning Weekend.

   Love it or hate it, Electric is here and BikeFest want to be among the first to showcase it. Saturday features ‘Electric Avenue’, the latest in road and race technology, an innovation zone from the Universities and their EV projects plus special displays featuring Formula E, TT Zero and the new electric Harley Davidson, the Festival’s featured Club. Of course, motorcycles remain at the heart of the event and you’ll be able to see, get close and question the experts in the latest electric motorcycle and car technology too!

   Paddock Specials remain a special feature of the Festival and this year, just a flavour of what’s to come; we are pleased to welcome the 1903 Royal Sovereign, Salon Privé class winner thanks to Brian Glover. We also welcome back the engineering genius Allen Millyard, also a Salon Privé winner, with no less than five of his marvellous creations.

   Zef Eisenberg and the Mad Max Race Team are returning with three of his best including the new V8 and the 235mph Madmax, which currently holds the speed record as the world’s fastest jet-turbine street-legal motorcycle. “Prescott Bike Fest is great fun and a friendly event,” said Zef. “I enjoy chatting to fellow bikers who appreciate the engineering and craftsmanship in our projects. It's also nice to put a smile on people's faces when they see the bike in action. I look forward to blasting back up that hill.”

   Other extreme machines will include the latest project from ‘Madcap McKeown’, creator not only of the world’s fastest shopping trolley but also the world’s fastest hearse.

   As ever at Bike Fest, there will be extensive displays of historic, modern and racing  motorcycles throughout the weekend with a Paddock Specials Show ’n’ Tell spot featuring the best in road, race, factory builds, shed builds, wacky, jet powered and record beating machines. You can chat away to the owners and bike builders on the Saturday and watch them take to the hill on the Sunday.

   Why not be a star of the show? Riders who fancy tackling the legendary hill climb themselves can book a place to ‘Run the Hill’ on the Sunday. Don’t wait too long, though – it’s always a sell-out! Or you can let someone else do the hard work and take part in a thrilling passenger ride experience.

   Aside from the incredible machinery, there’s a stellar line-up of entertainment to keep the whole family entertained. On the Saturday there’s ‘Gin & Jazz Fest’ in the Clubhouse – 50 regional gins plus legendary jazz vocalist Tina May, considered as one of the finest jazz vocalist's in the UK, performing throughout the day with supporting acts. Meanwhile the Orchard will be rockin’ with ‘Brews and Blues’. A huge marquee will feature over 20 regional and craft beers, plus a stunning line up of live blues and rockabilly bands.

   Throughout the weekend there’s non-stop live music, special guest appearances, a large kids zone, over 100 quality trade stands, clubs, a beer tent, the Blood Bike Village and great food. You can grab yourself a bargain or maybe treat yourself to a new bike from one of the dealers or manufacturers represented including Harley Davidson, Ducati, Triumph, Honda and MV Augusta.

   All proceeds from what’s sure to be a memorable weekend will once again go to the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and regional Blood Bike group Severn Freewheelers. The latter is one of 27 Blood Bike groups around the UK that provide a free out-of-hours courier service for medical essentials. The life-saving service is run by volunteers and operates between NHS facilities, with Severn Freewheelers alone dealing with around 400 calls per month on emergency response BMW R1200RTs. Bike Fest has raised well over £200,000 for the charity since the event was founded.

    

   For tickets and more information, visit: www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk

5. KICKBACK will be hosting the 2018 National Championships (for Customised Motorcycles) at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire from 7th -8th April 2018

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 28th Dec 2017

   KICKBACK will once again be providing a free platform, for young and emerging builders, to show off their engineered masterpieces this April.
    
   Experienced professionals will also be entering their creations and the judging panel will contain industry legends and previous national and international champions.
    
   Most of the customs and modified creations are proper shed builds and many of the motorcycles will be unveiled at KICKBACK for the very first time.
    
   There are seven different classes for the 2018 National Championships:

   • Freestyle
   • Young Builder of the Year
   • Best Modified Sportsbike (sponsored by MH Products)
   • Best Modified Classic (sponsored by Butchered Classics facebook group)
   • Best Modified Triumph (sponsored by Bonnefication.com)
   • Best Café Racer Style
   • Best Old School Chopper / Bobber.

   
   There will also be a comprehensive collection of creative customs and modified classics in the (non-compete) Invitational Showcase plus visitors will be able to enjoy the professional stunt show and watch burn-outs and fire-ups over the weekend.

   Grab a coffee or cool beer and wander around the Shed Jumble and check out the new gear on the exhibition trade booths.
   
   The event opens at 12 noon—5.30pm on Saturday 7th and from 10am—4.30pm on Sunday 8th April. Parking is free, you can park your bike right outside the main entrance and camping is available as well as an onsite hotel.
    
   More information on how to enter your bike and advance tickets are available from TheCustomShow.com
    
   Contact Lorne on 07758 368 072  [email protected]