Category: Events and Shows

1. RACE RETRO 2013 REVS UP FOR TENTH ANNIVERSARY

   Posted on 12:01am Wednesday 9th Jan 2013

   Race Retro, the international historic motorsport show, is revving up for it’s tenth anniversary when it returns to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th February 2013, with a tribute to legendary classic motorcycles and the riders that raced them to victory.

   The Norton Owners Club will welcome Stan Dibben to its stand. Stan is the oldest surviving British World Motorcycle racing champion having been a passenger in the sidecar of Eric Oliver’s Norton/Watsonian outfit winning the 1953 World Sidecar Racing Championship, on display courtesy of the National Motorcycle Museum.

   Later in a life dedicated to motorsport, Stan was the UK expert representing NGK spark plugs in all forms of motorsport, as well as also working as a crew member on Donald Campbell’s Bluebird during the Australian World Land Speed record attempts.

   There will be a tribute in memory of Barry Sheene as its ten years since his passing with a fantastic display of the racer’s bikes. Plus there will be displays from the UK’s best motorcycle clubs as well as a chance for individual owners to shine in the Pride of Ownership competition. The popular Fire Up Paddock returns to bring legendary motorcycles back to life as they get started up so the crowds can hear the roar of the engines.

   For those looking to invest in a piece of motorsport history, visit the Silverstone Auction which specialises in the sale of modern and historic motorcycles, competition cars and automobilia.

   The auction will be open for viewing all day on Friday and Saturday morning. The sale will then start on Saturday lunchtime with the automobilia before moving on to classic and historic motor racing and competition cars and motorcycles. Silverstone Auctions is happy to accept entries into the auction and those interested should contact the team by telephoning 01926 691 141 or emailing [email protected].

   Auction catalogues will be available online at www.silverstoneauctions.com 

   For car fans, there will be a celebration of the magnificent racing history of Team Lotus with stunning displays of the legendary cars involved in Lotus’ most notable victories. Race Retro also pays tribute to the rallying career of Renault Alpine on the 40th anniversary of its first ever World Rallying Championship title with display vehicles as well as out on the Live Rally Stage.

   Rallying with Group B will be out in force on Saturday and Sunday, putting on an amazing showcase for visitors on the purpose built course that features a new layout for 2013 to keep the cars and drivers challenged with a new set of twists and turns.

   If you prefer to be apart of the action, get behind the wheel of a professionally prepared rally car from HERO, the Historic Endurance Rallying organisation, and its ‘arrive and drive’ fleet. For just £30, you can put a classic rally car through its paces and get a feel for rally driving on a purpose built course.

   Head to the interview stage to see special guests such as the legend Sir Stirling Moss and the iconic voice of motorsport Murray Walker. They will be answering your questions as well as signing autographs. Plus there will be motorsport quizzes with the chance to win some great prizes.

   Adult tickets for Race Retro, sponsored by Peter James Insurance, start at £20 in advance with children’s tickets at £5 for Friday and Saturday and free on Sunday. Car parking is free and has been moved to a hard surface area nearer to the halls. The show is open from 9.30am each day and closes at 5.30pm on Friday and Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday.

   To book tickets and for the latest updates, visit www.raceretro.com

2. TwoZero lights up Motorcycle Live

   Posted on 12:01am Thursday 22nd Nov 2012

   TwoZero is exhibiting at Motorcycle Live The NEC, Birmingham 24 November to 2 December.

   TwoZero will be showcasing its range of safety reflective clothing for the first time since teaming up with UK motorcycle distributor Nevis Marketing.      

   TwoZero's first product on the market, the Verso gilet is a stylish break-away from the norm reflective vest. Available in full florescent yellow, or a black reflective version. The Verso has clever side expanding panels where when fully open a rucksack can be worn underneath, so the reflection and visibility won't be broken. It has a loop where a LED light can be attached and a secure zip fastening. A comfortable fit is ensured with elastic panels and on cold days extra layers can be worn underneath. Available in sizes S/M, L/XL and 2XL, priced at £35.99.      

   BRAND NEW for 2013, is the Verso Cyclone a lightweight waterproof jacket with all the visibility and practical functions as the gilet, including the expandable sides and LED light loops. The Cyclone is also available in full florescent yellow and black. It has two zipped pockets, a mesh lining and has a pouch for storage when not in use. The Cyclone jacket is available in sizes XS - 4XL and priced at £54.99.      

   To accompany the Cyclone jacket, is the Cyclone waterproof over trousers. Black with reflective details, the Cyclone trousers are perfect for a rainy day. Lightweight with an elastic waist so can be worn easily over leathers. As with the jacket, the trousers also have a neat carry pouch so can be taken on rides in case the unpredictable English weather takes it toll. Available in sizes XS to 4XL and priced at £24.99.      

   The X-Belt is a reflective belt that sits on the torso in an 'X' shape for increased visibility. The belt is easy to wear, heavy duty and has easily accessible mesh front and back pockets ideal for keys, wallet etc. The belt is available in full florescent yellow or silver and priced at £24.99.

   Moving away from clothing, TwoZero also has on offer stylish reflective bags and LED lights. The bags TZ-1 and TZ-2 fit closely across a riders body and have a swivel feature to move round without removing the product. It has no metallic parts so will not scratch a motorcycle tank, has reflective detailing on the bag and on the strap. It is shower proof with a practical large zip for easy use with gloves and has a capacity of 2.5 litres. Available in various designs and priced at £39.99 TZ-1 and £33.33 TZ-2.      

   The ultra bright LED is simple, but effective. Attach on a rucksack or to the loop of a Verso gilet or jacket and let the little lights give extra visibility. With 100 hours of battery life, easily replaceable batteries and a silicon loop attaching and wearing is simple and easy. Available in white or red and priced at £9.99.      

   All these products will be on display on the TwoZero stand at Motorcycle Live. For tickets call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

   For more information on TwoZero and to see a preview of the new range, visit www.two-zero.co.uk

3. Manchester Salvation Army Toy - Cancelled

   Posted on 12:01am Wednesday 21st Nov 2012

   As THE BIKER GUIDE attended this run each year it is with sadness that we make this announcement.  

   Owing to the Financial climate and the many costs involved to organise this toy run, it will no longer take place.

4. Footman James Classic Motor Show - Post Show Facts & Figures

   Posted on 12:01am Monday 19th Nov 2012

   This year's was the biggest and best ever… fact! Here are some top line facts and figures.

   Early calculations show the 2012 number of visitors to be 58,000. This is a conservative figure and could be closer to 60,000 when the final count is confirmed. (2011 figure was 50,000). This is the highest figure ever. Show also had best opening day ever.

   Quote from Andy Rouse, Show Manager: “We are totally blown away by the number of visitors for this year. It’s exceeded all our expectations and reflects the growth and strength of the classic motoring movement. Feedback from the clubs, traders and visitors has been fantastic. The new layout worked well and we’ll use any feedback to develop the show for 2013. With a show of this scale and with the number of visitors attending, its always our priority to improve the way visitors can move around the show to enjoy all the exhibits.”

   The inaugural Silverstone Auction total sale value: £1.1m with over 60% converted to new owners. Post auction deals are still under discussion. The Fiat 500’s, both guided below £8,000 each made over £15,000. The Aston Martin DB4 reached £224,000. A fantastic price, albeit a beautiful car.

   Number of Dream Rides given during the show: gave approx 1,000 rides and raised £30,000 plus gift aid which should give a minimum final total of £35,000. The Bears reached the million pound target after a £20 donation for a ride in a Bristol from dream ride regular Colin Padley from Dagenham. From small donations over the years Colin has donated £1,000 so fitting he won a ride around Silverstone in a Ferrari racing car.

   Winner of Meguiar's Club Showcase final: 1972 Volkswagon Beetle 1200 Deluxe owned by Wayne McCarthy from Ireland. Only five points separated the top four.

   Wheeler Dealer Live Stage with Mike Brewer and Edd China – restored a 1960 Morris Minor Pick Up. Special guests: Sir Stirling Moss, TT Riders Guy Martin and Mick Grant, Red Dwarf star Chris Barrie, comedian Steve Coogan, actress Natalie J Robb, Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis and Motoring Journalists/presenters Quentin Wilson and Tiff Needell.

   2013 dates – 15-17 November 2013.

   Amount of floor space – 82,000 square metres (last year 70,000) Halls: 11 (Halls 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, and 20) Number of clubs: 250 Number of cars:  approx. 1,500 Number of bikes: approx. 300 Number of Exhibitors: over 520. Number of Car Dealers:  approx 43

    

5. I Will Ride 500 Miles!

   Posted on 12:01am Monday 19th Nov 2012

   As motorcyclists we all know the amount of fundraising events for good causes and charities that goes on each year that are organised and run by motorcyclists, clubs and motorcycle organisations. 

   In Northern Ireland riders raise thousands of pounds each year for these various causes from Children’s Wards, Christmas Appeals, MRI Scanner Appeals, Dog Homes, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the NABD (National Association of Bikers with a Disability) and many more.      

   These events are replicated across the UK, but this time, funding raising with a difference has reach our inbox from the Boundary 500 Motorcycle group based in England.      

   The group has received the blessing of pre-eminent folk duo The Proclaimers and now look set to launch one of the year’s most unlikely attempts at making the pop charts.      

   The Boundary 500 Motorcycle group has enlisted the help of North-East band The Happy Cats, fronted by ex-Lindisfarne vocalist Marty Craggs, in re-recording I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers’ signature song.  Sales of the song will raise money for two of the region’s best-loved charities, the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) and Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice.

   The lyrics of the song have been changed to reflect the bikers’ dedication to the two causes, and the song itself has been given the new title I’m Gonna Ride 500 Miles.   Brian Laverick, leader of the Boundary 500 group, said: “It’s been a lot of hard work putting this together, but the end product is something I think we can be really proud of. We even got the thumbs up from The Proclaimers themselves. Song sales of about 3,000 in the week should see us enter the top 40 which would be a phenomenal achievement in itself, but would also raise lots of money for these two great charities.”  

   Mark Guidery, chief executive at Zoë’s Place, said: “Brian and his group continue to amaze us with their fundraising efforts. We hope residents of the region get behind the group’s latest efforts and provide a real boost to our fundraising in the run up to Christmas.”  

   Grahame Pickering, chief executive of GNAAS, said: “The charities get a donation for every single sold, so we are hoping all our supporters get behind this fantastic fundraiser.”   The Boundary 500 Motorcycle Group was formed in June 2006 and was established primarily to support GNAAS and later added to its nominated charities Zoë's Baby Hospice.  

   The Group takes its name from the approximate distance around the boundary area of the air ambulance charity. Every year, bikers from the group ride the 500 mile journey to boost fundraising. It has raised more than £310,000 for GNAAS and £106,000 for Zoë’s Place since it began.  

   In a statement, Charlie and Craig Reid, of the Proclaimers, said: “Our very best wishes to the Happy Cats’ and everyone in the Boundary 500”  

    The song is available for 79p via iTunes and in CD and DVD format for £3 at www.greatnorthairambulance.co.uk/shop

   At Right To Ride we think that the Boundary 500 may be on to a hit with the recording of the Proclaimers 500 miles/bikes.

   The Boundary 500 say, “Please help us make this a Christmas number 1.”   Information   The Groups next major event is on Saturday 8th December 2012 when they hold their annual 22 miles Motorcycle Santa Ride for Zoë's Baby Hospice.

   Further details are on the Groups web site.   www.boundary500.co.uk