Category: Events and Shows

1. BRITISH RACER GUY MARTIN TO APPEAR AT THE FOOTMAN JAMES CLASSIC MOTORBIKE SHOW

   Posted on 12:01am Wednesday 25th Jul 2012

   British motorcycle racer Guy Martin will make his debut at this year’s Footman James Classic Motorbike Show held at Birmingham’s NEC from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th November. Guy, who is best known for his road racing career as well as his obsession with engineering, will meet motorcycle fans and sign autographs on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th.

   Guy started his career at Team Racing and made a successful debut in the Isle of Man TT. He later moved to AIM Yamaha where he competed in the British Supersport Championship before moving to Hydrex Honda. After four years at Hydrex Honda and a year with Wilson Craig Honda, Guy switched to Relentless Suzuki before joining Tyco Suzuki for the 2012 season. He also starred in the motorcycling documentary film TT3D: Closer to the Edge following the leading riders in the 2010 Isle of Man TT races.

   Outside of motorcycle racing, having started messing withmotors at the age of five – albeit a lawnmower, Guy has a passion for all things mechanical. He became a household name with the BBC1 Series ‘The Boat That Guy Built’ reaching nine million viewers a week. Guy’s new Channel 4 series ‘Building Britain’ is also set to be a huge success. Each week Guy will help a team of volunteers restore an iconic machine or buildingfrom Britain's industrial past, and through each structure he will tell thestory of a landmark in making the Britain we recognise today: the railways, the factories, the docks, the mines, the garden and the holiday.

   Guy still works on the trucks, now for Moody International, likes a good cup of tea, driving his Transit van and wearing shorts all year. However as Guy has gotolder, his interests have also widened– in his words he has ‘evolved.’ Alongside the motorbike racing he is now also serious about racing mountainbikes, competing in 24-hour endurance races and downhill international races.

   Visitors can find Guy on the Live Motorbike Stage where host Steve Berry will interview him about his career and the bikes he has in his own collection – and those he wants to add. There will also be a chance for visitors to ask their own questions in a Q&A session. Steve will also be interviewing motorcycle legends such as Mick Grant and Eric Boocock.

   Ticket prices range from £10 when purchased in advance. For more information on the Footman James Classic Motorbike Show, visit www.classicmotorbikeshow.com

2. The Farmyard Party 2012 - You Came, You Saw You got wet, But you didn't half party!

   Posted on 12:01am Tuesday 24th Jul 2012

   Over 6 thousand of you, well 6,007 of you to be exact, turned up at the Farmyard gates and demanded to get down in the mud and party!

   If you talk to any event supplier, trader or caterer, 2012 has been a washout. Events have been cancelled all over the UK, but not us and not you, we opened our gates and you rode from all points of the UK, Ireland and even Europe to come to a sodden North Yorkshire. Hats off to you, it has to be said, well done! And you didn't moan or complain, you just got on with it and got slaughtered... Nutters the lot of you!

   If in your panic to get pissed you missed your chance to visit the product tent, we have a bit left, T-shirts, vests, strappy tops, badges, ect.

   Just ring Neil on the Free phone Number 0800 988 3199 and he will take your order and post it to you.

   So moving on. The Yorkshire Pudding Rally www.yorkshirepuddingrally.com 3 to the 5/8/12 is full, sold out, no tickets left, none on the gate as its pre-book.

3. VMCC FESTIVAL OF 1000 BIKES

   Posted on 12:01am Sunday 22nd Jul 2012

   It was ‘A close-run thing’ to quote the Duke of Wellington, but hard work and determination enabled 1000 Bikes to ‘happen’ and to be another triumph.

   There was much last-minute activity to overcome the effects of the week’s almost continuous rain prior to the event and this was justified by more than 1, 300 bikes and riders on the track over the weekend.  Everything was represented, from the Single-speed Triumph of Jacqueline Bickerstaff which was celebrating its 100th birthday to the up-to-the-minute cutting edge Ducati-engined “Vyrus” of Alto Engineering.

   Apart from a couple of brief showers on both Saturday & Sunday afternoon the track remained dry – which is more than could be said for nearly everywhere else! Copious application of lorry-loads of tree bark chippings saved the day but it has to be admitted that the grass areas outfield remained damp.

   In spite of Friday’s adversity during set-up the Avenue of (over 50) Clubs was a vibrant hive of enthusiasm and activity and the “jumblers” overcame unavoidable changes in locations with stoic resolve (after Banbury & most other outdoor events this year they will be getting used to it)!

   Both the road paddock & race paddock’s had many interesting machines on display. One of the highlights must have been the trio of “Irvine Vincents” from Australia- which went just as impressively as they looked. Courtesy of event partner Michelin many people had come to witness the return to Mallory Park of GP legend Kevin Schwantz who showed that he had lost none of his speed when he put in some extremely quick laps on an ex-works Suzuki RGV500 during Sunday afternoons Past Masters feature.

   Prior to this Kevin was a last minute entrant in Saturday’s Pre-65 Trial when he put in a great “mud plugging” performance on a borrowed 197cc Francis Barnett.

   Events like 1000 Bikes do not just ‘happen’ apart from the months of planning and preparation the “day” of the event relies on the dedication and professionalism of many volunteers & enthusiasts without whom these things are not possible!

   The VMCC Festival of 1000 Bikes gives 4 awards every year and this becomes more and more difficult as the standards achieved are higher and higher.

   This year, the award for the Classic Motorcycle Magazine Best Pre-War machine went to Bryn Morley for his immaculate 1928 New Hudson Power Plus.

   The Old Bike Mart best Post-War machine award (and this is the most difficult category to judge!) went to Stuart Elkes with his 1963 Francis-Barnett “Fulmar Sports”.

   Chuck Jackson’s stunning 1954 Vincent ‘Egli’ took the Ace Cafe award for the Best Cafe racer and the closely contested prize for the Classic Racer Magazine best club stand went to the Yamaha LC Club.

   The VMCC Festival of 1000 Bikes is supported by some of the biggest names in the old bike movement including Footman James Insurance Brokers, Bonhams Auctioneers, Mortons Motorcycle Media, the National Motorcycle Museum, Norton Motorcycles, Michelin Tyre PLC, Ducati UK as well as corporate partner Eriks UK.

   www.vmcc.net/1000bikes

4. SHOW BRINGS TOGETHER THE VERY BEST MACHINES OF YESTERYEAR!

   Posted on 12:01am Friday 13th Jul 2012

   An unrivalled helping of motorcycling goodness will be served up at one of the biggest bike shows in the World!

   Dozens of clubs and hundreds of traders have already signed up to attend the 19th Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show which takes place at Stafford County Showground, Weston Road, Stafford ST18 0BD on Saturday, October 20, and Sunday, October 21.

   More than 1000 traders showcased their wares at last year’s event and this year it looks certain to be larger still – offering an even greater selection of bikes, parts, tools, leathers, maintenance services, insurance, workshop manuals, books, magazines, memorabilia, transfers and even gifts.

   Club stands are being booked up fast too, more than 60 at the last count, so you can see a bevy of beautiful 1960s, 70s and 80s machines looking their very best.

   Mortons show organizer Nick Mowbray said: “We love classic motorcycles and we’re going to deliver the sort of show we’d like to visit ourselves. Our line-up brings together everything and everyone you need to help you own, restore, ride and maintain the finest machines of yesteryear.

   “With hundreds of stalls to explore and dozens of club stands to admire, it’s going to be a very good weekend indeed.”

   Free parking will be plentiful on both days and dogs are welcome as long as they're on a lead.

   Gates are open 9am to 6pm on the Saturday and 9am to 5pm on the Sunday.

   Book now to avoid disappointment and take advantage of discounted prices. Pre-booked one-day tickets cost £10 for adults, £8.50 for senior citizens and £3 for under 15s. Two-day tickets cost £20 for adults, £17 for senior citizens and £6 for under 15s. Camping costs £40 for the weekend.

   You can even arrive on Friday and get a three-day ticket. These cost £30 for adults, £25.50 for senior citizens and £9 for under 15s.

   If you choose to pay on the day tickets will cost £12 for adults, £10.50 for senior citizens and £4 for under 15s.

   Call our pre-booked discount ticket hotline today on 01507 529529. To book a stand, call 01507 529430.

   www.mortons.co.uk

5. Harley-Davidson Museum spotlights the black leather jacket

   Posted on 12:01am Thursday 12th Jul 2012

   Worn to be Wild: The Black Leather Jacket special exhibit showcases history of iconic piece of clothing

   The Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee, USA chronicles the fascinating story and evolution of what is arguably one of the most iconic pieces of clothing of the 20th century with the exhibition Worn to be Wild: The Black Leather Jacket. The Museum’s special event space, the Garage, has been transformed to house nearly 60 leather jackets once worn by World War II fighter pilots, film stars, rock legends, rebel youth and runway models, to include from the USA’s SchottNYC and the UK’s legendary Lewis Leathers.

   The masterfully designed exhibit takes visitors through five areas where the leather jacket has played a major role – History, Music, Fashion, Hollywood and Collectors. In addition to the jackets, Worn to be Wild uses artifacts such as motorcycles, riding gear and photographs, to include images from the Ace Cafe London Archive, to help tell the black leather jacket’s story.

   Worn to be Wild: The Black Leather Jacket runs through Sept. 3 and is presented in partnership with the EMP Museum in Seattle. This is the first major traveling exhibit created by the curatorial staff at the Harley-Davidson Museum, and it’s the first time the complete history of the black leather jacket is being showcased, giving visitors a glimpse into all facets of how the jacket has become a main staple in popular culture. 

   The impressive collection reflects months of assembly, years of coordination and nearly a century of history. This exhibit traces the black leather jacket from its utilitarian roots in the 1920s, protecting motorcyclists and pilots from the elements; to its adoption by celebrities, rock stars and counterculture youth as a symbol of rebellion and cool; to its modern day designs seen on runways and in stores around the world.

   “Worn to be Wild uses an amazing array of garments with unique stories to depict the role the black leather jacket has played in popular culture,” said Jim Fricke, Curatorial Director at the Harley-Davidson Museum. “With materials on loan from around the world – including key pieces from EMP, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, and Jean Paul Gaultier – the exhibit is the first comprehensive look at the impact of this iconic jacket. The combination of motorcycling, pop culture and fashion will appeal to a wide audience”

   The jackets featured in Worn to be Wild range from the first leather jacket made by Harley-Davidson in 1929 and other early riding jackets to artfully adorned punk jackets. Hollywood plays a big role in the collection, featuring jackets worn on the screen and stage by stars like Elvis, Fergie, Arnold Schwarzenegger (Terminator 2), Gene Vincent, Harry Shearer (Spinal Tap), Hugh Laurie (House) to name but a few. High fashion stakes its claim in the exhibit with five outfits and leather jackets on loan from French designer Jean Paul Gaultier, as well as jackets by Gianni Versace, Jeremy Scott and several other designers.

   Worn to be Wild will be showcased at the EMP Museum, Seattle, October 2012 through February 2013 as well as at several other venues through the end of 2014.

   Special Events

   Untold Stories: “Rockers, Rebels and Runways: The Black Leather Jacket”
   Thursday, July 19, 7 pm.

   Museum Curatorial Director Jim Fricke will host a lively discussion of the influence of the motorcycle jacket and the rebel image on popular culture. Panelists include Oscar-nominated costume designer Deborah Nadoolman Landis, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Curatorial Director Howard Kramer, and Harley-Davidson General Merchandise Creative Director Karen Davidson. Cost is $15 for Museum members and $20 for non-members, and tickets can be purchased by visiting www.h-dmuseum.com

   About the Harley-Davidson Museum

   The Harley-Davidson Museum is located at 400 West Canal Street in Milwaukee and provides a glimpse of American history and culture like you’ve never seen it before – through the lens of Harley-Davidson Motor Company. The Museum, a top destination in Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin, is open year-round and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the area each year. The 20-acre campus offers abundant and free parking, and includes Motor® Bar & Restaurant and The Shop. 

   For more information on the Museum’s galleries, exhibits, special events, tickets, and more, visit the new and improved www.h-dmuseum.com