ON-STAGE chats between former motorcycle racers James Whitham and Steve Plater were among the highlights for a bumper crowd at Newark Showground's classic bike event this past weekend - January 9-10.

The Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic

The duo shared plenty of laughs with the audience at the Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic as they talked about James’s race career and subsequent life as a TV commentator; many behind-the-scenes tales and outtakes being revealed from the latter.   James said: “I love these shows; talking to people about bikes and racing… I can’t get enough of it.”   The Yorkshireman had also bought two of his own restoration projects – a 1981 Suzuki GT250 X7 and a 1986 TZ50 S – to display at the classic event alongside the hundreds of private entry and club bikes being inspected by showgoers throughout the weekend.   James added: “I’ve worked on both bikes myself. My aim has been to keep them simple and original – and also I want to not make them too ‘mint’ as I plan to ride them. I don’t like the idea of having a bike that’s not going to be used.”

Also getting plenty of attention was the Best-in-Show-winning Triumph Trident ‘Hyde Harrier’ owned by Jeff Elliot.

Jeff built his machine from scratch with only the frame as a starting point – a project he started two years ago. When asked what made triples so appealing to him, he replied simply by saying: “The noise,” with a grin on his face.

Scooter World proved popular once again with club displays and trade stands lining up alongside have-a-go activities such as the skills challenge and an engine rebuild competition.

Charity events took place in two scooter halls and Saturday evening dinner – including two auctions of scooter accessories and memorabilia – raising a total of around £4000.

Classic Bike Shows’ head of the event Nick Mowbray said: “This fifth running of the show has undoubtedly been one of the most successful yet. The superb variety of machines on display is testament to the come-one, come-all theme of the show and it really was a celebration of all things classic motorcycling.

“Add to that the atmosphere and enthusiasm of the Scooter World halls and it’s fair to say we are going home delighted with how the weekend has gone.”

Motorcycle events return to Newark Showground throughout the year at the ’Normous Newark Autojumbles which take place on selected Sundays in 2016 – the next being on January 31.

For Classic Bike Shows, attention now turns to the South West and the February 6-7 Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show at Shepton Mallet.