IT’S time to raid the change jar, empty the piggy bank and dig for coins behind the sofa as more than 500 traders make final preparations ahead of Staffordshire County Showground’s annual bike event.

Taking place on October 18-19, the Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show welcomes sellers of all the best bikes, biking bits, parts, pieces and accessories.

Around 30,000 visitors are expected to descend on the venue throughout the weekend as bargain hunters from across the UK and beyond head for the heart of Staffordshire.

Avid motorcycle restorer and top bike journalist Bertie Simmonds said: “The show is the highlight of the classic calendar and this year’s promises to be the biggest and best ever.

“There’s a real buzz in and around the showground for the weekend as the great and good of motorcycling come together for two superb days showcasing all that is best about biking.

“I for one will be searching for parts for my RD350R project in the autojumble stands; it really is amazing what you can find.”

Along with the trade and jumble items available, the traditional Bonhams Autumn Stafford Sale has a selection of lots creating wide-ranging interest in the motorcycle community with the auction house featuring a consignment of Barry Sheene memorabilia.

British musician and Blur lead guitarist Graham Coxon has donated seven machines from his prize motorcycle collection to the sale also, with proceeds to benefit UK children’s charity the NSPCC.

Coxon said: “These bikes have taken me on a lot of wonderful adventures up and down the country.

“As a parent, it seems fitting that they should be sold to benefit the NSPCC’s important work in supporting and protecting children all over the UK.”

Another highlight of the event is the appearance of a number of former race stars from across the generations. Frankie Chili, a Grand Prix and World Superbike star of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s is the show’s special guest of honour and he’ll be joined by Steve Plater, Jim Redman and Carl Fogarty who are all heading to Stafford in varying capacities.

The venue’s main ring will see the introduction of parade laps for the first time and this will supplement row after row of display machines – one of the biggest gatherings of concours bikes anywhere in the world.

There’s live action also in the form of trials demonstrations and the firing up of iconic race machines and many of the UK’s top motorcycle clubs will be putting together exhibits.

Advance tickets are on sale until Tuesday, October 14, with a one-day adult ticket costing just £10 – a saving of 20% on the gate price. For more details visit classicbikeshows.com or call the ticket hotline on 01507 529529.

Motorcycle Live – the UK’s biggest bike show – is so much more than a static display of the latest machinery. It also provides visitors with the opportunity to actually get on a bike and ride, both on and off-road.

The Test Ride Zone will make a welcome return to the show thanks to Shoei, Sidi and Spada and a great line-up of bikes from the world’s leading manufacturers. Accompanied by out-riders, visitors with a full motorcycle licence can take a FREE test ride and get a real feel for their chosen model, before visiting the manufacturer stand with any questions they may have.

For visitors keen to swap the tarmac for the dirt, the Yamaha Off-Road Experience offers the chance to do just that on a specially designed indoor circuit. Catering for all levels of experience, chief instructor and former MXGP rider Barry Johnson and his team will guide participants through the required techniques, all for FREE. 

Yet another opportunity to ride comes in the form of the ACU Try Trials feature, in association with BUMPY. The FREE 15-minute sessions, hosted by ACU instructors, aim to give an introduction to the highly skilled discipline of trials riding on an indoor course. Trials riding demonstrations by the ACU coaches will also take place daily. 

Kids of all ages can also get on two wheels with a whole range of FREE features, including the Kiddimoto Children’s Fun Track for two-12 year olds, Honda’s My First Licence for 5-11 year olds, the Arenacross Youth MX Experience and the Kuberg Children’s Trials feature for 5-12 year olds and Silverstone’s Rookie Rides for those aged 11-16. 

Motorcycle Live takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 22-30 November 2014. Advance tickets are just £17 per adult, £11 for Seniors and £7 for children aged 11-16* (kids ten and under accompanied by a paying adult go free). There is also a £20 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and a three-pack of Oxford Comfy neck warmers worth £15.

www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

The countdown to Motorcycle Live 2014 has officially begun!

Tickets for the UK’s biggest and best bike show, which will return to The NEC, Birmingham from 22-30 November, are available to buy now. See all the new 2015 models in the UK for the first time, watch amazing live action, ride on and off road, meet racing stars and enjoy the UK’s best day out in biking for just £17 in advance, or £20 in advance with the addition of a three-pack of Oxford Comfy neck warmers worth £15.

Nick Sanders is back!

Charismatic adventure rider Nick Sanders will be back at Motorcycle Live with a brand new performance routine shown through two 60-inch television screens. Excerpts from his latest show – The Ordinary Man Tour – will form a twice-hourly live show at Motorcycle Live. Visitors can listen, get involved in a Q&A and meet Nick.

www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

After a year-long battle in the 2014 Ducati TriOptions Cup, Dennis Hobbs finally overcame team-mate Leon Morris in the final race of the year to take championship glory for P&H Motorcycles/Carl Cox Motorsport. The prestigious one-make series was won by just 21 points after 16 flat-out showdowns this year.

Morris led the points table from the opening race of the season at Brands Hatch back in April, and since then the TriOptions Cup has raced the length and breadth of the UK, and even overseas at the iconic Assen Circuit. A first DNF of the year in the penultimate race on Saturday for Morris handed Hobbs the standings lead by a slender seven points. What’s more, the 2011 series victor sustained a finger injury which further put him on the back foot for the final contest.

As the lights went out for the last time it was Morris who made the best start, jumping up to second place behind pole-sitter and outgoing champion Marty Nutt. The JHP/Ducati Coventry rider could only hold top spot for the first lap, however, as a resurgent Hobbs was a man on a mission. He blasted through to the lead and immediately began to gap the field, and as Morris scrapped behind with a number of riders, Hobbs kept his head and powered to a commanding victory and overall championship glory.

Despite his best efforts, Morris began to drop down the order as the laps ticked by, crossing the line in fifth place at the chequered flag just behind Darren Fry who secured his best result of the year in fourth.

Jonathan Railton provided a fitting swansong for the Ducati 848, securing his only outright podium of the season and the last for the model which will not be eligble to race in the 2015 TriOptions Cup. He swapped positions with Nutt numerous times, but ultimately had to concede second place to the #1 899 Panigale on the last lap.

It was a fitting end to another thrilling year of Ducati racing in the British championship, and with the series confirmed for next season, we’ll be sure to see plenty more action from the TriOptions Cup.

2014 Ducati TriOptions Cup champion Dennis Hobbs said: “I don’t know what to say – and I’m not normally lost for words! I came into this weekend knowing that I had to win races and I was quickest in practice and qualifying. Then in race one it was all going really well, but I had a huge moment and I was so lucky to stay on the bike. Unfortunately Leon went down which put the pressure on me today, so I just had to try and stay calm.

“The last few laps were the longest laps I’ve ever done – you start worrying about everything but the bike didn’t let me down. I’m just over the moon for the whole team – the family is here to share the moment and it’s just awesome. I’m looking forward to next year already! Hopefully I’ll be back on an 899 again next year, it’s been a great year for me – one of the best I’ve ever had.”

2014 Ducati TriOptions Cup runner-up Leon Morris said: “I threw it away yesterday really – having led it from the start and been quick in every kind of conditions at every track it went wrong at the vital moment. Before I’d even had time to think about getting ahead of Dennis yesterday I was on the floor – I’ve ridden today because anything can happen, but I’m devastated not to win. On the flip side I’m pleased for the team – they deserve the championship more than anyone, and while its unfortunate for me that I couldn’t give it to them, thankfully Dennis did – so congratulations to both him and the team. Now I’ve got a reason to come back – I expect you’ll see us again next year!”

P&H Managing Director Paul Searle said: “The whole year has been one big highlight for us! What a fantastic result with the one-two, and having two great riders who are also really nice guys to work with makes the whole atmosphere in the team so enjoyable. The guys at P&H give up huge amounts of time to make this happen, so this is a perfect result for everyone involved.”

Outgoing champion Marty Nutt said: “I’ve absolutely loved riding the new bike, it’s improved a lot since the start of the year. We started off a bit slow, but from Knockhill onwards we were back at front-running pace. Unfortunately by then the top guys had capitalised and moved out of reach, but even still every weekend has been so much fun – this championship is what racing is all about for me.”

848 class winner Jonathan Railton said: “I’ve been trying all year to get that overall podium and it finally happened in the last race! It’s been a personal preference to ride the 848 – it really suits my riding style and I’ve really enjoyed racing it this year.”

Managing Director of Ducati UK, Tim Maccabee, said: “The Ducati brand has an amazing racing heritage, and I'm proud to say that the TriOptions Cup has continued the tradition of top-level motor racing and become an integral part of the British championships. We’re really looking forward to next year and are already making plans – the support for the riders and teams this year has been amazing and we’re sure that 2015 will be even bigger and better!”

Ducati UK would like to thank all the teams, riders and sponsors involved in the 2014 TriOptions Cup for making it another thrilling year. We look forward to seeing you again in 2015.

Travis Alan Pastrana is an American motorsports competitor and stunt performer who has won championships and X Games gold medals in several events, including supercross, motocross, freestyle motocross, and rally racing.

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