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Staffordshire County Showground, ST18 0BD - Saturday and Sunday, October 11-12, 2025
Two big motorcycling icons have been confirmed for the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, sponsored by Carole Nash, this October 11–12, 2025! Taking place at the Staffordshire County Showground, the show will welcome two legends of the sport – Wayne Gardner and Roger Marshall.
1987 World Motorcycle Grand Prix Champion, Wayne Gardner, has been confirmed as guest of honour. Gardner began his racing journey on a five-dollar dirt bike and quickly rose through the ranks, making his 500cc debut in 1983. Remaining loyal to Honda, the Aussie star achieved major success with Honda Britain, winning his first Grand Prix in 1986. He went on to beat legends Eddie Lawson and Randy Mamola to claim the 1987 World Championship title.
Joining him on stage will be no other than Gardner’s best friend, multiple British champion and former Grand Prix rider, Roger Marshall. With 11 British Championship titles to his name, Marshall rose to fame during the 1970s and '80s. He finished runner-up to Joey Dunlop in the 1984 F1 World Championship, claimed podium finishes at the Isle of Man TT, and was a formidable force in Grand Prix racing.
See these racing icons and good friends live on stage throughout the weekend, as Jack Burnicle dives into their incredible careers.
And that’s not all! The show will also host top club stands from across the UK and will be packed with stunning machines from across the decades - some of which will roar back to life in the legendary GP Paddock. Explore everything you could possibly need for your motorcycling hobby across our huge trade areas and autojumble stands. Plus, enjoy live music, a fully stocked bar, and much more.
Save over 20% by booking tickets in advance! Tickets are just £16.50, and under-16s go free when accompanied by an adult. For more information, visit classicbikeshows.com
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Touratech celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2025 – a milestone for the long-established company from the Black Forest, which has developed into a leading global supplier of high-quality motorcycle accessories since its foundation in 1990.
Creative early years
The beginnings of Touratech are characterised by creativity and pioneering spirit: two well-travelled motorcycle globetrotters were dissatisfied with the equipment available at the time and began developing motorcycle accessories for their own use in Niedereschach. The first commercially marketed product was the IMO 200T motorcycle computer – a device that was unique worldwide at the time for rally riders and long-distance travellers.
The next milestone followed in 1992 with the ZEGA Case: the first aluminium pannier developed specifically for motorcycles set new standards in luggage transport for adventure bikes – a concept that continues successfully in the ZEGA family to this day. In 1994, Touratech began producing high-strength pannier racks for the BMW R 1100 GS, thereby opening up further market segments.
OEM manufacturing as a driving force for professionalisation
A significant step towards industrialisation followed in 1997 with a major order from KTM for 1,000 IMO units – marking the company's entry into the OEM business. Touratech expanded, increased its production capacity and consistently professionalised its structures.
Consistent expansion of the product portfolio
Touratech AG was founded in 1999. With an expanding product portfolio, including suspension components (Touratech Suspension) and motorcycle clothing (e.g. textile suits from the Compañero range, helmets from the Aventuro family), Touratech established itself as a full-range supplier in the premium segment.
Top quality made in Germany
Production at the Niedereschach site is characterised by a high degree of vertical integration – for many products, this is 100 percent. The high product quality is guaranteed by the interaction of qualified employees and the use of advanced technologies such as CNC machining, laser cutting and state-of-the-art welding robots.
Another milestone in the company's history was ISO certification in 2004, which paved the way for long-term cooperation with premium manufacturers such as BMW. These partnerships, for example for the Vario or Adventure cases, are still characteristic of the high quality and innovative strength that distinguish Touratech as an OEM partner.
Strongly positioned with the Happich Group
Touratech has been part of the internationally active Happich Group since 2018. This affiliation has created new synergies, for example in the development of modern assembly lines and the integration of IT-supported production processes. In this way, series production of the new BMW Adventure case systems began in 2024 with three shifts.
Despite its professionalisation, Touratech has always remained true to its roots. Many of its more than 550 employees share a passion for motorcycling, and quite a few of them live the spirit of adventure, travelling far and wide on their bikes – an enthusiasm that is evident in the products.
Touratech as part of the adventure scene
But Touratech is much more than just a manufacturer of motorcycle equipment. Every year, the company organises one of the world's largest gatherings for motorcycle travellers with its Travel Event. With Touratech Active Adventure, these motorcycle enthusiasts have also created a unique riding event where adventure riders can legally ride a variety of attractive off-road trails in the Black Forest foothills. Twice a year, Touratech keeps the scene informed about the most important innovations in the adventure sector with its lavishly produced customer magazine TRAVEL TIME, which is available in both print and digital formats. And last but not least, as a founding sponsor, Touratech has initiated a Europe-wide movement with Adventure Country Tracks (ACT) that opens up off-road tracks where adventure riders can explore European countries off the beaten track.
Into the future with a strong team and creative energy
Today, Touratech is represented in over 50 countries and supplies not only discerning end customers but also motorcycle manufacturers such as BMW, Ducati and KTM. With its unwavering commitment to its Niedereschach location, a highly motivated team and innovative spirit, the company will confidently celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2025 – while at the same time looking resolutely ahead to the future.
www.touratech.com
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The British Motor Museum is to launch a brand-new sound-based exhibition ‘Beep-Beep, Yeah!’ which will open on 18 July and run until spring 2026 in the new Rubery Owen Gallery. The centrepiece of this exciting exhibition is a Rolls-Royce once owned by music legend, John Lennon! 
From the favourite tunes we play when we’re driving, to the songs that were inspired by motoring cities; push button radios to streaming podcasts; the sensation of our favourite engine noises to the quietness of modern cars; sound, music and the motor car have always had an emotional connection. Beep-Beep, Yeah!: The Sounds and Songs of the Motor Car explores this connection from the engine rumble to the rhythm of our favourite tune and examines why the sounds we listen to in our cars can influence the way we drive.
Visitors can immerse themselves in the sound experience through a range of interactive elements such as tuning a 1970s radio, feeling the noise of a BRM V16 P15 race car engine, or sitting inside a 2022 Bentley Bentayga to experience its incredibly powerful audio systems!
The exhibition also features a 2019 Wells Vertige Prototype demonstrating how music shaped an entire design while, on the other end of the scale, is the 2018 Nissan Leaf whose electric motor is so quiet it generates a pedestrian warning sound as a safety feature.
Throughout the exhibition is the connection between cars and music and this link is demonstrated by the star car of the exhibition, a white 1965 Rolls-Royce Phantom V, once owned by John Lennon! The Rolls-Royce appeared in the Beatles film, Let It Be and was sold in 1969 to Allen Klein, founder of ABKCO Records and the Beatles’ manager at the time. It has remained with the family ever since and has been kindly loaned by Jody Klein.
As a result of the generous support of Rubery Owen, Beep‑Beep, Yeah! will be housed in a brand-new exhibition space which gives visitors the chance to explore more than ever before.
Richard Jenkins, Group CEO, Rubery Owen Holdings, commented “As one of Britain's leading engineering companies and one of the earliest to be involved in the motor industry, Rubery Owen shares the Museum's commitment to preserving the history of Britain's automotive industry — both now and into the future. Rubery Owen is proud to support the creation of a new gallery space at the Museum.”
Cat Boxall, Curator at the British Motor Museum, said “We’re really excited to open an exhibition with a different focus by bringing sound to the forefront in an immersive and interactive way. This has given us a fantastic opportunity to explore our collection from a fresh perspective. When you visit, be sure to think about your favourite driving tunes. Leave your suggestions and scan to take away the playlist which we will be updating throughout the course of the exhibition!”.
www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk
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Automotive industry charity, Ben, is proudly celebrating 120 years of support for automotive people and their families, as well as marking a new chapter in its future strategic direction.
For over a century, Ben has been a lifeline to thousands of people across the industry, offering support for life. In line with this significant milestone, the charity is entering the next phase of its strategic transformation, unveiling a new vision and senior leadership team to meet the growing health and wellbeing needs of automotive people.
The charity’s three main goals over the next five years are:
- To treble charitable impact – helping even more people
- To increase awareness about Ben from 1:6 to 1:3 for those working in the industry
- To double income through fundraising.
At the heart of Ben’s evolution is its new vision statement of the world the charity wishes to influence: An automotive family that thinks well, feels well, lives well, and works well.
As part of Ben’s renewed direction is a mission to:
- Provide health & wellbeing support for life for automotive people and their family dependents
- Partner with automotive employers to build a resilient and motivated workforce
- Champion and influence positive changes for the automotive industry and its people.
Back in 2023, Ben announced its decision to transfer its care and retirement village to suitable alternative operators and become a single-focused charity, supporting the growing health and wellbeing needs of automotive people. Since the launch of Ben’s previous strategic plan in 2018, demand for Ben’s health and wellbeing services has grown significantly. Ben’s insights suggest that the health and wellbeing needs of automotive industry people are vast and unmet; a key driver for Ben’s Board of Trustees to move in this strategic direction.
Rachel Clift, CEO at Ben, said: “Our 120th birthday has been a time to reflect on the incredible impact Ben has had over the years, as well as taking time to look ahead. We’re embracing the road ahead with ambition and purpose, launching a future vision that will empower our automotive family to live their best lives. This is about driving a new era of health and wellbeing across our industry, focusing on the growing health and wellbeing needs of those who work (or have worked) in the automotive industry and their families.
“We have committed to significantly scaling our health and wellbeing services over the next 5-10 years, enhancing our preventative support and continuing to provide responsive support. Our care and village services were an integral and valued part of Ben for over 70 years; however, our future now focuses on the health and wellbeing needs of our automotive family.
“As we look ahead, we will continue to work closely with employers, partners, and industry leaders to ensure the health and wellbeing of automotive workers remains a shared priority. We all have a responsibility to look after each other, our automotive family, so that we can create a strong, resilient industry ready for the future.”
Ben recently announced a new senior leadership team to support Ben’s new strategic direction, further strengthening the charity’s ability to deliver on its mission and support everyone in the automotive family, from the workshop floor to the boardroom. Find out more about Ben’s senior leadership team: www.ben.org.uk/SLT.
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- Subaru announce partnership with World Superbike Championship
- All-electric Subaru Solterra selected as Official Safety Car
- Solterra embodies innovation, performance, and reliability - an ideal match for the championship
- Round 7 of the championship to be held July 11-13 at Donington Park, UK
8th July 2025 - Subaru’s first all-electric SUV, the Subaru Solterra, will take the spotlight as the Official Safety Car of the popular motorsport series. This marks Subaru Europe's debut in an official motorsport programme and the first time WorldSBK has selected an all-electric vehicle as its Official Safety Car.
As the Official Safety Car, the Solterra underscores Subaru’s commitment to crafting vehicles that offer a unique blend of enjoyment and peace of mind. From pre-session track assessments to rapid incident responses, Subaru’s all-electric SUV is built to perform where and when it matters most.
Having performed expertly at all rounds of the season so far, the Subaru Solterra will be on-hand at round seven of the World SBK Championship, held in the UK at the infamous Donington Park, near Castle Donington in Leicestershire. There are three WorldSBK contests to look forward to, with two on the main Sunday race day, plus an international support race package featuring World SuperSport and the return of the Women’s World Championship. Further racing will come from a roster of leading national categories.
"Subaru’s rich racing heritage makes the WorldSBK championship a perfect match for our brand," said David Dello Stritto, General Manager at Subaru Europe. "Partnering with this distinctive motorsport series aligns Subaru with performance and cutting-edge innovation. It reinforces our core values of driving fun, go-anywhere capability, durability and safety—values that resonate deeply with Subaru and WorldSBK fans alike.”
He continued “This collaboration brings our 'Power On. Ready. Charge.' motto to life, showcasing the mindset behind our European efforts to introduce new electric models in the region. It reaffirms Subaru's dedication to shaping a sustainable and electrified future for the brand in Europe.”
Francesco Valentino, Head of WorldSBK Commercial & Marketing Department expressed his enthusiasm: "We are thrilled to welcome Subaru as the Official Safety Car provider for WorldSBK. The Solterra embodies a perfect blend of innovation, performance, and reliability, making it an ideal match for our championship. Subaru’s focus on delivering high-quality vehicles aligns perfectly with WorldSBK’s pursuit of excellence. We’re excited to see the Solterra leading the pack and providing fans with unforgettable experiences in our paddock."
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