Tokyo Olympic medalist Declan Brooks visited Suzuki GB last week to meet the team, show off his medal, and collect his new SV650.  

Brooks claimed bronze in the freestyle BMX at the 2020 Olympics, the first time the sport has been included in the Games, but when not performing backflips and bar spins in mid-air the 25-year-old can often be found swapping pedal power for horsepower.

After passing his test in 2019 but being confined to an A2 licence, Brooks was finally able to graduate to a full A licence earlier this summer, and last week arrived at Suzuki’s UK headquarters to swap his restricted SV650X for a full power SV650.

While on site, the Team GB athlete was warmly welcomed by Suzuki’s motorcycle division, and spent the morning recounting tales from the Olympic Games while posing for photos with the team.

He said afterwards, “It was great to get up to see everyone at Suzuki and to pick up the new bike. They laid on a bit of breakfast, which was nice, and it was good to chat about BMXing, the Olympics, and just talk bikes. I don’t think it matters if it has an engine or not, if you’re into two wheels then you can get into any type of bike sport, and they spent a lot of time asking about BMX, the sport, and how we do what we do.

“It was good to swap to the full power SV as well. I’ve had to spend a couple of years on the restricted one but obviously rode the unrestricted version for my test, and we went out for a bit of a ride after I’d picked it up as well. I definitely think I’m going to like having a bit more power and I’m looking forward to getting some miles in before the end of the summer.”

Suzuki GB head of motorcycle marketing, Ian Bland, added, “It’s not every day you get to hold an Olympic medal, so we’re very grateful for Declan for coming in and meeting the team and sharing his experiences. It’s an incredible achievement and one he should be proud of. It’s also great to see he enjoys bikes with an engine in the middle as well as pedals, and has now passed his test and is embarking on his own motorcycle journey.”

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The British Motor Museum is to host its next FREE 'Gaydon Gathering' evening on Tuesday 14th September from 5pm – 8:30pm. The event, which was re-launched in April this year, is an informal evening aimed at motoring enthusiasts and is completely free to attend. These friendly gatherings take place outdoors on the Museum's arenas on the second Tuesday every month and see hundreds of vehicles of all makes and models on display. Pre-booking is essential.   

At 6:30pm the Museum will present the 'Gaydon Garage' when the workshop doors open to reveal one of the fantastic vehicles from the collection that is not often seen out of the Museum. The vehicle will be driven out around the site for everyone to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells! Hints as to what the car is are posted each month on the Museum’s social media channels in the run up to the event!

Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum stated “Come along and enjoy a fantastic gathering. It doesn’t matter if you have a vehicle or not, or if your vehicle is British or not, if it’s a car, commercial, military, bus, motorbike, scooter, tractor or any other interesting vehicle, just bring it along. Be it classic, veteran, vintage or a modern classic – all are welcome. It’s an opportunity for petrol heads to indulge their passion with like-minded people - whilst having a burger and a drink, hopefully in the autumn sunshine!”

Display vehicles will be parked in front of the Museum whilst there will be separate free parking for those that arrive in modern everyday vehicles. Visitors can also enjoy refreshments including burgers, tea, coffee and soft drinks. Please note that the Museum itself will not be open for the evening gatherings.

The last outdoor gathering for 2021 will take place on the Tuesday 12 October, then over the winter they will take the gatherings inside as a series of ‘Museum Lates’ - a chance to view elements of the collections in more detail. More information on these will follow shortly, but they will also take place on the second Tuesday evening of the month, in November, January and March and pre-booking will remain essential.

For more information and to book your FREE tickets for September’s Gaydon Gathering visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/gaydon-gathering-september

Pre booking is essential.

A fabulous Moto Guzzi owned by Sammy Miller was one of three bikes that scooped top honours at this year’s Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance presented by Aviva. Recognised as the most prestigious such event in the UK, Salon Privé takes place in the magnificent grounds of Blenheim Palace and is a partner concours of The Peninsula Classic Best of the Best Award. It’s renowned for featuring some of the most beautiful and coveted cars and motorcycles from around the world.
 
This year’s two motorcycle classes spanned nearly 75 years, from a 1901 Triumph 3/4 hp Minerva to a 1975 MV Agusta 750 Sport. Each was assessed by a hugely knowledgeable judging panel comprising broadcaster Henry Cole, historians Dennis Frost and Mike Jackson, former racer Steve Parrish and Chief Judge Nigel Matthews. Judging took place on Wednesday 1 September, with all trophies being awarded on Thursday 2 September.
 
It was championship-winning racer Sammy Miller who scooped top honours in the Competition Motorcycle Class with a 1951 Moto Guzzi Bicilindrica 500cc V Twin. Judge Steve Parrish said: “The Moto Guzzi Bicilindrica 500cc V Twin had the longest career of any motorcycle racing bike ever. Actually, Ducati in some ways copied the engine configuration to make the successful racing Ducatis that we see nowadays. It was way ahead of its time in terms of technology. The bike was raced by the great Bob Foster and Stanley Woods and put in some incredible performances both on road and track, claiming victories at the Isle of Man TT and Grand Prix. The judges all agreed that it’s a very special motorbike and a real beauty.”
 
Second place in the Competition Motorcycle Class went to a 1973 Yamaha TZ 250 A, entered by the Sawford family, owners of St Neots Motorcycles. The family are experts in restoring two-stroke motorcycles from the 1970s and 1980s. Parrish continued: “The motorcycle is better than when it came out of the factory – absolutely original and exquisitely put together. It had to be in the top two, what with its authenticity and how it’s been built – stunning. We were also delighted to be joined by 1970 250cc World Champion Rodney Gould, who was instrumental in the production and development of the bike.”
 
Topping the Exceptional Motorcycles class was a 1975 MV Agusta 750 Sport, often referred to as the most beautiful bike to come out of Italy and revered as an icon of the 1970s. An original and beautiful machine, the winning example is one of the last three to come out of the factory and features a rare left-hand gearchange.

Second place was awarded to a 1973 Rickman-Metisse Cafe Racer. Judge Henry Cole said: “It’s wonderful to see several Metisses here paying homage to its founder Derek Rickman, a consummate biking enthusiast and a legend in my eyes who passed away recently. What a great way to celebrate his life. The Café Racer in this class is a beautifully customised, really genuine yet individual bike that has been put together with a huge amount of love and passion, and to the judges that’s what we’re after.”
 
The Duke of Marlborough Award was presented to the 1901 Triumph ¾hp Minerva. Steve Parrish said: “This is the very first Triumph motor bicycle ever made – the forerunner of all subsequent Triumphs. As in everything Dick Shepherd does, it’s been lovingly restored, and he’s put together a motorcycle that would be befitting of it coming out of the factory in 1901. I suspect it’s even better!”

Henry Cole added: “It’s quite a find for Triumph to have in their 125th anniversary year and one that we had to honour.”

Alongside the concours entrants was multiple Salon Privé award winner and renowned motorcycle builder Allen Millyard displaying his beautifully engineered Kawasaki Z1 Super Six. Elsewhere on the lawns of Blenheim Palace, there was the debut of Thornton Hundred Motorcycles, one of the world’s fastest-growing custom motorcycle brands. The British company’s line-up included the ‘World’s Fastest Bobber’ – a 202bhp technological tour de force – and a 2021 Triumph Bonneville Bobber Black, both were a Salon Privé debut.

“All of our motorcycles exude individuality and exclusivity,” said Jody Millhouse, the man behind Thornton Hundred and part of a new wave of engineers who are at the cutting edge of the custom scene. “We want to give owners a unique modification experience, and those values align perfectly with Salon Privé. It’s great to be here showing off our latest designs against the amazing backdrop of Blenheim Palace.”

Italian exotica brand Bimota made its UK public debut with the Tesi H2. The limited-production, supercharged Bimota Tesi H2 is built around a Kawasaki Ninja H2 powerplant and features the famous Bimota hub-centre steering system, while the chassis is covered with carbon fibre bodywork. Power output is a staggering 242hp (178kW).

Crazy Horse made a welcome return to Salon Privé showcasing a superb collection of its customised Indian Motorcycles, including the KH Street Hooligan. The Hooligan shares the great styling of its racing relative, but is fitted with all the relevant components to make it a fully functional street machine without losing any of its iconic flat-track racing looks.

More stringent CO2 targets go hand in hand with concrete measures and concepts for implementation

The BMW Group is putting circular economy and sustainable urban mobility at the centre of its presence at the 2021 IAA Mobility. At the motor show, the company is consistently demonstrating its sustainability and CO2 targets as well as its concrete measures and concepts to achieve these goals.

Kicking off at the Ace with the popular Bike Night on evening of Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th at the Ace includes live music, ride outs, special guests & more.

Saturday 4th
The annual “Cafe Racer Ride Out” leaves  the Ace at 10.30am on Saturday 4th September for a Celebratory Service and Blessing of the Bikes at 12.00 by 59 Club Chairman, Father Sergiy’s Diduk, at his Church, All Saints, Hanworth. The  Mayor of Hounslow will also be attending.

This is then followed by a  screening in the church at 1pm (to which all are invited) of :-
 “Rockers London” - a 30 minute documentary that explores the London Rocker culture, from past to the present day, through conversations with people on the scene.The thirty minute documentary is injected with archive (some unseen) footage from the early sixties which really brings the past alive. 
This is Rock n’ Roll on wheels, bringing the vibes to the viewer of an alternative to the modern world.
 
Departing the Ace 10.30am Saturday 4th September, the route is:
A406 , A40, A312 “Hayes By-Pass” to All Saints Church, Uxbridge Road, Hanworth, TW13 5EE

Overflow parking and facilities, ( with WC’s,)  is at the Hanworth Air Park Leisure Centre opposite the Church
 
After the Service and Blessing the “Cafe Racer Ride Out” then returns to the Ace for 2.30pm and the “Best Ridden Cafe Racer” competition.  Judging and awards courtesy of:

Lewis Leathers | Red Torpedo | Ogri | Cherry Red Records | British Tax Discs
  
Sunday 5th September
Motorcyclists will gather at the Ace from early morning.

At 10.30am the assembled motorcycle ride-out departs the Ace for Brighton, "waved off" as in the years to date by the Mayor of Brent
We will be joined on the day by  riders participating in the inaugural Ride Global “Memorial Ride” which is taking place on Sunday 5.9.21 raising funds  on-line in aid of  COVAX.

 Route: A406 - A40 - M25 - M23 - A23 to Madeira Drive, Brighton Seafront
 Rev up and Ride, with the Rockers!
 See you at the Ace, and in Brighton!

Strictly no deckchairs