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

The average sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is just four years – 62 per cent shorter than for manslaughter, according to road safety charity the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists)1.
 
The average sentence length of manslaughter is 6.6 years. Those sentenced to prison for causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving are given an average sentence of 1.3 years. Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs has an average sentence of 4.35 years.
 
Fifty-three per cent of those convicted of causing death or bodily harm through driving offences were sentenced to immediate custody (260 people) in 20112. This has dropped from the 83 per cent sentenced to immediate custody in 2001.
 
Fines for drink driving are also lower in real terms than they were ten years ago. In 2001 the average fine for drink driving was £203 – the average £240 fine in 2011 was equivalent to just £178 in 2001 prices – a 12.3 per cent decrease3.
 
The average fine for careless driving is £138, 27 per cent less in real terms than it was in 2001. Dangerous driving is the only area with tougher fines. The average fine is £518 – 30 per cent more in real terms than in 2001.
 
IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “We recently discovered that the number of prosecutions for motoring offences have fallen. Now it is clear that drivers are also receiving short sentences for some of the most serious driving offences.
 
“Magistrates are handing out fines for drink driving that are less than five per cent of the maximum amount possible, giving the message that drink driving only warrants a slap on the wrist. Only sentences that reflect the seriousness of the crime will act as a proper deterrent.”

1. These figures are the result of a freedom of information request made by the IAM to the Ministry of Justice, figures received July 2012.
2. Ministry of Justice, ‘Criminal Justice Statistics 2011’ Motoring tables published July 2012 http://www.justice.gov.uk/statistics/criminal-justice/criminal-justice-statistics
3. As above
4. The IAM is the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving, motorcycling and cycling. The commercial division of the IAM operates through its occupational driver training company IAM Drive & Survive. The IAM has more than 200 local volunteer groups and over 100,000 members in the UK and Ireland. It is best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving, motorcycling and cycling courses. Its policy and research division offers advice and expertise on road safety.

www.iam.org.uk

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

Europe’s Biggest and best VW festival at Santa Pod - Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd July

Now firmly established as Europe’s biggest, best and most popular VW show and cruising towards its third decade as the summer VW event of choice, Bug Jam 26 is back once again with a line-up of both on and off-track action that reflects the history and heritage of this iconic event. Once more, it’s time for the incredible VW-inspired, weekend long party, where over 33,000 show-goers can expect to have fun in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Bug Jam 26 looks set to pack even more entertainment, fun, action and racing into 3 hectic days than ever before with an itinerary that means you can choose to soak up the sun and sights with a cold one, or run manically between the various stages, tents and arenas, availing yourself of an almost non-stop line-up of great things to do.

Often dubbed ‘Glastonbury On Wheels’, Bug Jam offers an eclectic selection of all things VW, wrapped in an intoxicating mix of music, comedy, nightlife and lifestyle. A true festival in every sense of the word, with a vibrant and fun atmosphere, bringing to life the very essence of VW culture. As ever, this year, all of the action is also being captured for a lifestyle documentary programme on Motors TV.

Naturally, Europe’s greatest, shiniest and fastest VWs will be taking centre stage – and, after it proved so popular in previous years, scene legends Type 2 Detectives will be performing a live custom build over the weekend. But even if that’s not your thing, there’s an incredibly diverse list of attractions to choose from, making Bug Jam a superb event for all sorts of enthusiasts.

As well as non-stop drag racing from the pros, there are numerous chances for you to have a go yourself in the many ‘Run What You Brung’ sessions held over the weekend. Running on the strip throughout the show will be Fireforce, Santa Pod’s resident 280mph Jet Car, a 7000 bhp Fuel funny car, the insane Jet Beetle and Wheelie Split, Eric Teboul’s Rocket Bike and of course, the 7-second quarter mile-turning 2 seat dragster for the very brave to ride in. Polishing buffs will also love the Autoglym ‘Show and Shine’ area, where Europe’s most beautifully finished creations compete for top honours.

Bring a full wallet, because not only will you find one of the biggest collections of VW traders in one place, but also the Autojumble is often known to throw up some real rarities. If you have been looking for that obscure part for months - you might just find it here. Better still, take a complete car home! The ‘For Sale’ area usually reveals a few genuine bargains.

Adrenaline junkies have plenty to keep them entertained. Not only will UKFMX be providing 2 days of gravity-defying action, but they’ll also be ably assisted by Podzilla, Santa Pod’s very own car-crushing Monster Truck, this year battling it out with the similarly able ‘Swamp Thing’. There’s also a superb BMX, Skate and Scooter vert display, the insane Vander Brother’s Quad Wheel and even a full off-road course for Baja and Buggy owners. Headlining as ever, will be Guinness World Record’s most decorated stunt driver, Terry Grant, who will be attempting set yet another World Record with his incredible driving.

Music fans will hit ‘tilt’ thanks to a packed itinerary of live bands across four stages. The music line-up so far includes some of the finest tribute acts in the country such as Beatlemania and The Complete Stone Roses on the main stage, with Haçienda in the Dance Zone, Carwash with Wham!Duran in the Retro Zone and Motown in Fuelers Bar. Event headliners are Simon & Oscar from Ocean Colour Scene ‘unplugged’ on the main stage with a Propaganda Indie night in the Retro Zone, a Super Hero themed night in the Dance Zone and an Ibiza-style Foam Party in Fuelers Bar. In other words, bring your best dancing pants. You’ll be needing them!

Bug Jam’s comedy line-up is always epic and this year’s Saturday headliner will be Rhys Darby (Murray from ‘Flight of the Conchords’) along with Joe Bor, Stephen Carlin, The Noise Next Door and many other great British comedians. You can bank on seeing plenty of familiar faces from the TV, as well as many up-and-coming stars of tomorrow. Catch them before they fill Wembley at £80 a seat!

But that’s STILL not all! There’s free camping on-site all weekend and better still, the under 13s get in for absolutely nothing! There’s a huge funfair and festival traders on site for all to enjoy and as a fitting tribute to our brave servicemen, The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be making a fly past at Bug Jam with a WWII Dakota on the Saturday.

With a capacity crowd expected, show goers are advised to book their tickets early. Last years’ event was an early sell out, so DO NOT miss this one!

Honda has announced its intention to participate as a works team in the motorcycle class of the Dakar Rally to be held in January 2013 in South America, travelling north to south through Peru, Chile and Argentina.

Honda competed nine times in the motorcycle class in the forerunner of the present Dakar Rally, the Paris-Dakar Rally, from 1981 through to 1989, and was a winner five times during that period. It has been 23 years since it last participated in the Rally.
 
The Honda team, to be called Team HRC, will include Portuguese rider Helder Rodrigues, who took third place in the 2012 Dakar Rally, Brazilian Felipe Zanol, who brings a wealth of experience in motocross and enduro race events, as well as Sam Sunderland (United Kingdom) and Javier Pizzolito (Argentina).
 
They will ride a prototype machine developed and produced by the Motorcycle R&D Center at Honda R&D. The prototype machine is based on the CRF450X, the popular worldwide enduro racing model that combines ease of handling with superior competitive strength. Kit parts designed for use on the standard CRF450X model have also been developed and will be supplied to a limited number of teams.
 
Tetsuo Suzuki, Senior Managing Officer and Director, Chief Operating Officer, Motorcycle R&D Centre, Honda R&D Co., Ltd. commented: “The Dakar requires competitors to cover several hundred kilometers per day for more than two weeks. It needs a totally different type of vehicle from events such as motocross, trials and road races. Honda has put a great deal of effort into designing and building a powerful and winning machine. We are aiming for the championship from this first year.”