Category: Events and Shows

1. VOTE Irish Motorcyclist of the Year

   Posted on 12:01am Monday 12th Nov 2012

   Voting for the Irish Motorcyclist of the Year is underway!  

   Once again this prestigious award will be decided by bike fans who can choose their favourite rider of the season by voting online.  

   The winner of the Enkalon award, in association with Adelaide, will be presented with the famous Joey Dunlop trophy at the Adelaide Motorcycle Awards in Belfast on January 18 next year.  

   Previous winner, former British Champion Adrian Coates, is the chairman of the judging panel and assisting the event’s organisers oversee the public vote. He expects the result to be the closest call in many years. Adrian said: “Our riders have excelled on the World, British and Irish stages, both on the short circuits, the roads, and off road. That’s what makes this years vote such an intriguing one. I am encouraging everyone to get involved as we want the winner to be a true reflection of what our motorcycle fans think. They’re a knowledgeable bunch and really know their stuff.”   He continued, ”Every local rider wants to be crowned the best in the country, and to be handed the iconic Joey Dunlop trophy with the famous yellow helmet, on the biggest night for our sport is something very special”  

   Last year bike fans logged on in their thousands to cast their vote, and can do so again by visiting the awards website: www.adelaidemotorcycleawards.com

   Read the full article on Right To Ride

2. Discover the world of off-road riding at Motorcycle Live

   Posted on 12:01am Wednesday 7th Nov 2012

   On Wednesday 28 November, Motorcycle Live will be hosting Dirt Day – an introduction to the world of off-road and adventure riding.

   Kawasaki, BMW Motorrad, Yamaha and Honda will each takeover a slot on the Blackhorse Stage in the British Eurosport Entertainment Zone, where special guests – from road racers to well-known adventurers – will talk about their love of dirt riding, offer advice on how to get started and show visitors how to navigate their way around off-road machinery.      

   The day will begin with Kawasaki British Superbike rider Chris ‘The Stalker’ Walker taking to the stage to chat about his off-road school, StalkerMX. He will be joined by World MX2 rider Tommy Searle, as well as seven-times Dakar contender Mick Extance, who will launch his new Kawasaki Experience and enduro rider Martin Chappell, who will introduce his Trail and Off-road Experience.       

   This will be followed by a Q&A session with a whole host of BMW Motorrad’s worldwide adventure riders including Long Way Round’s Charley Boorman, Dakar rally racer Si Pavey, female thrill-seeker Squash Falconer and the globe-busting riding duo Julia and Kevin Sanders.      

   Honda World Superbike star and off-road enthusiast Jonathan Rea will take to the stage to talk about his passion for motocross and how it led him to set up his own MX team – JAR Honda. Three-time world motocross champion and Buildbase Honda Team Manager, Dave Thorpe, will also be present to introduce the new Dave Thorpe Honda Off Road Centre in Wales.      

   Finally, Yamaha will welcome two special guests: long-distance adventure motorcyclist Nick Sanders and former MX GP rider Barry Johnson – both of whom are running live features at Motorcycle Live 2012.      

   Sanders, whose career spans 30 years and has included seven round-the-world trips, will be entertaining show goers with the FREE Nick Sanders Motorcycle Cinema. The feature is back for 2012 with a brand new short film depicting the charismatic traveller’s mad journeys across deserts and faraway places, with clips from his record-breaking Pan American journey The Incredible Ride along with his first record ride Fastest Man, a classic from 15 years ago.      

   If you’re up for trying dirt riding on the day – or any other day of the show – head to the Yamaha Off-Road Experience for a FREE taster session under the watchful eye of qualified instructors, led by Barry Johnson. The specially-designed indoor motocross circuit caters for all levels of experience from those who have just the basics of clutch control through to experienced road riders. Kids can also have a go on the KTM Red Bull Pro Nationals Motocross Experience, which gives children aged five to 12 years old the chance to get dirty and try out off-road riding.      

   Motorcycle Live 2012 runs from Saturday 24 November to Sunday 2 December at The NEC, Birmingham. The all-inclusive ticket gives access to five exhibition halls crammed with all the latest bikes, clothing and accessories and seven FREE opportunities to ride a bike**, plus non-stop entertainment from some of the biggest names in biking on the Blackhorse Stage in the British Eurosport Entertainment Zone. Also featuring the BSH/Streetfighters Custom Xtreme Zone, the Yamaha Escape Zone, the Classic Zone in association with Coventry Transport Museum and FREE entry into the Ramp’d Up Freestyle Motocross Arena**.      

   Advance tickets for Motorcycle Live 2012 cost just £16 per adult, £10 for seniors and £6 per child*.

   To book your tickets, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

3. FREE test rides at Motorcycle Live

   Posted on 12:01am Wednesday 31st Oct 2012

   The Test Ride Zone will make a welcome return to Motorcycle Live 2012 thanks to Shoei, Sidi and Spada and a great line up of models from some of the world’s leading manufacturers.      

   Show goers with a full motorcycle licence can sign up for a FREE 20-minute test ride on a model of their choice before heading out on the open roads around The NEC accompanied by an out-rider. Those visitors travelling by train or car can also get involved, as Shoei, Sidi and Spada will be providing all the necessary safety equipment. Here’s what last year’s visitors had to say about the feature:      

   “A good idea for those who are not sure what sort of bike to buy. You can get good advice on what bike suits your needs and what sort of riding gear is available to you.” – Colin Williams, 65, Cardiff      

   “The best way to ride different manufacturer’s bikes all in one place.” – Gene Loder, 45, Hartlepool      

   “Great for deciding if that new bike is right for you.” – Steve Collier, 47, Wolverhampton      

   “Buzzing, informative and a pleasure.” – Nicola Ford, 55, Beccles      

   The following manufacturers will be providing motorcycles (models TBC): Ducati, Kawasaki, Harley-Davidson, Honda, KTM, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Victory, Yamaha and Zero. Participation is subject to availability. Participants must be over 21 years old and hold a full UK licence and bring both parts of this for verification. To book a ride, head to the Test Ride Zone check-in desk in Hall 4. Bookings will be taken from 10.00am.      

   The Test Ride Zone is just one of the exciting live features at this year’s show. The all-inclusive Motorcycle Live ticket gives access to five exhibition halls crammed with all the latest bikes, clothing and accessories and seven FREE opportunities to ride a bike**, plus non-stop entertainment from some of the biggest names in biking on the Blackhorse Stage in the British Eurosport Entertainment Zone. Also featuring the BSH/Streetfighters Custom Xtreme Zone, the Yamaha Escape Zone, the Classic Zone in association with Coventry Transport Museum and FREE entry into the Ramp’d Up Freestyle Motocross Arena**.      

   Advance tickets for Motorcycle Live 2012 cost just £16 per adult, £10 for seniors and £6 per child*. To book your tickets, call 0844 581 2345 or click here.      

   For real-time news and updates:  

   Visit www.facebook.com/motorcyclelive  

   Follow @motorcyclelive on Twitter

    

4. MOTORCYCLING LEGENDS LINE UP FOR THE FOOTMAN JAMES CLASSIC MOTORBIKE SHOW

   Posted on 12:01am Monday 15th Oct 2012

   Plans are revving up for this year’s Footman James Classic Motorbike Show, held at Birmingham’s NEC from 16th to 18th November. With over 250 motorcycles on display, the UK’s best motorcycling clubs once again pull out all the stops to showcase rare and exciting motorcycles ranging from the traditional Great British manufacturers, Japanese speed demons, Italian exotica, retro scooters and many more.

   Clubs showcasing their amazing motorbikes include the BSA Gold Star Owners Club, which will mark the 75th anniversary of racer Walter Handley, while the BSA Bantam Club celebrates its 10th anniversary. Other clubs joining them include the Goldwing Misfits, Moto Guzzi Club GB, Norton Owners Club, Royal Enfield Owners Club and the Vincent HRD Owners Club to name a few.

   British motorcycle racer Guy Martin will make his debut at this year’s show when he meets motorcycle fans and sign autographs on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th. Guy started his career at Team Racing and made a successful debut in the Isle of Man TT. He later moved to AIM Yamaha where he competed in the British Supersport Championship before moving to Hydrex Honda. After four years at Hydrex Honda and a year with Wilson Craig Honda, Guy switched to Relentless Suzuki before joining Tyco Suzuki for the 2012 season. He also starred in the motorcycling documentary film TT3D: Closer to the Edge following the leading riders in the 2010 Isle of Man TT races.

   Visitors can find Guy on the Live Motorbike Stage where our host and well known TV and radio presenter and biking enthusiast Steve Berry will interview him about his career and the bikes he has in his own collection – and those he wants to add. There will also be a chance for visitors to ask their own questions in a Q&A session. Steve will also be interviewing motorcycle legends such as motorcycle racer and TT rider Mick Grant and Speedway legend Eric Boocock.

   Mick and his team of expert trials riders will be riding classic machinery as they negotiate an extensive purpose built indoor course. All the skills, thrills and spills of a classic trials 'meet', but you won't need your wellies! They will be joined by Eric who’ll be commentating and making sure the riders stay on track.

   There will also be the Pride of Ownership competition, supported by Meguiars, where individual owners get to show off their own bikes with chrome gleaming and tyres blacked. There will also be a Vintage Wall of Death, guaranteed to make you hold your breath.

   Enthusiasts can also browse the extensive trader village for the latest products and services or motorcycle memorabilia. Search for that elusive part or spare in the Bike Jumble.

   You can also enhance your visit by buying a dual ticket that also gives you access to the Footman James Classic Motor Show, with over 1,250 classic cars on display as well as the Wheeler Dealer Live Stage, Restoration Theatre and the chance to have a ride as a passenger in your dream car in exchange for a charitable donation.

   Ticket prices range from £10 when purchased in advance.

   www.classicmotorbikeshow.com

5. If you think the Rally season is over, fear not!

   Posted on 12:01am Friday 5th Oct 2012

   ... as the Original Cruisers (those of the Rally in a Chalet fame), bring you a Halloween Extravaganza, 26th - 28th October @ Pontins in Southport!

   With Rock bands, Rock DJ, lots of trade stalls, charity raffle for the Northwest Air Amblulance, last man standing bars, all you can eat brekies and dinners, happy hours and a swimming pool!

   price: Ticket £12. Chalets: £20 - £26 pp.

   www.southportoriginalcruisers.webs.com