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Category: Events and Shows

  1. Off-road biking legend Patsy Quick supports Riders for Health

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    The off-road motorcycle racer, most famous for being the first British woman to complete the gruelling Dakar Rally, is supporting Riders for Health at the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) Show 18th – 19th May at the Peterborough Arena (formerly east of England Showground).

    Patsy Quick became the first British woman to complete the legendary desert endurance race, the Dakar Rally, in 2006. Her incredible achievement came after three unsuccessful attempts, one of which cost Patsy her spleen. Prior to the Dakar, Patsy was both British and European Women’s Enduro Champion.

    Now Patsy is supporting other women who are achieving incredible feats with motorcycles. In Africa, Riders for Health trains female health workers to ride confidently and safely in the difficult terrain to deliver life-saving health care to remote rural villages. Riders also trains and employs local people as technicians to service the bikes on a regular basis so that they never break down, no matter how harsh the conditions.

    Patsy will lead a ride-in on behalf of Riders for Health to the BMF Show at Peterborough Arena (formerly the East of England Showground) on Saturday 18th May.

    There will be the opportunity for members of the public to join the ride en-route. Further details on how to book tickets and the route will be released nearer the time on the BMF and Riders for Health websites.

    ‘I think that the work Riders for Health does is vital to the continued health of people in developing countries,’ explained Patsy. ‘It’s amazing to think how many lives in Africa have been saved by a motorcycle.’ At the May BMF Show, Patsy will be helping Riders for Health to promote their off-road fundraising ride to Zambia, Experience Africa.

    Experience Africa is more than an off-road motorcycle tour. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the inspiring work being done in Zambia by Riders for Health and see how motorcycles are saving lives in Africa. What’s more, the money raised from the ride helps to support their humanitarian work.

    Riders for Health are running a raffle at all of the events that they are attending this year to give away a free place on one of the 2014 Experience Africa rides. For your chance to win this incredible prize worth £4,800, visit Riders for Health’s stand in the NEW Adventure and Overland area at the May BMF Show or at the BMF Tailend Show (14th – 15th September) and buy a ticket for just £1.

    You can also buy tickets at The BMF Kelso Bikefest, British Superbikes races, Day of Champions and the British MotoGP and World Superbike races at Silverstone. The winning ticket will be drawn at the Tailend Show on Sunday 15th September at Peterborough Arena.

    Show organisers, The Mulberry Group’s, Managing Director Martin Chick commented “We are really excited about having Patsy at the Show and we hope as many people as possible will be able to join her on the ride-in”. The New Adventure and Overland Touring area at the show will give everyone the opportunity to meet Patsy and the Experience Africa team as well as seeing some great presentations”.

    Riders for Health is the official charity of MotoGP™ and the Fédération Internationale de Motorcyclisme (FIM). The organisation provides health workers in Africa with motorcycles so that they can reach remote villages with vital health care.

    Patsy now runs her own off-road motorcycle school, Desert Rose Racing, helping other riders to achieve their rally dreams.

  2. Prescott Bike Festival 2013: Sunday 7th April 2013 - Many more rare bikes to see

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    Following the huge success of the two previous events, the third annual Prescott Bike Festival on Sunday 7 April 2013 will be even bigger and better with many more bike manufacturers involved, a large display of historic, modern and race bikes in the paddock, more bike clubs than ever and lots of entertainment for all the family.

    Most recently, we've had confirmation of several rare and interesting bikes that will at the Festival. These include the following bikes on display:

    • David Jeffries' Suzuki GSXR1000 TT bike
    • James Toseland' s first World Superbike, a Honda CBR600
    • The original Old Spice Ducati 916 British Superbike
    • The ex-Reve Red Bull John Reynolds Ducatti 996RS Championship bike

    The many interesting bikes in action during the day now include the following:

    • Tony Hudson's 1963 replica works Honda, four-cylinder, 250cc racer as ridden by Jim Redman, Mike Hailwood etc.  It looks and sounds just like the real thing and revs to 16,000 just like the 1960’s works bikes
    • The ex-BSB Honda CBR1000 entered by North Glos Road Racing Club, ridden by Johnny Rea and prepared by HM Plant for Red Bull Racing


    Also entered by North Glos Road Racing Club, the ex-Black Horse Kawasaki ZX10 Superstock bike ridden by Connor Cummins then Victor Cox. 

    For bikers who enjoy classic machinery, Adrian Sellars is bringing his 1956 Norton Manx and a reverse-head 350cc Norton. He will be joined by Clive Hurst with a 1974 three-cylinder, two-stroke 1974 Kawasaki and a 1975 1000cc PEM Kawasaki.

    As an event to raise awareness and funds for the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and one of its member groups, Severn Freewheelers, the first annual Prescott Bike Festival in 2011 attracted in excess of 5,500 visitors and raised more than 52,000 for charities. The 2012 Prescott Bike Festival attracted more exhibitors, had even better displays, was visited by more celebrities and raised more money for charities.

    After attending last year, MotoGP commentator, Steve Parrish, said: "I had a really great day at the Prescott Bike Festival. I was like a kid in a sweet shop with other like-minded petrol-heads. Riding a 220mph grand prix Ducati up a hill that I hadn't seen before certainly got my attention. Then I was given the keys to a brand new Morgan three-wheeler to take prize winners for a run. I can think of no better way to spend a Sunday."

    The Prescott Bike Festival 2013 will build on the success of the previous years by introducing a number of new features. These include a 'Happy Hour' an hour of activity on the hill featuring rare race machinery and factory bikes – in fact, anything that's special, different, rare or exotic. This is no static display; every entry to Happy Hour will Run the Hill. Not only will spectators be able to get close to some really special kit, they can hear it fire up and Run the Hill.

    During the day, spectators who purchased Run The Hill tickets (now sold out but there are still plenty of General Admission tickets available) also have two opportunities to ride their own bike up the famous Prescott Hill Climb course

    Festival organiser, Gordon Downie, says, “Obviously the unique opportunity to ride the hill is a major attraction, but the Prescott Bike Festival promises so much more. With all major motorcycle manufacturers in attendance, fans will get the chance to see all the major models up close and personal, a host of trade stands as well as famous racers and great lunchtime entertainment too. The festival really is set to offer something for every motorcycle fan.”

    Other features of the Prescott Bike Festival 2013 include:

    Dealer stands from the likes of Ducati, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Enfield, Triumph, AJP, Harley, Victory, BMW and KTM

    Demonstrations throughout the day by 10 times British Trials Champion, Steve Saunders

    A demonstration of the exciting new motorcycle sport, Moto Gymkhana

    An opportunity to meet celebrities including Nick Sanders (who has motorcycled around the world seven times) and Chris Hodgson (current British Supermoto Champion)

    Thrilling passenger experiences on a variety of machinery

    Plus more than 100 trade stands

    There will also be many displays of bikes of all ages and types including:

    Ducati Sporting Club's Desmo Due one-make race series

    The Classic 50cc Racing Club – 50cc racing machines and their riders from the early beginnings around 1953, through the classic period and up to the time when the class was dropped from GPs in 1983

    Leominster Classic Club

    The National Chopper Club – showcasing extreme custom bikes

    Musical entertainment will include covers band, Come Up and See Me, and (returning by popular demand), 1950s inspired rockabilly, rock & roll and R&B band, Josie and the Outlaw.

    Set at one of the most prestigious hill climb venues in the UK against the beautiful backdrop of the Cotswold countryside, the Prescott Bike Festival aims to provide something for everyone; a relaxed family atmosphere, a huge variety of entertainment and a rare opportunity to ‘Run the Hill’ on your own motorcycle. All proceeds from the day will go to the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and Severn Freewheelers.

    Venue:

    Prescott Hill Climb, Gotherington, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 9RD,

    Easily accessible from junction 9 of the M5 and from London via the A40 to Cheltenham.

    Tickets:

    Advance tickets are £12; under 16s (with a paying adult) get in free.

    On-the-day tickets are £15; under 16s (with a paying adult) get in free.

    Run the Hill tickets are £35 and must be purchased in advance.

    There is no charge for bike parking (free side stand puck provided)

    Car parking is £3 per vehicle.

    Disabled access: there are a limited number of on-site parking spaces available. When full, there is an overflow facility close to the main car park entrance point. Note that this terrain can be a little rough in inclement weather as it is a hill climb venue.

    To purchase tickets in advance visit: www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk

    Gates open at 08:30 and track action begins at 10:00. The festival closes at 17:00.

  3. The Show is nearly here!

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    New exhibitors confirmed since last week include: ADS Verbatim, Atomic 56 LTD, Earnshaws, Ekselsior LTD, Hadrian V-Twin Tours & Clinton Enterprises to name just a few!

    We are now 90% full, click here to see the full list of exhibitors.

    All the major manufacturers are now on board: BMW, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Harley Davidson, Honda, Yamaha, Triumph, Ducati, MV Augusta, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi AND Bimota.

    The total number of exhibitors now stands at over 120, including THE BIKER GUIDE® making The Manchester Bike Show the largest indoor motorcycle show in the UK after the NEC and the largest in the North by miles and miles!  

    The total number of classic, custom and racing bikes on display from clubs and private individuals is now in excess of 400 and along with the 100 or so motorcycles on the trade stands we will have over 500 motorcycles in the building.

    Advance tickets now selling at double last years rate so with easy access and free parking at EventCity we are expecting a bumper crowd over the weekend of 23rd & 24th March.

    Stunt displays from the Inch Perfect Trials team and live music from Aces N Eights are all in place, the big screen advert has just started in the adjacent Trafford Centre, the radio campaign is about to start on Real Radio XS as is the local media campaign throughout the North West. The Manchester Bike Show at EventCity is less than two weeks away, don’t miss it!  

    We look forward to seeing you there,  The Manchester Bike Show Team  

    To reserve your tickets and save 25% with no booking or transaction fee please call 01749 813899 or go to www.bradsons.co.uk

  4. Start Your Engines for the 2013 Coventry Festival of Motoring

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    Entry for the 2013 Coventry Festival of Motoring is now open for clubs and individuals and organisers are aiming to attract hundreds of cars and motorbikes and their owners to take part in the event, which makes a welcome return to Stoneleigh Park over the August Bank Holiday weekend of Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August.

    Last year’s Festival was the first to take place at Stoneleigh, having previously been held at Coventry’s War Memorial Park, and was hailed as a huge success.  Over 1000 classic vehicles took part, with around 600 of them on the flagship Sunday morning Historic Vehicle Run through Kenilworth, Leamington and South Warwickshire. 

    Over 30 car and motorbike clubs mounted impressive displays and 20,000 visitors enjoyed the weekend’s events at Stoneleigh Park. This year’s Festival is set to build on the success of 2012, with the return of the Future of Transport Expo, showcasing some of the region’s most exciting vehicular innovations, as well as a buzzing programme of entertainment, shopping and competitions planned throughout the whole weekend. 

    The Show & Shine and WheelSkills precision driving contests will also return for 2013, having been hotly contested in their inaugural year.

    Anyone who would like to take their car or motorbike on the Festival of Motoring Historic Vehicle Run can apply online at www.festival-of-motoring.co.uk  Entry costs £22 for cars and £11 for motorcycles, and will remain open until Friday 10th May 2013, or until all places are filled, whichever comes soonest. As well as the car run, the other integral element of the Festival of Motoring is the many and varied car and motorcycle clubs who display throughout the weekend, and entry is now open for clubs who would like to take part in the event.  Display space for clubs is free of charge, and can be booked now by downloading an application form from www.festival-of-motoring.co.uk

    Gary Hall, Chair of the Coventry Festival of Motoring Organising Committee said: “We had a great time at Stoneleigh Park for the 2012 Coventry Festival of Motoring and we’re planning for the 2013 event to be even bigger and better, with lots of motoring-related festivities across both days of the Festival.  I would urge any classic car or bike owner to log onto the Festival website and get involved in this wonderful event.”

  5. Win a place on Experience Africa with Riders for Health raffle

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    Riders for Health are launching their most exciting raffle yet to give away a free place on their Experience Africa off-road adventure ride to Zambia in 2014. The raffle, which will be launched at MCN Motorcycle Show 15th-17thFebruary, will raise money for the organisations’ life-saving work in Africa.

    Experience Africa is more than an off-road motorcycle ride. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the inspiring work being done in Zambia by Riders for Health, the official charity of MotoGP™, and see how motorcycles are saving lives in Africa.

    For your chance to win this incredible prize worth £4,800, visit Riders for Health’s stand A225 at Carole Nash MCN Motorcycle Show at Excel, London to buy a ticket for just £1. Riders will also be selling raffle tickets at all of the events they are attending in 2013, including British Superbikes races, British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) shows, Day of Champions and the British MotoGP and World Superbike races at Silverstone.

    The raffle will be drawn at the BMF Tailend show,14th- 15th September,at the Peterborough Arena (formally the East of England Showground). The lucky winner will join a small group of participants on either the May or November 2014 Experience Africaride. Riders of all experience levels enjoy Experience Africa and there is lotsof off-road training and support available.

    Find out more at www.riders-experience.org or speak to one of the team by calling 01604 889569.

    The money raised from the sale of the raffle tickets will directly support Riders for Health’s programmes in Africa. Riders ensures health workers in Africa always have access to a vehicle which never breaks down, no matter how harsh the conditions. By training health workers to ride safely and carry out daily checks on their vehicle, Riders for Health makes sure they can deliver health care, reliably, to even the remotest community.

    Find out more about the Carole Nash MCN Motorcycle Show and book your tickets at www.mcnmotorcycleshow.com

    Find out more about the BMF Shows and book your tickets at www.thebmfshow.co.uk