Category: Events and Shows

1. OVER 100 PRE WAR CARS GET READY FOR A MIDLANDS SEND OFF ON NEW FLYING SCOTSMAN RALLY ROUTE

   Posted on 8:28am Tuesday 25th Mar 2014

   Over 100 pre-war cars will be on the starting line of the Endurance Rally Association’s sixth Flying Scotsman Rally on Friday 4th April 2014, following a new route that starts in the Midlands, allowing the drivers to experience more of the Scottish Borders and Scotland before finishing 600-miles later in Gleneagles, Perthshire.

   The ‘Great Northern’ edition starts at 8am on Friday 4th April from the Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club, ten miles south of Birmingham, where Bentleys, Lagondas, MGs and Jaguars will be followed by Ford Model As, Rileys and Rolls Royces as they motor towards the north.

   After an overnight stop near Blackburn, the journey takes in remote routes through Lancashire and Yorkshire. The second day will see the car cross the border into Scotland, reaching Gleneagles, north of Edinburgh, on Sunday 6th April at around 5pm. The rally is composed of timed sections, test and checkpoints and is the only long-distance rally purely for vintageants. To add to the atmosphere of the rally competitors are encouraged to dress in period, matching the Pre-war style of their cars, with a trophy to be awarded at the gala dinner at Gleneagles.

   Philip Young, Endurance Rally Association’s Rally Director, said: “We have entrants coming from all over the UK and Europe, with even Americans, Canadians and Australians taking part, making it a truly international celebration of pre-war motoring. 

   “But don’t let the vintage dress they will be wearing fool you. There are plenty of teams who are definitely in it to win it. Entrants will be judged on their performance and reliability and will have to maintain certain average speeds over set distances along the route. Once we hit the road, that's when the competitive spirit will be seen in all its glory.”

   Amongst those taking part is the winning team from the 2013 Peking to Paris Rally and the 2012 Trans-America Rally, Phil Garratt and Keiran Brown in their 1932 Alvis Speed 20 who will be hoping to complete a hat-trick of wins.

   The oldest car in the Flying Scotsman is the 1912 Chalmers 10 driven by last year’s ‘Pioneer’ division winners Robert Abrey and Brad Webb from the UK, while fellow British team Vincent and Victoria Fairclough claim the youngest motor in action with their 1948 MG TC.

   Scrutineering takes place between 12noon and 5pm on Thursday 3rd April where the vehicles are given a final inspection. However supporting the rally is a team of experienced rally mechanics that can cope with almost anything these special cars can throw at them.

   The Endurance Rally Association has a track-record of over 60 major international events behind them including the new Alpine Trial 2014, the Road to Mandalay 2015 and the Peking to Paris Motoring Challenge, next held in 2016.

   For more information on the Alpine Trial or any future Endurance Rally Association event – call +44 (0) 1235 831221 or visit www.endurorally.com

2. IT’S STAFFORD SHOWTIME

   Posted on 8:27am Tuesday 25th Mar 2014

   MOTORSPORT legend John Surtees is set to be the star attraction as one of the world’s biggest and most famous classic motorcycle events returns once again to the Staffordshire County Showground this April. 

   The 34th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show takes place on the weekend of April 26th - 27th and along with the man himself, both the MV Agusta and Ferrari that took Surtees to two- and four-wheeled world championship glory will be in attendance.

   James Robinson, editor of the event’s title publication The Classic Motorcycle, said: “What John achieved in both bike and car disciplines is remarkable. He is a real master of machinery and it’s a great honour that he’s chosen to come to Stafford and grace us with his presence. It’ll be fascinating to hear him talk about his wide ranging experiences; surely he’s the only man in the world who was employed by both Enzo Ferrari and Count Agusta, as well as being Mike Hailwood’s boss!” 

   Surtees won’t be the only big name new to the show this year though, with former racer and current motorsport TV personality Steve Plater taking the reins from the retiring Dave Craggs as show compere and commentator.

   Plater will be on stage regularly throughout the event talking with the guest of honour and presenting awards, and show manager Nick Mowbray said he was delighted to welcome the former British Supersport champion into the fold: “Steve has been at several of our events in recent years and it’s fantastic that he is coming on board as compere for Stafford. We’re especially looking forward to his interaction with John Surtees; those interviews will be excellent.”

   It’s not just special guests that’ll be welcomed either, as rows of stunning display machines showcase the very best that the classic world has to offer. Top billing will perhaps go to the one and only Moto Major, an incredible looking, one-off machine built by Italian Salvatore Majorca in 1949 – it’s a bike that has never been seen in the UK before.

   James Robinson added: “I’m looking forward to getting in among the private entries and display bikes to see what gems are at the show. The National Motorcycle Museum is back this year, the Rolls-Royce Motorcycle Club is bringing a 1923 Cotton with a 349cc ohc engine which owner Tony Trueman believes to be the only one in existence and the Bonhams auction always has an incredible selection.”

   The event will also feature numerous halls packed with traders, manufacturers and autojumbles, and there is live action in the form of the world famous Wall of Death.

   Advance tickets for the 34th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show are on sale now from www.classicbikeshows.com, or can be purchased over the phone by calling 01507 529529 – with an advance one day adult ticket costing £10, a £3 saving on the gate price.

   The show is open from 9am – 6pm on Saturday and 9am – 5pm on Sunday. Parking is free.

   www.classicbikeshows.com

3. The Sun is out @ the stunt show...

   Posted on 2:02pm Sunday 23rd Mar 2014

   @ The Manchester Bike Show!

   

4. ALLIED MEMORIAL REMEMBRANCE RIDE June 28th 2014

   Posted on 10:00am Saturday 22nd Mar 2014

   The Royal British Legion Riders Branch in association with the American and Canadian veteran riders will be holding their annual Allied Memorial Remberance Ride (AMRR) on Saturday the28th June 2014. The ride will take place in Cambridgeshire starting near Cambridge with a run to the American War Cemetery just outside at Madingley. The event will commence at 12:30 and run from Cambridge Services with the support of Cambridgeshire Police, ride on the A14 into Cambridge and on to the memorial where there will be a short service.
   
   The event this year coincides with Armed Forces Day. It is organised by the Royal British Legion Riders (RBLR) Branch. A UK charity that safeguards the welfare, interests and memory of those who are serving or who have served in the armed forces.
   
   This event is open to all bikers, not just for members of the RBL. Anyone can come and join the ride and show their respects. People who just want to watch the event or to come along and show support at the service are most welcome to attend.
   
   Over a thousand bikers of all ages and interests with bike types from trikes to classics sports to adventurers, are coming from all over the country to attend United Kingdom event. Canada and America are also holding many events at the same time for those fallen heroes of the allied forces past and present who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
   
   At the same time that the UK ride takes place, 7 rides are taking place across United States of America in Texas, Oklahoma, Miami and New Hampshire. In Canada there are 3 rides taking place. There are also rides in South Africa and France.

   
   www.alliedride.org

5. SAVE THE DATE FOR UK’S BIGGEST ONE DAY CLASSIC SHOW

   Posted on 8:15am Tuesday 18th Mar 2014

   THE PETER JAMES INSURANCE BROMLEY PAGEANT OF MOTORING

   The UK’s biggest one-day classic vehicle show is back as the Peter James Insurance Bromley Pageant of Motoring returns to Norman Park, Bromley, on Sunday 8th June. With around 3,000 vehicles on display including classic cars, bikes, trucks, motorcycles, tractors, and stationary engines, the organisers have added to new features and celebrations to make 2014’s show the best ever!

   New for this year is Classic Trunk Trading, a chance for classic enthusiasts to fill the boot of their cars with classic parts, spares and related items and bring their vehicle to the show and trade right from where they park. The items on sale must be classic focused and no vans allowed. Spaces in the Classic Trunk Trading area are only open to show ticket holders at just an extra £5 with a show ticket. These spaces must be reserved in advance.

   Early bird bookers can bring their pre-1994 classic cars to the show and park alongside owners with the same marque in the popular ‘One Make’ area for the new reduced price of just £5 including entry for both the driver and a passenger into the show.

   Advance ticket holders in the One Make section will also get a voucher entitling them to a free souvenir programme and a commemorative plaque on arrival to be redeemed at sponsor Peter James Insurance stand.

   From Ford Cortinas to Aston Martins, more than 1600 cars featured in this area last year, making it one of the not to be missed areas of the show ground.

   Visitors to the main arena can enjoy fun and games as well as classic car parades and special guests with new host Fuzz Townshend, host of TV’s Classic Car SOS, while in the ‘bandstand bar’ there will be live music from the fantastic Elle and the Pocket Belles and the ‘firestarting’ Houndogs rockabilly band.

   There’s also an extensive trader village selling a host of products and services as well as the popular autojumble and a huge classic cars for sale area.

   Ticket prices are £11 for Adults when booking in advance or £14 on the gate. Senior Citizens tickets cost £8 in advance and £10 on the gate. Children’s tickets are £5 in advance and £6 on the gate. There is also a family ticket on offer for two adults and two children at just £27 when booked in advance and £34 on the gate. Show opens from 9.30am to 5.30pm and parking is free.

   To book tickets visit www.bromleypageant.co.uk where you can also download booking forms for clubs, cars for sale and one make entries as well as getting the latest updates.