Category: Events and Shows

1. Bikers raise £30k for local charities

   Posted on 1:22pm Tuesday 29th Apr 2014

   Bikers from across the country turned out in their thousands at the weekend to show their incredible support for two Midlands charities, as they took part in one of the largest biking events in the country – the Bike4Life Ride Out and Festival, 27th April 2014. 

   Helping to raise money for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and Royal Air Force Museum, in excess of 3,000 motorcyclists participated in the 23 mile ride along the M54 from Meole Brace, Shrewsbury to the RAF Museum Cosford, double the number of bikers who took part in the 2013 Ride Out.  They filled the motorway as far as the eye could see, as they travelled en masse by police escort to the Museum with hundreds of members of the public lining every bridge along the route, waving as they passed. TV’s Emergency Bikers Mark Hayes and Steve Forrest were two of the bikers leading the Ride Out before spending the day at the Festival meeting and greeting.

   The event raised in excess of £30,000 thanks to the impressive turnout and support shown by the biking community, smashing last year’s total.  The day was a huge success, with more bikers taking part in this year’s ride out than ever before, with many bikers travelling some distance to be part of the day.  In addition to the 3,000 bikers on the Ride Out, over 2,000 additional bikers headed straight to the Festival along with thousands of interested members of the public with almost 8,000 visitors on site throughout the day. 

   Nina Mitchell, Events Executive for the RAF Museum Cosford said, “We knew the event this year was going to be big, judging by the level of interest we received in the buildup, but nothing could prepare us for the overwhelming support from the bikers who turned out on the day.  We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who attended and donated to the two event charities, we hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as we did.  We have received some fantastic feedback on our Facebook and Twitter pages and we hope to see everyone again next year.”

   Upon arrival at the Museum, bikers were treated to an afternoon packed with entertainment which included a spectacular flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire and live music supplied by five rock bands on the Planet Rock stage. Arena displays entertained the crowds throughout the day and even encouraged participation from some members of the public, with some fantastic biker related prizes up for grabs.  Plus, some of the biggest names in the biking world were exhibiting with road safety and advance riding organisations on hand to talk biker safety.

   The Cosford-based Midlands Air Ambulance helicopter was situated at the event and was called out several times during the day, demonstrating the great need to continue to raise funds for the lifesaving service. 

   Jason Levy, Fundraising and Marketing Director for Midlands Air Ambulance charity said, “We were overwhelmed by the level of people who attended both the Ride Out and the Festival.  Bikers make up about a fifth of the air ambulance missions we attend, so their support is hugely appreciated by everyone at the charity.  We trebled our fundraising total from last year and we’re already planning next year’s event, so watch this space.” 

   Bike4Life is also in collaboration with Safer Roads Partnership and West Mercia Police who work tirelessly to promote road safety and to help reduce the number of road traffic collisions across West Mercia.  The event took months of planning and wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Central Motorway Police Group, the Highways Agency and West Mercia Police who ensured the safety of all of the bikers on the Ride Out.

   Vicki Bristow from the Safer Roads Partnership, Road Safety unit for Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police says, “Improving safety for motorbike riders is a big part of what we work on throughout the year so to be part of this event and to talk to bikers, not just in our region but from neighbouring counties was great.  We are really pleased that we were able to support the event and two wonderful local charities and we'd like to thank everyone who turned up to the event, without the support it wouldn't have been possible.  We hope to see everyone again next year!"

    

   Photos from the event will be posted on the Bike4Life website www.bike4lifefest.co.uk and on the official Facebook and Twitter pages over the coming days.

    

   Find out more information about the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity by visiting www.midlandsairambulance.com or for more information on the RAF Museum Cosford visit www.rafmuseum.org. Further details about the Safer Roads Partnership can be found at www.srpwestmercia.org.uk

2. Don Powell – BMF May Show

   Posted on 10:57am Tuesday 29th Apr 2014

   70’s superstar drummer Don Powell founder member of SLADE will be with us at the BMF May Show!

   Having raised funds for the National Autistic Society at last year’s Kelso Bikefest (and because he had such a great time) Don has agreed to join us at the BIG ONE – May’s BMF Show 16-18 Peterborough Arena.

   Don will be on site all through the weekend and will once again be asking people to support the good work of the NAS and later into the evening he’ll be picking up those famous drum sticks and putting in some ‘guest’ appearances with the bands on the main stage on Friday and Saturday evening.

   For more information about any of the BMF shows visit www.thebmfshow.co.uk. Or talk to the show organisers, The Mulberry Group, on 01869 277077.

3. Into the Valley 2nd - 4th May

   Posted on 10:30am Saturday 26th Apr 2014

   The Motorcycle Action Group Yorkshire proudly presents its first rally of the 2014 season.

   Set in beautiful East Yorkshire with heated marquees for entertainment, bars and sit down eating you will have a great time no matter the weather. With Bands, DJ's, The Rick Hulse Smacked Arse Comedy Show and the Back Street Heroes ride in bike show. With real ales at pub prices and great food with a CMA marquee to sit and eat it in.

   venue: Into the Valley, South Dalton, Beverley, East Yorkshire, HU17 7PN
   
   

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4. DAY OF DREAMS SET TO BE DREAM START TO SBK WEEKEND

   Posted on 11:24am Friday 25th Apr 2014

   World Superbike fans will have the chance to meet their SBK heroes and feel the thrill of riding the Donington Park race track at a brand new Riders for Health event.

   Day of Dreams takes place on Thursday 22 May and is an opportunity for fans to go behind-the-scenes of SBK and meet past and present superbike stars ahead of the UK round of the Superbike World Championships.

   The family-friendly day costs just £15 per person and includes paddock and pit-lane access, with the opportunity to get close to the incredible SBK bikes as crews prepare for the upcoming race, as well as the chance to meet the current stars of SBK at an autograph signing session.

   Tickets can be purchased today by visiting www.donington-park.co.uk

   Fans looking for something extra special can join three-times British Superbike Champion Niall MacKenzie and legend Ron Haslam for half an hour of expert tuition on the Donington Park race track. It’s the chance to feel the thrill of riding on a world famous track, with two champions who know Donington better than anyone, just days before the British SBK race.

   Track time tickets cost £95 and include lunch in the paddock hospitality suite and entrance to all Day of Dreams events. These can be purchased by emailing [email protected]

   Niall Mackenzie said ‘I’ve supported Riders for Health for a long time, and I think events like Day of Dreams are really special. You get the chance to experience the pre-race buzz that goes on behind-the-scenes, as well as raising money for a charity that really is helping to save lives.’

   Day of Dreams will also include a Riders for Health auction, where fans will get the opportunity to bid on unique SBK memorabilia and experiences to really kick-start their weekend of racing.

   Riders for Health CEO Andrea Coleman said, ‘We’re really excited about returning to Donington Park and adding a brand new event to our calendar, and are grateful to Donington for all their support in staging Day of Dreams.’

   All of the money raised from Day of Dreams will help Riders for Health ensure health workers in Africa have access to reliable, well maintained motorcycles and ambulances so that they can continue to transform health care for 14 million people.

   For more information visit www.riders.org.uk/day-of-dreams

   Track Time Terms and Conditions

   The track time will consist of two sessions with 25 people in each. Each session will include two 15 minute rides on the track. Donington Park has a noise restriction policy of 98 db.

5. RACING LEGEND SURTEES REUNITED WITH THE ONLY F1 WINNING FERRARI THAT WASN’T RED

   Posted on 11:04am Thursday 24th Apr 2014

   THE only man ever to win a Formula One World Championship in a Ferrari that wasn’t red will be reunited with his blue and white machine this weekend.

   John Surtees, who is also unique in having won world championships on both two and four wheels, will be at the 34th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show at Staffordshire County Showground alongside his unusually painted Ferrari 158. The car’s original Rosso corsa colour scheme was painted over in American NART team livery for two races only during the 1964 World Championship on the orders of Enzo Ferrari. It was a protest move after the fiery company boss fell out with the Italian racing authorities.

   Also on display at the show will be the MV Agusta 500 GP on which Surtees won the 1956 Motorcycle Grand Prix and his 1955 Norton Model F. Unrivalled in his achievements, Surtees was crowned as BBC Sport’s Personality of the Year in 1959 and has since been awarded both an MBE and an OBE.

   In 2013, he was also named as the recipient of the Seagrave Trophy, awarded to British nationals who are deemed to have accomplished the most outstanding demonstration of the possibilities of transport by land, sea, air or water. He joins pivotal figures such as Malcolm Campbell, Stirling Moss, Geoff Duke, Mike Hailwood, Barry Sheene, Colin McRae and Richard Branson.

   Later this year, Surtees will release a photographic memoir of his life as he celebrates both his 80th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the triumphant moment when he became the first, and only, man to conquer the world both on bikes and in cars. Surtees’ appearance at Stafford will kick-start a year of events marking his phenomenal career.

   He will also be raising funds for and awareness of the Henry Surtees Foundation, the charity he set up following the tragic death of his son following an accident at a Formula Two race in 2009.

   James Robinson, editor of The Classic MotorCycle magazine and spokesman for the Stafford show 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.

   “We are all delighted to be able to share some of the incredible work done by the Henry Surtees Foundation with the event’s visitors, as well as showcase a man, a career and three machines that we believe to be among the finest – if not the finest – that have ever graced the world of motor racing. 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 Count Agusta and Enzo Ferrari, as well as being Mike Hailwood’s boss!”

   The Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show is one of the flagship events of the classic motorcycling calendar, and with John Surtees in attendance, April 26-27, 2014, is set to be just that little bit more special.

   Those wanting to attend can enter the Staffordshire County Showground on both days from 9am, with a one day adult ticket priced at £13.

   Surtees will be on stage at various times throughout the weekend as he’s interviewed by ex-TT winner and TV personality Steve Plater, and he’ll also be taking part in signing sessions, paddock displays and trophy presentations.

   James added: “The opportunity to meet one of Britain’s most successful ever sporting stars is one that doesn’t come around all that often, and to see the MV Agusta, Norton and Ferrari that played such a vital role in that success on display, together in one hall next to the man himself, is incredibly rare. This is something that any motorcycle enthusiast or motorsport fan simply cannot afford to miss.”