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Category: Events and Shows

  1. GOLDEN DAYS AT STAFFORD

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    A GOLDEN era of motorsport, and a fantastic weekend of motorcycling – that’s what visitors to one of the year’s best shows are set to enjoy later this month.

    The 34th Carole Nash Classic MotorCycle Show takes place on the weekend of April 26-27 at Staffordshire County Showground, and racing legend John Surtees will be there as guest of honour five decades after becoming the first man to win world championships on two and four wheels following his fantastic tussle with Graham Hill for the 1964 F1 title.

    Surtees will take along his Ferrari 158 car, plus his championship winning MV Agusta and Norton F Model, while there will be more fantastic machinery to see, including a Moto Major – an Italian made motorcycle never before seen in the UK.

    The Bonhams auction is always a highlight of ‘Spring Stafford’ and this time includes a 1939 Brough Superior SS100 motorcycle once owned by the designer himself. First registered on May 24, 1939 by George Brough, the SS100 was put through its paces taking part in the London to Edinburgh endurance run two days later.

    The current owner’s father has stored the motorcycle since 1967, using it sporadically since then, and it has been maintained to a high standard. The Brough Superior has an estimated sale value of £140,000-180,000.

    Among the other treasures up for auction over the weekend are a 1975 Bimota 970cc HB1 and a 1929 Scott 596cc racing motorcycle.

    The two day event will have something for everyone with an interest in motorcycles, including some superb private entry and classic club bikes, along with hundreds of trade stands, an extensive autojumble, The National Motorcycle Museum plus live entertainment in the form of the Wall of Death, Classic Racer Grand Prix Paddock and Classic Dirt Bike Experience.

    But for many, it’s the appearance of Surtees which takes it into the premier league of events, especially as he celebrates two landmarks this year – the golden anniversary of his F1 title, and his own 80th birthday.

    He’ll be sharing stories from his fantastic career on and off the track, and also promoting a new photographic memoir which will be launched in June – the proceeds of which will go to the Henry Surtees Foundation.

    Show organiser Nick Mowbray said: “John Surtees is a hero of so many classic and modern motorcycle enthusiasts; what he achieved is truly remarkable. He is a star name… and not just in motorsport.

    “No other man will ever repeat what he has, and this will be a fantastic chance to come and see John in the flesh.”

    Advance tickets for the 34th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show can still be bought from www.classicbikeshows.com or 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.

  2. ANGLIA CAR AUCTIONS’ INVITE ENTRIES FOR ITS AUTUMN CLASSIC BIKE SALE

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    Basking in the glory of the results achieved at their inaugural Classic Motorcycle sale in March, Anglia Car Auctions’ has announced their second motorcycle-only auction is to be held on Saturday 20th September 2014.

    "We were delighted to see over 80% of the motorbikes that were entered into our first ever Classic Motorcycle sale go under the hammer successfully," states ACA's proprietor Lyn George

    Over 75 motorcycles were up for grabs in March resulting in a total sale value of £134,731 (including commission), with the highest price of the day being paid for a 1954 Vincent Comet which went for £16,125.

    "We anticipate that our Autumn sale will be even more successful and so we're starting to invite entries into the sale as of today. We are looking for barn finds, project motorcycles that may need a little TLC, affordable starter classics and even concours level entries - All makes, models, ages and conditions will be considered.”

    To enter a motorcycle into the classic motorcycle sale, please call 01553 771881 or email at [email protected] For more information on Anglia Car Auctions as well as advice on how to buy or sell your motorcycle at one of our auctions, visit www.angliacarauctions.co.uk

  3. The BMF Show – Hands On and Have a Go

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    This year’s BMF May show (16-18 at Peterborough Arena) is packed with plenty to do as well as see.

    Show organisers The Mulberry Group have introduced a series of new elements this year including: Moto Gymkhana, Motoball and the all new Zebra.com Slow Race (the winner will receive £100.00 cash) – all of which offer show-goers the opportunity to participate – not just watch. In addition KTM and Suzuki will be offer demo rides (both parts of your licence will be required) on the latest models they have to offer.

    For those wanting to begin on 2 wheels – the Get On team will be there in force as will Cam Riders and for the younger element Oset Bikes are offering rides for those aged between 4 -12 years old.

    This year will also see celebrities in attendance – 4 times BSB legend Carl Fogarty will be at the show on Saturday 17th, Henry Cole (ITV 4’s Motorbike Show and Discovery Channel’s World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides) will be on site over the whole weekend including participating in the crazy Moped Mayhem, being a passenger in a 1000cc sidecar.

    A full line up of presenters/traveller writers and adventurers will be in the Adventure & Overland Touring area including: Ed March, Dom Giles, Graham Hoskins, Sam Manicom, Jacqui Furneaux, Nathan Millward and Graham Field who’ll be launching his new book ‘Ureka’

    With just a week to go until the show and with the weather looking settled now is the time to get your tickets.

    Advance ticket sales are available until midnight on Wednesday 14th May through the ticket hotline: 0844 8845151 or through the show website: www.thebmfshow.co.uk

  5. CROWDS FLOCK TO STAFFORD SHOW AS BROUGH SUPERIOR SMASHES AUCTION BEST

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    SHOWGOERS were abuzz with news of a record breaking sale in the Bonhams auction as another bumper crowd went home happy following the now traditional spring motorcycle event at Staffordshire County Showground this past weekend.

    The 34th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show hosted the annual Bonhams sale of vintage and collectors’ motorcycles in which a Brough Superior SS100 – once owned by George Brough himself – sold for a staggering £253,500.

    Nick Mowbray, exhibition manager for the event, said: “We were delighted to see many above-estimate sales in the auction to round off a fantastic weekend of classic motorcycling. The sale of the star lot was supported by many other notable results and combined with the enthusiastic crowd that came through our gates, we are encouraged that the classic motorcycle market is alive and well.”

    Along with the strong showing in the auction, one of the world’s largest gatherings of classic display machines didn’t disappoint with a stunning 1969 Indian Velocette claiming the much-coveted Best in Show award ahead of whole host of top-quality contenders.

    James Robinson, editor of The Classic MotorCycle magazine, said: “The standards are always high at Stafford, but there were several entries that ensured 2014 lived up to expectations. Neil Radley’s Best in Show winner was a worthy one, and there were many other expert restorations and unusual finds that meant picking award winners was an unenviable task. There were many bikes that didn’t get recognition when they easily could have, and it speaks volumes for the current strength of the classic scene.”

    One of the unusual machines referred to was a 1949 Moto Major, an Italian-made motorcycle entered by Alessandro Altinier, which is the only one of its kind and has never before been seen in the UK.

    On a weekend which celebrated numerous ‘golden’ anniversaries, guest of honour John Surtees proved popular five decades on from his F1 world title win, with the thousands in attendance filling every available vantage point around the main stage to listen to his fascinating interviews with TT winner and TV commentator Steve Plater.

    Surtees, now aged 80 and still the only man to have captured both motorcycle world championships and the F1 world crown, spoke about his fascinating career working for some of the most iconic names in motorsport history, as well as the work currently being undertaken by his charity, the Henry Surtees Foundation. His appearance at Stafford kick-starts a year of events aimed at raising funds for the foundation, with the man himself explaining how the Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show was a fitting place to start: “Seeing so many familiar faces here at Stafford and catching up with old friends, it feels like a homecoming of sorts. Surtees’ relationship with event organiser Classic Bike Shows is a well-established one, having now been guest of honour at Stafford three times – another record he holds – as well as opening the company’s media centre in Lincolnshire just over a decade ago.

    Across the showground, the newly-sponsored Putoline Classic Dirt Bike Experience was once again a hub of action, with off-road demos taking place regularly throughout the two days.

    Classic Dirt Bike magazine editor, Tim Britton, said: “Our thanks to Putoline for sponsoring the Owd Codgers trails demos this year; they were as entertaining as ever. We had plenty of shiny exhibits inside the hall too, with a focus on the fact it’s now 50 years since Sammy Miller signed for Bultaco in a move that changed off-road sport for ever.”

    Alongside the Bultaco celebrations, 2014 also sees the 50th anniversary of Jeff Smith’s first world championship win and several events throughout the year will mark the occasion, including the massive International Dirt Bike Show at Stoneleigh Park in October.

    Traders and vendors enjoyed a successful weekend at Stafford too, as visitors came from far and wide to find the perfect part, piece or tool for their restoration or maintenance project.

    “The international tagline in our show’s name is certainly warranted,” added exhibition manager Nick Mowbray. “We welcome classic motorcycle enthusiasts, not just from all four corners of the UK, but also from Ireland, across mainland Europe and even further afield.”

    Attention now turns to the remainder of the classic calendar, with Classic Bike Shows’ next stop at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh for the Carole Nash Great Scottish Bike Show in August, followed by events in Netley Marsh in September and Stafford again in October.

    For all the up-to-date news, visit www.classicbikeshows.com