ON-STAGE chats between former motorcycle racers James Whitham and Steve Plater were among the highlights for a bumper crowd at Newark Showground's classic bike event this past weekend - January 9-10.

The Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic

The duo shared plenty of laughs with the audience at the Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic as they talked about James’s race career and subsequent life as a TV commentator; many behind-the-scenes tales and outtakes being revealed from the latter.   James said: “I love these shows; talking to people about bikes and racing… I can’t get enough of it.”   The Yorkshireman had also bought two of his own restoration projects – a 1981 Suzuki GT250 X7 and a 1986 TZ50 S – to display at the classic event alongside the hundreds of private entry and club bikes being inspected by showgoers throughout the weekend.   James added: “I’ve worked on both bikes myself. My aim has been to keep them simple and original – and also I want to not make them too ‘mint’ as I plan to ride them. I don’t like the idea of having a bike that’s not going to be used.”

Also getting plenty of attention was the Best-in-Show-winning Triumph Trident ‘Hyde Harrier’ owned by Jeff Elliot.

Jeff built his machine from scratch with only the frame as a starting point – a project he started two years ago. When asked what made triples so appealing to him, he replied simply by saying: “The noise,” with a grin on his face.

Scooter World proved popular once again with club displays and trade stands lining up alongside have-a-go activities such as the skills challenge and an engine rebuild competition.

Charity events took place in two scooter halls and Saturday evening dinner – including two auctions of scooter accessories and memorabilia – raising a total of around £4000.

Classic Bike Shows’ head of the event Nick Mowbray said: “This fifth running of the show has undoubtedly been one of the most successful yet. The superb variety of machines on display is testament to the come-one, come-all theme of the show and it really was a celebration of all things classic motorcycling.

“Add to that the atmosphere and enthusiasm of the Scooter World halls and it’s fair to say we are going home delighted with how the weekend has gone.”

Motorcycle events return to Newark Showground throughout the year at the ’Normous Newark Autojumbles which take place on selected Sundays in 2016 – the next being on January 31.

For Classic Bike Shows, attention now turns to the South West and the February 6-7 Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show at Shepton Mallet.  

The Lincolnshire Show takes place on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd June 2016

I am the volunteer organiser of the Classic motor cycles display at the Lincolnshire Show at the Lincolnshire Showground. (situated on the A15 north of Lincoln). Classic Motorcycles are welcomed for display in the classic vehicle section which will be located close to gate 5 (as per 2015). Bikes must be rideable, roadworthy, taxed, insured (inc £5m public Liability insurance - don't worry its usually included in your policy small print) and mot'd.

Bikes have to be on site by 8am latest and no exit until after 6pm, or when the police deem it safe for vehicles to leave. Each Exhibitor gets 1 free entrance ticket per day. These are worth £19 each - (entrance tickets include free parking in car park). I shall be erecting a 20ft x 10ft marquee on site for display, seating, rest area and a covered trailer will be adjacent for helmets/kit etc. A potted history of your machine will be required for the Show Brochure

Please contact me soonest, I need initial expressions of interest by March 31st at very latest but sooner rather than later please.

Alan Caine 01472 851674 or 07778 019611 email - [email protected]

www.lincolnshireshow.co.uk

Charley Boorman, renowned adventure motorcyclist, TV presenter and documentary maker have today announced a collaboration with Compass Expeditions, one of the world’s leading Adventure Bike Tour companies.

Working with Compass Expeditions for the last four years offering adventure tours across Australia, Charley has been impressed with their professionalism, their spirit and their passion for motorcycles and motorcycle touring.

“Our adventure rides into the Outback and Tasmania have been so popular, we’ve now decided to use the same model in South America and Africa. Our groups just can’t get enough and keep coming back for more. Compass have that adventure magic and I’m looking forward to 2016 as we ride across Australia again and, later in the year, South America and Africa.” Charley said.

Charley will also be offering African adventure tours with Compass, with dates to be announced in 2016. His extensive experience of riding in Africa along with his friend and business partner, Billy (Biketruck) Ward, means that riders can be assured of that trip of a lifetime – along with the thrill of sharing stories and adventures with one of the world’s leading characters in the adventure motorcycling fraternity.

“Compass are proud and excited to be working with Charley and to be extending the Boorman rides to cover South America and the African continent. His character, his riding skill and his manner have exceeded all expectations. With enthusiastic clients returning year on year, we’re confident that Charley Boorman, together with the Billy Biketruck ingredient, will guarantee that trip of a lifetime.”

Compass Expeditions has experienced continued growth over the last eight years to become one of the world’s best-known motorcycle tour companies. Today Compass offer twenty-five motorcycle tours in thirty-six countries on four continents with offices in Chile, Peru and Australia plus a sales team that spans the globe. With fleets of motorcycles, professional guides and support vehicles they are truly a world leader in the industry.

Information about Charley Boorman - www.charleyboorman.com
Information about Compass Expeditions - www.compassexpeditions.com

After winning the Best Feature Film Award in New York at the 2015 Motorcycle Film Festival (Sept 23-27th, 2015), Dream Racer is now being nominated at the 2016 Portland Motorcycle Film Festival (Jan 29-30th).

This festival is packed with great films including Moto 7 featuring the best Motocross and Supercross riders in the world, the IOM TT - a legendary 37.7 mile race on the Isle of Man, and the new Hitting the Apex Film narrated by Brad Pitt featuring world's champs Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Marquez, Dani Pedrosa, Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner, as well as the late Marco Simoncelli.

"We are excited to showcase a different kind of extreme racing with Dream Racer and the Dakar Rally - and to be against such great productions is an honour. However Dream Racer is a case of David against Goliath(s) in every sense of the word, but we trust that the depth of the Dream Racer story will win the heart of the audience" says Christophe Barriere-Varju (the subject of the film).

Dream Racer won awards in Los Angeles, Barcelona, New Delhi, Milan, and New York, and has been internationally acclaimed by its viewers worldwide (read testimonials).

The Dream Racer story is based on the famous Dakar Rally, the most extreme and dangerous race on earth where racers brave extreme temperature in the harshest deserts on the planet. A 15 days, 10,000km (6,200 miles) desert race dubbed insanity on wheels where each year since 1979, and with an attrition rate of 50%, racers facing injuries and death attempt the impossible.

The Dream Racer film shows The Dakar Rally in  its purest form – no sponsors, no multi-million dollar team, not even a  mechanic – just one man, a motorbike, his tool-roll, and the world’s  most dangerous motor race. Far more than just a motorbike movie, Dream Racer is a call to arms for anyone who has ever dreamt of doing anything – a spine tingling antidote to the fear of life passing you by unfulfilled.

All of us have dreams and desires, but sometimes they remain just that, dreams, lost in a schedule of a tomorrow that never comes. Dream Racer is a story of dreams, determination, and extreme resilience to make it happen at all cost - a story guaranteed to make you question your real purpose in life.

Dream Racer has also been subtitled in Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German and Russian and is available for acquisition by TV Networks. Dream Racer is available worldwide on DVD, Blu-Ray, and Video-on-Demand at www.dreamracer.tv