The BMW Group Classic is bringing together past and present in a stunning paddock exhibition at this year's Isle of Man Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts.

The exhibition will run from Saturday 23rd to Tuesday 26th August.

The German manufacturer will have a significant presence at the Grandstand with a large truck and marquee exhibiting classic and current BMW machines. The exhibition is centred on the 'BMW Kompressor that Georg 'Schorsch' Meier piloted to victory in the Senior TT seventy-five years ago.

Meier, who started out as an off-road rider and had only completed his first season in road racing the previous year, recorded a sensational average speed of 143.723 km/h (89.305 mph) on his way to the win. The bike will sit alongside the BMW S 1000RR that Michael Dunlop rode to victory in three races at this year's TT Races including the historic Senior TT win.

Three of the iconic marque's machines will also take part in the legendary Lap of Honour including Georg Meier's machine, which will be ridden by his nephew Wolfgang Meier. It will be joined by a 1937 BMW R 5 SS and a 1939 BMW R 51.

BMW Group Classic will display other models from the pre-and post-war era in its exhibition area behind the Grandstand, including a BMW R 63 from 1929 (BMW's first 750cc bike), a BMW R 5 from 1936, a BMW R 67 from 1951 and a BMW RS 54 from 1954, which was designed as a racing machine for privateer riders and could reach speeds of 200 km/h (124 mph). Other bikes on display include Jock West's 1939 Type 255 BMW RS 500, which he rode to second place in the following year's Senior TT.

BMW will also forge the link between past and present by showcasing its BMW R nineT. Launched in spring 2014, this contemporary interpretation of a classical concept is the brand's newest series-produced model. The BMW R nineT blends pared-down design with a boxer engine, a construction that has proved its mettle over more than 90 years.

David Cretney, MHK, the Isle of Man Government's Minister for Fun commented:

"BMW has made a real impact at the TT Races this year and we are delighted to be working with them to celebrate the company's success at this year's Classic TT event. It is great to see the return of such an iconic brand to the Isle of Man and fans are in for a real treat with their display of historic and modern machines."  

SEE... bikes, bikes, bikes!

Motorcycle Live is the UK’s largest bike show and first and foremost, that’s what visitors get to see. Every November, thousands of two-wheel fans and their families and friends make the winter-season pilgrimage to Motorcycle Live to see the next year’s new models in the UK for the first time.

This year will be no different, with more of the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers signed up than ever before, each one showcasing the very latest machinery – from sports bikes and scooters to adventure models and off-roaders. For a full list of manufacturers exhibiting at the show click here.      

In addition to the new bikes, visitors can also enjoy the more historical side of motorcycling with a visit to the Classic/Retro feature supported by the Coventry Transport Museum. The Classic section will be include a special display in honour of the World War I Centenary, featuring unique, mint-condition machines from the era. The Retro collection meanwhile will focus on old favourites and rare gems from the 1980s.                

Shiny machinery doesn’t get more eye-catching than the weird and wonderful bikes on display at Custom Xtreme supported by Back Street Heroes. This high-profile showcase is dedicated to the work of the UK’s most highly-talented and ingenious builders – professional and amateur alike – all of whom remain consistently passionate about fusing exquisite engineering and absolute art into a single motorcycle.         

Motorcycle Live takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 22-30 November 2014. Advance tickets are just £17 per adult, £11 for Seniors and £7 for children aged 11-16* (kids ten and under accompanied by a paying adult go free). There is also a £20 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and a three-pack of Oxford Comfy neck warmers worth £15.

To book, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

*Advance ticket price, closing date for advanced tickets 5.00pm on 21 November 2014.  

The theme of this year's Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts is the 1980's - the golden years of Joey Dunlop's incredible career when he won five consecutive TT Formula 1 World Championships and 12 of his eventual tally of 26 wins.

The Classic TT paddock will be turning back the clock this Friday 22nd August to celebrate Joey's decade of dominance and inviting everyone to dig out their stretch jeans, Kicker boots or New Romantic regalia and join in with the leading TT riders in the fancy dress extravaganza.

You can expect an 80's flashback when you arrive at Glencrutchery road with chatshows and live music from 10am as the Nigel Williams band plays all those foot stomping memorable tunes from that decade of colour, deely boppers, flashing shoes and glitter. RJ Woolsey will also be bringing his own interpretation of those memorable songs.

Manx Radio Classic TT will be digging deep into its archive with a non-stop playlist of Queen, Dire Straits, Michael Jackson and Phil Collins as well as some long forgotten tracks that will instantly transport you back to that heady decade.

However, its not only music that came out of the decade. The leading TT racers will be putting aside their bikes for a head to head of a different kind as they look to take the honours in the inaugural space hopper race in pit lane. Early pre-race favourites include John McGuinness, Philip McCallen and Ian Lougher, who will be looking to use their experience from the 80's but there are likely to be a number of young challengers including Michael Dunlop, Lee Johnson and Jamie Hamilton.

The purple helmets will also be bringing their disorganised mayhem to pit lane in a display of all things anarchic and chaotic before the paddock returns to the final Classic TT qualifying session.

Harley Day at Ace Cafe, Sunday 24th August, 9am - 5pm

This August Warr's are hosting their fourth annual Harley Day at the Ace. So if you’re already a fan of the brand and want a chance to talk about all things Harley-Davidson, if you fancy trying something new or you just want to spend the day with like-minded people who want to talk bikes and have a look at some spectacular motorcycles then get the date in your diary!

In addition to a range of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles being on show and staff on hand to answer any questions you may have, there will be the chance to take a demo ride (pre book via Warr's website), see some of their amazing classic Harleys from the past, gawp at their Kings Rd Customs machines, and there will be live music playing through the day.

At Warr's 90th party on June 1st did you pick up a free Warr's 90th Anniversary pin and get entered into their Grand Prize draw? Well if you did you'd better be at the Ace because they'll be announcing the Grand Prize winner of an amazing VIP trip to visit Biketoberfest and the Ace Cafe site in Orlando, USA. Draw takes place at 3pm. Good luck!

It’s the perfect day out for the August bank holiday in a friendly motorcycle-related atmosphere.

See you there!

www.warrs.com

www.ace-cafe-london.com

Tonight's qualifying session for the IMGold Manx Grand Prix got underway shortly after 6.25 with a speed-controlled lap for newcomer Leon Murphy, before the session got underway in earnest at around 6.35.

First to experience the excellent conditions around the Mountain Course were SuperTwin, Lightweight and Newcomers B (650/250) and C (400).

Wigan's Rob Hodson continued his fine form from the previous evening to post the fastest SuperTwin lap (109.251) from Gary Gittins (108.575) and James Neesom (108.481). Dean Osborne (104.537 and 104.366) posted the fastest two newcomer B laps with Eddie Venn also posting a pair of 100+mph laps (102.839 and 101.263).

Seven riders posted laps of over 100mph in the Lightweight session with the Isle of Man's Adam Jones (101.807) the fastest from Ireland's Mick Jordan (101.794) and Rikki McGovern (101.518).

Ahead of the second session, Clerk of the Course Phil Taubman advised the riders that there would be waived and stationary yellow flags at Ballaugh following an oil spill.

In the second session, Scotland's Andy Lawson again signalled his intent with the fastest lap of the evening (116.332) on the Kawasaki that he'll race in the Senior Manx Grand Prix while Andrew Soar (114.128) and Paul Smyth (113.068) also signalled their intent.

Hodson also topped the Junior leader board with a lap of 116.144 from James Neesom (114.095) and Stephen Harper (112.762) while Shane Egan in the Newcomers A again showed that he'd be the man to beat with 111.836. Billy Redmayne (110.893) and Malachi Mitchell-Thomas (110.494) also posted quick laps, building on their performances from the previous night and already signalling that this year's Newcomers A Race, which is scheduled to take place on Monday 25th August, is likely to be competitive.

Barry Furber (Quarterbridge), Dave Matravers (Sulby) and James Buckett (Braddan Bridge) were all reported OK after accidents during the session while Stephen Carr was taken by ambulance to Nobles Hospital with a possible ankle injury.