Biker News - Regularly updated

Welcome to our News section, where articles are listed below and if relevant within the categories on the right, just to make it easier for you to find what you wish to read...

Please note that the content within our News section (text and images), follows the same copyright laws/notice as all other content on the website - ie not to be reproduced (including slightly amending) without prior consent. 

 RSS Feed

  1. Over 600 Veteran and Vintage motorcycles will descend on the Heritage Motor Centre for the 64th nostalgic Vintage Motor Cycle Club Banbury Run ™ on Sunday 17th June. 

    The event, which is the largest gathering of pre-1931 Motorcycles & 3 Wheelers in the World, will also feature Club and Trade Stands, over 100 Autojumble pitches and special interest displays.

    The Banbury Run ™ is aimed at those who enjoy the thrill of riding with other Vintage, Veteran & Pioneer bikes. Visitors can see the bikes in all their glory as they set off for their annual Run around the countryside which is an amazing spectacle to watch.

    Visitors can also buy some of the best vintage fashions, accessories, curios and handmade crafts on the first floor of the Heritage Centre. There are free activities for children, including the chance to win a Giant Retro Space Hopper in the Space Hopper Hunt!

    Emma Rawlinson, Event Executive for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “The Banbury Run is a fantastic event and we’re delighted to be hosting it for the fifth year with the Vintage Motor Cycle Club. Watching hundreds of vintage motorcycles cruise the roads is a wonderful sight to see!”

    The Museum will be open from 9am – 5pm on Sunday 17 June with the Banbury Run ™ beginning at 10am.  Advance tickets costs £5 or £7 on the day. FREE museum entry is offered to entrants and spectators. Camping is available from Friday 15 June through to Monday 18 June. Advance tickets or camping can be purchased by phoning the ticket hotline on 01926 645029 Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm. 

    www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

  2. On 30th June 1937, Wal Handley lapped the famous Brooklands Outer Circuit at 107.57mph on a 500cc BSA Empire Star. For that lap, he was awarded a Brooklands Gold Star, the tiny enamel badge that signified so much.
      
    That achievement led the BSA Company to name their top sporting 500 "The Gold Star", which became perhaps the best-known name of any British motorcycle.
     
    On 30th June 2012, 75 years to the day, the Gold Star Owners Club plans a commemorative celebration at Brooklands, the world's first purpose circuit for motorsports.
     
    The aim is to get more Gold Stars and Rocket Gold Stars in one place at one time than has ever happened before. Owners and riders of other BSA models are also very welcome. There will be an opportunity for Gold Star and RGS owners to ride up the Test Hill and on the Members’ Banking. It is hoped there will also be static photo opportunities for the "Goldies" and RGS in front of Concorde "Delta Golf" and on the famous Brooklands Banking
     
    Among the machines attending are two replicas of Handley's 1937 winning bike, to include that built by George Wander which recently won the Ace Cafe London award at the Southern Classic Bike Show, Kempton Park. In addition George will be bringing along his 1937 Gold Star with the production number of 102, the oldest "Goldie" in existence.
     
    Some of the Brooklands Museum racing machines will be run as well.
     
    The event will take place from 10am on Saturday 30th June at Brooklands Museum near Weybridge in Surrey.
     
    All owners of "Gold Stars" and RGS are urged to attend and help ensure a record turnout to mark this unique and historic occasion.

    Entry will be the normal Museum ticket cost of £10 (£9 for Seniors). There will be a special price of £15 for riders with a pillion passenger.
     
    Bikes can be ridden in or brought by van or trailer. There is no limit to the number of eligible bikes. Non-BSA owners are encouraged to make the event a destination for a ride out. 
     
    www.brooklandsmuseum.com
    www.bsagoldstarownersclub.com

  3. Cassington Bike Night is Back!

    Ace Ride-Out to Cassington
     
    Date: Monday 25th June
    Depart Cafe: 6pm
    Route: A406 West to A40 West to Cassington
     
    Cassington Bike Night returns with a ride-out from the cafe departing at 6pm on Monday 25th June to the West Oxfordshire village where thousands of motorcycle riding enthusiasts are expected.
     
    This annual event includes showcasing of different models and classics spanning a century and has been a fixture for the village of Cassington and members of the British Motorcycle Riders Club (Oxford) for more than 25 years. 
     
    Following the disappointment of cancellation last year, the Parents and Teachers Association of St Peter's School set the wheels in motion and have got Cassington Bike Night back, and record numbers are expected!
     
    Ace Cafe London will have a stand/display as well as a "Rockers Restaurant" facility offering refreshments and a BBQ, with Ace prizes, awards and goodies for best bikes and raffle.

    www.cassingtonbikenight.org

  4. After a week of cold and wet weather, the 2012 North West 200 races took place in bright and sunny conditions today as Honda TT Legends’ John McGuinness claimed two podium finishes in the Superbike class and took his tally of wins to six. Team-mate and NW200 newcomer Simon Andrews impressed with a confident debut on the 8.9 mile Triangle circuit to secure two top ten places. 
     
    The first Superbike race of the day saw McGuinness get off to a great start ahead of pole sitter Alastair Seeley. By the end of lap one Seeley had regained a slight advantage, but under increased pressure from a determined McGuinness, he made a mistake that cost him several places. With a clear road ahead and a comfortable lead, McGuinness put in a flawless performance to hold the top spot for the remainder of the six-lap race claiming his sixth North West 200 win. 
     
    Team-mate Simon Andrews started his first ever NW200 race from 19th on the grid, placing him on the front row of the second wave of riders. A confident performance saw him finish ninth and as the highest-placed newcomer in the race. 

    The second Superbike battle was the sixth and final race of the day for John McGuinness, who also took part in the Supersport and Superstock classes with Padgetts Honda. He had another strong start and held on to second place until lap four when he was overtaken by Michael Rutter. McGuinness eventually crossed the line in third to secure his second Superbike podium. 
     
    Meanwhile, Andrews put up an incredible fight from the second wave of riders to finish just one place behind his team-mate on the timesheet in a well-deserved fourth position – an impressive end to his debut at the North West 200. The next stop for the Honda TT Legends team will be its namesake event – the Isle of Man TT – which kicks off in just eight days time. 
     
    John McGuinness - I was fairly confident we could go well in the races today after qualifying on the front row. I went in with a good attitude, just wanting to get stuck in and go as hard as I could to keep Alastair under pressure. In race one that happened and he made a mistake and in race two I was with him all the time but I couldn’t quite get there. Rutter got passed me too, but to be honest you’ve got two guys there doing BSB week in, week out so I’m happy to be on the podium. A win and a third is great for the team. We’re here in the iconic Honda colours and the bike has not let us down so I’m well happy with that.
     
    Simon Andrews - I’m really happy after that. The team have done a top job with the bike set-up and it was just a dream to ride from the word go. I felt comfortable, it was easy to ride, I could push for the whole race – it was just a pleasure. I’m just really pleased that we have achieved so much and this is exactly where we wanted to be after the North West going in to the TT.