Start your engines… as with racing stars both human and mechanical lined-up, including a racing machine from the very top drawer, this year’s International Classic Motorcycle Show is one not to be missed.
TT legends John McGuinness and Dean Harrison will sprinkle a touch of stardust to the Carole Nash-sponsored event at Staffordshire County Showground over the weekend of April 25-26, but there’s so much more to suit all two-wheeled tastes, including auction lots that will have British fans salivating at the prospect of seeing them, even if the price is a bit rich for the vast majority of us.
From great displays to top traders, owners’ clubs to novelty machines, this April’s Stafford show gets the summer off to the hottest start possible.
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Ever since its first running in its original incarnation at Belle Vue in 1980, the event has attracted the cream-of-the-crop in terms of machinery, guests, attractions and interest. Everyone from Geoff Duke (the first star guest) to John Surtees, Giacomo Agostini and many, many others, have graced the showground with their presence, and this year’s star turns maintain that gold standard.
McGuinness, has been there, done that and inspired the T-shirt when it comes to the Isle of Man. Sitting third on the all-time list of winners at the TT with 23 titles, he’ll have just celebrated his 54th birthday by the time the show starts, and will be on stage throughout the weekend to chat about his life and career, which in TT-terms began 30 years ago. Having clocked 132+mph as his fastest lap, and claimed the last of his titles with 2015’s Senior, he’ll be sure to draw the crowds.
Sharing the spotlight will be relative young gun Dean Harrison, another multiple champion on the Island.
The 37-year-old Yorkshireman has notched-up five TT wins of his own, his first being the 2014 Lightweight title, and his most recent in both the Superstock races last year on board his Honda, the first race seeing a fastest lap at 135.692mph.
The two generations, and rivals, will chat about their road racing exploits and so much more, and be there to meet the crowds.
But there’s so much more to enjoy too, not least the racing pedigree in the Bonhams auction.
Star lots are two 500cc GP racing machines from the absolute top drawer – a genuine MV Agusta four and the championship-winning Barry Sheene Suzuki RG500.
The MV is a late four, from 1965, the year when Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini were partnered in the works team. While the RG500 is an XR14, possessed of impeccable history and finished in the famous Heron Suzuki colours, in which Sheene claimed his second world title. Road racing royalty doesn’t come any grander than that, and the Sheene machine is estimated to sell for up to £200,000.
There’s so much more, including the amazing Rex Judd collection, featuring a 1902 Holden – the 1173cc flat four ‘motor bicycle’ which is unlike anything else. Also from the Judd (a noted Brooklands racer before the Second World War) cache are a pair of Douglas flat twins to Brooklands spec, a Pierce four and a Wilkinson four, plus a 1902 Bradbury single (probably the earliest of the marque extant) which are all veterans of the highest order and rarity.
There’s loads more exotica too – a 1954 DKW V-three two-stroke racer for example, plus a 1967 MV Agusta 4C Tourer – and that’s only just starting to scratch the surface. It’s going to be quite some sale.
For details, visit www.bonhams.com
As always though, the event is not just the preserve of those who can help bring down the gavel on a top-price classic, there will be club stands, individual entries and so many parts for sale that any project could surely be completed… or at least started.
To make sure you’re at this fabulous event, secure your ticket early – and save a few quid – by visiting: www.classicbikeshows.com or calling 01507 529529
Get your name in the draw to win Stafford Tickets and meet the stars
Keen to see all those fabulous bikes and soak up the Stafford atmosphere?
How about a chance to meet the star guests John McGuinness and Dean Harrison?
This is your chance, as we have a dozen pairs of tickets for the fantastic International Classic Motorcycle Show, and TWO of those pairs will get VIP passes and the opportunity to meet the star guests.
All you have to do to stand a chance of winning this superb prize is fill out the form below.
Entries must be with us by 5pm on Friday, April 10, and you must be available to attend the show over the weekend of April 25/26.
For full terms and conditions see our website: https://shop.kelsey.co.uk/terms-and-conditions
There is no cash alternative. The winner is responsible for getting themselves to and from the venue.
