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It’s springtime so it’s showtime! There’s just time to finish off your winter project, polish up your P&J and enter your classic into one of the RealClassic-sponsored Spring Shows. Or just come along on your winter hack…
Malvern In March
If ever there is an event which is likely to be under assault from the elements, then it’s the Malvern RealClassic Bike Show. We’ve had torrential rain, snow, hail and fog in previous years but the show has always gone on… and we’re usually amazed by the determination and good humour of all those who make the effort to attend. So don’t be dismayed if the forecast is awful; gird up your loins and join us at the Three Counties Showground — at the very least we can promise you a HobNob from the RC biccy tin…
Last November’s show was the busiest ever, so we hope to see plenty of RC readers join the concours competition. Dave Minton will hopefully be leading the way with the judging, and every type of RealClassic stands a very good chance of winning (so you don’t have to ride a shiny Triumph twin. Or a scruffy Triumph twin. Or any sort of Triumph. In fact, you could bring anything other than a Triumph. Unless you want to bring a Triumph, in which case…).
The winning bikes at Malvern last autumn ranged from a 1928 AJS K7, owned by Alan Smith who took home the Bike of the Show award, through a military Norton outfit dating from 1941, oodles of postwar Brits like the class-winning 1952 Enfield two-stroke and an array of excellent BSA A65s (two of which went home with prizes), plus interesting machines from further afield; a 1960 NSU Supermax, a 1972 Suzuki Stinger and a 1980s BMW boxer which took the prize for being ridden to the event.
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There was also a very unusual little Kawasaki two-stroke on the RC stand which we had planned to feature in the magazine over the winter (but a digital disaster meant that we lost the photoset, Rats! Maybe next time…)
Clubs are very welcome to set up a stand and hopefully attract new members; we often see the Leominster Classic Club, the local VMCC and Norton OC branches, the Swindon Classic Club and the Honda Turbo group, as well as the DOT Club who took top honours last autumn. There are also trade stands, autojumble stalls, refreshments, plus a commentary which is guaranteed to deafen you if you stand in the wrong place for too long, and a discount on the gate for RC readers who show their membership cards. You’ll also save money on admission if you enter your classic in advance for the concours display – don’t leave it until the last minute! |
A-series BSA stuff on eBay.co.uk |
One other thing: this event will be inside the SEVERN HALL which is a different building to normal. So if you’re used to going to one part of the site you need to follow the signs to the Yellow Gate, and keep your eyes peeled for lots of old bikes. If you end up on your own, then you’re either in the wrong hall (or we’ve printed the wrong date…) (again) (sorry to the man who travelled to the Show on the wrong weekend last year. Really. Very. Sorry).
The Malvern RealClassic Bike Show
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Ardingly In April
The South of England RealClassic Bike Show has blossomed under Mrs Elk’s tender care. Julie (aka Mrs Elk for reasons now too arcane to go into) took over this event last year and was rewarded with an absolutely huge turnout despite the dreadful weather in October 07. So we’re expecting another busy day packed with rarely-seen machines – and if you enter your pre-1980 machine for the concours competition by March 15th then you’ll get FREE admission to the event, You’ll need to have your classic on display by the time the public arrives at 10am – and this show is becoming so popular that if you can’t attend for any reason, it would be kind to let Mrs Elk know in advance so she can pass your entry onto the next person in the queue.
All entrants will receive a handsome memento (horse-brasses last time but we think a badge may be brewing), while a dozen awards will go to the most deserving machines in a variety of classes – last autumn Frank had to choose between bikes like a 1968 BSA Bantam which has been transformed from a road machine to enduro spec, a 1961 Greeves Scottish Trials which was off the road from 1970 to 2002 before being rebuilt to the last nut and bolt, and a 1953 Vincent Rapide which has travelled over half a million miles with its current owner.
There are also normally excellent displays formed by the local BSA, AJS and Indian clubs, and Mrs Elk would be happy to hear from any other clubs who’d like to come along. All the display bikes are housed inside a modern, heated hall (equipped with warm and modern conveniences…), with autojumble outside and under cover, plus memorabilia, clothing, new and used spares, trade stalls and refreshments.
If you’d just like to visit the show then there’s plenty of space to park up outside (especially if you ride a chopped Ducati), and if you wave your blue RC card at the gate then you’ll be given entry at the discounted rate of £4. (OAPs also pay £4 and kids get in for free). Car parking is free so you can even bring the family and it won’t break the bank!
The South of England RealClassic Bike Show
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Photos – all of which are from Ardingly – by Keith Fryer / Phoenix Photos www.phoenixphoto.co.uk
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