It’s February, which can mean just one thing – the MCN Carole Nash London Motorcycle Show is almost upon us. And this year bike insurance specialists Carole Nash are displaying a very rare machine in one of a small number of Petronas FP1 superbikes to be built.
The FP1 was developed by Malaysian oil giants Petronas to compete in the world superbike championship. Only 150 were built, in order to make the bike eligible to race in the series, but these were mysteriously never sold to the public. The three-cylinder race bike, run by superbike legend Carl Fogarty, proved to be slow and unreliable and the project was quietly dropped at the end of the 2005 season, after three unsuccessful seasons. Now, after years in hibernation, the original batch of bikes have resurfaced and the first is to go under the hammer at Silverstone Auctions on February 23rd, where it is estimated to sell for between £30-35,000. Before then, we’ll have it on our stand so you can see this rare machine in the metal.
The capital’s biggest motorbike show is the first major event in the 2019 calendar, taking place this weekend, between the 15th and 17th, and once again it looks like going from strength to strength at the ExCeL Centre in the Docklands area.
The tried and tested formula has been refined and improved for this year, with the show again being divided into themed areas to ensure visitors can spend more time enjoying the attractions that really grab their attentions.
New bikes are always a big draw and the list of manufacturers at this year’s show includes AJS, BMW, CCM, Ducati, Energica, Herald, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Lexmoto, Indian, Norton, Suzuki, Triumph, UM, Yamaha and Zero, who will all be bringing their latest models. The expansive trade areas also offer plenty of opportunities to pick up bargain kit, including leathers, helmets and a whole myriad of accessories for your bike.
As well as the new bikes, the Michelin Thunderdrome will see racers past and present going head to head on board 100cc bikes in a specially constructed arena. Racers include former world champions Neil Hodgson and Wayne Gardner, as well as TT aces John McGuinness, James Hillier and Peter Hickman.
Other attractions include the TomTom Adventure and Travel Zone, the Spada sponsored Custom and Café Racer Zone, John McGuinness’ TT-themed bar and Ken Fox’s legendary Wall of Death. Michelin will also be bringing along a display to celebrate 70 years of Grand Prix racing, which includes Valentino Rossi’s championship winning Yamaha YZR-M1 and Barry Sheene’s 1979 Suzuki XR27, while Bonham’s will be backing a classic bike zone where bargains are sure to be had.
To pre-book tickets, head over to https://mcnmotorcycleshow.seetickets.com/tour/the-carole-nash-mcn-london-motorcycle-show/?_ga=2.158826938.1266675335.1549927276-1374913118.1487611658
