The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show sponsored by Carole Nash, aka the Stafford Show, is less than two weeks away. Held at the Stafford County Showground, it celebrates classics of all kinds but has a special focus on machines from the ‘70s onwards.
The two-day event, held this year on the weekend of 10-11 October, remains reassuringly familiar but with new features, guests and themes each year to keep it fresh and relevant.
What’s going on this time around? Here’s five things we think make a trip to Stafford well worthwhile…
Mackenzie and Whitham reunited
With the British Superbike Championship celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2016, who better to have as star guests than the two main protagonists from the 1996 season?
Niall Mackenzie and James Whitham were team-mates for the Cadbury’s Boost sponsored Yamaha squad and finished first and second in the championship, with Mackenzie taking the first of his three back-to-back titles by just four points.
The great friends have become much loved figures in the British racing scene, ‘Whit’ being one of the main commentators and experts for TNT Sports’ British Superbike Championship coverage and Mackenzie being famed for (among other things) his hilarious ‘Mad Mark’ alter ego on social media. Both are massive classic bike enthusiasts, owning many interesting machines themselves.
James will be at the show both days, with Niall scheduled to join him on Sunday. The pair will be on the main stage to talk about their careers in bikes and will be out and about throughout the show, taking part in a number of live features.
Maico owners celebrate a century
Although not the most famous of motorcycling brands, German manufacturer Maico enjoyed considerable success over the years – particularly with its motocross racing programme – and the Maico Owners Club will be using the show to celebrate 100 years since the company was founded as a bicycle manufacturer.
A special exhibit will tell the story of the red and yellow machines and will feature some key models from the company’s history.
Outstanding Bonhams consignments
Bonhams’ world famous motorcycle auctions take place at both the spring and autumn Stafford shows, and this time they’ve outdone themselves with some truly amazing consignments.
Last time out they put ex-Barry Sheene and Mike Hailwood racers under the hammer, while this time Venezuelan racing legend Johnny Cecotto is offering up a number of machines, including the factory Yamaha OW31 upon which he won many important races and the 1978 Formula One world title. That bike alone is expected to sell for between £220,000 and £300,000.
Much interest will also focus on an unrestored 1972 Husqvarna motocrosser once owned by Steve McQueen, while other notable collections include the John Surtees family collection – featuring several machines owned by the seven time motorcycling world champion who went on to win the ultimate car racing title, the Formula One world championship, in 1964
In total, around 200 machines will go under the hammer over the two days.
Go VIP!
There’s a limited number of VIP tickets available for this year’s show, giving showgoers an opportunity to experience the event like never before.
The £50 VIP tickets include priority parking with early show entry, as well as access to the VIP lounge where lunch is included and unlimited tea and coffee is available throughout the day. What’s more, VIP visitors will receive a free Meguiar’s cleaning kit, which is worth over £60 itself.
Sounds like a good deal to us!
Aermacchis make an appearance
Italian bike maker Aermacchi was owned by Harley-Davidson from 1960 to 1978 and was one of the big names on the ‘60s and ‘70s racing scene. Andy Webb is bringing two of the company’s classic racers, build just five years apart, to the show, for a fascinating insight into racing developments of the period.
His 350cc Lawton Ala D’Oro is a former Isle of Man TT challenger, fitted with a long stroke 36bhp overhead valve engine, while the RR250 is two-stroke parallel-twin like the one Walter Villa rode to the 250cc Grand Prix world title in 1974, 1975 and 1976. Both are award-winning show bikes and remain active on the hill climb and sprinting scene.
Andy’s Aermacchi-Harley-Davidsons will be among the hundreds of interesting machines on display at Stafford. The event represents an opportunity to not only see these amazing machines in the metal, but to meet with the passionate owners who ride and restore them. If you have any interest at all in classic motorcycles, Stafford is most definitely the place to be!
Visit www.classicbikeshows.com to book in advance and save money. One-day adult passes are £18 in advance, or £23 on the gate. Under 16s go free, and there’s no charge for parking either!
