UK Motorcycle Show
After the exciting opening to Carole Nash Motorcycle Live with MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo, focus switched to pure TT road racing today, with a galaxy of riding talent gracing the halls at the NEC in Birmingham Great Britain.
Unofficially dubbed ‘Mad Sunday’, some of the world’s most skilful motorcycle riders spent the day mixing with fans, signing autographs and taking part in game shows and entertainment on the Black Horse stage in the Arai Entertainment Zone.
One of the highlights of the day was the announcement of an all-new team from Honda which will take part not only in the Northwest 200 and TT road races, but also in the World Endurance championship, including a recently-announced round at Donington Park, less than 40 miles up the M42 from Birmingham.
The Honda TT Legends team includes riders John McGuinness, Steve Plater and Keith Amor, all three of whom appeared on stage during today’s presentation to be interviewed by world championship racer-turned-commentator, James Whitham.
While the bike this trio will be riding next season – Honda’s legendary CBR1000RR Fireblade – has not been revised for 2011, it will face stiff competition from all-new Kawasaki ZX-10 Ninja in production-based motorcycle racing, with the road-going model being debuted in the UK at Carole Nash Motorcycle Live this week.
Suzuki has also brought two new sports models to the NEC – its iconic GSX-R750 and smaller-engined sibling, the GSXR-600, which will be ridden in next year’s road racing calendar by Suzuki’s latest racing recruit and perennial fans’ favourite, Guy Martin, who was also at the NEC today.
Guy Martin says: “I was here yesterday, too, and it’s been a really mega start to the show,” explains the Isle of Man TT star. “Much bigger and better than last year, with all the manufacturers back, and it’s really good to meet all the fans.”
Finlay McAllan, Carole Nash Motorcycle Live, says: “We had a great start to The Event yesterday, and we’ve seen just the same levels of enthusiasm here at the NEC today.
He continues: “It’s been fantastic to have the support of all the top road racers, like Guy Martin and the riders in Honda’s new TT Legends team that was announced today. It backs up the effort that all the exhibitors have made in turning this into the major motorcycling event of the year.”
