Northwich
Norton rocks the Thundersprint
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » Bike News - Monday, 10th May 2010, 15:05 GMTThe Thundersprint is a free motorbike show and classic motorcycle sprint event, where the entire town of Northwich in Cheshire is taken over by two-wheeled fans, reports Alastair Walker. The stars of this year’s event included former GP star Steve Parrish, 60s GP legend Jim Redman, current 125 MotoGP rider Danny Webb and Chris Walker, BSB racer for the last decade and now sales manager for Norton Motorcycles. Chris was in action on the short sprint course, giving the new 961cc Norton Commando twin a real workout for the crowd. The old Norton motorcycle company stopped making the Commando twins back in the late 70s and after a troubled attempt at selling rotary powered bikes in the 90s, went bust and the assets were sold off. Now the rights to use the Norton name have been acquired by Stu Garmer, a Midlands-based businessman, with a passion for two wheels. The new Norton bikes proved very popular at the Thundersprint and Andie Waite from the revived Norton company told insidebikes that they were `overwhelmed by the support from bikers old and new, we’ve also had five deposits placed on new machines today, which is brilliant.’ The demand for the new Commando is impressive; everyone insidebikes spoke to admired the styling, classy components and the styling of the Commando. In a recession, selling a hand-built motorcycle, at between £16,000-£18,000 is a tough proposition, but a strong debut looks likely from the small manufacturer when Norton twins go on sale later in 2010. Let’s hope Norton can build on the tremendous interest and get a viable manufacturing business going right here in the UK which might be as successful as Hinckley Triumph one day. On track, riders from the UK, France and elsewhere all battled to set the fastest time around the car park sprint course, with Jason Caunce, organiser Frank Melling and Alain Marie on his 1972 BMW 750 proddie racer all setting impressive times. Motorcycles from the 1920s to the 1990s, plus sidecars and a George Formby `Shuttleworth Snap’ replica, offered a diverse display for the huge crowd at this free biking festival. Other interesting bikes on show at the Thundersprint Motorcycle Show on the Saturday included a Honda RC181 racer from Sammy Miller’s museum, Keith Williams’ Difazio Ducati 750 - the only one in the UK - and a fantastic collection of 1970s Fizzy mopeds, RD250s and 350LC models from Yamaha club members. For many bikers seeing those on display at the Saturday motorcycle show was a real trip down memory lane. The Thundersprint cavalcade through town and the Spitfire fly-past give the event a real friendly feel and it looks set to grow in 2011 with continued support from Cheshire West Council and many local motorcycle dealers. More at; www.thundersprint.com Read article
Thundersprint 2010
Source: Latest News Articles from ACU.org.uk - Monday, 3rd May 2010, 17:22 GMTSteve was one of the best British racers of his generation and took three British championships, including the coveted British Superbike title in 1981. Having raced at some of the world’s toughest circuits, Steve is raring to go on the quirky, tree lined town centre track. Steve said: “I always look forward to riding a new circuit and I am told that the Thundersprint really will be a new experience. "I’ve raced in some interesting places but never in a town centre car park before. “Threading a 175mph Yamaha R1 through the trees should be a lot of fun!" “It will also be great to ride at an event with no pressure, catch up with so many friends from the world of racing and mingle with the thousands of petrol heads who come to enjoy the Thundersprint every year.” We can’t wait to have you join us Steve, and we’re sure that you will be amazed at the enthusiasm of Thundersprinters at our very own “Grand Prix in a Car Park” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Top Bike Manufacturers Display at the Thundersprint There will be one of the best displays of new bikes in Britain at this year’s Thundersprint. Wigan Yamaha’s dynamic Sales Manager Rob Ocego looks suitably happy with the stunning line up of 2010 Yamahas. All the major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers will be represented, with the latest machines from Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki. Rob Ocego, Sales Manager at Wigan Yamaha, who are bringing Yamaha’s giant Thundertruck display unit to the Thundersprint, said: “Having attended the Thundersprint for the first time last year, I was amazed with the level of foot fall. “It was a really successful event for ourselves, and Yamaha, and now we want to build on this success with an even bigger presence featuring some brilliant bikes.” As well as the mainstream Japanese machines, motorcycling’s exotics will be out in force too with Millenium Motorcycles’ huge, 300 sq. metre display featuring Aprilia, Victory, Moto Guzzi and the iconic MV Agusta. Alan Pollard, Millenium’s Dealer Principal, said: “We know that we are going to get a huge audience drawn from all over the North-West of England - and the rest of the country too. The Thundersprint gives us a unique opportunity to show bikes which will make any red-blooded motorcyclist weak at the knees. Alan Pollard, Dealer Principal at Millenium Motorcycles, shows off the stunning Jackpot Cory Ness Victory V-Twin. What a bike! “I can promise you the best range of exotic bikes in the world ranging from Victory’s world-beating v-twin cruisers to the super sports bikes from Aprilia and on to the latest MV Agusta hyper sports bikes. And they will all be there, in the flesh, along with our knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff.” If you want to see virtually every new bike on sale in Britain in one place then the Thundersprint will be the place to be. There will be bikes from every sector of the market place from cruisers to sports bikes - and everything in between. And with free admission, free parking and free grandstand seating you won’t be paying a fortune in entry fees to decide on your next, new machine. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spitfire Display at the Thundersprint Spitfire fans will have the chance to see this magnificent aircraft display in a unique setting right on the edge of Northwich, Cheshire, on Sunday May 9. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire will perform in one of the most evocative settings in the world. Displaying right on the edge of this pretty market town, the Spitfire gives a true feeling of what it must have been like to see these iconic aircraft in action 70 years ago. The Thundersprint’s arena setting captures, and amplifies, the growl of the mighty Merlin in all its glory, rather than have it dissipated in the wide open spaces where Spits normally display, and there is not a dry eye amongst the thousands of cheering spectators. As the tension builds for the start of four hours of non-stop racing, the BBMF Spitfire roars across the sky in salute and the thunder of the mighty Merlin engine echoes from Marks and Spencer’s store wall! Truly, an experience not to be missed for any fan of classic aircraft - and one which is absolutely unique to the Thundersprint. The Thundersprint is an incredible mix of classic motorcycle racing, street entertainment and fine food which takes over Northwich during the second weekend in May. The Thundersprint festival has free admission, free parking and free grandstand seating. There is a full programme of entertainment for everyone from hard core petrol heads to Mums and babies looking for a relaxing day out. In fact, there is something for the whole family. Spectator entry to the Thundersprint is free, as is parking, but arriving early is recommended because Northwich gets very busy. Read article
