Prescott Bike Fest 2018 is set to be the biggest and best yet having been extended to a two-day event. Not just two days doing the same thing though, much more than that. The popular, family-friendly event will return to the Gloucestershire hill climb on 16-17 June 2018.
Saturday isn’t about track action, that’s being kept for the Sunday but make no mistake, no track doesn’t mean not exciting. Sunday remains as marvellous a day as it’s always been.
Love it or hate it, Electric is here and BikeFest want to be among the first to showcase it, from high performance supersport motorcycles such as Energica – the ultimate expression of Italian luxury through to Super Soco an affordable urban inspired commuter bike for those who want to get from A to B as cheap as possible. Saturdays ‘Electric Avenue’ will feature the latest in road and race technology, an innovation zone from the Universities and their EV projects plus special displays featuring Formula E and the TT Zero. Of course, motorcycles will always remain at the heart of the event and you’ll be able to see, get close and question the experts in the latest electric vehicle technology too!
As ever at Bike Fest, there will be extensive displays of historic, modern and racing motorcycles throughout the weekend with a Paddock Specials Show ’n’ Tell featuring the best in historic, customised, road, race, factory builds, prototypes, shed builds, wacky, jet powered and record beating machines. Literally everything from a 1903 Royal Sovereign the only known survivor from the London Machinist Company to the ‘Warhorse’ – the World’s Fastest Monowheel and everything in between. You can chat away to the owners and bike builders on the Saturday and watch them take to the hill on the Sunday.
Prescott Bike Fest prides itself on its diversity and unlike a static bike show, Prescott gives you the unique opportunity to get up close and see, smell and hear and watch the bikes take to the historic hill climb course; “better than Goodwood”, said one visitor. All the marques are well represented with the likes of BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Ducati, Harley Davidson, Triumph, Norton, BSA, Moto Guzzi to the lesser known ones too.
Gracing the paddock will be iconic motorcycle builder Allen Millyard with five of his marvellous creations including his popular vintage looking (but don’t be fooled!) ‘Flying Millyard’ fitted with two cylinders from a Pratt and Whitney 1340 radial, and a 5.0-litre V-Twin, engine designed for an aeroplane! plus the Millyard crafted Honda SS100 V-twin, believed to be the smallest road legal V Twin motorcycle in the world – even Soichiro Honda would surely have admired this early multi-cylinder effort, a deceptively standard looking V-twin made using the engines from two SS50 sports mopeds.
Zef Eisenberg and the Mad Max Race Team are returning with three of his beasts including his new 480hp V8 prototype project, plus the only road legal H2R in the UK, 300hp and the Madmax Streetfighter the which currently holds the speed record as the world’s fastest jet-turbine street-legal motorcycle. Matt ‘Madcap McKeown’ creator of both the world’s fastest shopping trolley and the world’s fastest hearse will unveil his new project – the World’s Fastest Wheelbarrow, being built especially for the event using a Honda Fireblade motorcycle engine!
There are just far too many bike ‘highlights’ to mention, but here are a few to whet your appetite;
– 1962 Honda RC163 250cc – Race replica as ridden by Jim Redman and Mike Hailwood
– 1972 Mv Agusta 750cc factory World Superbike formally ridden by Alberto Pagani. When Count Agusta heard that Ducati were entering the Imola200 round of newly formed world 750cc championship in 1972, he instructed the race shop to build and enter a factory bike to win the race. Arturio Magni the race-shop manager produced a small number of bikes for factory riders including Giacomo Agostini and Alberto Pagani.
– 2006 Bimota Tesi 2D – 1 of only 25 ever made and the only one currently in the UK. They are mainly kept in Glass Boxes or form part of private collections worldwide.
– 1998 Honda CBR600 600cc – This bike was raced by World Superbikes Champion James Toseland when he was first contracted to Castrol Honda
– 1997 Triumph Speed Triple 955cc – The bike was campaigned by Captain Mark Phillips during the 1997 Speed Triple Challenge Series
– 2005 Suzuki GXSR 1000cc Ex John Reynolds factory Superbike that John raced to defend his BSB title in 2004
– 2008 Suzuki GXSR 1000 – The Factory Bike campaigned by Tom Sykes in the 2008 British Superbike Championship. After struggling to sort out the handling on this +200hp motorcycle during the first half of the season, Tom went on to win 3 races during the second half of the season.
– 1994 Aprilia RSV 250 – A factory bike ridden by Jean-Philippe Ruggia
– 1998 Magni Australia 998 – A very rare bike built by the legendary Arturo Magni who 38 world championships with MV Augusta while he was Chief Race Engineer
– We look forward to welcoming ‘Eddie the Eagle’ Edwards on Sunday 17 June
Aside from all the incredible machinery, there’s a stellar line-up of entertainment to keep the whole family entertained. On the Saturday there’s ‘Gin & Jazz Fest’ in the Clubhouse – 50 regional gins plus legendary jazz vocalist Tina May, considered as one of the finest jazz vocalist’s in the UK, performing throughout the day with supporting acts. Meanwhile the Orchard will be rockin’ with ‘Brews and Blues’. A huge marquee will feature over 20 regional and craft beers, plus a stunning line up of live blues and rockabilly bands.
Throughout the weekend there’s non-stop live music, special guest appearances, ‘On the Edge Stunt Show’, Show ‘n’ Tell area, passenger ride experiences, large kids zone, over 100 quality trade stands, clubs, a beer tent, the Blood Bike Village and great food. You can grab yourself a bargain or maybe treat yourself to a new bike from one of the dealers or manufacturers represented including Harley Davidson, Ducati, Triumph, Honda and MV Augusta.
Prescott Bike Festival is a ‘Must Do’ day out for all motorcycling enthusiasts. What’s more, all event proceeds of the event go to The Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and Severn Freewheelers.
