Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics show

The countdown has commenced for the 25th Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics show – which this year takes place on Saturday and Sunday, October 13-14

Britain’s premier classic motorcycle show is back at the Staffordshire County Showground where you’ll not only find a number of special guests but also some world firsts.

Paolo Bianchi on a 125cc Sanvenero – ⓒ Mortons Archive

Five reasons to visit the show:

1. The big one – come and see the Cagivas!

For the first time in the 40-year history of Cagiva, 11 of the stunning fire engine red racers will be displayed in one place – at the 25^thCarole Nash Classic Motorcycle MechanicsShow, held in Stafford on October 13-14. The machines, part of the collection owned by Dean Simpkins and his father Martyn, are all genuine factory racers, ridden by some of Grand Prix racing’s greatest riders, including the Eddie Lawson and John Kocinski 500cc race-winning bikes.

Terry Rymer in the 1995 Bol-d-Or 24-hour Endurance Race

2. Three top guests of honour

Londoner Terry Rymer burst on to the British national race scene in 1987 when, at just 19 years of age, he beat all of the top UK riders to win the Superstock race at Brands Hatch on a privately entered Yamaha FZ750. And to prove this was no home circuit fluke, he repeated the feat during the next round at Mallory Park. In addition, Jon Ekerold and Pier Paolo Bianchi will be attending the show. South African Ekerold won the 1980 350cc World Championship on a privateer Bimota Yamaha against the might of the Kawasaki factory team and their ace rider Anton Mang. An old skool all-rounder, Jon also won the Ulster GP and was runner-up in the Isle of Man TT twice.

3. Take a stroll around Suzuki village

Combining many facets of classic Suzuki machinery, Suzuki village has been a successful element of the show for the last couple of years. As well as our own displays of iconic Suzuki road and race machines and Team Classic Suzuki bikes, there is an array on offer provided by clubs and private collections. The Katana and Air-Cooled Suzuki club have a great selection of mainly GSX machines, while there’s also Old Skool Suzuki making its first appearance in the village/marquee along with the GT X7 club, which will showcase some great examples of the iconic GT250X7. Vintage Parts specialist dealership, Robinsons Foundry, will be on hand selling parts and clothing, as well as Suzuki Performance Spares. The Suzuki Owners’ Club will also be present with a display.

Jon Ekerold on a 500cc Cagiva ⓒ Mortons Archive

4. The brand spanking new Off-Road Hall

Appearances can be deceptive; on the outside nothing appears to have changed with the building but ‘never judge a book’, as they say. The owners of the showground have spent a small fortune on a full revamp of this indoor space, located just next to the firing-up area. It has been completely refurbished, creating a brand new interior. No pillars, no gnarly carpet or crusty bar and no straw… well, maybe just a little! It’s allowed us to pack more bikes and more traders into the area, creating the best competition bike area to date, which will complement the massively popular GP Paddock.

Cagiva ⓒMortons Media Group Ltd

5. The finest motorcycles from private collections and clubs so good you will be begging to join them

Owners spend thousands of painstaking hours ensuring their motorcycle is in its best possible condition, ready for display and inspection by the crowds and judges. As would be expected at the October show, there is a focus on Japanese machines and European exotica and marques such as Suzuki, Honda, Ducati, Kawasaki and Yamaha all feature heavily. The wonderful and expansive mix of club stands packed into the halls at Staffordshire County Showground has it all. A quick browse of the A-Z list and all the big-hitters are there, from the likes of the multi-interest VMCC and VJMC through to the specialist owners’ clubs covering marques such as Francis-Barnett, Sunbeam, Velocette and Norton, among others.

Staffordshire County Showground, ST18 0BD