Not this year!

20 January 2014

Not this year!

Festival of 1000 bikes not back until 2015

John Newman

It's good news and not so good news for the motorcycle events calendar at the beginning of 2014. We recently posted the item about the threat to the Brighton Speed Trials, which followed the positive news that the Mallory Park circuit had been saved for further motorcycle and car sport events.

The ever popular Thundersprint - 10th/11th May (featuring Scott Redding as one of the guest riders) - seems to have found a new home. Following uncertainty after the loss of the town centre sprint ciruit at Northwich where it ran successfully for years, and the last years event on Anglesey failing to pull in tthe spectator numbers, the event will now be held at the Darley Moor circuit near Ashbourne in the Derbyshire Peak District.

But a victim of the uncertainty about the future of Mallory has been the Festival of 1000 Bikes. A big favourite with spectators, the Festival of 1000 bikes is organised and run each year in July by the Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC). Because of the doubtful status of the circuit at the end of 2013, and the huge organisational effort it takes to put on the 1000 Bikes festival, the VMCC reluctantly made the decision to not hold the event this year, but have stated that it will be back in 2015.

The following statement has been made on behalf of the VMCC:

“It is with great reluctance that the Management of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club Limited announce that the Festival of 1000 Bikes™ will not be taking place in 2014...because months of crucial planning and preparation have been lost we are not equally confident of delivering this prestigious event with the amount of time remaining.We sincerely apologise to all those members of the Club and to the many other enthusiasts who look forward every year to this event. ”

While this will come as a disappointment to the thousands of motorcyclists who have attended the festival over the years, the VMCC have a whole programme that is worth checking at the VMCC website. Events include the magnificent Jurby Festival on the Isle of Man, held as part of the Classic TT schedule from 23rd - 25th August, and sponsored by Wemoto.

As a very minor compensation, here are a few more pictures from the sunny 2013 Mallory event. Enjoy.