With only eight days to go until the International Motorcycle and Scooter Show arrives at the NEC Birmingham (23rd Nov – 2nd Dec), the organisers have announced an all-star line-up of big-name riders and celebrities due to attend the Show, including World Superbike Champion James Toseland, British Superbike (BSB) star Chris Walker, The Long Way Down’s Charley Boorman, legendary motorsport commentator Murray Walker, The BBC’s Hairy Bikers as well as a host of other racers from MotoGP, World Superbike and BSB.
The impressive array of stars scheduled to be at the NEC on various dates throughout the Show will be the closest thing you’ll get to an out-of-season race paddock, filled with the biggest names in motorcycle racing. British racing legend and soon-to-be MotoGP rider James Toseland will open the Show to media on the 22nd (press day), with Troy Corser and Leon Haslam joining in the fun. MotoGP rider and Valentino Rossi’s 2007 team-mate at Yamaha, Colin Edwards, is also set to jet over from the US to make an appearance.
The British Superbike Awards on 28th November will see all the top names in BSB taking to the Black Horse Stage to collect their honours, including 2007 Champion Ryuichi Kiyonari.
“TT day” on the 1st December will be the day for all TT fans to visit, with a host of Isle of Man legends making an appearance, including lap record holder John McGuinness. Ian Hutchinson, Michael Rutter and motorsport commentator Murray Walker will all be entertaining crowds on the Black Horse Stage as part of an action-packed day of TT-related fun, including ‘They think it’s a question of TT races’ hosted by the BBC’s motorcycling commentator Steve Parrish posing the questions.
Celebrities of the non-racing variety will also be in good supply, with Show regular and star of the BBC’s Long Way Down, Charley Boorman making a number of appearances alongside the BMW model that took him from John o’Groats to Cape Town, whilst the BBC’s Hairy Bikers, Si and Dave will be making an appearance at the Driving Standard’s Agency stand to promote road safety. Adding to the celebrity extravaganza, U2 singer Bono’s red Ducati 916 will be up for auction in aid of Riders for Health on the 2nd December alongside three Shark RSR2 helmets, signed by a number of motorsport legends, including Lewis Hamilton, Carl Fogarty, Stirling Moss and Valentino Rossi.
This year’s Show will have more than enough bike-related entertainment to fill a visitor’s day three times over. And now in addition to the awesome line-up of new 2008 bikes from the major manufacturers, interactive features to keep the adrenaline pumping and breathtaking stunt shows to keep the crowds enthralled, visitors can look out for their biking heroes and celebrities as they sign autographs and mingle with the crowds.
Finlay McAllan, Managing Director of MCIE, organisers of the International Motorcycle and Scooter Show commented: “To have a variety of top riders and celebrities attending on every day of the Show’s eleven day run is really exciting and means that whatever day visitors choose to come, not only will they be able to see all the brand new 2008 bikes you’ll be able to celebrity watch at the same time!”
This year’s Show takes place on the new dates of 23rd November – 2nd December (Press Day – 22nd November), in new halls 1, 2, 3, 3a & 4. Ticket prices have been frozen for a third consecutive year making the Show even better value. For more information visit
www.motorcycleshow.co.uk.
