Bikers urged to join Southport Cruisers on charity run

Members of Southport Cruisers on their last Christmas run to Clumber Lodge

A GROUP of motorbike riders from Southport are revving up plans to bring a bit of Easter excitement to the residents of a children's home in Formby.

Southport Cruisers said plans are underway for a ride across the West Lancashire countryside on Sunday, March 24 to the Clumber Lodge Children's Home in Formby, where they will donate gifts and Easter eggs to the young residents there along with the cash donations for the home itself.

Club spokesman Rob Myall said: "Southport Cruisers Motorcycle Club was formed in 2005 and have been doing the Christmas and Easter runs ever since. We meet at the Ring ‘o' Bells public house every Wednesday at 8pm.

"Anyone on a motorcycle, trike or scooter wishing to join us and give the children something to smile about would be made more than welcome."

If you'd like to join the cruisers on their run to Formby, meet them at 11am on the morning of Sunday, March 24 at the Ring ‘o' Bells pub in Lathom, where the run will start.

The Ormskirk MotorFest is now on Facebook

AN AUTOMOTIVE spectacular which sees hundreds of classic cars and bikes take to the streets of Ormskirk has now got its own Facebook page.

Following the success of the 2011 and 2012 Ormskirk MotorFest events, which brought thousands of petrolheads into the market town in West Lancashire, the show's organisers are determined to make things even better for this year's event, and have launched a page on Facebook to help keep enthusiasts up to date.

The page, which will be updated regularly in the run up to the August 25 event, can be found at www.facebook.com/OrmskirkMotorfest2013 or by searching for "Ormskirk MotorFest" on Facebook. The event's Twitter account is also used for event updates, and can be found by searching @2013MotorFest on the microblogging website.

Both the Twitter and Facebook accounts for the Ormskirk MotorFest are updated by Life On Cars writer and Champion motoring correspondent David Simister, who has been closely involved with the event since its inception in 2010 and produced the official souvenir magazines for the 2011 and 2012 events.

Work on a new website to promote the 2013 event is also underway, but you can still enter your car or bike by going to www.ormskirkmotorfest.com and filling in the online entry form.

This year's Ormskirk MotorFest takes place from 11am on Sunday, August 25 in Ormskirk town centre, Lancashire.

Ormskirk MotorFest 2013 event confirmed for August 25

PLANS to bring hundreds of cars and bikes to West Lancashire for a motorsport spectacular have got into gear after a 2013 Ormskirk MotorFest was confirmed this week.

Aintree Circuit Club and West Lancashire Borough Council have both confirmed that following the success of the motoring event in bringing thousands of people into the market town a 2013 event will take place in the town centre and at Coronation Park on Sunday, August 25.

Mike Ashcroft, chairman of Aintree Circuit Club, told Life On Cars: "We're delighted that we've been able to get the council to ratify next year's event and to agree the date, which means we've got a head start on making the 2013 MotorFest a big success.

"The extra months of preparation we've got will help to make it an even better event than the first two MotorFests, because we can improve on what we offer visitors and we can attract an even higher quality of entries, and get some great racing cars and bikes onto the streets of Ormskirk."

The 2011 and 2012 MotorFest events helped to give Ormskirk its two best ever trading days, with this year's event bringing 15,000 people into the town centre to see more than 300 classic cars and bikes and to witness the spectacle of F1 cars taking to the town's one-way system as part of a series of parades around the town.

West Lancashire Borough Council also confirmed to Life On Cars that a date had been given the green light, and that it was keen to make the 2013 event a success.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: "The council is delighted to confirm that we will be working with Aintree Circuit Club on MotorFest 2013. The event will be held on Sunday, 25 August.

"The first two Motorfests were hugely successful and more than 15,000 people visited Ormskirk. We are confident the 2013 event will also be a fantastic event. We are talking to the Circuit Club about exciting plans for MotorFest 2013 but at this stage it is too early to talk about the details."

The council also said it is seeking sponsorship to help make the 2013 MotorFest a success. Any organisations, companies or individuals who are interested in sponsoring the Motorfest should contact the Council’s Technical Services Manager Colin Brady on 01695 585125.

Honda GoldWing riders take to the streets of Southport

ALTHOUGH I'm still grinning from ear to ear about my adventures in North Wales, my trip meant missing a great event in Southport last weekend when a parade of brightly-lit motorbikes took to the resort's streets to help raise hundreds of pounds for charity.

Members of GoldWings North West brought their brightly-decorated Honda GoldWing motorbikes into the resort for the Light Parade event last Saturday, which not only gave residents a chance to see the strobe lighting and the unusual colours of the machines but also helped to raise money for Queenscourt Hospice.

Club member Peter Rodgers told Life On Cars: “The event was a huge success, and it was great to see the public turn out in their droves to see all the GoldWings taking part in the parade and in the static displays.

"The weather was absolutely perfect for us, Queenscourt Hospice were delighted with the response the event had, and we were really pleased to see that everywhere we stopped we were swamped by members of the public keen to see more of these unusual bikes. It really was a brilliant occasion."

Members of the public were treated not only to a static display, in which riders showed off the bikes on Chapel Street last Saturday (September 22) but also to a night-time display when the bikes were decorated with strobe lighting and the riders donned fancy dress costumes for the event.

Although collections from the event are still being counted, the club said that it has raised over £500 to help Queenscourt Hospice. GoldWings North West is now discussing whether a similar event can be held in the resort next year.

For more information about GoldWings North West and their Light Parade events, visit the club's website at www.goldwingsnorthwest.co.uk.

Motorbike parade in memory of Ben Gautrey is a poignant success

A POIGNANT parade which paid tribute to a Southport motorbike racer who died last year has helped to raise hundreds of pounds for a charity set up in his memory.

The Benjamin Gautrey Foundation, set up by friends and family of the 18-year-old rider who was killed at a race at Cadwell Park in August last year, said that a fundraising stall and tribute parade at last weekend's Ormskirk MotorFest had been seen by thousands of visitors, with more than £255 being raised to help the charity's aims of promoting grassroots sports.

Ben's mother Lorraine told Life On Cars: "The event was excellent and went far better for the foundation than any of us could have expected, with lots of people coming over to have a look and find out more about the charity. It isn't just about motorbike racing, but about all the sports Ben took such a keen interest in.

"The parade in particular went really well, with the bikes looking spectacular as they went around the streets of Ormskirk. Everything was done in a very poignant way and it was very emotional for everyone involved, but I'm delighted that it went so well and that so many people took an interest in what we're doing."

The charity not only had a stall set up in Coronation Park, where thousands of visitors to the event went to see the classic cars and bikes on display, but also had a special parade around the town centre, which was led by a replica of the 600cc Gearlink Kawasaki which Ben rode during his final race.

An additional tribute to Ben was also paid at Cadwell Park, the Lincolnshire circuit where he was killed in a race a year ago, with supporters planting a tree in his memory.

Charity supporter Alisdair Croft, who took also took part in last year's MotorFest, said: ”The foundation's supporters are absolutely delighted with how it all went, and it's clear that a lot of interest was generated and that a lot of merchandise to promote the charity's work was sold on the day.

"The parade too was a big success, and we're adament that the Benjamin Gautrey Foundation will be back at the Ormskirk MotorFest next year, and hopefully with some big names riding some of the bikes in the parade."

If you'd like to find out more about the Benjamin Gautrey Foundation, visit the charity's website at www.thebenjamingautreyfoundation.org.uk.

Picture courtesy of West Lancashire Borough Council

300 entrants and counting for 2012 Ormskirk MotorFest

JUST had a quick note from the organisers of this year's Ormskirk MotorFest to say they've hit the magic number of 300 entries from car and bike enthusiasts.

Aintree Circuit Club confirmed today that they are no longer accepting entries for road cars for the event, which takes place in the West Lancashire market town on Sunday, August 26.

Club chairman Mike Ashcroft said: "We have now hit the magic number of 300 entries and we are now no longer accepting entries from road cars. The only car entries that we will now accept are competition vehicles - race, rally or speed type - i.e. single seaters, saloons or sports cars. We are still accepting motorcycle entries but only for the next seven days. Entries will close finally on Monday, July 30.

"We will, however, be reserving places for a number of racing cars that we are expecting as late entries due to rebuilds taking place prior to the event and the registration system will remain open only for these cars after this date."

For more information about entries email Mike Ashcroft on mja@aintree.org.uk or call 0782 123 0961. For more information about the MotorFest visit the official event website.

Hundred End Festival of Transport 2012

 

A FEW pictures from the Hundred End Festival of Transport, which is taking place near Banks, in Lancashire this weekend:

If you've got a motoring event or bit of news you'd like to share with Life On Cars get in touch by sending an email to david.simister@hotmail.co.uk or simply leave a comment...

Car and bike fans urged to check out Cleveleys Classic Vehicle Show

FANS of classic cars and bikes are being invited to Cleveleys later this summer for a full-throttle show in the seaside town.

The Cleveleys Classic Vehicle show will see the one of the main streets in the Lancashire resort, Victoria Road West, closed off from 10am on Sunday, August 19 for a gathering of classic cars, sports cars, American automobiles, hot rods, modern classics, kit cars, motorbikes and specialist vehicles. The entrants, of which there are more than 100 registered for the show so far, will be parked along the main street up to the town's promenade.

Russ Larcombe, one of the show's organisers, told Life On Cars: "The show's aim is to draw people back to the town to enjoy a great day out amongst the displays and entertainment and visit the impressive and modern sea front promenade at Cleveleys.

"The event is being managed by The Thornton Cleveleys Association of Trade and commerce assisted by ukwheelsevents and the Lancashire Vehicle group. It is supported by several local businesses."

In addition to all the automotive action live music from a variety of bands will be performed throughout the day, while over the beach and weather permitting there will be an air display of radio controlled aircraft .

To register your vehicle or to find out more about the event go to the show's official website at www.thecleveleysclassicvehicleshow.com

Motorcycle tribute to Ben Gautrey planned for Ormskirk MotorFest 2012

A POIGNANT tribute to a teenage motorbike racer who died last year will take place at this year's Ormskirk MotorFest.

Lorraine Gautrey, mother of 18-year-old Southport rider Ben Gautrey, who was involved in a fatal crash at the Cadwell Park circuit last August, said that motorbikes - including a replica of Ben's machine - will take part in the parade to highlight a charity established in his honour.

She said: "The parade will not only be a really nice tribute to Ben, almost a year to the day after we lost him, but it will also help to highlight the work of the Ben Gautrey Foundation.

"The foundation will support sport from grassroots level and will promote the sports in which Ben was so passionate about."

She added that there will also be a stand at the MotorFest to promote the work of the charity, which was set up shortly after Ben, from Southport, died last year. Volunteers for the charity will be able to talk about Ben and the work his life has inspired, and will also sell wristbands and other items to raise money.

Among the machines which will be ridden around the MotorFest parade circuit, which takes in a series of streets around Ormskirk town centre specially closed off for the event, will be a replica of the 600cc Gearlink Kawasaki, pictured, on which Ben rode his final race at Cadwell Park on August 29 last year, and an Aprillia 125cc motorbike which Ben also raced.

Charity supporter Alasdair Croft, who took part in last year's MotorFest, said:

"It's a fabulous idea, and I hope that the stand and the parade at the event will really help to highlight the foundation and what we're aiming to do.

"Coming from a motorsport background, I think it's something that will really capture people's imagination and I'm very keen to see it happen."

The Ormskirk MotorFest will take place in Ormskirk town centre and Coronation Park on Sunday, August 26. For more information about the Benjamin Gautrey Foundation visit the charity's website online.

Entries for this year's Ormskirk MotorFest are now being accepted. To get your classic car or bike involved head to the event's official website.

Honda Goldwing parade planned for Southport in 2012

THE region's car connoisseurs have already had an early Christmas treat - now it's the turn of the bikers to get a bit of seasonal good news.

I've just had word from a group of Honda Gullwing enthusiasts that they're planning a Light Parade - a gathering of the giant Japanese machines with plenty of strobe lighting - to help raise funds for Queenscourt Hospice, with plans to ride scores of their machines through Southport town centre during a closed parade next September.

Jeff Thornton of Goldwings North West, who will be organising the event, said:

"Following a hugely successful event in Llandudno this year, it has just been announced by the Federation of UK GoldWing Clubs that their premier Light Parade will move to Southport for 2012.

"All the fundamentals for a great Light Parade Weekend are already in place with a keen and cooperative Town Council, excellent cooperation from Merseyside Police and a cracking venue, the 154 bedroom Prince of Wales Hotel on Lord Street, the Town’s main street, in Southport."

I know this column's called Life On Cars but if it's a motoring event - and especially one to help good causes in the north west - we at The Champion are only too happy to give it a boost, so I'll keep you posted with any more details as soon as I get them.

Watch this space...

Forget your Kawasaki, what you want is Ford's fast icon

HOW many bikers does it take to change a lightbulb?

That's not only not a joke, but something I genuinely don't know the answer to. But if you want to find out, chances are the best place to find out would be a pub in Lydiate on a Wednesday night.

So popular is The Scotch Piper with fans of anything two-wheeled that it's where Merseyside Police take their own motorbikes when they want to chat to riders, and politicians popped there during the general election campaign in their efforts to canvass “the biker vote”. I love it, but it's definitely a biker thing, with cars playing for a distant second place.

But last week was different, because I decided to forgo the driving and arrive shotgun in a car so iconic that even hardened bikers stop to stare at it. The Ford Capri 280 Brooklands.

I've never been a fan of Capris - and the car's owner knows it - because I'm a child of the Nineties, a time when the swoopy coupe wasn't a cherished classic but an unwanted banger on a council estate, more Boycie and Del than Bodie and Doyle. It doesn't matter how many reruns of The Professionals I watch, I just don't get the Ford Capri.

But the Brooklands wowed everyone. In the half-light of a spring sunset it looked gorgeous, and bikers kept leaving their Kawasakis behind to pore over the fast Ford. It's a sports car sensation. It's a motor that makes you feel good about motoring.

It's also an absolute giggle when you get it going, as the car's owner decided to prove when pulling away from the pub. You can't do a wheelie in a car, but in a Ford Capri you can give it a bootful of throttle and get a glorious kick of oversteer from the smoking rear tyres. We also got the chance to find out whether it's faster down a winding country road than a Mini Cooper, but for legal reasons I couldn't possibly comment!

Would I buy one? No, but I'm glad I know plenty of people who do.