Stafford show preview
For the first time in over a year, we now have the real prospect of a Stafford show to look forward to.
We were only about a month away from April Stafford 2020, when the whole world changed. Now, over 15 months later, we may finally be getting back to the showground. With both (April and October) of last year’s events having had to be cancelled, this year’s April has endured a couple of date changes – but now will take place over July 3/4 – though the Bonhams auction (see separate story) will begin on July 2.
So, what can we expect from Stafford ‘July 2021’? For us personally at The Classic MotorCycle, we get to celebrate our 40th (ruby) anniversary, which we intend to do by having several of our old ‘cover star’ motorcycles on the stand.
Among them will be George Formby’s personal International Norton (which was slated to appear at last spring’s show) and featured on our May 2020 cover; the fabulous Ben Bickell JAP-powered Chater Lea ‘Copperknob’ from our July 1985 cover; and the green Ariel 500 Twin which was on our June 2015 cover, and which was the personal property of Bob Currie, TCM’s founding editor – and who you can read all about on page 48 of this issue.
There’ll be the pair of VincentHRD Meteors (a pre-Second World War A and postwar B) which were on the June 2020 cover, while, if we’ve room we’ll squeeze a couple more on too.
Also on the stand and making its first public appearance will be our Lockdown Project Velocette, the fruits of our labours for the past gettingon-for a year. Come and see the bikes and say hello; we’ll be located in the main hall.
Elsewhere, at the show, there’s plenty more going on as well. Joining us as guests of honour are trials supremo Dougie Lampkin and Northern Irish road racing legend
Phillip McCallen.
Doug – part of the famous Lampkin family, winners in off-road motorcycle sport for literally decades – won his first world round at Houghton Towers in 1994, when he won his first British title and finished sixth in the world title chase at his first attempt. In the same year, he won the Scottish Six Days Trial for the first time and has since accumulated another 11 Scottish wins.
To date, he has accumulated an incredible 20 crowns, including two Spanish and six UK titles. Although still competing in the Scottish, Doug rarely rides trials and is now a Red Bull athlete, giving displays of track riding all over the world. He is a regular at the Goodwood Festival, where he memorably rode up Lord March’s house’s bannister and over his roof.
Doug’s Isle of Man ride round the 37-mile circuit on his rear wheel stood out as one of his greatest achievements.
Doug will appear on stage throughout the weekend for live interviews and signing opportunities and will make an appearance in the trials area too, alongside the much-loved Owd Codgers club.
Phillip McCallen is a name synonymous with Honda, road racing… and winning! He is no doubt one of the most gifted road racers of the modern age; 11 times a winner at Isle of Man TT, multiple winner at the North West 200 and the Ulster GP, winner of the Macau Grand Prix and British Supersport.
At the peak of his power ‘Supermac’ collected first place trophies at almost all road race meetings. In 1992 at the North West 200, McCallen had five race wins from six starts. At the 1996 Ulster GP, he took five wins in one day and perhaps his crowning glory was winning four races out five at the Isle of Man TT; a record which stood unbroken for 14 years. After nearly two decades of motorcycle racing Supermac retired.
Hard charging and utterly focussed, McCallen had a take-no-prisoner approach to his racing. Through the highs and lows of his career he became the poster boy for road racing fans the world over in one of the few, golden ages of the sport.
And to add a little variety, there’s live music both days too – on Saturday, July 3, it’s Spirit of Memphis, four musicians who between them over the years have performed nearly a thousand gigs. The band’s experience jointly ranges from folk to heavy metal, but the original concept was to maintain their love of rock and roll music from the 1950s and 60s, and to include blues and R&B. Featured songs come from the likes of Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, The Beatles and Chuck Berry.
On Sunday, July 4, it’s allsinging, all-dancing female close harmony trio The Daisy Belles. Showcasing a mix of rock ’n’ roll hits from the 1950s and 60s, the trio will ‘…dazzle the audience with their incredible voices and fun-loving flare!’
See the live music at the bandstand at 11.15am and 12.45pm both days.
There you go, plenty of reasons to not miss Stafford 2021. Hope to see you there.