Thundersprint 2008

Northwich Town Centre May 10/11

Free Admission and Free Parking

www.thundersprint.com

There is only one place to be over the weekend of May 10/11 for petrol heads - and that’s Northwich, Cheshire, for the 11th. annual Thundersprint!

Every year the Thundersprint gets bigger and better and for 2008 it’s going to be a spectacular! Whether it’s the chance to see Giacomo Agostini, the world’s greatest living motorcycle racer, back in action on the track or "Top Gear’s" James May cruising around in the Masterclass, there is something for everyone.

The weekend opens on Saturday 10 May with the Thundersprint Bike Show held at Winnington Park Rugby Club. There will be over 100 classic and modern bikes on display, a trade area, hog roast and safety tips from Bike Safe and Arai helmets - plus appearances from celebrity guests.

Ducati and Harley Davidson will be running test rides all day and Winnington Park is also the venue for Thundersprint camping.

Admission to the show is completely free of charge and camping for the weekend costs just £25 per tent or motorhome. Winnington Park is three miles from Northwich town centre and is well signposted.

Giacomo Agostini

Sunday 11 May sees the Thundersprint itself taking place right in the centre of Northwich. There is no charge for admission, parking or the excellent grandstand seating. However, the certainty of a huge crowd means you need to get to Northwich early if you want to park near to the show’s centre.

Scrutineering opens promptly at 6am and everything has open access with absolutely no restricted, or VIP, areas except for the track itself. If you want to mix with the stars at technical control, this is the time and place to do it.

Expect to see Sammy Miller, with his fabulous RC181 Honda "4", six times World Champion Jim Redman, Leon Haslam and the works HM Plant Honda, and Stuart Manning - better known as "Russ" from Hollyoaks - all getting ready for the day.

Backing up the stars is a fantastic entry of British and European riders campaigning some stunning classics - plus a fair sprinkling of modern Superbikes. Top Europeans include Joerg Trautvetter from Germany, French ace Alain Marie and Spanish classic champion "Pepin" San Millan.

Practice starts promptly at 08.40 and finishes around 11.30. Immediately afterwards, 200 race and road machines gather for the incredible Thundersprint Cavalcade. The cavalcade is one of the great spectacles in motorcycling and takes in two, two and a half mile laps of Northwich on public roads. Leaving precisely at 12.00, it’s an unmissable experience to see a pack of screaming classic race bikes and breathtaking classic cars, cruise past Northwich Police Station and return via the Magistrates’ Courts.

The Thundersprint has a huge trade area with most of the major manufacturers exhibiting, plus a myriad of clothing and accessory stalls all offering Thundersprint bargains. All the latest bikes from Harley-Davidson, Ducati, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Royal Enfield, Triumph, Honda and BMW will be on show.

Away from the track, there is the Thundersprint fine food centre, wine tasting, street entertainment and the absolutely sensational Leyland Morris Men - and you don’t often see them at a MotoGP!

Super commentator, Garry Gardiner, will be interviewing the stars throughout the lunch break then at 1.20, the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire will roar over Northwich in a unique display. There won’t be a dry eye in the arena!

Racing starts at 1.40 with the Masterclass starring Jim Redman, Ago, and Sammy Miller. Immediately following the motorcycling icons are the Motorcycling Personalities featuring Leon Haslam, Stuart Manning ("Russ" from Hollyoaks), "Top Gear’s" James May and a host of journalists all battling it out on the tight, twisty town centre sprint circuit. Can the scribes ride as well as they write? The heartless timing clock will reveal all!

After the Masterclass, Ago, Jim and the rest of the stars will be on the eBike stand, in the Premier Trade area, to sign autographs and meet fans. And remember, except for the track itself every part of the Thundersprint, including the paddock, has completely open access so make sure you make the best of this unique opportunity.

There are a further nine classes which will take racing through until around 5.00 without a break. At 5.30 there is prize giving which again is open to everyone.

Even for spectators it is going to be a flat out weekend but for sure, there is nowhere in the world offering more for anyone with an interest in bikes. And best of all everything is completely free.

For more information visit the excellent Thundersprint website - www.thundersprint.com - or ‘phone the event hotline on 01928 740 498.

Giacomo Agostini - The World’s Most Successful Racing Motorcyclist - Rides at Thundersprint 2008

Giacomo Agostini. 15 World Championships. 122 Grand Prix wins. 10 Isle of Man TT victories. And now Thundersprint competitor.

Giacomo is the rider who dominated World Championship motorcycling for thirteen incredible years leading both the MV Agusta and Yamaha teams. On May 11, Northwich will once again echo to the scream of a racing MV as the immortal Ago is back in action.

Giacomo said: "Everywhere I go I keep hearing about the Thundersprint in Northwich - the huge crowds, the incredible atmosphere and the fantastic bikes racing. For 2008, I decided that this was the one event I had to ride in."

Thundersprint organiser Frank Melling said: "Giacomo is a sporting colossus - one of the true superstars whose reputation stretches far beyond motorcycling.

"Not only is Ago one of the world’s great bike racers - and arguably the best ever - he has a huge personality and takes a particular delight in being with spectators.

"His programme at the Thundersprint will mean that fans will be able to see him in action, riding an MV Agusta on the track, during the lunch-time Cavalcade and on e-Bike’s stand throughout the day.

"If you want to get close up and personal with Ago, the Thundersprint is the place to be."

Geoff Derham, Marketing Director of eBike, the Thundersprint’s title sponsor, said: "Giacomo is one of the great names in motorcycling and we are delighted to have him join us on the eBike stand throughout the Thundersprint."

The Thundersprint is Europe’s biggest biking street party attracting over 125,000 visitors to the pretty market town of Northwich, which is about 20 miles west of Manchester.

The highlight of the Thundersprint is timed motorcycle sprint racing held right in the town centre. The races attract a world class entry from all over the world including 15 times World Champion Giacomo Agostini from Italy, and British Superbike star Leon Haslam.

As well as Diane Youdale, we have Stuart Manning ("Russ" from Hollyoaks) and "Top Gear's" James May riding with us.

Away from the track there is an aerobatic display by an RAF Spitfire, street music, a fine food area and a mile of trade stands. In all, a huge party with something for everyone.

Spectator admission, parking and grandstands are completely free of charge and the Thundersprint takes great pride in its inclusivity. This is not an event just for petrol heads - but the whole community.

Diane Youdale

For Immediate Release - 7 April:

Gladiators’ Jet Rides Again

Diane Youdale, (www.dianeyoudale.co.uk) who wowed over 10 million viewers with her stunning performances as "Jet" in the TV programme "Gladiators", will be in action at this year’s Thundersprint held in Northwich town centre on Sunday 11 May.

Diane is a huge bike fan and is looking forward to riding again - particularly in front of the massive Thundersprint crowd.

Diane said: "I’ve always been a biker at heart and I loved presenting motorcycle programmes in the past. My favourite machines are Harley-Davidsons, which say exactly what I feel about bikes.

"The thought of launching a 1200cc Harley Night Rider off the Thundersprint start line in front of 30,000 cheering fans is both incredibly exciting - and more than a bit terrifying - but I’m 100% up for the challenge!

"When I’m not in action on the track, I will be with my Harley on Mosshaselhurst Solicitors’ stand and I’m really looking forward to meeting as many fans as possible. Make sure you come across for a chat."

Gerry Rooney, Senior Partner at Mosshaselhurst Solicitors (www.mosshaselhurst.com), added, "We are thrilled to welcome Diane as the ‘face’ of Mosshaselhurst. So many people remember her fondly from her "Gladiator" days.

‘We are also ‘jet-set’ for an exciting day at this year’s Thundersprint! Everyone is invited to visit our stand, meet Jet in person and talk to members of the Mosshaselhurst team to find out more about the range of services we offer local businesses and individuals.

"Whatever your legal needs – we have a specialist who can help."

Ducati and Harley-Davidson Test Rides

We will be sending out a press release in two weeks time letting the media know about the availability of Ducati and Harley test rides at this year’s Thundersprint. However, a number of you have already enquired about test rides so we are giving you first bite of the cherry.

The test rides will take place on Saturday 10 May from Winnington Park Rugby Club - the site of the Thundersprint Bike Show. They will go out into the Cheshire countryside for a length decided by the manufacturers and then return to the show. My understanding is that the rides will be around 40 minutes - but don’t take this as an absolute certainty!

If you would like a test ride, please send the following information to me.

If you would like any further information, or free to use images, please contact Frank Melling on (44) 1928 740 498 or e-mail media@thundersprint.com

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