Theclassic starttoyour biking year
May the whole Classic Bike Guide magazine Winter Classic gang wish you aHappyNew Year!
Let’shope it’sagoodone, so when the daycomes put that old mince pie down,head to Newark and enjoyagreat look around the hundredsofgreat bikes, scooters, stalls and events. With anew year comes new goals for manyofus, whether that be to finish that bikeinthe shed, to ride more, get to arally or even to have agarage clear out.
The Winter Classicshowhopes to help with all of those, with parts and tools to help finish projects, gorgeous club stands to enthuse you to takeyour bikeout more (or further), and perhaps even have your own stand to pass on parts
you don’tneed but othersmay There alwaysseems to be a buzz at the Winter Classic, Iknow we go away feeling we’reready to accomplish something more this
Timetable
Saturday
10am Wayne Gardner and Roger Marshall talktoSteve Plater on themain stage
11am to 12pm
Blast from the past: Fire-up area demonstration. Bikes and scooterswith Steve Plater,Wayne Gardner,Roger Marshall plus John and Norman Ronald
12.15pm Wayne Gardner with Steve Plater on the main stage
1.30pm to 2.30pm Blastfrom the past: Fire-up area demonstration. Bikes and scooterswith Steve Plater,Wayne Gardner,Roger Marshall plus John and Norman Ronald
3.30pm Wayne Gardner,Roger Marshall and StevePlater onstage
Sunday
10am Wayne Gardner and Roger Marshall talktoSteve Plater on themain stage
11am to 12pm
Blast from the past: Fire-up area demonstration. Bikes and scooterswith Steve Plater,Wayne Gardner,Roger Marshall plus John and Norman Ronald
12.15pm Wayne Gardner with Steve Plater on the main stage
1pm to 2pm
Blastfrom thepast: Fire-up area demonstration. Bikes and scooterswith Steve Plater,Wayne Gardner,Roger Marshall plus John and Norman Ronald
3pm Awards with Wayne Gardner and Roger Marshall on the stage
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newyear and hope you do too. Helping create an exciting buzz to startoff this year is none other than WorldGPchampion from 1987, Wayne Gardner.The Australian waspartofagolden era, battling Lawson, Spencer, Raineyand Sarron; when the bikes were exciting to us and dangerous to the riders. So expect some riveting stories on the stage talking to Steve Plater.His great mate from the UK, 11-time British champ and TT podium finisher Roger Marshall, will also be with us, sharing the show spotlight and no doubt remembering those on-track battles.
When you’re wandering around and find aclub stand you like, don’t be afraid to chat to the volunteers –the knowledge these groups have is incredible. Let them pass it on to you to makeyour life better!
Bikefans, go and see the
scooters, and scooter fans,havea look at the bikes –I alwaysmake abeeline forthe scooter hall as the machines are brilliant, the folk are only too happytochat and the superb soundtrack in there makes it feel likeareal party
With most of the show
undercover,even the weather will find it hard foranyone to not have agood time at the Winter Classic. We’llsee you there.
and the Classic BikeGuide gang
Meet WayneGardner
Australia’sfirst500cc GP champion
Star guestatthe Classic BikeGuide Winter Classic show is atrue500cc Grand Prix legend.
Visitorstothe Newark event will have the chance to meet a racer nicknamed ‘Iron Man’ by Japanese fans and admired the world over:Wayne Gardner –the Wollongong Whiz –was the first Aussie to become world champ in motorcycling’spremier class.
The 65-year-old’s passion for motorbikes started at an early age, and he wasracing on minibikes by the age of 12 in his native New South Wales.After finishing school, he began an apprenticeship but
soon quit to chase his dream of racing glory.
Launching his career in 1977 and riding asecond-hand 250ccYamaha in the Australian championship, he made an impressive debut, finishing second at Sydney’s Amaroo Park.Hethen secured his first victoryshortlyafter at Oran Park Raceway. With a‘win or crash trying’ mentality,hequickly moved up to the350cc category, but his aggressive style raised eyebrows withinthe racingcommunity,leading theAuto Cycle Union to consider banning him.His sponsor at the time, KarlPraml, amotorcycle dealer in his hometown of Wollongong, intervened, encouraging Gardner to refine his skills and focus on winning championships instead of just individual races.
By 1979, Gardner was‘promoted’ and excelled on both 350ccand 750cc bikes.In1980, he dominated averywet Sandown race in Victoria.
His Japanese engineer and then team owner,Mamor Moriwaki, sought atalented rider for the Australian SuperbikeChampionship as well as to compete overseas.
This led Gardner and co-rider John
Pace to securepole position at the prestigious 1981 Suzuka8 Hours, beating the factoryteams.
In 1981 Gardner finished fourth in the Superbikerace at Daytona before winning his first race in England and coming under the wing of Britishtrack and TT star Roger Marshall. Lifelong friends,Marshall helped Gardner learnthe British tracks and hone his skills still further.Not long after being in the UK, Gardner found himself racing against legends likeKennyRoberts and Barry Sheene and, despite suffering afractured ankle in the May, he removed hisplaster cast and won at Suzuka that same year Gardner joined Honda in 1982, winning multiple races and entering his first 500cc world championship event. However,his whole racing future and commitment came into question when reigning champion Franco Uncini crashed heavily in front of him. The Italian wasleft in acoma for aweek, the whole experience leaving Gardner shaken. In 1984, with Honda prioritising British racing over European GPs,Gardner had to self-fund his campaign. His impressive results
earned him areputation in Europe as well as the British 500cc championship. Suzukibegan to show interest, prompting Honda to provide him with achance to pursue the world championship in 1985. However,his three-cylinder bike struggled against the competition’s V4s, forcing him to push beyond its limits
In 1986, Honda equipped him with competitive machinery. Gardner made historyasthe first Australian to win a500ccGPrace in nine yearsand ended the season in second place. By 1987 everything fell into place, and he clinched the blue riband world championship, becoming the first Australian to achieve this milestone.
Astandout moment in his career came at the inaugural Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island in 1989. This thrilling race sawhim triumph against formidable opponents, and he repeated this feat in 1990, despite riding with a broken wrist and damaged fairing His newteammate, fellow Australian Mick Doohan, wasinspired by Gardner’ssuccess and went on to win five world championships.
Gardner wasinducted intothe SportAustralia Hall of Fame in 1991 and he retired from Grand Prix racing in 1992, concluding his career with avictoryatthe British Grand Prix. His legacyincludes 18 Grand Prix wins and four victories at the Suzuka 8-Hour Endurance Event. However, he remained involved in motorsport, mentoring riderssuch as Daryl Beattie.
After his time in Grands Prix, Gardner shifted his focus to V8 Supercars, debuting in 1993 and achieving victoryatthe Australian Grand Prix. He later founded Wayne Gardner Racing and competed until 2000, earning areputation for his adventurous driving style and anew nickname, ‘Captain Chaos’.
He also participated in the All-Japan Grand Touring Car Championship until 2001, securing victories in 1999 and 2001, and wasthe only Toyotadriver to finish everyrace that season in the points.
In 1998, Gardner made aone-off appearance at the 24 HoursofLe Mans, driving alongside Philippe Gache and Didier de Radigues. They qualified 26thbut did not finish due to engine issues.
Waynewill be joined by hisformer teammate andBritish champion RogerMarshallatthe Newark event.
Essential W
viewing
It’shard to believe that Yamaha’sYZF750 will be 32 yearsold in 2025. It’sabikethat wasfull of promise and set to be perhaps the benchmark superbikeinthe early 1990s, except for one small problem. Honda’slaunch
ayear earlier of the game changing Fireblade. Martin Armstrong’sbike isn’ta‘pinky’ but the later, 1995 colour schememore associated with Nori Haga inhis debut year of World Superbikes. It is simply a beautiful example.
One of only afew remaining examples; the 1977 Honda CB750 Phil Read racereplica
There are veryfew bikes over the yearsthat carry a racer’sname; sure you get race rep paint schemes but not aspecific model named after them.
This 1977 Phil Read race replica Honda CB750 was one of only 150 produced by Colin Seeley, of which only around half remain in existence today. It wasthe firstever fully-fairedrace replicaavailable straight from the showroom from anyJapanesemotorcycle importer in the world. It costa whopping £360 more than the standard machine at £1895 (a large sum at the time). If nothing else you just have to check out the exhaust, whichisa true workofart
inter is abusy time for allofusclassic bike and scooter enthusiasts. If you’re not working on a full restoration, then you’re fettling your pride and joyand tending to all those little jobs.
Once finished, surelyyou need to show it off? So the season
Trevor Ratcliffe’s1947
Triumph Speed Twin 500 is apostwar babyand finished in resplendent maroon (there were only afew coloursavailable straight after the war). Thisexampleisfrom
the first year of production and it would be made for a further 10 years. 498cc, air cooled with aheady output of 28bhp at 6000rpm, this old girl could certainly get down the road. Could it be the best in show?
Check out thisTVstar.No not the owner Paul Reynolds (or is it Corporal Jones?), but his1949 BSA M21 Combination. Does it look familiar? That’s because it wasused in Dad’sArmyand also in On theBuses. With a600ccsingle cylinder side valve engine, rigid frame, girder forks and
four-speed, hand-change gearbox, thesebikes were rugged and endowed with copious low-speed pulling power.The model washighly successful in their intended role as sidecar tugsand its stablematethe M20, did sterling service as despatch riders’ mounts during the Second WorldWar
Discoverrarefindsand expert traders
Forthe tradersonsite, Newark offers agreat rangeofitems including spares,parts,paints, clothing,registration plates,oils, lubes, chains andcarbs;infactjust abouteverythingyou could possibly need to complete your winter project
Allthe indoor halls andoutdoor stalls will be packed with motorcycle autojumblers offering plenty of unique items. Whynot come alongand meet thelikes of SteelCity Classics,Midland Scooter Centre,AmalCarburettor Company, Spicers Auctioneers&Valuers, andMTC Exhausts?And that’s notall.Manymore expert traderswillbe on hand to help youfind exactlywhatyou need and perhapseveninspire your next project
opener at Newark’s Classic Bike Guide Winter Classiciswithout doubt the perfect place to showcase your work.
Here is aselection of just four bikesand two scoots that have come out of the garage ready for the 2025 season that youneed to check out at thisyear’sshow
If ever the love someone has for their scootcan be demonstratedinone picture, thensurely this is it. Meet this 1960 Lambretta TV175 Series 2 owned by KirkWattis.
Boasting apower output of 8.6bhp, with atop speed risingto65mph(although with atrailerthatmight be ambitious), it is simply a
showstopper.Backinthe dayitwas marketed as “the Sportsman scooter” with thestyling basedon the late Li Series 1, but this example hasa few changessuchasanew headlight which turned with the steering,and floor mats instead of runners. Visitthe ScooterWorld halls
The Lambretta Li Series 1 waslaunched in April 1958, seven months after theTV175 Series 1was launched. By then, Innocenti had eliminated most of the engine problemsthe TV175 Series 1had.
The Lambretta Li150 wasadramatic departure from the shaft-drivenLD range that had preceded it.
Thenew enclosed chaindriven engine wascentrally positioned underthe frame and had more power than the LD.With larger 10in wheels and beautifully designed panelworkitwas asuperb scooter to ride and an instant hit. Steve Bains’1958 Framebreather exampleisasympathetic and beautiful restoration.
Martin Armstrong’sstunning 1995 YamahaYZF750
Aglorious 1947 Triumph Speed Triple 500
1949 BSAM21 Combination; astar in its ownright
Steve Bains’ beautiful 1958 Lambretta Series1 Framebreather
Love is… a1960 Lambretta TV175 Series 2
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Meet theclubs and theirbeloved machines
Since the show’s inception in 2012, we’veproudly hosted a number of great clubs, each ready to shine alight on their favourite machines.
With club memberson hand to discuss the ins and outs of their pride and joy, here’saglimpse of who you can look forward to meeting Firstupwehavethe Bandit Owners’ Club, founded in 2003 for likeminded enthusiasts with a passion for the iconic Suzuki machines.
The club provides aspace for memberstomeet, makefriends, and attend
shows and events, proudly displaying adiverse range of Bandit motorcycles from various yearsand sizes.
Even after more than 20 years, the club remains strong,with some founding membersstill around to share stories from the early days.
Today, it stands as the largest Bandit-only club in the UK, aclose-knit family united by shared interests.
Next, we have aclub that will be celebrating its 50th anniversary–the UK Gold Star Owners’ Club which was formed back in 1975. Five decades later it is
still the place to be if you own or enjoyGold Stars, with regular attendance at shows and events throughout the countryallowingthemtokeep in the public eye. Dedicated to the preservation, maintenance and enjoyment of Gold Stars, we can’twaitto seethem again.
These clubs are certainly not alone. Avariety of other bike-focused clubs will be joining us,such as last year’s winner of thebestbikingclub stand, the Italian Motorcycle Owners’ Club.Its display for the 2024 showfeatured well-known models and some very classy rarities, including
a75cc Pirotta. We’llbekeen to seeiftheycan pull off another beautiful display.
If scootersare more your style,why not visit the likes of the Maico Owners’ Club or the Generations SC club –two of themanyScooter clubs that will be joining us.
The Maico Owners’ Club can trace its roots back to the late 1950s, originating from the heydayof Scootering
Likewise, the Generations SC will be taking the short trip from this newspaper’s home town of Horncastle in Lincolnshire to celebrate 25 yearsasa club.
Feel thethrill of thefire-uparea
Thesuperb fire-up area will roar to life once again in the Stanley Sheldon Hall at the Newark Showground, where you can see, hear and feel the power of incredible machines from all eras.
Step into this partofthe show and you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the smokyatmosphere, where the echoes of revving engines and the smell of burning fuel fill the air.It’syour chance to get up close and personal with the action, as our star guest –the former world champ Wayne Gardner –and compere Steve Plater light up the hall with an impressive lineup. Youcan expect to see all kinds of machines being fired up, from classic race bikes and sleek road bikes to high-speed sprintmachines,
Competition
If you sign up for your WinterClassic tickets ASAP,you’ll have ashot at winning a 741-piece toolkit worth £8995from TengTools! Don’tworry if youmissthe advanceticket deadline, as there will still be an opportunityto enter for this grand prize over at the Classic BikeGuide stand in the Lady Eastwood Pavilion.
The competition closeson September 1, 2025.Thereare no cash alternativesavailable.The winner will be drawn at random. Winners will be contacted via an officialMortons email. We never askfor bank details. Termsand conditions apply.Toviewthe privacy policy of MMG Ltd (publisherof Classic Bike Guide and alsothis publication) please visit www.mortons.co.uk/privacy
Scoot overtoNewarkin January forall things Scootering
JoinusinJanuary forareal scooterextravaganza! This annual gatheringbrings together apassionategroup of scooterenthusiasts showing offsomeofthe UK’s finest rides–whether custom,classic, or just downrightcool.
As the first major gathering of the year,this event kicks off the season with clubs from across the countryshowcasing theirtwowheeled beauties andsharing stories from yearsgoneby. With twoofthe Crocker Hallsdedicated to theone andonlyScooter World, Newark becomesthe ultimate destinationfor amix of custom, club,classic,and trade displays.You’llfind everything from meticulously restored vintageVespasand Lambrettas to cutting-edge custom builds that push theboundariesof scooterdesign.
At the2024show, the
VeteranVespa Club earned the covetedtitle of Best Scooter Club Standwithadisplay commemoratingthe 60th anniversaryofits inauguralride from London to Brighton Featuring26oftheir finest Vespas andtwo membersfrom theoriginalrun,theyset thebar high –sowho will triumphthis year?Alongside theClubStand award, therewillalsobeprizes forthe Best ScooterinShow. Whetheryou’realifelong enthusiast or simply curious aboutthe excitement,there’s somethingfor everyone at this year’s ScooterWorld.From browsing partsand accessories in thetrade stalls to admiring theuniquemodificationson display, you’re sure to leave with inspirationand maybeeven afew newadditions foryour owncollection.
Don’tmissout on this fantasticstart to theseason!
Celebrate Scootering’s 40th anniversary with editor Stan andthe magazine team
When you’ve had your fill of mince pies, what better waytostartthe season than with avisit to our winter warmer show!
Heldover the weekend of January 11-12 at the massive Newark Showground, the Winter Classic is established as the show that kicks off the new year to agreat start. With halls full of two-wheeled exhibits, trade stands, guest speakersand the legendary‘live run’ area, there’ssomething for everyone. High on the list of attractions
for scooterists are the two halls dedicated to Scooter World. There you’ll find agathering of clubs, tradersand exhibits to brighten even the darkest of winter days, whilst outside, there’sanautojumble and enough food outlets to satisfy even the largest appetite. Alwaysaspectacular event, the 2025 show has aspecial place in our hearts as it kicks off Scootering magazine’s 40th anniversaryyear Our team will be there, will you?
Stan and the Scootering team.
Useful bits to know
Established back in 2012, the Classic BikeGuide Winter Classic offersa welcome respite from the hectic holidayseason and achance to get lost exploring the many hundreds of stunning classic machines on display.
What better waytokickstart your 2025 than with amix of traders, dealers, and autojumble plots?It’sthe perfect place to grab abox of parts andspares, as well as finding that inspiration needed to finish your restoration for asummer of riding… or perhaps pick up anew project.
Not only that, but we also offer free parking for all, including aclearly signposted disabled parking area, along with avariety of amenities including bar, catering and toilet facilities.
Open to all ages, the show provides free entryfor kids under 16 yearsofage.
If you’re not sure what’s going
on or where you are, there’san information desk situated in the George Stephenson Hall, where our cracking private entries can also be found along with other trade and club areas. Not only that but you can also download the CBS app for the latest updates and show news: Simplygoto www.classicbikeshows.com/app and getthe app today.
LocatedatNewarkShowground NG24 2NY,our visitor entrance is located at the showground’s blue gate as shown on the corresponding map.
Check us out on Facebook @ classicbikeshows and Instagram @classicbikeshows and twitter @classicbikeshow for the latest news. To learnmore about the show visit www.classicbikeshow com/newark whereyou can sign up to our newsletter list.
