Northwich Town Centre - Sunday May 7 - 2006

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The Thundersprint has played host to many famous riders but the red carpet will really be rolled out for 22 year old Superbike star Leon Haslam when he takes to the unique Northwich town centre track on Sunday 7 May.

We've long been admirers of Leon and it will be great to have one of the fastest young riders in the world join us - alongside some of the most famous riders from the past.

Leon in relaxed Thundersprint mode

Having followed Leon’s career for many years it gives us particular pleasure to welcome not only a brilliant rider but one of the best representatives for bike racing one could hope to find.

It sounds very old fashioned but Leon is a thoroughly nice young man combining 101% passion to win on the track with incredible professionalism and courtesy off it.

Leon at his day job!

Because the Thundersprint is first, last and middle a party we want Leon to treat the Thundersprint as a weekend off from the pressures of chasing the British Superbike Championship on his GSE Airwaves Ducati.

Leon will be having a play in the Motorcycling Personalities class, spending a lot of time with fans and no doubt admiring some of our wonderful classic bikes.

The Thundersprint will also provide a unique opportunity for spectators to meet Leon without any restrictions or pressures and we hope that many of his thousands of supporters will be in Northwich to cheer him on.

Leon was equally enthusiastic about his first visit to the Thundersprint.

“I am really looking forward to the Thundersprint. I have heard so much about the event but I still can’t imagine what it will be like to a see a small town like Northwich packed with over 100,000 race fans. It will be an incredible experience.

“I’m also looking forward to a really relaxing weekend meeting fans and cruising round on the fantastic Ducati Sport Classic 1000. It’s going to be a great experience being in the same paddock as all the classic racers and then going to the start line on one of the best looking bikes in the world.

Leon tends to be rather serious when he's on the GSE Airwaves Ducati

“I’ll also have the chance to meet a lot of my fans personally which is really important to me. For me the weekend will start at the eBike Thundersprint party on Saturday evening and then on Sunday you’ll find me in the paddock when I’m not on the track.

"I will also be spending some time on the Phoenix Distribution trade stand where I will be launching my Leon Haslam Arai helmet.

“I’ll be at the Thundersprint all weekend to talk with anyone who has a passion for bikes - except when I’ve sneaked off to see all the fabulous classic race bikes.

"There are no restricted areas or special passes at the Thundersprint. Wherever you see me I’ll be there to talk to you.

“Make sure you come by and say hello."

As we said, what a thoroughly nice Superstar!

PLEASE - NO MORE REQUESTS FOR ENTRIES!!!

We are really sorry but there are no more entries available for either the racing or cavalcade. Please don't 'phone up and plead. As racers ourselves, we just get upset because we can't help - and then the team Collie goes off her food.

Meg, the Team Thundersprint Collie, goes for a cool down after a morning of saying "Sorry, we're full" to optimists still hoping for a ride. Please don't pile any more stress on her!

We are starting an entry list for 2007 so please send in your sae now for next year's entry forms.

Many thanks.

Camping Information:

Please follow the link for details of camping at this year's Thundersprint - camping information. In response to your comments from last year, Vale Royal Borough Council are opening up the campsite from 5pm on Friday 5 May so that you can make a weekend of the show.

It's worth remembering that on Saturday 6 May there is the Thundersprint National Motorcycle Show in the centre of Northwich with all the latest bikes on display from BMW, Kawasaki and Yamaha along with a fantastic display of the custom bikes from Orange County Choppers, Grinnall and MTB Customs. There will also be all the new Skoda cars too.

Entry to the show is free of charge.

On Saturday evening, there will be the eBike party, next to the show, again right in the centre of town. There will be live music and a Meet the Stars night. Entry to the party is free but you will have to buy your own food and drink. The party begins at 7pm and goes on all evening.

During the day, there is a vast amount to do in and around Northwich and the best way to see what is going on is to visit Welcome to Cheshire

Here, you will find our view on the hot Cheshire attractions plus a link to Cheshire and Warrington Tourism Board's excellent website which has even more information.

We have had some excellent American riders take part in the Thundersprint. Ken Hutchison has raced with us twice and has been hugely popular with fans. Now, another West Coast racing star is joining us: American Classic Champion, and four times Daytona winner, Brid Caveney.

Brid is firmly based in California these days running his successful company, West Coast Racing: www.westcoastracing.net.

However, his roots reach all the way to England. In fact, Baby Brid made his first appearance in Knutsford - about 10 minutes away from Northwich on a quick classic racing bike.

American Champion Brid Caveney

After working in the Isle of Man, Brid eventually found himself in sunny California where his spannering skills, and considerable riding ability, led to a string of successes including the highly prestigious American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association classic championship.

This year, Brid is heading off to the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats with a view to breaking some world records.

Brid has also competed in the Isle of Man and has been on the top of the podium at Daytona: truly, an impressive track record by any standards. Now, the next big challenge is the Thundersprint.

Brid will be bringing one of his stunning BSAs to the Thundersprint

Brid says: "The Thundersprint is well known in America for being huge and unique. After all, there is no-where else in the world where you can race at a Grand Prix in a car park in front of 100,000 spectators.

"By American standards, the Thundersprint is a mammoth event. At a typical classic race we get a few thousand spectators and even the Daytona 200 Superbike championship round only attracts about 25,000 spectators. To get four times the number of fans that Daytona attracts, to watch classic race bikes is incredible

"In fact, the Thundersprint has now become one of the "must do" events for any serious classic racer. There's Daytona, the Isle of Man - and the Thundersprint.

"Getting me, my son and bike to Northwich is going to be expensive and without the help of my sponsors, Works Peformance Shocks, Barnett Cables & Clutches and Vanson Leathers I wouldn't be able to manage the trip at all.

"I am also talking to Virgin Atlantic who have a really positive attitude to helping sports people and I'm keeping my fingers crossed in this respect.

"Regardless of costs, we are determined to be in Northwich on the 7 May and I have a very, very special BSA B.50 which I think will be perfect for the tight Thundersprint course so I expect to go home with a trophy in my kit bag."

One of the most incredible things about the Thundersprint is the help we receive from Thundersprint fans. The truth is that without the huge amount of effort volunteers make there just would not be a Thundersprint - and we're grateful to you all.

One of our keenest group of supporters is the Classic Endurance Team and Clive, Lee, Alex and Dave were hard at work at the recent excellent Donington Park show. Mike Hunt, another one of our loyal band of helpers, lent a hand on Saturday. On Sunday the boys hit the Donington Park crowds with the full Thundersprint story.

Clive refuses to reveal the location of the gents' toilets to this desperate show goer -until he swears to come to the Thundersprint.

That's the style Clive!

We shared the team's stand and it is a great credit to everyone that they did such a good job - and created a really eye-catching display.

Centre piece of the display was the superb CR750 Honda Jim Redman will be racing in this year's Thundersprint

The show gave us all a chance to meet existing Thundersprint fans and to introduce new classic bike fans to our show. This time those interested mainly in later Japanese machinery who are growing in number all the time.

Clive, Lee, Alex and Dave - justifiably proud in front the Thundersprint display

For One Day Only - The Explosive Flavour of Thundersprint Ice-Cream:

Every year the Thundersprint has new attractions and this year will see a fine food court aimed at bringing the best in specialist products to discerning Thundersprint customers.

Leading the invasion of gourmet food suppliers is Cheshire Farms Ice-Cream.

Sally Poulter, Cheshire Farms’ enthusiastic Sales Manager, said: “We’ve been marketing our products at the Thundersprint for the last three years and we have been delighted with the response. This year, we will have an even bigger presence and, for one day only, we will be selling the Thundersprint Special ice-cream - an incredible blend of tangy orange and searing stem ginger: as hot as the race bikes and cool as their riders!”

Elaine and Sally toil in the Cheshire Farm's Ice-Cream Lab to perfect the Thundersprint ice-cream. Look at that stem ginger being ladled in!

We're passionate about fine food and we have found some of the best food specialists in Britain for this year’s Thundersprint. There will be everything from the truly exotic, such as smoked water buffalo, to locally produced dry cured bacon from traditional English breeds. In all, something for everyone with a taste for fine food.

Don't we just wish it was our own Spitfire! Still, with the support of the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, we are once again proud to announce that Thundersprint fans will have the chance to see this magnificent aircraft display in a unique setting right on the edge of Northwich.

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Mk. 19 Spitfire in "D Day" paint scheme

The BBMF's plan is to have the Mk. 19 Photo-reconnaisance version of the Spit to perform for us. This very late version is powered by the 2000 hp Rolls Royce Griffon engine which means that it is rather lively!

It is likely that the aircraft will fly in its "D-Day" paint scheme. The bold white stripes were to encourage nervous Allied soldiers not to mistake friendly aircraft for the enemy - and take pots shots as they flew over!

Although you can see Spitfires fly at other venues there's no doubting that the Thundersprint setting is something very special. As the tension builds for the start of four hours of non-stop racing, the BBMF Spitfire roars across the sky in salute and the thunder of the mighty Griffon engine echoes from Marks and Spencer’s store wall!

Truly, an unmissable experience for any fan of classic aircraft - and one which is absolutely unique to the Thundersprint.

January 9.

2006 is up and running and already Christmas 2005 seems like a distant memory.

We set off for Manchester, and the National Motorcycle Show, and suddenly the Thundersprint looks to be almost tomorrow!

We shared a stand with our very good friends at the BMF

What an excellent event the Manchester show turned out to be and it's a great credit to Howard and Billie that they managed to bring some biking sunshine to a grey and gloomy Manchester city centre.

The Salvation Army's Mike Hunt, and Thundersprint Suzuki T500 racer, explains the critical importance of correct gearing to an utterly fascinated lady customer.

We were there to spread the Thundersprint word along with our friends at the British Motorcyclists Federation and Salvation Army. Commuting between the two stands kept us rather busy for the three days of the show!

Would YOU take a Thundersprint flyer from this extremely dodgy looking lady? Carol spreads the word to a new Thundersprint fan.

It's a comment that we have made many times before but it is still very true: it really is nice to meet so many Thundersprint fans. Our apologies if we didn't have the time to stop and talk to you as long as we would have wished.

Hazel, Mike, Ian, Darryl and the rest of the Salvation Army did a superb job promoting the Sally Army's Toy Run and the Thundersprint.

The question that we were asked time and again was about spectator viewing. We respect your concerns about this part of the Thundersprint and thank you for raising them. This year, with the addition of 12 new grandstands, there will be a huge increase in the amount of seating available and, thanks to Vale Royal Borough Council, this will all be free of charge.

With free entry to the Thundersprint, free parking and now free grandstands the Thundersprint has got to be the best value day out in the world.

Elizabeth spreads the word for eBike - the Thundersprint's title sponsors. This girl is clearly too happy. We'll have to make her work harder!

Interest in this year's event has been incredible so, even with the new seating available, trackside viewing will reach capacity. Make sure that you arrive early for the best seats.

We had a great time, at an excellent show, and our thanks go to Manchester organisers, Howard and Billie and our friends on the BMF and Salvation Army stands for their hospitality.

The British Motorcyclists Federation, Britain's leading road riders' organisation, will have a high profile presence at this year's Thundersprint.

The BMF is a huge organisation with a professional team dedicated to protecting riders' rights - whilst ensuring that the voice of motorcycling is heard loud and clear by government. We all owe a large debt for the tireless work carried out on our behalf by the BMF and we're delighted to have their full team on board at the Thundersprint.

The BMF will be literally in the centre of the action with a dedicated welcome pavilion reserved for BMF members and those interested in signing up too!

Peter Laidlaw, the BMF's North West Region Chairman said: "As Britain's premier riders' rights organisation, the BMF is always looking for ways in which to contact the whole motorcycling public community from road riders to racers, trail riders to city commuters, and enthusiasts to newcomers. Those not yet interested in bikes are just as important to us as long standing bikers because there are always potential converts and people out there that need to understand more about this wonderful activity of ours.

"The Thundersprint, with its open and friendly atmosphere, provides us with a unique opportunity to reach a huge and wide-ranging audience.

BMF North-Western Chairman adopts the: "Bob McIntyre Hard Man On the Start Grid" pose! In fact, Peter is the epitomy of modesty and good grace - and is more likely to offer you a cup of coffee than run you off the track at 100mph.

"The Thundersprint provides a truly a special day out and, with free entry to the show and free parking, a very affordable one too.

"We look forward to just having a chat and supporting you in issues that may be starting to affect you in your riding on the roads.

Make sure that you call in at our Welcome Centre, which is right at the heart of the show overlooking the track, and we can guarantee you a warm welcome."

Sammy Miller Enters the Thundersprint:

We're delighted to announce that Sammy Miller will be racing in this year's Thundersprint.

Sammy and his incredible Gilera 4

Sammy is one of the world's great all round motorcyclists. Not only was Sam one of the finest trials riders of all time - the first true trials superstar - but he was also a brilliant enduro rider and, as a road racer, seemed to be heading for many road racing world championships. As things turned out, the lure of trials was too strong for Sam to ignore and he gave up tarmac racing on the verge of greatness.

Road racing's loss was trials' gain but many of us still wonder whether Miller could have been one of the best road racers of all time.

Sammy made his competition debut in 1951 at the age of 16 and is still winning today!

Sammy is eleven times British Champion and has won the European (World) Championship twice. With over 1300 wins to his credit, Sam has been more than a little successful!

In addition to being a brilliant rider, Sammy was also responsible for the design of the Ariel, Bultaco and Honda trials machines.

One young fan enjoys the full Miller hospitality treatment

Now, Sam splits his time between his world renowned museum, sammymiller.co.uk, and riding in trials and historic track events.

We would have been delighted to have Sam join us and simply ride round and wave to the crowd - but that's not the Miller Style...

Sammy is 101% totally committed to anything and everything he does and is blisteringly fast in high speed demonstrations throughout the world.

Sammy screams the Gilera 4 round La Source hairpin at Spa

Sam is bringing his fabulous Gilera 4 not to ride, but to race in the Thundersprint - and the bike is capable of doing the job.

The Gilera is not a replica of the original 1957 factory "4", in the sense that it is a cosmetic lookalike, but a full blown race bike which would have won GPs in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Kay Engineering built a tiny number of Gilera 4 clones which are literally nut and bolt precise copies of the Gilera - but built with modern metals and the latest manufacturing techniques. In short, the Kays' Gilera is a full-blown race bike - and Sammy rides it as such.

The Thundersprint will be as near as you can get to seeing an original Gilera 4 raced in the sort of setting you would have seen it in 50 years ago.

Truly, an unforgettable experience

Sammy said: "I've been meaning to come to the Thundersprint for a few years now. I keep hearing more and more good things about the event and so for 2006 I've signed on the dotted line and got my entry in.

"I don't know quite what to expect but 100,000 spectators packed into a town centre has got to be something very special.

"You can be sure I'll be putting on a very special show for the Thundersprint fans."

Thundersprint DVD is Now Available:

Click here DVD for details

eBike Insurance Are Thundersprint 2006 Title Sponsors:

We are always proud to bring new ideas to the Thundersprint and so we're delighted to announce that eBike Insurance will be our title sponsors for 2006.

The idea behind eBike is really very simple. Instead of paying the wages of hundreds of staff to read from a check list when you 'phone for an insurance quote you follow a series of easy prompts on eBike's website - and end up saving a fortune.

Colin Rose, the Thundersprint's Event Manager, (the harrassed looking one still waiting for his breakfast at prize giving!!!) saved 49% on the price of his "normal" insurance and thinks the whole system is brilliant.

Colin reports that he added a second 600cc bike for just £17.00 - with no "administration", or other cunningly hidden, charges.

We met eBike at the NEC Motorcycle Show and were immediately impressed by their friendly, bike orientated attitude, professionalism and forward thinking. We were sure that e-Bike would be ideal partners for the Thundersprint.

Jaimie Hanley of eBike said: "We are bringing a breath of fresh air to the motorcycle insurance market and we want to let as many motorcyclists as possible know what we can do for them.

"We also pride ourselves on being customer orientated where each and every one of our policy holders is important to us.

"The Thundersprint, with its huge attendance and friendly atmosphere, will provide us with a wonderful opportunity to meet many existing customers and talk to new ones.

"We also have some new ideas for the Thundersprint which will really add something special to the Thundersprint weekend.

"We intend being number one in the bike insurance business

and that's why we want to be associated with the Thundersprint - Britain's best biking event."

For further information about eBike click here www.ebikeinsurance.co.uk for information.

Alex, of eBike's marketing team, gets into the Thundersprint mode. Rossi watch out!

We have a few places available for the cavalcade. These are open to bikes, and riders, of any age but priority will be given to classic race bikes. If you would like to enter, please print off a cavalcade form by clicking on cavalcade and send it to us as soon as possible.

Jim Redman Leads All Star Entry at Thundersprint 2006:

Each year we promise that the following Thundersprint will be the best ever - and we're confident in announcing that Thundersprint 2006 will be incredible. So, let's start at the top.

We are delighted, truly delighted, that Jim Redman, six times World Champion and six times TT winner, will be back with with us once more taking part in his only competitive event of the 2006 season.

Still the only man to win Six World Championships for Honda.

Jim is one of the greatest racing motorcyclists of all time.

Jim and Nobby Clark prepare the legendary Honda "6" for battle. In fact, Jim rode the Honda 6 only twice during the 1964 season spending most of the time on a temporary, very highly tuned, four cylinder bike. The "6" first appeared at Monza, towards the end of the season, but it was the reliability and speed of the older "4" which enabled Jim to take the 250cc World Championship.

Relaxed and confident as ever, Jim is already looking forward to next year's Thundersprint.

Jim is a huge Thundersprint fan and looks on the Thundersprint as very much his "own" meeting.

Jim says: "I first met organiser Frank Melling at the Manchester bike show in 1999. I had never heard of the Thundersprint eight years ago - I don't think many people had at the time - but I was really impressed by Frank's enthusiasm - and the fact that he was prepared to re-mortgage his house to finance the event. If anyone has that amount of commitment they deserve to succeed!

"To be honest, I didn't expect very much from a meeting run at a Go-Kart track and I was surprised at the quality and efficiency of the organisation and the enthusiasm of the team behind the event. Everything ran like clockwork and from then on I've become a big Thundersprint fan.

"Although I have ridden at many events in 50 years of competitive motorcycling there are none better organised than the Thundersprint. It's amazing how a town centre is transformed into a race circuit over night and I love the intensity of the atmosphere.

"You can feel the excitement right from the start of day - and that's at dawn, although it feels a lot earlier!

"It’s the nearest thing to a classic Grand Prix that still exists in terms of the sheer excitement and scale of the event. There are many other classic bike events in the world - and I enjoy them all. But what makes the Thundersprint special is the atmosphere. It’s electric. The crowds packed next to the track, the noise, the smells - the sheer intensity of the event is unique. I ride all over the world and there is literally nothing else like it anywhere.

The master in immaculate action. Jim on his way to another winning ride on the factory 350 Honda twin

"The Thundersprint is also a race and that’s important too. I only take part in one race each year - the rest of the time I ride in demonstrations - and that’s the Thundersprint. Okay, I’m not going as hard as I did when I was Honda team captain but believe me, I still want to win. I’ve had a couple of seconds at the Thundersprint but I still want that winner’s trophy on my mantlepiece before I hang up my leathers!

"Everybody races, at their own level, in the Thundersprint and that makes it a world away from events which are just demonstrations. Look at the riders’ faces on the line and see if they care about the times. They do!

"The paddock is just like it was in the ‘60s. There are no huge motorhomes with darkened windows or corporate hospitality tents covered in keep out signs. At lunch-time, you’ll find me sat next to my bike having a sandwich and talking to fans and that’s how it should be. There is a tendency for modern riders to forget who pays their wages and their responsiblity to the ordinary bloke with an autograph book.

Jim gets ready for blast off on Clive Brooker's immaculate CR750 Honda

"The final reason I like the Thundersprint so much is that I just love coming to Northwich. It’s such a friendly town and the fans are so enthusiastic. Everyone from local politicians and Anne Bingham-Holmes, the Chief Executive of Vale Royal Borough Council, to the "Floatel" where I stay every year, has made me feel so welcome. The Thundersprint is just like a Grand Prix from my heyday and there’s nothing better than being able to get really close to the people who have given me so much over the last 50 years.

"Then there's Northwich itself. It's a lovely little market town - with a fascinating history and a cosy atmosphere.

But best of all is the huge number of local fans I meet who make me feel as if Northwich is my second home.

"That's why I'll be back in 2006 - and with my eye on the winner's trophy.

Jim is infinitely patient and courteous with fans and holds the world record for signing fairings!

"Please make sure you come along to Clive Brooker's van and say hello.

That's where I'll be all day with Clive's Honda -

enjoying the day as much as you."

Thundersprint Wins Major Tourism Award

The Thundersprint has won one of Cheshire’s most prestigious tourism competitions, beating many mainstream attractions in the process.

We are truly delighted to have won this award and see it not so much as a recognition of our own work but more as a reflection of the efforts of the whole Thundersprint team. Certainly, we could not have achieved this degree of success without the active and enthusiastic support of Vale Royal Borough Council Members and Officers.

We also rely upon the professional and proactive support of Cheshire Police, Cheshire and Warrington Tourism Board and, most importantly of all, the wider community in Vale Royal.

As hard core bike fans ourselves, we are also delighted to have won recognition outside the motorcycling world for what is a fantastic day out for the whole family. This year, working with the Vivaldi Superbike team, we have shown a huge number of people what a friendly, fun, and relaxed experience a professionally run bike event can be and in doing so, have hopefully given our customers the interest to get more involved with motorcycling during the rest of the year.

But most of all, we feel privileged to have the best riders and fans in the world.

The Thundersprint is your event and we wish we could give a trophy to each and everyone of you.

The Thundersprint team poses for a windswept celebratory photograph.

And yes, the champagne was excellent!

We have put two new pages on to the website for your interest. The first is a report on this year's Thundersprint with lots of pictures. Not so much a blow by blow story of what happened, and when, but just few of the many highlights this year's Thundersprint.You can read about Thundersprint 2005 by clicking on Thundersprint 2005.

We are fortune in always receiving lots of good coverage about the Thundersprint but this year has been truly amazing. If you click on media coverage you can see a little of what the rest of the world thought of the event.

Regarding the pictures on the site, most of them are available from Sid Lidguard whose e-mail address is : asp.photos@virgin.net or Glynne Lewis at www.blue2bikes.com

Some of the other pictures have been taken by Julie Wheeler, of Mortons Motorcycle Media, and they can be reached at www.oldbikemart.co.uk

Thundersprint Pictures:

The images on our website come from many sources but Sid Lidguard of ASP supplies a number of them - especially the racing shots. If you want to buy copies, contact Sid directly on 01652 637 298 or e-mail asp.photos@virgin.net

The Thundersports Racing Club Ltd. owns the copyright on all the images you see on the site and whilst we are happy for you to copy them for your own private use, please contact us first if you wish to use them on another website or commercially: we're here to help. frank@thundersprint.com

Contact us at: info@thundersprint.com

or 'phone us on 01928 740 498 between 9am and 8pm British time

or surface mail to:

The Thundersports Racing Club Ltd.

Manley Lane

Manley

Cheshire WA6 0PB