BBC TV’s Star MotoGP Commentator Steve Parrish to Ride at the Thundersprint

Steve Parrish, BBC TV’s star MotoGP commentator, will be riding at Thundersprint 2010.

Steve was one of the best British racers of his generation and took three British championships, including the coveted British Superbike title in 1981.

He is also one of the sport’s great characters. As well as being an outstandingly thoughtful and incisive commentator Steve is an exceptional rider and will bring a real sense of fun to the Thundersprint - Europe’s biggest biking street party.

Larger than life, and with a brilliant sense of fun, Steve will really liven up this year’s Thundersprint.

Having raced at some of the world’s toughest circuits, Steve is raring to go on the quirky, tree lined town centre track.

Steve said: “I always look forward to riding a new circuit and I am told that the Thundersprint really will be a new experience.

"I’ve raced in some interesting places but never in a town centre car park before.

“Threading a 175mph Yamaha R1 through the trees should be a lot of fun!"

“It will also be great to ride at an event with no pressure, catch up with so many friends from the world of racing and mingle with the thousands of petrol heads who come to enjoy the Thundersprint every year.”

We can’t wait to have you join us Steve, and we’re sure that you will be amazed at the enthusiasm of Thundersprinters at our very own “Grand Prix in a Car Park”

Top Bike Manufacturers Display at the Thundersprint

There will be one of the best displays of new bikes in Britain at this year’s Thundersprint.

Wigan Yamaha’s dynamic Sales Manager Rob Ocego looks suitably happy with the stunning line up of 2010 Yamahas.

All the major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers will be represented, with the latest machines from Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki.

Rob Ocego, Sales Manager at Wigan Yamaha, who are bringing Yamaha’s giant Thundertruck display unit to the Thundersprint, said: “Having attended the Thundersprint for the first time last year, I was amazed with the level of foot fall.

“It was a really successful event for ourselves, and Yamaha, and now we want to build on this success with an even bigger presence featuring some brilliant bikes.”

As well as the mainstream Japanese machines, motorcycling’s exotics will be out in force too with Millenium Motorcycles’ huge, 300 sq. metre display featuring Aprilia, Victory, Moto Guzzi and the iconic MV Agusta.

Alan Pollard, Millenium’s Dealer Principal, said: “We know that we are going to get a huge audience drawn from all over the North-West of England - and the rest of the country too. The Thundersprint gives us a unique opportunity to show bikes which will make any red-blooded motorcyclist weak at the knees.

Alan Pollard, Dealer Principal at Millenium Motorcycles, shows off the stunning Jackpot Cory Ness Victory V-Twin. What a bike!

“I can promise you the best range of exotic bikes in the world ranging from Victory’s world-beating v-twin cruisers to the super sports bikes from Aprilia and on to the latest MV Agusta hyper sports bikes. And they will all be there, in the flesh, along with our knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff.”

If you want to see virtually every new bike on sale in Britain in one place then the Thundersprint will be the place to be.

There will be bikes from every sector of the market place from cruisers to sports bikes - and everything in between.

And with free admission, free parking and free grandstand seating you won’t be paying a fortune in entry fees to decide on your next, new machine.

Spitfire Display at the Thundersprint

Spitfire fans will have the chance to see this magnificent aircraft display in a unique setting right on the edge of Northwich, Cheshire, on Sunday May 9.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire will perform in one of the most evocative settings in the world.

Displaying right on the edge of this pretty market town, the Spitfire gives a true feeling of what it must have been like to see these iconic aircraft in action 70 years ago.

The Thundersprint’s arena setting captures, and amplifies, the growl of the mighty Merlin in all its glory, rather than have it dissipated in the wide open spaces where Spits normally display, and there is not a dry eye amongst the thousands of cheering spectators.

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 Merlin engine echoes from Marks and Spencer’s store wall!

Truly, an experience not to be missed for any fan of classic aircraft - and one which is absolutely unique to the Thundersprint.

The Thundersprint is an incredible mix of classic motorcycle racing, street entertainment and fine food which takes over Northwich during the second weekend in May.

The Thundersprint festival has free admission, free parking and free grandstand seating.

There is a full programme of entertainment for everyone from hard core petrol heads to Mums and babies looking for a relaxing day out. In fact, there is something for the whole family.

Spectator entry to the Thundersprint is free, as is parking, but arriving early is recommended because Northwich gets very busy.

Thundersprint Race And Cavalcade Entries Flood In

We had a difficult decision to make regarding sending out the rider packs in the middle of a postal strike. On the one hand, deliveries were very sporadic in some parts of the country but, at the same time, regular Thundersprinters were putting us under a lot pressure demanding their entry forms.

In the end, we felt sure that the Royal Mail would recognise the importance of Thundersprinters receiving their entry packs so Anne, our secretary, set off to our local post office, deep in the wilds of the Cheshire countryside, with five big boxes of envelopes - and with her fingers crossed and hope in her heart!

We needn't have worried because just 16 hours later we had an e-mail from arch Thundersprint fan, Frank Jones, telling us that his rider pack had arrived and he was heading to the post office immediately to send in his entry. That's the sort of enthusiasm which makes organsing the Thundersprint so worth while!

Frank really is one of our keenest Thundersprinters so we thought we'd let him explain why he fell in love with our "Grand Prix in a Car Park."

"I was sitting in the pub one Friday night with some of my old biking mates, all in their 50s, and the topic came up about how to celebrate turning 60 as I was to do in 2007.

"A cruise with the wife ? I don't think! I'll save that one for when I'm 80 and starting to get old! 'Why don't you go racing again,' said one guy, 'if you were as good as you say you were?'

"Well, after a couple of pints, you start to believe that you could still beat all the young kids in a club race.

"Another two pints later, I was up for it, but what event and what bike?

"For sure, I didn't want to buy a Superbike and enter BSB at Oulton Park.

Frank in action just before his"coming together" with the Thundersprint track

"But I did have a Harley Sportster which, although not a regular track tool, I thought had potential. Then the subject of the Thundersprint came up. I had never even been to the event due to the fact that I had worked overseas for the past ten years but a lot of people were talking about it.

"One of my friends said the Harley would be a great choice, and in keeping with the spirit of the event, and the idea was to have fun and entertain the massive crowd. He also assured me that the crowd would be well pleased watching some daft 60 year old on a Harley trying to get his knee down on the left hander.

"The rest is history. In 2007 the Harley got me to fifth place in the wet and ninth in the dry the year after.

"2009 looked to be the big one but I fell off in practice looking for the 24 second lap I had promised my mates in the pub the previous Friday. Blushing under my helmet, I picked the bike up, sorted out the bent bits and got the bike re-scrutineered in time for my three runs in the afternoon, and then rode the bike back home -No fool like an old fool!

"I am now well and truly hooked on the Cheshire GP, and for 2010 I've gone back to my roots: a Thruxton Bonneville. Almost as good, I now have a trailer so it's no more riding to and from Northwich.

Thundersprint super-fan Frank Jones poses with his immaculate Thruxton Bonneville

"Now, it's just a matter of counting the days until May ninth. It's four days after my 63rd birthday and meeting all of my new Thundersprint friends, and looking for a 26 second lap on the T120."

Frank has his ride reserved for next year, as have 60 other racers and cavalcaders so please DO NOT DELAY if you want to ride at next year's Thundersprint.

Thundersprint 2010 Race And Cavalcade Entries

Thundersprint Race Entries:

Giacomo Agostini thought that the tight Thundersprint track was a real challenge when he rode it in 2008 – and Ago is 15 times World Champion!

Thanks to the support of the ACU, we are able to increase the number of race entries we are accepting for 2010 and so we hope to welcome some new riders to the Thundersprint family.

We are accepting applications to ride in next year's Thundersprint races and the Thundersprint Cavalcade now. The Thundersprint races are open to solo motorcycles and sidecars made before January 1, 1974 - with two exceptions.

The first is the Masterclass which is open to riders, and bikes, of outstanding interest. So, if you have a spare Moto Guzzi V8 in the shed , or you have won a few World Championships, then do let us know. Entry to the Masterclass is by invitation only but please do contact us if you think you would be eligible

Also, for the first time in 2010, we are having a new class for post classic machines of outstanding technical interest. This class is aimed at things like Honda NC30s, race specification Ducati 916s or maybe a Suzuki RG500.

The Post Classic class is by invitation only. Please 'phone us on 01928 740 498 to discuss your bike.

The rest of the classes range from Vintage through pre-1958 to later, pre-1974 classics and a sidecar class.

We welcome entries from unusual bikes, and riders, and none more so than “Forge Formby” and his magical Shuttleworth Snap

You don't have to be a World Champion, or even a fast rider, to take part in the Thundersprint but you absolutely MUST have a good attitude - particularly with spectators.

The Thundersprint is simply too busy, and we have too many spectators, to deal with prima donnas so if you need temper tantrums and helmet throwing to enjoy a day's motorcycle sport don't bother applying for a ride.

Racers get two practice runs in the morning of the Thundersprint and three race runs in the afternoon. This applies to every class.

The Thundersprint track is slightly over 440 yards in length - 400m for metric readers - and has three corners. The longest straight is just over 110 yards in length and the whole track surface is excellent for racing - although bumpy. The track is easy to ride slowly - and vastly more difficult the faster one goes. Any time under 25 seconds is seriously quick.

We have a vast range of classes including one for ultra lightweights.
Here’s David Clarke screaming his tiny 50cc Itom round the Thundersprint corners

It is nice and safe for gentleman racers - whilst still being a real challenge for fast riders.

Surrounded with thousands of spectators in an intense amphitheatre atmosphere, even World Champions tell us that riding the Thundersprint is one of the great thrills in motorcycling.

We have lots of classes, and tons of trophies, so you might go home with the "silverware" on your dashboard!

You don’t have to be a superstar to ride in the Thundersprint. We welcome entries from sportsmen competitors like Gerry Brown and his lovely little Ducati.

Entry to the Cavalcade is included in your race entry fee.

You do not need an ACU sprint/race licence to compete in the Thundersprint but this is desirable.

If you do not have a licence, it is possible to purchase a one-day ACU licence at the event.

Despite increases in the cost of insurance, we are keeping the price of entry to the Thundersprint Races at £55.00 - and this includes your ride in the Cavalcade.

To receive an invitation to participate, send us a large (A4) envelope with your name and address written on it. Put FIVE first class stamps on the envelope. On the outside of the envelope with your address written on it, put THUNDERSPRINT RACE in very large letters.

When you receive your invitation to ride, please return it to us immediately because entries fill up very quickly.

Later classics are very popular. Here is 500 class winner Howard Ostle on board his immaculate B.50 BSA

Road bikes are accepted in the Thundersprint – particularly if they are interesting ones like Tomasz Holubowicz’s 350 Junak

For 2010, we are having a post classic class. If you have a really interesting post classic bike, like the Alto Performance Raptor ridden by Peter Whitelegg, then contact us at info@thundersprint.com

Now, please read the following section about the Cavalcade because an entry into the Cavalcade is included in the price of your race entry.

Thundersprint Cavalcade Entries:

The Thundersprint Cavalcade takes place at lunch time and covers two, two and a half mile laps of Northwich town centre. The cavalcade speed is controlled by Cheshire Police to a steady 30mph - with minimal stopping and starting. This is well fast enough to keep race bikes cool and yet is slow enough to allow spectators to enjoy the spectacle - and what a show it is!

The Thundersprint cavalcade features road and race bikes together. Machines entered into the Cavalcade do not have to be road registered.

Imagine riding your bike in the company of World Champions, TV celebs and race machines, whilst an estimated 100,000 spectators pack the pavement and cheer! If you love bikes, this has got to be one of the "must do" events in the biking world.

Entries are open to any motorcycle but preference will be given to interesting bikes - preferably racing machines. For 2010, we are not able to accept entries from sidecars, trikes or three wheel cars.

Thundersprint Cavalcaders cruise past Northwich Police Headquarters – with the full blessing of Cheshire Police. How good is that?

Motorcycles DO NOT need to be road legal but all machines will be subject to a pre-Cavalcade safety inspection.

Cavalcaders have their own paddock, adjacent to the race paddock and get all the advantages of being right in the centre of the action.

We are keeping the cost of the Cavalcade to £20, which is the same as the 2009 Thundersprint. To receive an invitation to participate, send us a large (A4) envelope with your name and address written on it. Put FIVE first class stamps on the envelope. On the outside of the envelope with your address written on it put THUNDERSPRINT CAVALCADE in very large letters.

When you receive your invitation to ride, please return it to us immediately because entries fill up very quickly.

Classic and exotic bikes are particularly welcome in the Thundersprint Cavalcade

Riding past pavements packed with tens of thousands of spectators is a big thrill

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