BBC TV Stars Steve Parrish and Matt Roberts In No Holds Barred Thundersprint Shootout Battle

The highlight of last year’s Thundersprint was the intense rivalry between BBC TV’s two star MotoGP commentators; Steve Parrish and Matt Roberts. And the battle is about to go ballistic at Thundersprint 2012 which will be held in Northwich, Cheshire, over the weekend of May 12/13.

In the red corner, surrounded by his all female team of physios, life-style gurus, Reiki experts and cocktail preparers is Steve Parrish – multi British champion and Grand Prix star.

Team Roberts Mascot – Cheryl the Whippet

Across the paddock with the mainly blue, except for the front right wing which is still in primer, Transit van is young gun Matt Roberts assisted by his mate Barry and of course Cheryl, the rescue whippet, who is the team’s mascot.

Parrish said: “I know that Roberts sees the Thundersprint battle as the very pinnacle of motorcycle sport. As I said to Prince Charles last week, winning MotoGP is like getting first dibs at the caviar canapés being compared with standing on the top step of the Thundersprint podium!

Parrish in a pensive mood faced with the battle ahead.

“My team has had Matt under intense surveillance and we know that he has been to a few track days this year and we were impressed when he got his knee down – quickly followed by his elbow, bum and shoulder.

“For my part, I am in serious training from now until next May. I am cutting down on the number of olives in my cocktails and I am insisting on squeezing my own toothpaste to build up my finger stamina for the arduous 447 yard Thundersprint lap. This is serious business.”

Click on Parrish for his candid assessment of Roberts’ extremely slim chances.

Roberts is equally determined. The 34 year old Yorkshire iron man athlete said: “Parrish might have 30 years of racing behind him, and a house full of trophies, but I have a life-long experience of watching racing on TV – and in the toughest conditions too, sometimes without even a packet of chocolate Hobnobs.

“When you’re out on t’tops, with a howling wind, rain lashing down and the sheep looking nervous, you find that special place deep inside – the place where your body, heart, mind and soul melds with mushy peas and steak and kidney pudding to make you what you are: an invincible competitor.

“Parrish has more chance of finding a lightly oaked New Zealand Chardonnay in Cleckheaton than he has of beating me. Bring it on!”

Click on Roberts to find out the northern hard man’s race plans.

The paddock gossip is that Roberts has hired Valentino Rossi as his personal race guru.

We’ve seen some real wars on tracks over the years. Hailwood and Agostini, Sheene and Kenny Roberts, Rossi and Gibernau to name but a few. But Parrish and Roberts are taking rivalry to a whole new level.

We’re bringing in a specially trained team of security staff to keep the two camps well apart and we’ve warned both of them that we want to see the rivalry kept to the track.

We’ve made it clear that any paddock brawls, or machine sabotage, will result an instant ban – and confiscation of their Thundersprint goodie bags.

The Agostini - Hailwood battles are nothing compared to the Parrish v Roberts war

5

Norton to Have Major Presence at Thundersprint 2012

Following their success at Thundersprint 2010, Norton are planning an even bigger presence at this year’s spectacular - which will be held over the weekend of May 12/13 in Northwich town centre.

Chris Walker blasts the 961 Norton off the Thundersprint start line

Norton CEO, Stuart Garner, said: “We had a fantastic time at the Thundersprint and only the pressure of delivering Commandos world-wide kept us away from last year’s event. The crowds were enormous and our 961 Commandos were extremely well received.

“We also enjoyed the intimacy of the Thundersprint where existing, and prospective, customers could be closely involved with Norton factory staff rather than being on the other side of some “Keep Out” VIP fence.

“For 2012, we will have an even bigger presence and there will be a very special guest riding a race version of our new Commando Cafe Racer - the bike which really began life at Thundersprint 2010.”

Norton were hugely popular at the Thundersprint and it is great to have such an iconic brand back with us - but with even more stand space and more bikes on show.
And we can’t wait to see what Norton have up their sleeve by way of their celebrity rider.

Fans flocked to the Norton stand to see the fantastic line-up of 961 Commandos

MotoGP Star Danny Webb Rides at
Thundersprint 2012

Danny Webb is one of Britain’s brightest hopes for World Championship glory this year, riding the all new Mahindra Moto 3 bike. Danny is competing in the ultra competitive Moto 3 World Championship for the Indian team and is tipped for a top placing in the 2012 season.

Danny Webb is looking forward to Thundersprint 2012

Danny was one of the stars at the 2011 Thundersprint and is looking forward to returning to Europe’s biggest biking street party.

He said: “I just love the atmosphere at the Thundersprint. The crowds are great and always very welcoming. It’s just like one of the bigger Grand Prix with thousands of spectators everywhere you look. The atmosphere is very friendly and yet really exciting too.

“I really enjoy entertaining the Thundersprint crowds every year and you can be certain it will be showtime when I get on the track in Northwich again.”

Danny at play in last year’s Thundersprint

We’re delighted that Danny will be returning to Northwich’s very own “Grand Prix in a Car Park”. We love having Danny at the Thundersprint. He combines brilliant riding ability with a great sense of humour and we’re certain that he will be an outstanding addition to the galaxy of stars we have riding with us.

Danny will be at the Thundersprint Bike Show on the afternoon of Saturday 12 May and then will be starring in the Thundersprint’s “Grand Prix Evening” which will be held at Cranage Hall Hotel on the evening on May 12.

The following day, Sunday 13 May, Danny will be at the Thundersprint – meeting fans and having fun on the track – throughout the whole day.
 

Chesca Miles – Britain’s Top Female Stunt Rider – Stars at Thundersprint 2012

Chesca Miles was one of the stars of last year’s Thundersprint – despite riding with serious injuries. Now, a completely fit Chesca is making a return to Britain’s biggest biking street party which will be held over the weekend of May 12/13 in Northwich town centre.

Chesca is looking forward to Thundersprint 2012
(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Chesca said: “I just had to come back for a second go at this fabulous event.

The injuries I picked up in America really hampered me last year but I’ll be 100% ready for action in May.

“Rather than doing one of my normal stunt shows, I will be riding in the Motorcycling Personalities class and having some fun on the track with all the other biking superstars.

“I won’t be the fastest rider in my class but you can be sure I’ll be providing some serious entertainment.

Chesca will be entertaining the Thundersprint crowds
(Click Photo to Enlarge)

“Last year, I was completely unprepared for the huge size of the crowd and what a packed weekend the Thundersprint is - but for 2012 I will be ready to rock ‘n’ roll for the whole weekend!

We’re delighted to have Chesca with us again.

She really does represent the modern face of female motorcycling. She is a brilliant rider and has a fantastic knowledge of motorcycling both as a sport and leisure activity.

Her skill as a presenter means that she is able to share her passion for bikes with the 39% of our customers who are female but, best of all, Chesca’s enthusiasm for motorcycling spills out to everyone around her.”

Chesca will be at the Thundersprint Bike Show on Saturday 12 May and will then appear at the Thundersprint’s “Night of Stars” which will be held on Saturday evening at Cranage Hall Hotel.

The following day, Sunday 13 May, Chesca will be racing in the Thundersprint, riding in the Cavalcade and will be on her stand outside the paddock to meet fans.

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