2020 Classic Dirt Bike Show - Picture Special

By John Dickinson on 19th Feb 20

Motocross Classic Dirtbike Show

The Classic Dirt Bike Show, sponsored by Hagon Shocks and staged last weekend at the International Exhibition Centre at Telford, showed once again the strength of the Classic off-road movement, with packed halls and buzzing stands.

Bad weather on Saturday failed to dampen the enthusiasm as thousands lined-up for the 10am official opening although it did spoil the outside autojumble somewhat.

Yrjo Vesterinens Scottish Six Days winning Cota was the centrepiece of a cracking Montesa display (Image: John Dickinson)

Inside, in the dry and warm, though, it was all happening with plenty taking place on stage to entertain as the guests of honour, 1979 Trial World Champion Bernie Schreiber and 1970 British 500cc Motocross Champ Bryan Badger Goss were interviewed by Jack Burnicle.

Jack Burnicle speaks to star speaker Bryan 'Badger' Goss (Image: Gary Chapman - Mortons Media Group)

Bernie and Bryan were also pressed into service handing out various honours and awards, with Bernie dealing out the KIA National Twinshock Champs awards with Badger congratulating the British Classic Scrambles winners.

The show halls were jam-packed with stands as usual where you could buy absolutely anything to do with classic off-road from a tiny carburettor jet to a complete ready to race machine and everything in between.

There was a multitude of frames, rolling chassis, hubs, forks, shocks, tanks, seats, air-boxes etc, and you could buy enough riding gear to last 10 seasons.

One for the real men, a beefy twin cylinder Norton-powered Wasp sidecar MXer (Image: John Dickinson)

Then there were the bikes of course, which ranged from rough and ready projects for sale some with what could be termed optimistic price tags to rows and rows of immaculate show-standard machines just to ogle and of course pull to pieces for not having, say, a nickel-plated kickstart return spring washer, instead of the common chrome one fitted!

Add in enthusiastic club stands, dedicated one-make stands, keen race and trials series organisers busy signing-up competitors for a new season and there was something for everyone.

There were also several interesting special displays including one celebrating Sprite motorcycles, the marque introduced by and run by Midlander Frank Hipkin.

There was a small but perfectly-formed Bultaco display including this nicely turned out Pursang scrambler (Image: John Dickinson)

There were also several interesting Bultacos and a large display of Montesa competition motorcycles with the centrepiece being Yrjo Vesterinens Scottish Six Days winning machine.

Traders ranged from teenager Tom Knight, busy flogging second-hand bikes and bits along with dad Juan (no, not actually selling dad Juan!) in order to fund their travelling and riding from their Isle of Man base to the legend himself, Pete Edmondson, still wheeling and dealing at just 88 years young.

Modern British trials was represented by John Shirt (GasGas), John Lampkin (Beta), Nigel Birkett (Scorpa) and Steve Saunders (TRS) as they recognise the enthusiasm of the whole show.

Westmorland Motor Club members Dave Parkinson Steve Dent and Jonathan Bethell being entertained by Gary Gowan (Image: John Dickinson)

It really is a unique gathering with lots of meeting old friends, recalling good times and remembering those no longer with us. Above all the S

show emphasises that we take part in a living, breathing, ongoing sport that once bitten is impossible to shake off...

Please enjoy our picture spread that hopefully conveys what was on show at Telford. Maybe you will be inspired to get involved and build your own bike to show next year!

The 2019 KIA National Twinshock Trials Champs line-up with trials Guest of Honour Bernie Schreiber the 1979 Trials World Champ is fourth from the left (Image: John Dickinson)

Best in Show 1955 Husqvarna Sports 175 (Image: Gary Chapman - Mortons Media Group)

Guest of honour Bernie Schreiber (Image: Gary Chapman - Mortons Media Group)

Bikes-bikes-bikes... (Image: John Dickinson)

John Shirt Jr was flying the GasGas flag at the Telford Show (Image: John Dickinson)

Imagine a five gallon keg of your favourite tipple inside this beauty and you dispensing pints through the nozzle... mancave heaven! (Image: John Dickinson)

Voice of the Telford Show is none other than Jack Burnicle, pictured here with living legend Sammy Miller (Image: John Dickinson)

This unique Honda TLR was something of a showstopper (Image: John Dickinson)

Best Motocross 1987 ATK 560 (Image: Gary Chapman - Mortons Media Group)

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