Opening Weekend of the 2009 NEC Bike
Show is a Roaring Success
29th November 2009
 Thousands
of visitors descended early on the Birmingham NEC
over the weekend for the opening of The Carole Nash
International Motorcycle & Scooter Show, with
thousands more flocking to the UK’s premier
two-wheeled event on Saturday evening to witness the
high adrenaline action from the opening round of The
Future West ACU British Supercross Championship.
Widely regarded by visitors and exhibitors alike
as being one of the most publicised celebrity packed
opening weekends in the Show’s history, the
event has already hosted dozens of bike launches,
star riders from the worlds of MotoGP, World and British
Superbike Championships, a brace of TV celebrities
and even a marriage proposal ably assisted by global
bike adventurer Charley Boorman! 
Crowd-pulling motorcycle innovations such as the
Norton Commando 961SE, Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F, BMW
S1000 RR coupled with novel bikes including the Viper
V10 - the world’s fastest production motorcycle
– have been the objects of fascination for the
hordes of visitors. Countless celebrities from the
likes of chefs-come-bike fanatics Gordon Ramsay, James
Martin and The Hairy Bikers to former England cricketer
and Strictly Come Dancing star, Darren Gough have
each made special trips to the Show where, besieged
by thousands of fans, they indulged in some early
Christmas shopping.
 As
the lights dimmed at the end of an action-packed Saturday
in Hall’s 1 to 4, Hall 5 was primed and ready
to stage an evening of thrilling action from The Future
West ACU British Supercross Championships where some
of the best off road talent were all vying to seize
the early advantage in front of thousands of fans.
It was a remarkable evening with awe-inspiring displays
from over 250 riders who each jostled for position
in front of a vocal and excited crowd. Highlights
included ‘the big double’ – a 60ft
jump – achieved by a promising rookie at just
7 years-old and the feat of British star Gordon Crockard,
who took 1st place in the British Open and achieved
a career-best in the SX1 International Class where
he finished runner-up.
Future West's John Hellam, said: “It’s
always a gamble to take an event to a new arena however
we couldn’t have hoped for a more electric start
to the 2009 Future West ACU British Supercross Championships.
The atmosphere inside what is Europe’s largest
purpose-built supercross arena made it an evening
to remember and a great precursor to this Saturday’s
next round of action”. 
 Finlay
McAllan, Managing Director of MCI Exhibitions, commented:
“This weekend, by all accounts has been one
of the most action packed in the Show’s history.
We have been inundated with celebrity appearances
whilst the welcome addition of hosting the first round
of the Future West ACU British Supercross Championships
was very successful. The second round next weekend
promises to be equally as thrilling if not more so.”
For more information visit www.motorcycleshow.co.uk.
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