Roy Adams looks ahead to Adelaide Motorcycle Festival

It’s hard to believe that its 8 years since Sam Geddis, and Adelaide Insurance, started to sponsor the show. Adelaide are the premier motorcycle insurance company in Ireland, and Sam and his team are very much hands on people. I’ve seen him out on bikes, and he regularly takes part in the Kells to Kells run, which he also sponsors.

At a press launch last week, a number of riders were there, and chatting to Conor Cummings, he’s very much fired up for the new season. ‘I’ve been spending a lot of time in the gym, and it’s starting to pay off. I feel stronger and more mentally alert than I ever have. I’m really looking forward to getting going.’ Conor wouldn’t be drawn on whether or not he would make an appearance at Cookstown, though. Conor has raced for NI based teams for a few years now, and having recently signed for Tyco Suzuki, who are based in Moneymore, he is almost a local rider.

According to show organiser Billy Nutt, MBE, the focus will be on bikes old and new. ‘We also have plenty of personalities lined up for the chat shows, which are now an integral part of this social occasion. Exhibition space is at a premium, with 70 stands spread over 2 halls, there’s a huge variety of clothing and accessories to suit all ages.’ Don’t forget, Ladies, that’s the Valentines weekend, so he might buy you a new set of leathers for himself. I tried that years ago. It didn’t work then either.

Also at the launch was Ballyclare’s Martin Barr. He has signed for the LPE Kawasaki team, and says he plans to improve on his third place in the British championship and second in the Red Bull series, by winning both. Both Barr and Cummins will be at the show, as Ryan Farquhar, Alistair Seeley, the Dunlop boys William and Michael, Steve Plater and hopefully Ian Hutchinson. Hutchy, who has recently had a very public disagreement with Guy Martin, rebroke his leg at a show in England last week. It’s not broken in the same places as it was previously damaged, so it’s hoped that he will have it sorted sooner rather than later. Speaking to Billy on Sunday evening, he tells me that Ben Wilson, the man that Alistair Seeley pipped to the British Supersport title is to attend, but has still to confirm dates and times. All the major manufacturers have taken stands at the show, with Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph, KTM, Ducati, Aprilia, Royal Enfield and Jawa all due to exhibit. One notable absentee will be Harley Davidson, who have sadly closed their Antrim outlet, a victim of the economic downturn.

‘The Yamaha M1 that took Jorge Lorenzo to a World title in 2010 is to be in Belfast, thanks to Hursts Motorcycles. It’s being brought from Holland especially for the show.’ Said Billy. Add to this the increasingly popular Autojumble, displays of old bikes, both vintage and classic, and the special displays of Honda Gold Wings and Nortons and we are in for a special weekend. Show goers are also invited to go head to head round such places as Dundrod and Mondello Park with top riders. The Room2Race simulator will also be there and qualifying heats will take place on Saturday. The final, against men like Hill, Seeley, Cummins etc will be on the Sunday. The best two show goers will win VIP tickets to the Mondello Masters final, while there’s an incentive for the best rider, with £300 up for grabs.

It’s not all bikes, though. Karting enthusiasts will be catered for as well, with the 2&4 Wheel Motorsport Steering Group will be there promoting their sport. The MRA, governing body of off road sport in Ireland have a stand, and will attend to promote their own discipline.

Last word to Billy Nutt. ‘We had 15,000 visitors through the doors last year, and we’re hoping for a bigger turnout this weekend. There’s something for everybody at the Kings Hall, it’s just that sort of a Family friendly festival.’

Tommy Hill is to officially open the show, at 2pm on Friday. It’s open from 2pm till 10pm on Friday, and 10am till 5pm Saturday and Sunday. As usual, I’ll have a run down of what happened at the Kings Hall in next week’s Times.

Read Roy Adams’ motorcycle column every week in the Ballymena Times.