Kawasaki main dealer, Alf’s Motorcycles in Worthing, West Sussex, has pledged support for a new motorcycle show planned for the 26 May, which is focused primarily on Japanese and Italian machinery.
To be held at the South of England Showground, Ardingly, West Sussex, not far from Gatwick Airport, the show is being organised by Graham Prevett, Sussex Section coordinator for the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club (VJMC).
Keen to give owners of Japanese classic bikes, in particular, a bigger platform, Prevett thinks it’s time for them to headline a show in the South to reflect a growing interest.
“There isn’t a show in the South East that champions Japanese motorcycles, and I have been keen to organise something,” says Prevett. “Along with a union of fellow motorcycle enthusiasts, I am putting on the all-new Moto-Union Motorcycle Show. It will be a celebration of Japanese and Italian motorcycles, both classic and modern. I have secured support from the VJMC and Alf’s Motorcycles.”
His show plans also include female riders and public services bikes and riders.
“I want to promote female motorcyclists and will be working with a female riding group based in East Sussex which is looking to grow its membership. I hope also to work with Sussex Blood Bikes, West Sussex Fire Bike, and Bike Safe, who work with Sussex Police to promote safer riding. Our chosen charity will be Sussex and Kent Air Ambulance.”
Owner of 20 Hondas and a Kawasaki, 62-year-old electrician Prevett has displayed his Hondas at Ardingly for Elk Promotions shows for several years. He organised the VJMC presence of five Japanese bikes at the Elk season-ender on 29 October last year.
Volunteering to be VJMC Sussex coordinator in 2022, he has been keen to play a more active role in promoting the Japanese bike movement.
“There are plenty of Japanese bike owners in this area. For example, in August, the VJMC Surrey Section put on a meeting at Box Hill, which attracted loads of bikes. I have long wanted to put on a show for Japanese machines, and now is the time to do it.”
The VJMC, now in its 41st year, is the UK’s second-largest motorcycle club with an active event presence throughout the UK. It is the headline club at the annual October Classic Show at Stafford County Showground. First held in 1993, this show was a VJMC initiative. Last year, it drew a larger crowd than the more established April Stafford Classic Show, anchored primarily by British bikes.
A new Moto-Union Show website is being created to provide updates, but there is no autojumble planned for the event. Interested parties should contact Graham Prevett on 079737 19948 or [email protected].