From a press release issued by event organizers: If you have any interest in motorcycles there is only one place to be over the weekend of May 10/11 – and that’s Northwich, Cheshire, for the 11th. annual Thundersprint! Every year the Thundersprint gets bigger and better and for 2008 it’s going to be a spectacular! Whether it’s the chance to see Giacomo Agostini, the world’s greatest living motorcycle racer, back in action on the track or “Top Gear’s” James May cruising around in the Masterclass, there is something for everyone. The weekend opens on Saturday 10 May with the Thundersprint Bike Show held at Winnington Park Rugby Club. There will be over 100 classic and modern bikes on display, a trade area, hog roast and safety tips from Bike Safe and Arai helmets – plus appearances from celebrity guests. Ducati and Harley Davidson will be running test rides all day and Winnington Park is also the venue for Thundersprint camping. Admission to the show is completely free of charge and camping for the weekend costs just £25 per tent or motorhome. Winnington Park is three miles from Northwich town centre and is well signposted. Sunday 11 May sees the Thundersprint itself taking place right in the centre of Northwich. There is no charge for admission, parking or the excellent grandstand seating. However, the certainty of a huge crowd means you need to get to Northwich early if you want to park near to the show’s centre. Scrutineering opens promptly at 6am and everything has open access with absolutely no restricted, or VIP, areas except for the track itself. If you want to mix with the stars at technical control, this is the time and place to do it. Expect to see Sammy Miller, with his fabulous RC181 Honda “4”, six times World Champion Jim Redman, Leon Haslam and the works HM Plant Honda, and Stuart Manning – better known as “Russ” from Hollyoaks – all getting ready for the day. Backing up the stars is a fantastic entry of British and European riders campaigning some stunning classics – plus a fair sprinkling of modern Superbikes. Top Europeans include Joerg Trautvetter from Germany, French ace Alain Marie and Spanish classic champion “Pepin” San Millan. Practice starts promptly at 08.40 and finishes around 11.30. Immediately afterwards, 200 race and road machines gather for the incredible Thundersprint Cavalcade. The cavalcade is one of the great spectacles in motorcycling and takes in two, two and a half mile laps of Northwich on public roads. Leaving precisely at 12.00, it’s an unmissable experience to see a pack of screaming classic race bikes cruise past Northwich Police Station and return via the Magistrates’ Courts. The Thundersprint has a huge trade area with most of the major manufacturers exhibiting, plus a myriad of clothing and accessory stalls all offering Thundersprint bargains. All the latest bikes from Harley-Davidson, Ducati, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Royal Enfield, Triumph, Honda and BMW will be on show. Away from the track, there is the Thundersprint fine food centre, wine tasting, street entertainment and the absolutely sensational Leyland Morris Men – and you don’t often see them at a MotoGP! Super commentator, Garry Gardiner, will be interviewing the stars throughout the lunch break then at 1.20, the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire will roar over Northwich in a unique display. There won’t be a dry eye in the arena! Racing starts at 1.40 with the Masterclass starring Jim Redman, Ago, and Sammy Miller. Immediately following the motorcycling icons are the Motorcycling Personalities featuring Leon Haslam, Stuart Manning (“Russ” from Hollyoaks), “Top Gear’s” James May and a host of journalists all battling it out on the tight, twisty town centre sprint circuit. Can the scribes ride as well as they write? The heartless timing clock will reveal all! After the Masterclass, Ago, Jim and the rest of the stars will be on the eBike stand, in the Premier Trade area, to sign autographs and meet fans. And remember, except for the track itself every part of the Thundersprint, including the paddock, has completely open access so make sure you make the best of this unique opportunity. There are a further nine classes which will take racing through until around 5.00 without a break. At 5.30 there is prize giving which again is open to everyone. Even for spectators it is going to be a flat out weekend but for sure, there is nowhere in the world offering more for anyone with an interest in bikes. And best of all everything is completely free. For more information visit the excellent Thundersprint website – www.thundersprint.com – or ‘phone the event hotline on 01928 740 498.