BIG FINALE FOR THE BIG SHOW
29 November 2004 - Dirt Rider Expo

Record crowds flocked to Dirt Rider Expo at Stoneleigh-Park and the reaction from visitors and exhibitors alike is that this has been the most successful Show to date.

Initial estimates show a 5% increase in attendance over 2003, with numbers well in excess of 20,000 over four days. Of those, approximately 12,000 experienced the exciting Live Action Arena. For the first time ever, the organisers, Promoto, conducted a visitor survey. Detailed results are not yet available, but they can reveal that an incredible 90% of those questioned rated the overall Show as “good” or “excellent”. The addition of a third semi-permanent hall and extra seating in the Live Arena greatly reduced the over-crowding experienced in previous years and contributed to a more relaxed atmosphere with time to view and talk at length.

Stars such as Jamie Dobb, Maxxis 2004 British Champion Stephen Sword and MX GP rider Mark Hucklebridge were joined by big names from the world of MotoGP and Superbikes, including Steve Plater, Jay Vincent & Chris Walker, all of them keen to see the latest dirt bikes and soak up the atmosphere. Entertainment was provided at the front of house by World Trials No.6 Jeroni Fajardo supported by Mika Vesterinen, performing on their Gas Gas machines and helping everyone to get in the mood.

Once inside the main halls, show-goers had a chance to inspect the 2005 models from KTM, Polaris, Gas Gas, Suzuki, Beta, Yamaha, Montesa, TM, Sherco, Husqvarna, Honda & Kawasaki in Hall Two. Quads were better represented than ever, with a wide variety for work, sport, kids and even road legal examples from all the established names and several specialist manufacturers too. There was an abundance of clothing & accessories from the world’s leading brands, with famous names like Bell & KBC exhibiting for the first time. For those looking for next season’s kit or an early Christmas present, all of Hall One was dedicated to shopping, with all of the big specialist retail outlets represented.

This Year’s winners
Without doubt the standards of presentation get better every year, with all of the major motorcycle & clothing brands investing significant amounts of money in stunning stands. KTM were judged to be Best in Show and received a trophy at the Show Awards Ceremony held on the Saturday evening. Madison (who distribute Thor) were highly commended. Dave Plummer of KTM UK commented that “It’s been a busy show, busy on our stand and plenty of quality people to talk with.” Suzuki won the Best Stand award, with Rush Racing, Polaris & Fowlers of Bristol (AXO & Bell) highly commended. “We were immensely pleased with the visitors, who asked us good questions & were pleased to see the new bikes we had on show,” said a Suzuki Spokesman. The Best Newcomer award went to Motocross 365 Tenerife, while Masai quads & 661 armour were both commended. Pivot Pegz, the revolutionary off-road footpegs, scooped the Best New Product/service award. “We knew we had a good product & coming to the show has endorsed that. It’s been great,” according to Neil Challis of Pivot Pegz.

The Entertainers

The public were able to compete against celebrities on the DBR stage in an attempt to be the fastest at the show to change the wheel on a CAS Honda 250 motocrosser. Master of Ceremonies Nik Fisk was kept busy interviewing stars from the off road scene and handing out free goody bags, while for those feeling lucky there was a raffle to win Travis Pastrana’s Weston Beach Race Suzuki.

Seating in the Live Action Arena was doubled to accommodate 1,000 spectators and it’s just as well, because once word got out of how good this year’s show was, people flooded in. Brazil’s Odair Salmazo kicked off the proceedings on a Honda Fireblade, ably assisted by the long-suffering Wellington, who sat of the front mudguard while Salmazo performed 90-degree stoppies! He was followed up by the comic antics of Hungary’s Zoltan Angyal on his 125cc East German MZ motorcycle. Some of the biggest cheers came not for the motorcycle riders but for the cyclists of the Animal stunt show. Martyn Ashfield performed cycle trials including 42” bunny hops while “Chopper” performed freestyle stunts including a “Superman” and back flip. Matters were brought to a head by World Stunt Champion Christian Pfeiffer performing the seemingly impossible on a Gas Gas 280 trials bike and 1000cc Ducati Monster. If you wondered what it takes to be World & European stunt champion, Pfeiffer has all the answers.

“Whichever way you measure it – visitor numbers, floor space, number of stands, live action – this year’s Dirt Rider Expo is the biggest & best ever and we’d like to thank all of our exhibitors and visitors for making this the Europe’s undisputed Number One off road show,” enthuses Show Organiser Ian Burgess.

More than 85% of visitors questioned in the Show Survey stated that they would return for next year’s Dirt Rider Expo.

Dirt Rider Expo will be at Stoneleigh-Park from Thursday 24 – Sunday 27 November 2005

www.dirtriderexpo.co.uk

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