A charity fundraiser who has been learning to ride the ‘Wall of Death’ during lockdown is to make his full public debut at MotoFest Month 2021, during the Motorcycle Weekend, 24^th – 25^th July 2021.

Paul Malin, from Rugby, will join the famous Ken Fox Troupe Wall of Death, for his first ever public performance on the 20ft high vertical wall, in what promises to be one of the highlights of the show on 25^th July 2021.

For Paul, his appearance at MotoFest Coventry will be the culmination of months of training with the Ken Fox Troupe as he bids to raise £5,000 for four separate charities – Prostate Cancer UK, Warwickshire and Solihull Blood Bikes, Positive Bones and Pawprints.

Paul, 55 said: “I was treated for a serious illness a couple of years ago and after getting the all-clear, I wanted to give something back by raising money for the different charities.

“I wanted to do something spectacular but different to raise the money, so I began to think about a Wall of Death ride. When I visited MotoFest back in 2019, I got talking to the Ken Fox Troupe Wall of Death team about the idea. After some initial reservations from them – they don’t often train people up as its quite dangerous – they eventually agreed to train me.

“I have always enjoyed bikes and was a motocross rider back in my younger days, but this is something else. I have done over 60 hours training with them now and while it’s a very difficult skill to perfect, it is incredible once you are up on the wall riding the bike.

“I am really looking forward to joining that elite group of riders who have ridden the wall in public and it’s going to be quite some buzz to say that I performed it at MotoFest Coventry.”

Paul’s appearance at MotoFest Month 2021’s motorcycle weekend is set be one of the highlights of a packed programme of full throttle activities taking place over two days.

The motorcycle weekend is part of a new format for 2021, for the UK’s largest free motoring festival. MotoFest Coventry will switch this year from its traditional date on the first weekend in June, to a new ‘MotoFest Month 2021’ programme, stretched out across four individual weekends, from 17^th – 18^th July to 7^th – 8^th August – including the Motorcycle Weekend.

One of the main attractions for the new Motorcycle Weekend is the traditional MotoFest Coventry Ride-In from the historic Coombe Abbey Hotel – Brinklow Road, Coventry – to the city centre. Running for its third year, the Ride-In often attracts over 500 plus riders and traditionally signals the start of the MotoFest Coventry festivities.

Alongside the Ken Fox Wall of Death troupe, there will also be the two Brothers motorcycle stunt team, static motorcycle displays, individual and club displays and the ‘MotoFest Classic and Custom Motorcycle Show’ with trophies awarded across a number of categories, following on from the success of the 2019 motorcycle show.

James Noble, Coventry MotoFest Festival Director, said: “We are delighted to announce MotoFest Month 2021.

“As a result of the need to comply with the Covid-19 regulations on large scale crowds at single events, MotoFest Coventry 2021 will look different to previous years, including no sprint circuit for 2021. However, the festival ethos, particularly the commitment to hosting a celebration of the city’s motoring heritage, will remain the same.

“The new ‘Motorcycle Weekend’ is a great example of this. The two day programme will showcase an array of full throttle activities, including our local charity fundraiser Wall of Death ride, that is designed to thrill and excite two wheeled enthusiasts attending the festival.”

MotoFest is dedicated to the city’s motoring heritage, taking place in 2021 across four weekends in July and August as part of the new ‘MotoFest Month 2021’ schedule. As the largest free motoring festival in the UK, it brings live motorsport, including dynamic motorsport displays, classic and modern modified vehicles, and the cutting edge of automotive innovation right into the heart of the UK’s Motor City, free for everyone to enjoy across four weekends.

MotoFest Coventry has announced a partnership with Chrome Carbon to promote climate positive motoring and reduce the carbon footprint for the 2021 event.

For this year’s festival, MotoFest Coventry will work with Chrome Carbon to positively communicate their reforestation and carbon reduction program for motoring enthusiasts across the festival weekends.

MotoFest Coventry will also commit to the program itself through its own subscription and will work with the Chrome Carbon team to reduce the carbon footprint of the 2021 event and further events into the future.

Launched by automotive enthusiast and passionate entrepreneur Julien Lescure, Chrome Carbon encourages car and motorbike enthusiasts to take responsibility for their emissions by funding reforestation and carbon reduction projects with a monthly subscription.

Members can choose to repay twice or even three times the cost of repairing the environmental impact of their driving. As part of the MotoFest Coventry partnership, Club MotoFest members will have the opportunity to sign up to the Chrome Carbon program with an exclusive offer only available to them.

James Noble, MotoFest Coventry Festival Director, said: “We are very proud to partner with Chrome Carbon, as their ethos is one that is very much shared by the MotoFest Coventry team.

“As an organisation, the Chrome Carbon message of climate positive motoring shows that being environmentally conscious and a motoring enthusiast do not have to be mutually exclusive.

“It’s a message we will be actively promoting to those attending this year’s festival and we will practice what we preach by implementing tangible actions to reduce the long-term carbon footprint of the event.

“We look forward to working with Julien and his team and sharing their vision with the MotoFest Coventry community across this year’s festival weekends.”

Julien Lescure, founder of Chrome Carbon, said: “We are delighted to partner with MotoFest Coventry and to have them share with us our message of climate positive motoring.

“Most people assume that motoring enthusiasts don’t care about the climate crisis. That’s nonsense. Their passion is intrinsically linked to the environment, and that’s why Chrome Carbon makes so much sense.

‘Ultimately, Chrome Carbon is about taking responsibility and being part of the solution when it comes to addressing the biggest challenge of our time. The MotoFest Coventry team share our vision and we can work together to put our energies into preserving what we love – our vehicles, the MotoFest Coventry event and our only planet.”

Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, Coventry City Council said: “Coventry is the historic home of the motor vehicle and has long been at the heart of the UK’s automotive sector.

“Now, thanks to the fantastic, innovative businesses and organisations we have in our region we’re also at the forefront of the green industrial revolution. That’s why it’s fantastic to see someone like Chrome Carbon have a presence at this year’s MotoFest.

“A key part of this green revolution is this message of climate positive motoring. We all have to do our bit to support projects that will protect our environment for generations to come and that’s what Chrome Carbon helps you to do.

“It lets you support projects and people that are supporting our world. So, I’m pleased that they’ll be featured at a such a popular event like MotoFest where they can spread their message to a wider audience.”

The funds generated by Chrome Carbon are invested in a range of specially selected climate action projects in the UK, Europe and around the world. The projects include reforestation, natural disaster relief and verified carbon reduction programmes.

Although originally born from the classic car and custom motorcycles communities, Chrome Carbon is open to all automotive enthusiasts and motoring adventurers. For more details, including price breakdowns and eco project overviews, visit www.chromecarbon.cc

For 2021, MotoFest Coventry will switch from its traditional date on the first weekend in June, to a new ‘MotoFest Month 2021’ programme, stretched out across four individual MotoFest Coventry weekends, taking place from 17th – 18th July 2021 to 7th – 8th August 2021.

As the largest free motoring festival in the UK, it brings live motorsport, including dynamic motorsport displays, classic and performance vehicles, and the cutting edge of automotive innovation right into the heart of the UK’s Motor City, free for everyone to enjoy across four weekends. 

For more details visit www.coventrymotofest.com.

Culture creates jobs, supports livelihoods, and brings joy to everyone. The UK leads the world in the creative industries and being based in Coventry, MotoFest Coventry are extremely proud of Coventry’s cultural industries, particularly ahead of Coventry’s year as City of Culture.

Nearly £400 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country, including to MotoFest Coventry, in the second round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund.

This financial boost from the government, will help MotoFest Coventry and many more projects across the country through the coronavirus pandemic.

This second round of funding will allow MotoFest Coventry to confidently go ahead and plan for their recently announced MotoFest Month 2021 event series, taking place from 17^th July to 8^th August 2021.

MotoFest Coventry is one of thousands of organisations who will receive a share of nearly £400 million from the second round of funding from the Culture Recovery Fund to help with costs for operating and recovery. This second set of funding cements MotoFest Coventry’s position as one of the most prestigious heritage events in the country.

MotoFest celebrates Coventry’s influence worldwide, past, present and future, on two wheels and four. The four weekend long festival in 2021, mixes motorsport with heritage vehicle and motorcycle displays, live music and food.

James Noble, Festival Director said:

“This second government grant allows us to confidently plan for MotoFest Month 2021 in a Covid secure way. We are delighted that the government have recognised the important work that MotoFest Coventry does in protecting and showcasing our mobile heritage.”

“MotoFest Coventry is unique in demonstrating the significant role that automotive heritage plays in providing a context for future transport innovation.”

Oliver Dowden, Culture Secretary said:

“Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they’ve ever faced.

Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors – helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.”

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund said:

“Spring is definitely here, bringing not only sunshine but that sense of optimism and hope for the future. We are all looking forward to heritage places and other visitor attractions reopening and I am very pleased that we have been able to support DCMS in delivering this vital funding to ensure the UK’s heritage sector can rebuild and thrive, boosting local economies, creating jobs and supporting personal wellbeing.”  

MotoFest Coventry was founded in 2014 and has run annually until the hiatus caused by the Covid 19 pandemic. In 2019, MotoFest Coventry had a footfall of 229,000 individuals over the two day festival weekend, making it one of the largest and most important automotive events in the country. MotoFest will return in 2021 with a new format, the event will take place over four weekends, with different themes each weekend from 17^thJuly to 8^th August 2021.

MotoFest Coventry is to return in 2021 with new dates and a new format for the UK’s largest free to attend motoring festival.

For 2021, MotoFest Coventry will switch from its traditional date on the first weekend in June, to a new ‘MotoFest Month 2021’ programme. Stretched out across the four weekends, from 17^th July to 8^th August 2021.

Each of the four weekends will be themed, with the initial launch weekend on 17^th and 18^th July titled ‘Your Future Moves’. This will be based around innovation and technology. While the first weekend will focus on future technology, there will also be a step back in time with an ‘Italian Job’ themed spectacular to launch the festivities.

The 24^th and 25^th July will go full throttle for two wheeled fans, with ‘Motorcycle Weekend’ set to feature a ‘Ride In’, dynamic and static displays as part of the programme.

The 31^st July and 1^st August is ‘Motorsport and Performance Weekend’, featuring a mixture of dynamic and static motorsport displays taking place around the City Centre. While there will be no full Ring Road circuit this year, there are plans for a drift arena and an energetic motorsport display.

The final weekend on 7^th and 8^th August is the ‘Classic and Performance Car Weekend’. Both days will feature static displays in the City Centre and themed events including road runs taking in Coventry and the beautiful surrounding countryside.

Across all four weekends, there will be various motoring themed activities and events including a week-long programme of drive-in concerts.

James Noble, Festival Director of Coventry MotoFest, said: “We are delighted to announce the return of MotoFest in 2021.

“As a result of the need to comply with the Covid-19 regulations on large scale single events, MotoFest Month 2021 will look different to previous MotoFest weekends. The festival ethos, particularly the commitment to hosting a celebration of the city’s motoring heritage, will remain the same.

“The new format will give us four weekends instead of the usual two-day festival, and the themed weekends will ensure, that whether you are a two wheeled or a four wheeled fan, there will be something for everyone to enjoy!

“We plan to launch with a spectacular ‘Italian Job’ themed stunt that will blow the doors off for fans of the film and motoring enthusiasts alike. This is one of many exciting new additions we have in 2021 and we look forward to revealing more details in the coming weeks.”

Martin Sutherland, Chief Executive of Coventry City of Culture Trust, said: “MotoFest is a key part of Coventry’s calendar. We all missed it last year and it’s great to see how it’s adapting so it can safely take place in 2021.                                                                                                  

“With the return of events like this, it feels like some normality is returning to the UK City of Culture 2021, and we can’t wait to hear more about the programme in the coming months.” MotoFest Coventry is dedicated to the city’s motoring heritage, taking place in 2021 across four weekends in July and August as part of the new ‘MotoFest Month 2021’ schedule. As the largest free motoring festival in the UK, it brings live motorsport activity, including dynamic motorsport displays, classic and performance vehicles, motorcycles and the cutting edge of automotive innovation right into the heart of the UK’s Motor City, for everyone to enjoy across four weekends.

They said it was not lady like for a lady to ride a Motorcycle!

When the motorcycle was first invented there were ladies all over the world wanting to learn to ride one. Some women were so passionate that they fought hard to overcome the obstacles that were put in there way so they were able to follow a passion for riding bikes.

There were ladies who just wanted to ride for pleasure or go on amazing adventure across the world, but there were women who wanted to race and compete alongside the men on circuits such as the iconic Brooklands and the Isle of Man TT.

Out there, there were women like Beatrice Shilling, she was awarded the Brooklands Gold Star taking a lap of the Brooklands circuit at 100mph, to my knowledge there were only 3 women to achieve this. Beatrice then went on the help develop the engines for the Spitfire & Hurricane in WW11.

Florence Blenkiron was part of the elite group of Ladies who completed a ‘Tun Up’ around the Brooklands Circuit in 1933. With her friend Theresa Wallach (the first female engineering student at Northampton Polytechnic) they decided in 1934, to go on an epic motorcycle ride from London to Cape Town SA. This was an amazing achievement for the time.

When they returned Theresa joined the British army as a mechanic and they say she became the only female dispatch ride during W11.

Jumping forward we then find Beryl Swain at the Isle of Man TT. In 1962, she became the first female rider to complete the TT course. It was frowned upon that a lady rider was doing this sort of thing, so the organisers of the TT and the ACU put a weight limit on all riders and this in turn stopped women competing at the TT until 1978.

It was up to female riders, paving the way for the likes of Maria Costello (MBE). In 2004, she became the fastest women to lap the TT course, holding the record until 2009. This was then broken in 2010 by Jenny Tinmouth, who is a British Champion in her own right.

This is just a small selection of the British Lady Motorcyclists but I can assure you there are so many more out there!

As for me, I’m just the kind of girl who loves to go on amazing adventures and down country lanes with the wind in my hair.

– Claire Baughan

We have had a very busy and exciting year despite Covid and the cancellation of our main festival weekend.

Our first virtual event – Coventry Concours

As our main motoring festival was cancelled, the team came up with an innovative idea to host a virtual concourse with the Association of Heritage Engineers.

Throughout the competition we hosted dedicated rounds, dependent upon the age of participating vehicles. We saw a great variety of vehicles on show, from Triumphs to Jaguars and Volkswagens.

The winners were awarded a Golden ticket to the inaugural Coventry Concours at MotoFest Coventry 2021 and two tickets to The Bugatti Trust when it reopened!

The launch of Club MotoFest

On what would have been MotoFest 2020 weekend we launched our brand new members’ club – Club MotoFest. – to allow you the supporters and fans of MotoFest to get even closer to the action!

We saw a huge uptake in Club MotoFest and were able to provide a range of benefits to our members including company discounts, exclusive and early priority access to events and MotoFest News.

Our first exclusive Club MotoFest event!

Following our successful Coventry Concours competition we put together a fantastic panel comprised of MotoFest Directors and Concours judges. They discussed heritage and innovation, along with the key role that our hobby and industry will play in the recovery from the current crisis that we find ourselves in.

Once again, a huge thanks to Allan Winn, Angela Hucke, Reverend Adam Gompertz, Dominic Taylor-Lane and our Directors – Andrew Simpkins, Darren Langevald and James Noble for such an interesting discussion!

Shakespeare Run – Revival

The streets of Coventry rose once more with an exciting Covid secure automotive event, the Shakespeare Run – Revival.

As Saturday 26^th September rolled around, classic, vintage and veteran vehicles and motorcycles from across the region took to the streets of Coventry. The Run began on the Coventry Ring Road for a mobile start before leaving on a pre-planned, beautifully scenic route through the South Warwickshire countryside.

Fortunately, despite the array of 66 classic vehicles and motorcycles, no recovery assistance was required.

MotoFest Drive In Christmas Carols

As we headed into December, MotoFest Coventry and Jubilee Church Coventry put on two sell-out Christmas Carol Drive In concerts for music fans. The event ran over two nights with over 100 vehicles attending Millennium Place in the city centre to see musician Rob Halligan and his band play some festive favourites.

The event received so much positive feedback the MotoFest Coventry team are even considering hosting a Drive In Carol Concert on an annual basis!

Looking forward to 2021

As we look forward to 2021, the team at MotoFest Coventry are planning for a Covid Secure main festival in June 2021, as the start of Coventry’s year as City of Culture. We will be running a series of exclusive and early access Club MotoFest events so don’t miss out by following up on social media using the handle @CovMotoFest and catch our first Club MotoFest News of 2021 on 27th January.

Until then, heres to a Happy and Healthy New Year!

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