International Dealer News IDN 114 Aug/Sept 2013 | Page 16

news ROOM Goodwood Festival of Speed G OODWOOD Festival of Speed celebrated its 20th anniversary this year over the long weekend of Thursday 11 July to Sunday 14 July, and as ever motorcycles played an important part in both the static displays and timed hill climb races. On the hill climb course it was not just historic and former racing machinery that was being ridden, as KTM used the event as an opportunity to debut a prototype of its new 1290 Super Duke R at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The bike, which was making its first public appearance, was ridden by former Moto GP rider Jerry McWilliams, who commented: “It’s always an honour to ride at Goodwood, but to be honest, this is the most insane bike I’ve ever ridden!” BMW motorcycles were also seen being ridden on the Hill climb as well as in a static display, celebrating 90 years of production. Two racers from different eras of BMW Motorrad, current World Superbike rider Chaz Custom V-twin shop Krazy Horse has expanded its product range by becoming UK distributor for both Zaeta and Hardknock Kikker 5150 motorcycles Davies and former Isle of Man TT and endurance racer Helmut Dähne, both took part in the hill climb. Davies rode a HP4, while Dähne rode a 1966 R50. In addition, a BMW Power Cup K 1200 R and Boxer Cup R 1100 S were ridden by guest riders, including British journalists Michael Neeves and Adam Child, French classic BMW racer Sophie Smith and by Chaz Davies. BMW Motorrad UK’s sponsored stunt rider, Irish star Mattie Griffin, also made his third visit to the Festival of Speed, performing tricks and stunts on his F 800 R. he BMW static display was made up of a collection of key BMW motorcycles ranging from the 1923 R32 to the 2013 HP4, and included the race-winning S 1000 RR of Marco Melandri and Georg Meier’s Type 255 racer. Two concept motorcycles also went on display: the C evolution and the Concept Ninety, which was designed and built by US custom specialist Roland Sands. Harley-Davidson was marking its 100th anniversary during the Festival of Speed with a display that included not only production models, but also custom builds by leading UK dealerships, which included the bike of Shaw Harley-Davidson that competed in the World Championship of Custom Bike Building in Essen, Germany, in May. Custom V-twins were also in evidence on the display by Suffolkbased custom shop Krazy Horse. The custom bike building business, which earlier this year moved to new, larger, purpose-built premises, is now expanding its product range and T A BMW-sponsored stunt rider Mattie Griffin was performing tricks on the hill climb course over the Festival of Speed weekend following its success retailing Morgan three-wheelers, powered by the American-made S&S Cycle X-Wedge V-twin engines, has now taken on Morgan’s four-wheeled cars too. On the motorcycle front the business has recently become UK distributor not only for Zaeta motorcycles from Italy, but also Hardknock Kikker 5150 motorcycles. In addition, once the official launch has taken place in the US, Krazy Horse will be stocking the 2014 model Indian motorcycles from Polaris. Krazy Horse proprietor Paul Beamish said: “This is the busiest Festival of Speed we have ever had. We’ve expanded our portfolio of brands since we moved the shop, and the increased product offering has been a huge success as we’ve been rushed off our feet all weekend dealing with all the enquiries from potential customers.” www.goodwood.co.uk Harley-Davidson was showing bikes that have been modified by its authorised dealers KTM used the Festival of Speed to debut a prototype of its new 1290 Super Duke R BMW Motorrad had a display at the Festival of Speed celebrating milestones in the company’s 90-year history 16 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - AUG/SEPT 2013