Monsoon-like conditions on Thursday, Friday and Saturday failed to dampen the spirits of hard core bikers and music fans at Britain’s best loved bike festival, the Bulldog Bash, at Shakespeare County Raceway in Warwickshire.
Despite torrential downpours, which Bulldog organisers agreed made for the wettest Bash ever, drainage and access road improvements ensured visitors could get around the Long Marston site without difficulty.
Bash organiser Bilbo said: “As in all our previous years it was a safe and happy event, and we’re pleased to say it closed – as expected – without any serious incident.
“The weather wasn’t kind to us but visitors partied on regardless. The Custom Show was buzzing all weekend, as were the music stages.
“The police operation off site was noticeably reduced this year and that made the visitors happier to go out and explore the area, boosting revenues for local businesses.
“We’re fortunate that things dried out on Sunday so we could get the drag strip back up and running. The strip is always a real crowd pleaser and I’m glad people got the chance to run their own bikes – it’s what the Bulldog’s famous for.”
Lost track time turned out to be a real gain for Help for Heroes, one of the Bulldog’s nominated charities. Organisers decided to donate the £600 prize money that would have been awarded on the drag strip to the charity, who brought serving members of the Armed Forces to collect funds on site.
The Bulldog Bash is not all about big bikes built on blank cheque budgets, Custom show judges were extremely impressed by Harley Gilliam’s iconic1989 Yamaha FS1E. The “Fizzy” as it is affectionately known, is a machine many bikers cut their teeth on in the 70’s and 80’s.
The 16 year old from Ripon, North Yorkshire, became one of the most talked about custom show entrants as visitors and organisers reminisced about their early days of biking.
Harley’s stunning little bike features a 60cc Athena big bore kit, a skimmed and polished head and classic Allspeed exhaust. Seventies-style drop handlebars add to the racy looks complemented by a modified TZR125 seat unit, one off side panels and hand made vinyl cut graphics, which Harley made himself in his school’s technology lab.
Harley, who is named after the bike his father rode to hospital on to see his newborn son, said: “I built this bike because it’s different to what my mates have got, I can get the speed over them and the looks of it are a lot better as well – I really like the café racer style.
Lifelong Biker Fulfills his Destiny at Bulldog Bash
The chance to create a custom bike can be a dream come true for many riders, but one chopper fan picked up the his new ride on the day it won Best in Show at Bulldog Bash 24.
Keith Lee-Davies may have thought nothing could top being handed the keys to his custom Harley Davidson Sportster after an intensive eight month build – until some of the biking world’s most discerning judges handed him the coveted title.
The chopper also scooped the Best Paint prize, for its retro-style artwork inspired by the legendary American tattoo artist Sailor Jerry.
Keith, who has worked as a tattooist for 37 years, has loved choppers since he was a child and always dreamed of creating his own custom model. He said: “I had a big lump in my throat when I went to see it for the first time. I said I’d have one built when I was a kid, but this bike is beyond all expectations. Who could ask for more than that?
The high octane thrills of the drag strip, the innovation and passion of the custom show, the raw energy of the live bands… The Bulldog Bash is the perfect place to let your hair down, but for a honeymoon?
Well one bike crazy couple decided they love the Bash so much, there was simply no better place to celebrate their marriage. Megan and Leigh Russon have even entered their spectacular modified Suzuki Bandit Streetfighter in the Custom Show at the event in Long Marston, Warwickshire.
Leigh explained why the couple decided to spend their honeymoon at Europe’s biggest motorcycle festival: “It’s the atmosphere that draws us in, we just love the buzz of the show. It makes us feel great and that’s exactly how you want to feel on your honeymoon.
“People might think we’re crazy to have our honeymoon here, but this event sums up our lifestyle and all the things we’re passionate about as a couple. It’s the safest place to be, to let your hair down and have fun.”
But for the thousands of other bikers on site, the first full day of the 24th annual Bulldog Bash provided plenty of the usual thrills and attractions.
1000’s of bikers and music fans descended on Shakespeare County Raceway, in Warwickshire, this afternoon; for the opening ceremony of the 24th annual Bulldog Bash. Keen Bash enthusiasts queued for up to two hours to be among the first to gain access to the Long Marston site. Bash organiser Bilbo welcomed local Councillor Peter Barnes to cut the ribbon at 2pm getting proceedings underway.
Live entertainment kicked off at 5:15 pm with Aynt Skynyrd, the UK based tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd, the definitive US Southern Rock band. Followed by The Mods, affectionately referred to as “The Best 60’s tribute band in the world”, Atlanta, Georgia, based band Nashville Pussey then picked up the tempo with their special blend of Boogie Rock, Southern Metal, Punk and Psychobilly - Formed in 1996, The group’s fifth studio album, ‘From Hell To Texas, released in February 2009 on SPV Records, was awarded 9/10 in Powerplay Magazine. The first day’s music comes to a close with Hells Bells, the bikes favorite AC/DC tribute rockers who always bring the house down.
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Quotes!
“The Bulldog isn't just cool, it just about redefines the word” - American-v Magazine
“The Bulldog Bash is in a league of its own, easily ranking among the best festivals in the world, if not actually taking that crown and sticking a nitrous kit on it to see how fast it will go.” Nick Ruskell, Kerrang!
