Thundersprint

Thundersprint
The Thundersprint Limited[1]
Founded October 8, 1997[1]
Founder Frank Melling
Key people
 Frank Melling, Carol Melling[1]
Owner Frank Melling, Carol Melling


The Thundersprint is a two-day event celebrating motorcycling held annually during the second weekend in May.[2] The event comprises track sessions with sprint races, cavalcades, a funfair and trade stands. Unusually for a motorsport event, the Thundersprint is aimed as much at families as at 'hard-core' motorbike fans.[3]

The Event

The first Thundersprint was held at Hoghton Tower, near Blackburn, and then it moved to Wigan, Southport, Manchester and eventually Northwich, Cheshire as it grew in size. The Thundersprint stayed ten years in Northwich where it was promoted and organised by motorcycle journalist Frank Melling.

According to a report commissioned by Cheshire West and Chester Council, the Thundersprint attracted 145,000 visitors and brought £7.3 million into the local economy.[4] These figures made the Thundersprint one of the largest motorcycling events in the world in terms of attendance and of significant economic importance to the area. In 2012 highlight for spectators was a display by an RAF Spitfire.[5]

At the heart of the event are the sprint races and there are classes mainly for classic motorcycles but with some more-modern bikes. The races have attracted a fantastic entry of world class stars, including six times World Champion Jim Redman, 15 times World Champion Giacomo Agostini, Sammy Miller, Jim Redman and lots of modern stars including James Toseland, Cal Crutchlow, Ryuichi Kiyonari, Chris Walker and many others. From outside the world of motorcycling, Top Gear's James May, and Olympic athlete James Cracknell have also ridden in the Thundersprint sprint races and cavalcade.[6]

The Northwich time trials took place in a small town centre car park, so the scope of the racing was somewhat limited. Even so, the spectator attendance was huge, as there was no entry cost. By 2013, the organisers found it too difficult to continue hosting a town-centre event, and the event moved to Anglesey's Mona circuit. The 2013 Mona Thundersprint was not a great success because of torrential rain and the remote location from the Midlands.

In 2014, the Thundersprint moved to Derbyshire's Darley Moor circuit, which may become the event’s permanent home. Despite heavy rain throughout the weekend, the event was a success; but the Mona and Darley Moor venues have changed the event from a unique free-entry town-centre family event (as in Northwich) to a somewhat standard pay-to-enter motorcycle race meeting.[7][8]

Notable riders at the Thundersprint

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Director info
  2. ↑ Telegraph Retrieved 2014-05-21
  3. ↑ Motorcycle-USA Retrieved 2014-05-21
  4. ↑ Talking West Cheshire Retrieved 2014-05-21
  5. ↑ Airdisplay Retrieved 2014-05-21
  6. ↑ Telegraph Retrieved 2014-05-21
  7. ↑ Chester on the web Thundersprint 2014 Retrieved 2014-05-21
  8. ↑ ACU News Retrieved 2014-05-21
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "The Thundersprint - Europe's Biggest and Best Motorcycle Festival". Retrieved 2011-05-12.
  10. ↑ "Agostini To Ride In 'Thundersprint' In The U.K. In 2008". Retrieved 2011-05-12.
  11. ↑ "The Thundersprint - Europe's Biggest and Best Motorcycle Festival". Retrieved 2011-05-12.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 "The Thundersprint". Retrieved 2011-05-12.
  13. ↑ Hudson, Paul (2010-02-14). "Champions star at Thundersprint". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 2011-05-12.

External links