April 1, 2019
Phillip McCallen announces plans to stage worlds biggest display of Joey Dunlop bikes
Phillip McCallen announces plans to stage worlds biggest display of Joey Dunlop bikes
The event, showcasing classic racing motorcycles and starring some of the top riders past and present, will be held at Bishopscourt in County Down on August 4.
Multiple North West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix winner McCallen was inspired to host a major classic bike festival in Northern Ireland following the success of similar events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Festival of Jurby on the Isle of Man.
The Portadown man says it’s all systems go for the summer spectacular after receiving the green light to press ahead with the event, and McCallen is determined to bring together the biggest collection of Joey Dunlop machines ever seen at one time.
“We’re hoping to put those bikes together in one of the greatest displays ever of Joey Dunlop bikes. Also, we hope that the bikes that are still running will also do parade laps. “I am still a very big fan of Joey Dunlop’s and I’ve already had a talk and a meeting with Gary Dunlop – who is looking after all his father’s bikes and doing all the presentations now – so Gary is coming along to support this event.”
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Providing the latest update on plans for the festival, McCallen said: “We’ve been waiting a long time for a Classic bike festival in Ireland and we’ve got them all over the world with Goodwood, Jurby on the Isle of Man, the Festival of 1000 Bikes; so everyone has got one, but we here in Northern Ireland and Ireland probably have one of the best collections of bikes in the world.
“So someone had to put an event together to get them out and I’ve teamed up with a partner and we’ve created a club to do that. “It’s so exciting that the permit has been issued and the event is now going full speed ahead. In another couple of weeks, entries and regulations will be out so if the amount of interest so far turns into entries, then we’re going to have a great field.”
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McCallen is also working behind the scenes to bring in a leading rider to be an ambassador for the festival and hopes to be able to make an announcement soon.
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“At the moment the event is going to be on August 4, but with the amount of interest we are seeing, we may change it to a two-day event when the entries come in.”
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Venue : Bishopscourt, County Down on August 4, more info here : http://www.classicbikefestireland.com