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| Group shot of the Metzeler weekend group! |
A few months ago Metzeler sent us an email inviting us to a VIP event, with no more information other than a 'please hold the date' - such teases. A few months of back and forth emails trying to tease out some more information the 'final plan' was released a week before the event.
Metzeler invited us to join them and James Hillier at the FIM Speedway British Grand Prix with all the trimmings! We've been to a few speedway events before but nothing of this scale and certainly not with the pleasure of meeting an IOM TT Racer in the flesh! @Birotar_Jonjo was gleaming with joy with one question on his mind - 'James, please tell me how to not crash a Ninja!'
So that was Saturday planned, on Sunday they organised an EPIC ride through what was promised to be some fabulous scenery. They also mentioned there would be some other surprises along the way but we'd have to wait to see what these entailed.
Saturday 22nd June 2017.
With an alarm ringing at 7AM and a meet-up point set (McDonalds at 8AM) it was time for us to convene for our usual pre-trip B-conference (with breakfast) before our 160-something mile ride to the rendezvous point.
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| @Birotar_Jonjo's R1200GS & @Birotar_Max's GSXR1000 chilling for breakfast |
The weather forecast wasn’t certain but it did say 40-60% chance of heavy rain, basically it was going to rain, it is the UK after all. A uneventful ‘cruise’ round the M25 and across the M4 saw us approaching Wales. Have you ever crossed the Severn bridge? It’s quite spectacular.
We arrived at the meeting point on time (for a change) to meet Simon, Barry and Jim from Metzeler, shortly after the others from the social media world arrived. Great to finally put some faces to names after months and in some cases years exchanging comments, likes and stories across social media.
We had a short ride to the hotel and just enough time to
freshen up and prepare for the evening’s entertainment, the FIM Speedway GP
held at the Principality stadium – Cardiff. It was at the Hotel Metzeler rider
and TT extraordinaire, James Hillier joined the group. Previously our experience of
Speedway is about 300 people, a tin shed and some ropey old tractor to re-level
the track. Well, we were in for a real treat because the 2016 GP hosted some
60,000 spectators and this year was to be no different.
We had a half hour taxi ride with Jim (Metzeler UK Boss) and James
to enjoy before the entertainment kicked off. It’s always a bit strange at
first... rubbing shoulders (literally) with a professional racer and proclaiming
you can’t find the hole (the seat belt – come on now!) but we all got on well.
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| The Streets of Cardiff as we entered the Stadium. |
The streets of Cardiff were alive with air horns, flags and
people having a great time. From that point on the atmosphere was set and it
was clear this event was attracting a huge crowd.
Pleasantries out the way it was time to take our seats with a great view of the whole circuit, in particular we were sat on the start/finish line. The build-up was incredible – fireworks, fire, flames, fire breathers, music, you get the idea. It was a show before the show.
Earlier on we mentioned Metzeler would provide all the trimmings, here we found out that meant a VIP package including drinks and a three course meal, nice!
Pleasantries out the way it was time to take our seats with a great view of the whole circuit, in particular we were sat on the start/finish line. The build-up was incredible – fireworks, fire, flames, fire breathers, music, you get the idea. It was a show before the show.
If you’ve not seen Speedway before it’s basically four people on motorbikes with no brakes that race/drift around an oval circuit. It’s so simple yet so addictive, the skill needed to hustle these lightweight machines around is incredible. The smell, is something that will stick in your memory. The 500cc single gear bikes run on pure methanol and vegetable based oil, the smell is addictive, as is the noise!
The format of the Speedway means you get a good couple of
hours racing. Sixteen riders take part in each Grand Prix and over the course
of twenty heats each rider will race against every other rider once. The top
eight scorers advance to a semi-final and from each semi-final the 1st and 2nd
placed riders will advance to the GP final.
The evening concluded with a huge firework show, the crowd
had been fully immersed from start to finish. After a few (more) beers it was
time to head back to the hotel. Once again we were with Jim and James, now this
taxi ride is something we really wish we could have got on camera although we don’t
think it’s something we could have gone live with…pure comedy, a reminder that
even the most professional of riders/businessmen are just normal (and very
funny) people. If you ever get to meet
James, ask him if there’s a McDonalds in the Punjab, guaranteed it’ll bring a
smile.
To conclude Saturday we all shared a drink or two at the
hotel before calling it a night at some time past midnight.
Sunday 23rd July.
Metzeler had put us up in a very nice hotel and it would be rude not to take advantage of this, with the alarms ringing early and being told we had to be ready to ride at 10am we made sure we had enough time for a morning swim and sauna, got to keep fit and healthy, right? Not wanting to be too healthy we enjoyed a nice cooked breakfast knowing the weather wasn’t going to be on our side today.
With everyone suited up and ready to ride the heavy rain continued, no problem though we’re used to riding in any weather. To follow was some amazing Welsh roads with stunning views. The rain had eased off by now to all but a drizzle so we all stopped off for an ice cream and to enjoy the views. It was at this point we managed to get a few words from James on camera after the wild sheep had stopped playing chicken with the passing cars!
Metzeler had put us up in a very nice hotel and it would be rude not to take advantage of this, with the alarms ringing early and being told we had to be ready to ride at 10am we made sure we had enough time for a morning swim and sauna, got to keep fit and healthy, right? Not wanting to be too healthy we enjoyed a nice cooked breakfast knowing the weather wasn’t going to be on our side today.
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| James Hillier's Kawasaki Z1000S fitted with Metzeler Road Tech 01s |
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| Interview with Jame Hillier! Coming soon |
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| Welsh Sheep |
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| James Hillier's AGV! |
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| Bthou playing silly buggers and the GS coming to the rescue! |
Anyway, we made it home safe and sound in the end after what
was an amazing weekend.
Being side-by-side with tyre industry professionals and world class racer James Hillier opened our eyes to the true science that goes into tyre production and development. We're not experts because of it but we've certainly discovered that the knowledge and experience in Metzeler/Pirelli is what makes their tyres market leaders. We highly recommend you take the time to find out more about Metzeler & Pirelli tyres when you're next due to change your tyres. You will not be disappointed! And if you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with us - we'd be happy to help.
We’d like to thank Metzeler for inviting us, providing the hospitality, guiding us around some amazing roads and providing some great laughs along the way!
Being side-by-side with tyre industry professionals and world class racer James Hillier opened our eyes to the true science that goes into tyre production and development. We're not experts because of it but we've certainly discovered that the knowledge and experience in Metzeler/Pirelli is what makes their tyres market leaders. We highly recommend you take the time to find out more about Metzeler & Pirelli tyres when you're next due to change your tyres. You will not be disappointed! And if you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with us - we'd be happy to help.
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| Metzeler Road Tech 01 Rear Tyre |
We’d like to thank Metzeler for inviting us, providing the hospitality, guiding us around some amazing roads and providing some great laughs along the way!
