The first ever dedicated motorcycle event at Shelsley Walsh is set for the beginning of July.
Shelsley Walsh holds the distinction of being the longest-standing motorsports venue to still be using its original layout.
The Worcestershire-based hillclimb is legendary in the four-wheeled world in particular, such that 2014 WorldSBK Champion Sylvain Guintoli took part in Shelsley Walsh's driving school. But the track will open up exclusively to motorcycles for the first time on 1 July 2023.
The event, named ‘Bike Bonanza’, is open to all National Hill Climb Association (NHCA) members, and also includes a road legal category allowing competitors in that section to ride up, compete, and then ride home. A part of the British Hillclimb Championship, solo riders can enter for £100, which includes an ACU membership for the day and insurance for the event.
For young riders, there is also the Junior Class for anyone ages 13-16-years-old on 1 April 2023. 80-125cc bikes are permitted in this class, and must have wheels of 10-inch or larger diameter as well as a manual gearbox.
Other classes include the Open Class, which is as the name suggests, and the Classic and Vintage Class. The ‘Vintage’ section takes care of motorcycles from the beginning of motorised two-wheelers up to the Second World War period, while ‘Classic’ covers the immediate-post-war period up to the 1970s.
The event is due to start at 9am on 1 July, and should finish around 5:30pm. It is also open to spectators with general admission costing £18 in advance and £20 on the gate. Tickets can be purchased on the Shelsley Walsh website.
Visit the NHCA website for more information on entering the event, and hillclimb in general, as well as to see the full 2023 NHCA calendar..
Lead image credit: Shelsley Walsh.
