The Carole Nash NEC Bike Show 2008 - #1

Photos from this year's NEC bike show, taken on the press-day before the event opened to the public. - A star studded display of new bikes, top riders and important racing announcements kicked off The Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter Show for its 20th visit to the Birmingham NEC. World Superbike star Ruben Xaus dropped in to unveil the awesome new BMW S1000 RR Superbike project, while manufacturers Yamaha and Kawasaki launched new racing teams in British and World Superbikes respectively. Other major marques Suzuki, Ducati and Honda uncovered radical new 2009 machines, whilst Harley-Davidson and KTM announced new, one-make race championships. Celebrity round-the-world explorer Charley Boorman made his own debut by testing out one of his most radical forms of transport to date, the Batman Batpod. Highlights of the opening day included the youngest ever GP winner Scott Redding taking on old racing stalwart James Whitham at the Show’s mini-moto circuit, with a host of other big motorcycle racing names spending the day checking out the array of other interactive features. On the racing front, Harley-Davidson’s announcement launched a revolutionary new series which will support the 2009 British Superbike Championship with race-prepared XR1200 machines adding a completely new noise to the circuits of Britain. The Isle of Man TT organisers added to today’s race news by launching the 2009 TT event with a first ever Championship series format and increased factory support from race teams. Show title sponsor Carole Nash had an incredibly busy opening day with the start of its Carole Nash Construct project which will see a custom motorcycle built from scratch during the ten-day show. This was followed by the presentations of two special machines to Charley Boorman and celebrity chefs The Hairy Bikers, plus the culmination of the motorcycle insurer’s Custom Xtreme and Britain’s Got Biking Talent awards.