Stand sales for this year’s International Dirt Bike Show are way ahead of schedule, with manufacturing giants Honda, KTM, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Husaberg joined by new-to-the UK Spanish trials manufacturer Jotagas and Italian enduro specialist HM Moto, in committing to Europe’s largest off-road show. Major aftermarket parts and accessory distributors have also booked, as have the regular players, large and small, in the retail arena.
The success of the 2011 show clearly encouraged exhibitors to get in quick to avoid being left out, as the prime display slots were secured virtually as soon as stand space went on sale. In order to ring the changes for this year, the organiser has identified hall one as the only area from which exhibitors can retail. The idea is that this clearly defined selling area will make it a better experience for visitors and, whilst the move to one hall has reduced the retail area slightly, it is in fact only two stands lighter than in 2011. This is where the retailing heavyweights such as Fro Systems, MD Racing, Race Spec, Bikers World and Dirt Bike Express will be based.
British lubricants manufacturer Rock Oil returns to the Show this year. Both Rock and long-term Show supporter Putoline pride themselves on their grass roots support of riders in the UK and they rightly see the International Dirt Bike Show as THE place to meet and greet off-road enthusiasts of all ages and disciplines. Over on the accessories front, top names like ONE Industries joins Fox Head Europe, RaceFX, CI Sport, Apico International and Madison are back, joining a healthy showing of tyre distributors, with Slovenian manufacturer Sava making its second visit, keeping good company with Michelin, Dunlop and Golden Tyre.
For those who enjoyed the wealth of free-of-charge activities last year, the plan is to again run hall four as an activity centre, with all activities free of charge. Headlining here for the first time at the International Dirt Bike Show will be My First Honda Licence, which is always a hugely popular feature at shows.
The International Dirt Bike Show Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th November 2012, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.www.dirtbikeshow.co.uk