New Race Week exhibition showcases over 90 years of motorcycles in Limavady
Fri, April 20, 2018
An impressive line-up of 40 vintage and classic motorcycles will go on display in Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre in Limavady during the Vauxhall International North West 200 Race Week from May 12th - May 20th.
Set against a backdrop of historic motorcycling photographs taken around Limavady, ‘90+ Years of Motorcycles in Limavady’ promises to be a must-see exhibition for all road racing enthusiasts.
Many of the machines in the display organized by Ian Foster have a connection with the Limavady area. Some have been owned by people from the town and surrounding area or were originally supplied by local motorcycle dealers including Hutchinson Brothers, Campbell Donaghy, Glendinnings and Billy Nutt.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of evening lectures including a history of the North West from Event Director Mervyn Whyte, an insight into sand racing at Magilligan and an interview with former local road racer Alie Donaldson.
The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE said: “This new exhibition is a fantastic addition to the Race Week festival, helping to showcase almost a century of the Borough’s rich road racing heritage. Council is delighted to host this exceptional collection of bikes and photographs and we look forward to welcoming a host of new visitors throughout the week. Our Museums staff have worked closely with Ian and the North West 200 organisers on this new attraction, and it will be complemented by Council’s ‘NW200: Racing through the years’ exhibition which offers another fascinating glimpse in to the story of the iconic road race.”
Amongst the bikes on display will be a 1927 Royal Enfield, a 1941 ex-military Matchless G3L, a 1960 AJS 650cc, a replica of Tommy Robb’s 1972 Honda CB750-4 race bike, and the mighty 6-cylinder 1979 Honda CBX1000. The photographs of motorcycles in and around Limavady date from 1907 and include images from the first sand races run on Magilligan strand. Other rarities include a unique collection of the 1923 Coleraine 100 which ran only once in 1923 over 20 miles of roads connecting Macosquin, Limavady and Ringsend.
“It was really serious stuff with Norton fielding a full works team and Indian factory machines taking part as well.” local enthusiast Michael Boyle said.
The free nine-day exhibition at Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre will be open on:
Saturday 12th May 1pm – 9.30pm
Sunday 13th 1- 5 pm, with a Show and Shine event in the Plaza.
Monday 14th 10am – 5 pm
Tuesday 15th 10am – 9.30pm
Wednesday 16th 10am – 9.30pm
Thursday 17th 10am – 5pm
Friday 18th May 10am – 9.30pm
Saturday 19th May 10am - 5pm
Sunday 20th May 1pm- 5 pm
For more information go to www.facebook.com/LimavadyClassics/ and www.roevalleyarts.com or email ian@netvigator.com.
Full details about the Race Week Festival are available at www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com
Launching the 90+ Years of Motorcycling in Limavady exhibition at Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre are Mervyn Whyte, NW200 Event Director, Helen Perry Museum Services Manager, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council with Michael Boyle and Ian Watson of the exhibition co-ordinating committee. PICTURE BY STEPHEN DAVISON.
John Foster's AJS Model D pictured in 1951.
Willie Hutchinson on his Triumph in Catherine Street in Limavady in 1950.
About to head off from Limavady to the NW200 in 1981.