The annual Classic Dirt Bike Show at the Telford Exhibition Centre takes place this weekend.

Now established as one of the major off-road exhibitions in the UK, all the exhibits and stands are housed indoors in the huge complex apart from the autojumble, which is located outside on one of the car parks.

The show is again sponsored by Hagon Shocks who’ve been involved in off-road motorcycle sport since 1947.

The guests of Honour are the 1979 World Trials champion, American Bernie Schreiber, and former British Motocross champion Brian Goss.

Both stars will be recounting exploits of their prospective careers for the fans at an after-show luncheon on the Saturday evening. They`ll also be giving on stage interviews throughout the weekend in the main hall.

Furness, as always, will be well represented. Askam`s Darren Hudson will be promoting the Acerbis and Twin Shock Motocross Series again on the Acerbis stand, and Broughton trials guru Nigel Birkett, himself a former trials champion, will be promoting the new range of Scorpa trials machines in trade hall 2 stand B62.

So, if you are going along call over and say ‘hi’ to them.

There`s the usual club stands indoors displaying trials, scrambles, grass track and speedway machines of every marque and era, alongside the many private entries, so there’s something for everyone.

It`s certainly the event of the year for any off-road fan and well worth a visit.

I intend on giving it a visit myself again,so maybe see you there?

The huge autojumble area opens at 9am on both days, so if you are still looking for that hard-to-find part for your bike you’d be well advised to get there early.

The show opens on Saturday from 10am until 5pm and on Sunday from 10am until 4pm, with admission charges set at £16 for adults, while children under 16 are allowed in for free. There are several pay car parks nearby.

* I called in on one of my old racing pals Steve Tonkin at Carnforth recently (we shared a 250 Crooks Suzuki in a ten-lap production TT race back in the late seventies).

Since retiring from racing in 1983 with a career to be proud of (Viz:- 250cc British Champion in 1980, 1981 and 1982, a Junior TT win in 1981 and many other championships to his credit), he's built up a really successful restoration business in his hometown.

Many of his projects have been featured in magazines all over the world.

When I dropped in, he was about to set off and deliver his latest restoration project ,namely a 52-year-old 750cc 1968 Norton Atlas to a customer in Norwich.

With all the present problems with the Norton brand unfolding, it's good to see at least one enthusiast keeping the name alive.

* Great news for Furness fans visiting the Isle of Man this year.

The Jurby circuit could hear the roar of racing engines again after facing an uncertain future when the Andreas Racing club, who ran events there, ran into problems.

The Vintage Motorcycle Club, who ran the Festival of Jurby every year, attracting former TT stars from all over the globe and tens of thousands of visitors, announced they would not be using the facility either, citing rising insurance and health and safety costs.

However, the running of the track is now in the hands of the Isle of Man Department of Economic Development, who will allow the circuit to be used by any affiliated club.

I had the honour of doing a few demo laps there three years ago on an ex-Barry Sheene Suzuki. Who knows, I might get the opportunity to do it again now?

* The Furness British Motorcycle Club hold their next meeting next Tuesday, starting at 7:30pm at the Ulverston Sports and Leisure Centre on Priory Road, Ulverston.

If you own a British machine, or just have an interest in them, pop along, as new members are always welcome.

* Having had to postpone the previous two weekends due to the weather, the Furness branch of the Vintage Japanese club are hoping to hold their next ‘tiddler run’ (left) for small Japanese machines up to 250cc on Sunday.

Riders of larger capacity machines are welcome to join them, but the run will be at a leisurely pace.

If you would like to go along, meet at the Newton Arms car park in Dalton at 10am. For details, call Sam Scrogham on 01229 468644.