Show preview -ScooterExpo Alfreton | FEATURE
This Sunday will see our new joint ScooterLab/ScooterNova show arrive at the hallowed halls of Alfreton Leisure Centre, a venue steeped in scootering history. Home of the iconic NSRA Trade & Custom shows from 1989-1991. And have we got a great line up for you?!
We’d like to thank our sponsors for showing faith in us, Lexham Insurance (check out their stand for a chance to win a year’s free insurance) and Putoline Lubricants (visit their stand to get all your questions about oils, ethanol protectors and octane boosters answered). Of course, we’d also like to thank all the other exhibitors and traders for jumping on board. We’d also like to thank all the showgoers who have helped to create a buzz about the event before it has even happened. We hope you all come along and have a great day out.
Here’s all the pre-show info you should need…
Glyn Dove’s Pseudo Satisfaction and Nick Jolly’s Hall of Fame were at Alfreton in 1991. When was the last time you saw either of these scooters out and about? Both have been dusted off just for this show.
Who’s who?
Our entry list reads like a who’s who of scootering past, present and future. We’ve got entries that have hardly been seen since 1991, owners have been busy recommissioning them especially for this brand new show. Glyn Dove was one of the first entries we received, he’ll be riding Psuedo Satisfaction up from Essex with Stef Hall on the first-ever scooter to feature on SLUK – Aquaracer. Nick Jolly was another original 1991 Alfreton entrant, his Hall of Fame GP is also coming back for ScooterExpo and Nick wasn’t far behind Glyn on the entry list.
Controversial corner
We’ve also got a few other remastered custom scooters that were at Alfreton back in the day and have since been revamped to their former glory. There’s also the odd tribute scooter and maybe you’ll get to see one of the most controversial custom scooters of all time.
Trio of ex-Howlett scooters?
There’s a varied selection of classic scooters, as well as customs so if you’re into classic or custom geared scooters this is the place to be. We have 100 scooters entered and a reserve list to help fill the places of any that can’t make it. Llandudno claimed at least one of our ridden custom entrants (Psychological Damage) and the paint is still being applied to another iconic Jeremy Howlett custom Lambretta as you read this, so there may well be a couple of last-minute changes to the programme on the day.
100 winners
We wanted this show to be prestigious and all the mobile artwork on display has been carefully selected from the list of entries we received. This gives a broad and varied selection of great machines. It’s not a custom show with dozens of trophies, our Alfreton 100 are already winners in their own right. We want the public and fellow exhibitors to come along and appreciate them for what they are. We don’t want to let a couple of Scooterists judge a whole show but we do want to award a few simple trophies so we’re asking you, the showgoers to vote for your favourite Vespa and Lambretta.
Win a carbon crash helmet from VE
You’ll receive one voting slip with your programme when you enter the show. Simply fill it in and post it in the box on the Lexham Insurance stand in the Bowling Hall – Hall 1.
You’ll automatically be entered into a free raffle (one vote per person). One of you will win a carbon fibre NZI helmet courtesy of VE UK when we award the trophies at 15:30.
Exhibitor’s choice
Our exhibitors will also be choosing their favourite Custom Vespa/Custom Lambretta/Classic Vespa/Classic Lambretta.
Traders and special offers
Our traders have also been carefully picked to give a good selection of the latest parts, equipment, spares and accessories for classic scooters. If you want to see the latest engines from Casa Performance, Gran Turismo Performance, Pinasco, Malossi and Targa then you’ll find them here – along with people who can tell you all about them, the options, pricing and availability. People like Charlie Edmonds, John Balcomb, Disco Dez, Norrie & Rob Kerr.
Show offers
There will be special show offers on the day (or before for pre-orders) at many of the dealers, see our ScooterExpo website for full details. For instance, Scooter Restorations are offering 15% discount for all orders placed before the show for collection on the day.
Swiss Tony is offering a free T-shirt on orders over £100. He will be selling mainly NOs and genuine parts, from light switches to more mechanical pieces. So if only original will do on your scooter, and repro ain’t your thing then Swiss Tony is your man. He will also have a couple of restored Lui Lambrettas and a Model C for those after a new ride.
VE are offering 10% off all parts at the show (except for crankcases – you’ll get 5% off those). If you spend over £50 with them they’ll also enter you into a free draw to win a VE Actif exhaust. You can also check out the latest Malossi (and Pinasco) casings on their stand.
There will be show offers at other stalls as well. For instance, Disco Dez Scooters will be offering 25% off the future labour prices for fitting any Gran Turismo parts that were bought at the show. Shawfire Scooter Spares are offering a free beanie hat or neck warmer if you spend £150 with them, a free t-shirt if you spend £300 and a free hoodie if you spend £500 or more with them. You can get in touch with them and order parts in advance.
Dave Webster’s Lambretta
If you visit the Midland Scooter Centre stand they’ll be able to show you around the latest Vespa GTS SuperTech and may well have some offers on genuine Piaggio accessories but you can also have a good look at Dave Webster’s old racer. His Lambretta was resprayed by Racepaint UK and rebuilt by Malc Anderson shortly after Dave Webster passed away, you can chat to Dave’s son, Andrew on the stand.
Cambridge Lambretta and Charlie Edmonds
Cambridge Lambretta are renowned for their work with Lambretta.it products (Targa Twin, Imola and the Monza family of performance kits, Targa suspension, and more). They also work with tuning maestro and BSSO multi-champion Charlie Edmonds of Performance Tuning. Not only does Charlie fettle the kits and engines to their optimum level of performance, but under the PT name he takes things a step further and Cambridge Lambretta have some of the results to show at ScooterExpo. These include off-the-shelf Super Monza kits and a brand new PT box pipe based on a complete reworked Gori!
SLUK Plastics
Our very own cool plastics man, Nigel will be manning the SLUK stall. If you want to have a good close up look at some of the 50 plastic products we produce now is your chance. You can save yourself the postage and take it away with you. Nigel (posing above on his Scootacar) will also be razzing around the halls on his electric bar stool, ask him nicely and he may let you have a go.
We’ll also have some of our latest SLUK T-shirts on the stall, free stickers and some of our older t-shirt designs will be on offer at just £6 each.
Hall 1 traders
K2 Custom Classics
Scooter Roller
Putoline Lubricants
Lexham Insurance
Dave Dickinson – live airbrushing
Corky’s seats – live stitching
Swiss Tony’s
Scooter Products
ScooterNova Magazine
SLUK Plastics & merch
Vintage Vespa Club
Outside – Lambretta finder
Hall 2 traders
Just Lambretta
Crusader Promotions
Slacker – live pinstriping
Shawfire Lambretta
Midland Scooter Centre
VE (UK)
JB Tuning
Cambridge Lambretta
Disco Dez
Scooter Restorations
Vespa Club of Britain
Lambretta Club of Great Britain
Pre-order your parts
If there’s anything special you want any of these traders to bring up for you just get in touch with them before the weekend. Even if they’ve not advertised any offers you may get a special ScooterExpo deal.
ScooterExpo merchandise
Crusader Promotions are the official BSRA patch and t-shirt printers on the rallies and they’re also printing our official ScooterExpo t-shirts and patches, they’ll be selling them for us on Sunday. There’s only a limited amount of these available so if you’re an avid collector be sure to visit Daz’s stall early on in Hall 2. Daz will also have some special offers on his older t-shirt designs – £6 each or two for £10.
Craft corners – Live demos
Dave Dickinson of DDK Airbrushing will be demonstrating his considerable talents with live airbrushing. During the day he’ll be painting the next cover of ScooterNova Magazine.
Master leather craftsman, Corky will also be demonstrating his skills with leather by finishing off some custom seats during the day.
Slacker the Pinstriper will also be hand painting panels whilst you wait. If you want to go home with some fresh artwork book in early to avoid disappointment.
Unsurprisingly, all three artists and craftsmen will have various scooters worked on by them entered in the show as well.
Legends room
We have three guest speakers in our intimate Legends room starting from 11 am. Legendary former scooter racer, Norrie Kerr will be telling a few stories and answering questions. He’ll be followed by Sticky who will be chatting about what he’s currently up to and will give an insight into how SLUK came about. He’ll be followed by long-distance Vespa rider, Peter Green. Peter (replacing Chuck Swonnell – get well soon mate) is just back from a 17,000 mile, 48 country ride and will be telling tales of the trip which included having to buy and fit a new engine halfway through it. We’ll also have a full SLUK feature on the trip in the next few weeks. Norrie will be on hand with Peter as well. All three guests can tell a tale or two so try and pay them a visit.
Programme of events
10 am – Doors open
11 am – Norrie Kerr speaking in the conference room adjacent to Hall 1
12:30 – Sticky speaking in the conference room adjacent to Hall 1
1:30 pm – Acoustic guitarist Liam Wright performing in the chill-out area between halls 1&2
2 pm – Peter Green speaking with Norrie in the conference room adjacent to Hall 1
2:45 pm -Liam Wright performing his final set in the chill-out area between halls 1&2
3.30pm – Trophies and raffle prizes presented in Hall 1
4 pm – Goodbye
Chill out area
The weather forecast is looking good so far and we have a nice grassy chill-out area where you can get some shade, lounge on our vintage deck chairs and listen to a bit of live music from a local acoustic guitarist. He’ll be performing two sets for you in the area between the two exhibition halls. You’ll also be able to enjoy a nice cold beer (or soft drink from the pop-up bar in the alcove of Hall 2. Or enjoy some very tasty street food courtesy of ‘Erik the Viking’ out on the car park.
Getting there
Getting to Alfreton is simple, it’s off J28 of the M1 and half a mile from the Alfreton turn off of the A38. The postcode is DE55 7BD.
Parking
We have use of the Leisure Centre car park. It’s free to park (pay & display won’t apply on Sunday). We expect the car park to get full though so please park considerately. There are other car parks within 5-minute’s walk of the show, please use those if need be and don’t park illegally/block driveways/roads or cause a nuisance.
Opening times
ScooterExpo opens at 10 am on Sunday 28th July and closes at 4 pm.
Prices
It’s £5 on the door (no concessions), under 16-year-olds are free.
Saturday night
We’ve deliberately not put an evening do on but there are a few pubs in Alfreton. If you’re in town on Saturday night we suggest meeting in Wetherspoons.
Camping
A local soul and Motown do have offered camping for just £3 on Saturday. It’s three miles from Alfreton and if you want to go to the do as well that’s £3 on the door (see flyer above).
Visit our SLUK Shop either online or at ScooterExpo
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if parking is limited at the event, can we assume that ridden scooters will take priority ?, I don’t fancy leaving my scooter too far away “its tatty but I love it”
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There will be plenty of scooter parking by the venue, scooters always take priority 🙂
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thanks for the reply, I usually ride something that most people would avoid anyway but thought I would check if I needed a chain and lock with me.
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i dont get why someone turning up on a “tatty” scooter would get preference over someone who chooses a different means of transport just because they might want to take their family , or buy goods from the dealers at the show
ive spent over £8.5 k with one particular exhibitor , and just spent £500 with another this friday . i will be buying other parts on sunday too
it would be great to go on my scooter or even to have shown it but sadly several components have failed in less than 300 miles some of them from those advertising on this site . but nice to know ill be treated like a second class citizen because of it !
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The only preferential treatment scooters got was a small taped off area of the car park. As you know, a scooter is easy enough to steal and I’m sure if you had been coming on yours you’d have prefered it to have been parked with others near the venue, rather than further away or in town. The dire weather meant we had a lot more cars arriving than planned but we did our best to park them.