Dust off your glad rags and introduce Mr P Bank to Mr B Pein because this year’s Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance at Blenheim Palace (23-24 September) features awards in two motorcycle classes (Exceptional Motorcycles and Exceptional Competition Motorcycles), an Italian birthday celebration and the launch of a new British motorcycle brand.
Early entries to the event include a trio of 1970’s Ducati SS: a fully-restored 1974 750SS ‘Green Frame’ (one of only 401 hand-built machines), a 1976 750SS by Newton Engineering and a 1975 900SS.
The awards
The jury (which includes Henry Cole, he of motorcycling TV and CEO of Gladstone Motorcycles, and Steve Parrish, renowned joker, race commentator and former GP racer) decides the Class winners and runners-up.
“Salon Privé is always an amazing event in an unbeatable location. This year’s line-up promises to be spectacular, and I can’t wait to meet the owners and builders so that we can have a good chat about their exquisite machines.” – Steve Parrish
The award for Most Spectacular Motorbike is selected by the event’s host, the Duke of Marlborough. Last year, Allen Millyard picked up this award for his very impressive Velocette MAC V-Twin (below).
The Awards Ceremony takes place on the Thursday (24 September).
To enter your own motorcycle in the event, go to https://www.salonpriveconcours.com/apply-to-enter/concours-delegance-motorbike-entrant-application/ or email SianK@salonpriveconcours.com. The Motorbike Owner’s Package is an all-inclusive experience for entrants to enjoy, with delicious luncheon, Pommery Champagne, fine wines and traditional English afternoon tea.
The birthday
MV Agusta will be making their Salon Privé debut this year. 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the legendary Italian concern founded by Count Domenico Agusta in 1945. Naturally, they will be displaying their latest models including the retro-focused Superveloce whose design, says MV, reflects their racing heritage (especially in Ago Red and Silver as shown here).
The launch
This year’s event is also playing host to the official launch of a new British manufacturer – Langen Motorcycles. The launch model has the potential to get bikers of a certain age more than a little excited as its powered by a 250cc two-stroke v-twin motor pushing out 80 bhp at 11,700 rpm. This output, combined with it’s light weight (it tips the scales at just 112 kg), translates to 670 bhp/tonne. Let that sink in. Langan say the styling is based on ’50s cafe racer culture but I’ll let you judge that for yourself. Langen is yet to formally announce pricing but figure on about 30,000 of your finest British pounds.
Axa is the event’s lead sponsor and the charity partner is the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity. You can buy tickets (priced from £295 per person per day (£147.50 for a child aged 5-16)) from the website or by calling the Ticket Hotline: 0808 100 2205. I told you the piggy bank wasn’t going to survive this didn’t I….
IMPORTANT COVID-19 NOTICES
The following notices written by the event organisers are included here for your convenience.
Salon Privé 2020 Refund Policy
This year, you can book your tickets with total confidence with the guarantee of a full refund should the event be cancelled.* On the other hand, should the Government impose maximum event guest numbers which sit above our bookings, we reserve the right to return monies on a last-in, first-out basis (*full refunds given in the event of cancellation, excludes private dining bookings).
Covid-19 Secure
Above all else, the safety and wellbeing of all who attend remains our priority and as such we will have extensive social distancing measures in place to ensure we meet COVID-19 Secure guidelines. This will vary as we approach the event, but may include:
- Temperature testing on arrival
- Isolation room and medical team on site
- One-way system across the lawns
- Multiple food points to remove queuing
- All dining areas positioned with tables 2m apart
- Multiple bars to remove queuing
- Self-service Champagne and wine on all tables
- Hand sanitiser at all guest points