Great Yarmouth Wheels Festival, on Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

Friday, May 24

Special cars and big commercial vehicles to star at Great Yarmouth Wheels Festival on seafront

VISITORS to Great Yarmouth seafront will enjoy the spectacle of scores of prestige, classic and bespoke cars, as well as big commercial vehicles, as part of the Great Yarmouth Wheels Festival, on Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7.

The two-day free-to-attend festival is organised by Great Yarmouth Borough Council with sponsorship from individual seafront businesses, and the Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area company.

This year’s expanded festival is set to draw families and vehicle enthusiasts alike for an action-packed weekend, featuring prestige, classic and bespoke cars, large commercial vehicles, as well as motorcycle attractions and other special activities and entertainment.

On the Saturday, an estimated 15,000 motorcyclists are set to visit the festival, arriving from 10am for On the Throttle’s Great Yarmouth Motorcycle Take Over. Then on the Sunday afternoon, Centre 81 Classic Car and Bike Rally will parade along the seafront for judging by the mayor at the Sealife Centre Gardens.

Another of the festival highlights will be a display from the National Street Rod Association of their members’ colourful vehicles. Hotrods are American cruisers which have been lovingly suped-up and customised by their owners, often at great expense.

Two further marquees will showcase cars known as lowriders – “bouncing cars” which can be raised and lowered by the driver – as well as a selection of customised vehicles from Best of Britain Modified.

Several car clubs will be displaying their special vehicles, including East Coast Pirates, which are hoping to bring about 30 cars on the Saturday and up to 60 on the Sunday. The Lotus Car Club and Norwich Classic Vehicle Club will also be in attendance.

In addition, the festival will have plenty of big commercial vehicles. East Coast Truckers will bring 10 trucks, including one open-sided vehicle which will serve as a stage for live broadcasts and entertainment from Harbour Radio.

Iconic American Trucks will be bringing at least 25 trucks, while Clive Shaw Trucking will be offering passenger rides for those who would like to experience the thrill of travelling in a large vehicle.

There will also be attractions from the world of film and TV, including movie-themed vehicles from Silverline Cars, the Blues Brothers car on the Sunday, David Hasselhoff’s car K.I.T.T from Knight Rider, plus interactive walkabout characters from Transformers, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee.

Furthermore, people will be able to visit a dealers’ village to meet local car dealers and inspect models from Desira, Pertwee and Back, and Simpsons.

The festival is brought to you by Great Yarmouth Borough Council in conjunction with the Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area, Joyland and the American Diner, On the Throttle, Fish & Grill, and other seafront businesses.

Cllr Graham Plant, chairman of the economic development committee and deputy council leader, said: “Special cars and big commercial vehicles are central to the attractions at Wheels and perfectly compliment the motorcycle fun. The festival is great for residents, visitors and the local economy.

“This year, our line-up of attractions is bigger and better than ever, so make sure you don’t miss out. I would like to thank the festival sponsors for their support. Further headline attractions will be announced over the coming weeks.”

The festival will take place from 10am to 6pm on the Saturday and 10am to 4pm on the Sunday. This year, motorcyclists planning to access and park within the festival site along the Golden Mile are asked to make a voluntary donation of £2 per bike, which will go towards the running of the festival and the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Bikers are encouraged to make their donation online in advance to get a fast lane entry sticker for parking via www.gywheelsfestival.co.uk

ENDS

Issued by:

David Wiles, Communications and Media Manager,

Great Yarmouth Borough Council

01493 846513