NEWS FEED
With just a few weeks to go until the UK’s biggest wheels-themed family festival, organisers have announced a host of brand new attractions for 2016, including a daredevil motorcycle stunt team, international championship racing on the beach and an Italian Job-style car chase with a British seaside twist!
Now in its third year and taking place from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 June, the free-to-view Bournemouth Wheels Festival is a fully charged showcase of all things that go round and round.
Returning to the UK’s premier destination with a packed programme of driving demonstrations, displays and family attractions, highlights for Wheels 2016 include the popular Monster Truck Arena. Sponsored by festival partner, Bournemouth’s Coastal Business Improvement District (BID), and now with even more sand, this year’s arena will offer side-by-side racing and combined shows with everyone’s favourite death-defying Aussie, the Kangaroo Kid, on all three days.
Paul Clarke, chairman of Coastal BID, said: “Representing over 750 businesses along our spectacular beachfront, the Coastal BID is proud to be part of the UK’s biggest free wheels event in the South of England and to be hosting the first ever Wheels Gala Dinner in Bournemouth, welcoming BBC Top Gear’s original STIG, Perry Mcarthy, as guest speaker on the night. I am also delighted that the Coastal BID will be sponsoring the Monster Truck Arena throughout the weekend, as well as bringing supercar displays, performances from stunt teams and live music into Southbourne.”
Friend of the festival and TV precision driving ace, Paul Swift, is back again with a new show based on classic movie, The Italian Job. A sneak preview of the cleverly choreographed car chase has already achieved more than 85,000 views on social media and the actual display will even feature a police car in hot pursuit of the red, white and blue Minis!
Also new for this year is the Two Brothers Motorcycle Stunt Team, bringing a jaw-dropping show to the cliff-top Pop-Up Arenas starring professional TV and film street bike stunt riders, Ashley Mark (Ash) and Mark Van Driel (Vandal). In another Wheels debut, there are more motorcycle tricks and trials on the beach with displays from the Xtreme Stunt Team.
A major pull for motorheads will be the 2016 BXUK British Beachcross Championship – an international race series for solo and quad bike teams and riders which will take place on the golden sands next to Boscombe Pier.
Councillor Lawrence Williams, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, said: “It’s exciting to see such a wide range of new attractions for Wheels 2016. The festival is well established in Bournemouth’s event calendar and it’s wonderful that it continues to evolve and appeal to new participants and performers, many of whom are well respected in both the motor and entertainment industries.”
In a fantastic festival first and thanks to support from Bournemouth’s Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), a 42-metre big wheel comes to Bournemouth from 13 May–5 June, offering spectacular panoramic views of the resort and its breathtaking coastline.
For the latest details of what’s on, opening times and other event information, visit bournemouthwheels.co.uk, facebook.com/bournemouthwheelsfestival or twitter.com/bmthwheelsfe
