Bikes join the champagne set

Classic and historic bikes ranging from TT racers to ‘Steve McQueen machines’ will come under the scrutiny of the rich and famous next week when they form part of the UK’s premier Concours d’Elegance competition – Salon Prive.

With ticket prices starting at £175 and a guest list regularly including the likes of Rod Stewart, Chris Evans and Jodie Kidd, the focussed Salon Prive is generally regarded as the poshest, most exclusive UK classic car event of the season, comparable to Pebble Beach in the US. And the event has now grown to include a Concours d’Elegance for motorcycles. One of the judges will be MCN Editor Marc Potter.

This year the event has relocated to Syon Park near Richmond, London home of the Duke of Northumberland, and takes place between Wednesday June 22 and Friday June 24.

The theme for 2011 is ‘100 years of the Spirit of Ecstasy’ which celebrates 100 years of Rolls-Royce with a number of classic Rollers from the ‘20s and ‘30s. In addition there are categories for historic Grand Prix cars, Ferrari’s 250 and, this year, ’10 decades of Isle of Man TT bikes’, which includes everything from Manx Nortons right up to John McGuiness’s 2009 Fireblade and ‘Bikes from the Steve McQueen Era’, which includes a genuine 1966 Metisse, Indian Scout and Husqvarna 400.

Ticket prices to the exclusive event start at £175, which includes a lobster lunch, champagne and afternoon tea! And if you act fast you can now get 10 per cent off the price of tickets.

For more details go to www.salonprivelondon.com