Total Exposure
By TMX Archives on 12th Dec 03
MORE STANDS, more bikes, more stars, more bargains and more visitors than ever before help to make the '03 Dirt Rider Expo an event not to be missed.As dbr lurched towards deadline, final figures hadn't been confirmed. MORE STANDS, more bikes, more stars, more bargains and more visitors than ever before help to make the '03 Dirt Rider Expo an event not to be missed.As dbr lurched towards deadline, final figures hadn't been confirmed. But early signs show that over four days the show attracts a whopping 23,000 visitors - up around 12 per cent on last year's total."We're delighted with the continued year-on-year growth of the show both in terms of public attendance and investment by the exhibitors," says an Expo spokesman. "It's clear to see that all the major bike manufacturers are putting more and more effort into their stands which has resulted in the best show content to date."And it isn't just the organisers who are upbeat about the show - there's no shortage of riders, team bosses and industry big-wigs queuing up to heap praise on Expo.Two-time British 125cc MX champ Stephen Sword is there, seeing out his contract with KTM before his move to Kawasaki for the new season."It's been a good show and it's great to meet all my fans, sign posters and generally do my bit for KTM before I finish my contract," reckons Swordy - a sentiment shared by Open class contender Stuart Flockhart. "The show's cool. It was packed when I got here at lunchtime. There are some good stands and it's nice to see everyone after being out for so long. I haven't been here since '01 and this time round it seems even bigger."Suzuki team boss Rob Hooper is also at the show with his riders John May and Lewis Gregory. "It's been a good show and I think everything looks very professional, top quality, perfect," is Rob's verdict. "It's important for Suzuki to attend - we're seeing lots of RM customers. It's important for the manufacturers to have their own presence here and I think that presence is reflected in the quality of the show."And the trials and enduro side of the sport is popular as well with Gas Gas UK's John Shirt Jnr reporting more interest in his range of machines than at previous shows. "So far, so good," grins Shirty. "It's definitely busier than last year - you know that everyone who comes through the door is interested in off-road and not road bikes. We're chuffed to bits. We've been here from the very first year and we're happy to keep doing it."One of the most popular bikes on display is the all-new Sherco enduro machine - and British importer Malcolm Rathmell isn't complaining. "It's the first time we've done Expo for a few years because we've had our own open day but we've had to come with the new enduro bike and I'm sure it's been well worth it. The attendance has been absolutely fantastic."So where do the organisers go from here? Well, 'onwards and upwards' seems the most likely option! "Planning for 2004 has already begun," adds the spokesman, "and we have already been approached by several other key off-road companies about them joining us so it looks like the line-up is going to get even stronger."Roll on Expo '04...