Ace Cafe's Summer Shakedown

I received my June 2012 edition of Motorcycle Consumer News magazine and before I even had a chance Trobairitz was already flipping through it and reading articles out loud to me. Sure there's a Triumph Speed Triple R on the cover and model evaluation inside, but what caught her attention was a small article in MC Bulletins on page 6.

Ace Cafe's Summer Shakedown at the LeMay Museum in Tacoma, Washington August 24th to 26th.

I am sincerely hoping that some of you local moto bloggers who are unable to make the 2012IMBC will be able to make this event and join us for a weekend of rowdy moto-blogging tomfoolery and shenanigans. Of course, as always we welcome anyone else to join us too.  I'm looking for hotel rooms now.

America’s Car Museum and Ace Cafe to Debut ‘Summer Shakedown 2012”
Vintage Motorcycle Festival


Apr 2, 2012

TACOMA, Wash. (April 2, 2012) – Ladies and gentlemen, kick start your engines. “MEET AT THE ACE A Summer Shakedown” will debut August 24-26 at LeMay – America’s Car Museum (ACM) on the Haub Family Field.

The show, co-promoted by the museum and Ace Cafe London, will be one of the signature events to debut at the four-level, 165,000 square-foot Tacoma museum following its June 2 grand opening and will feature an array of vintage motorcycles and scooters including Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Indian, Lambretta, Moto Guzzi, Norton, Royal Enfield, Triumph, Vespa, and others.

“This show will exemplify America’s love affair with the motorcycle just as ACM puts a spotlight on America’s love affair with the automobile,” said David Madeira, ACM president and CEO. “I’ve been a vintage motorcycle aficionado since the ‘70s, so my focus is to create an unrivaled vintage bike show in the Pacific Northwest.”

In addition to judged classes, the event will include motorcycle-related movies, a swap meet, motorcycle demonstrations, live music and a Sunday “Ride to Rainier” overseen by the Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts Club (VME). Attendees can also enjoy panel discussions centered on the film “On Any Sunday” and a slideshow retrospective with Ace Cafe London Managing Director Mark Wilsmore.

“Our vision centers on creating a multifaceted event that draws motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the region to memorialize and celebrate motorcycle culture,” said Burt Richmond, vintage motorcycle & scooter collector and member of the ACM board of directors. “The Pacific Northwest has a vibrant motorcycle community, which puts Ace in position to become a staple of ACM for years to come. The Motorcycle Concours is open to all makes manufactured prior to 1980. This is a judged vintage motorcycle & scooter exhibition that will present awards for various classes.”

MEET AT THE ACE A Summer Shakedown is co-sponsored by Ace Cafe, a London-based transport cafe with a prominent motorcycle & scooter following, which re-opened in 1997 after originally operating from 1938 until 1969. The August event will mark the first time Ace Cafe London has produced a vintage motorcycle event in America.

Booth space is also available and can be purchased by contacting LeAna Reising, ACM sales manager (leana.reising@lemaymuseum.org; 253-683-3955 direct).

For more information, visit www.lemaymuseum.org.

ABOUT America’s Car Museum (www.lemaymuseum.org)

State Farm Presents LeMay – America’s Car Museum, set for a June 2012 opening in downtown Tacoma, Wash., explores how the automobile has fulfilled a distinctive role at the core of the American experience and shaped our society. The spacious Museum with rotating exhibits is designed to be the centerpiece for automotive history as well as an educational center and library. The campus, located adjacent to the Tacoma Dome, also contains a 3.5-acre show field, theatre, café, banquet hall and meeting facilities. To become an ACM member, volunteer or make a donation, visit www.lemaymuseum.org.

ABOUT Mark Wilsmore & Ace Cafe London (www.ace-cafe-london.com)

Injected at a young age, petrol and motorcycles flow through Mark Wilsmore’s veins in equal measure.  Early influences of revving bikes and rock n’ roll music began a lifelong love affair with the culture, clothes, music and the myths that surround them, making his knowledge and attention to detail legendary.

Time passed, as did the glory days of the British Motorcycle Industry and the rock n’ roll scene, but the dream lived on and in 1994, driven by his passion, he staged an event to mark the Ace Cafe’s closure in 1969.  12,000 people attended this first Ace Cafe Reunion, which has since been held every year, attracting over 150,000 visitors.

It was Mark’s vision that brought the iconic cafe, back from dereliction, to the point where today it is the world’s most famous and charismatic destination and pitstop for the global “petrolhead” community.  Visit www.ace-cafe-london.com.

 More Details:

“MEET AT THE ACE – A Summer Shakedown 2012”

August 24, 2012 - August 26, 2012

“MEET AT THE ACE – A Summer Shakedown 2012”
Vintage Motorcycle & Scooter Festival

Event Highlights:

• Concours Awards
• People’s Choice Awards
• Awards Ceremony
• Swap Meet
• Motorcycle-themed movies
• Motorcycle Demonstrations
• Panel discussions
• Slideshow retrospective with Ace Café’s Mark Wilsmore
• Beer garden
• Food vendors
• Live music

Dates & Schedule of Activities:
Friday, August 24th Welcome Reception, cash bar – 4-7pm
Saturday, August 25th Concours & Music Festival – 8am-10pm
Sunday, August 26th “Ride to Rainier” motorcycle ride with VME


Location: America’s Car Museum Haub Family Show Field (2702 East D Street, Tacoma, WA 98421)

Produced by: America’s Car Museum and Ace Cafe London

Vintage Motorcycles & Scooters = Open to all makes manufactured before 1980

Expected Marques: Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Indian, Lambretta, Moto Guzzi, Norton, Royal Enfield, Triumph, Vespa


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