Emma Radford Memorial - Buell/EBR & Italian Motorcycle Festival

The UK Buell Enthusiasts Group first held its main event at LAHC East Kirkby in 2001. This year is the 22nd edition.

Since 2004 the event has been dedicated to the memory of Emma Jane Radford, Buell rider and UK Buell Enthusiasts Group member, who passed away 22nd April 2004, aged 26 and has raised funds for the Papworth Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Unit.

One of the regular stars of the festival was the Buell XBRR that Jeremy McWilliams last rode at the 2006 Daytona 200. This rare ex Warr's machine, now owned by Brian & Tracey, is #2 out of 56 made.

Em’s Day 2023 was held in mostly good weather. The forecasted afternoon thundery showers didn’t materialise and except for a shower around 4.00pm most of us managed to stay dry at East Kirkby. Given the rather soggy summer we’ve experienced we consider ourselves lucky the event wasn’t badly affected by rain.

As always, we would like to thank the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre for granting us permission to hold the event.

Thank you to all who attended and put on a terrific display, especially the Buell/EBR riders with 29 machines present. The 6 EBR 1190’s made for an impressive line-up. This was the largest number of EBR’s we’ve had at a UK Buell Enthusiasts Group event. We understand only 13 EBR’s were sold in the United Kingdom before the East Troy based company closed.

There was a total of 119 motorcycles at the event, including a good selection of Italian motorcycles. Ducatis and Moto Guzzis formed the majority but there were some rarer examples like Motobi, Morini, Gilera, Benelli and MV Augusta.

Thanks to the following for bringing display machines:

Paul and Carol Klatkiewicz, Ducati.

Brian and Tracey, Buell XBRR.

Gordon, Buell M2 Cyclone Drag Bike. (See video below)

Graham and Sue Hemshall, Moto Guzzi Singles.

Dave Betts, Benelli.

We would like to thank Kev Meanwell for his help and support on the day. Also, thanks to Nick Pashley for his help with publicity for the event.

And finally, thanks to Jane and Shabs for being on the gate all day.

Em’s Day 2023 raised a total of £1,240.50. Split £900.50 for LAHC and £340.00* for Emma’s Charity. See payment advice left and Emma's Charity

* With the addition of Gift Aid this value is increased to £425.00.

Chris Jessop, 14th August 2023.

Em's Day 2024 will take place on Saturday 17th August.

Buell XBRR history. Buell Motorcycles press release

18th February 2006.

GP star Jeremy McWilliams will ride a Buell XBRR limited-edition race bike at the 2006 Daytona 200 on March 11th.

Four Buell teams are set to compete in the AMA Formula Xtreme first round, with McWilliams riding for London’s Warr’s Harley-Davidson/Buell.

“We’re very proud to be spearheading the return of the Buell name to racing, and we’re confident in both the XBRR’s and Jeremy’s abilities. Daytona will be our first challenge and we’re keen to see what Jeremy can do with this new machine,” said John Warr.

Also competing for Germany’s Hannover Buell will be 2005 BMW Motorrad Power Cup rider Rico Penzkopfer, alongside Mike Cicotto for America’s Hal’s Performance Advantage Buell, and reigning Candian 650cc Sport Bike Champion Steve Crevier for Vancouver’s Trev Deeley Motorcycles.

They’ll ride the fuel-in-the-tank and oil-in-swingarm XB designed machine which has a modified 1340cc Buell Thunderstorm engine producing 150hp at 8000rpm. (See NCCR Sweden XBRR video below)

“I’m seriously excited by the prospect of seeing our first dealer teams, who have recruited top-flight riders like Jeremy McWilliams,” said Erik Buell. “The XBRR created quite a stir at our recent dealer convention and the first 50 motorcycles got bought-up on the spot!”