'The People’s Passion: A history of Ulster Road Racing' exhibition is currently in Belfast Central for people to enjoy.

Tracing the sport from its humble beginnings in 1902 to the exciting crowd pulling spectacle it has become today, this exhibition will run until the end of September.

It showcases collections from Libraries NI such as the Patents and Newspaper archives, featuring biking memorabilia, photographs, trophies and other objects from private collections.

The People’s Passion exhibition was launched in the library on Saturday 7th July by Ray McCullough, talented motorbike racer and one of the ‘Dromara Destroyers’. Ray was also a technician who worked with Professor Gordon Blair and Professor Robert Fleck at the Department of Mechanical Engineering in Queen’s University Belfast.

A number of riders from the Vintage Motorbike Club NI came along to the exhibition launch with their bikes, which included a Rudge 1932 Grand Prix Model which caught the eye of many in the library.

This is one of a programme of exhibitions which will highlight Libraries NI collections to a wider audience and additional motorbike themed events will be held in support of this exhibition.

On Thursday 19th July at 6.30pm, Belfast Central Library will present the launch of David Crawford’s book ‘Stanley Woods: The World’s First Motorcycle Superstar’.

This book tells the life story of Irishman Stanley Woods, winner of 29 GPs and 10 IOM TTs, racer of Norton, Cotton, Moto Guzzi, Velocette, New Imperial and Husqvarna, from the early 1920s to the late 1950s.

Biographer David Crawford uses 400 photos & illustrations, excerpts from private notes, correspondence & personal letters to tell Mr Woods' fascinating story. Copies of the book will be available for purchase on the evening, with all profits from the sale of the book being donated to NI Hospice to help towards their rebuilding fund.

A second event will take place on Thursday 16th August at 6.30pm when Belfast Central Library will host ‘Falling Off Motorcycles: A Beginner’s Guide’, an illustrated talk by Geoff Hill.

This talk will focus on two epic motorbike trips: from Delhi to Belfast on a vintage Royal Enfield, and Chile to Alaska on a Triumph, with a bonus five-minute video on riding a Triumph around Oz.

Mandy Bryson, Business Manager with Libraries NI, explains:

“Motorbike racing is such a huge part of life for many people. Our story celebrates the achievements of inspired riders and engineers – there really will be something to interest anyone who loves the sport so Libraries NI would like to invite all motorbike fans to call into Belfast Central Library and enjoy this exhibition and free programme of supporting events.’

Admission to the exhibition and associated events is free and everyone is invited to come along.

For further information, contact Belfast Central Library (Royal Avenue, BT1 1EA) on telephone no: 028 9050 9162 or email ciara.gault@librariesni.org.uk    

For details of all events being held in libraries, go to the Libraries NI website www.librariesni.org.uk