"Back in Time" with the 2024 Indian Riders Fest and Budweis Custom Show
The only custom show 100% dedicated to Indian motorcycles, the 'AMD Approved' 2024 Budweis Indian Motorcycle Custom Show is slated for the 2024 Indian Riders Fest (IRF) in the Czech Republic from 13 to 16 June. After the success of the 2023 show, the organizers have achieved a lot for 2024 already.
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| 2023 winner, 'Purple Haze' by Bike Farm Melle in Germany |
However, because 'Build Approval' is important to the integrity of the event, they have had a number of builders ask if they can still enter if they just turn up for the show - having not yet been ready by the formal deadline for pre-registration.
"Absolutely, yes they can," says Event Director Jean-Marie Guyon. "It's very simple. We generally encourage all customizers to register in advance so we can approve their entry and class selection, and so they can benefit from perks like 3x full access IRF24 tickets and a 33% discount at selected IRF24 partner hotels.
"However, we want to clarify that it's still possible to participate in the BCS without prior registration. Participants who choose this route can purchase their tickets at the event's entrance.
"Once their motorcycle has been evaluated and approved for BCS24 by AMD World Championship Program Ambassador Onno Wieringa, registered BCS contenders will be refunded the total amount of their ticket purchase, directly at the event, on the basis of one ticket for each entered motorcycle."
Additional recent show news includes the addition of Indian Motorcycle Brand Ambassador and MX legend Carey Hart to the judging panel - that's in addition to Brian Klock and his wife Vanessa (of Klock Werks fame) who will be flying over from his Mitchell, South Dakota headquarters as president of the jury.
The Budweis bike show at this third edition of the event is slated to occupy one complete hall on the IRF site at Ceské Budjovice (Budweis) in the South Bohemia area of the Czech Republic.
This year, Indian Riders Fest is themed "Back in Time" and will showcase the 1970s, 80s and 90s - " a time when music fueled our freedom and life thrived without social media," says Jean-Marie. "We invite everyone to embrace the freedom of those decades, let music take us back in time and celebrate the essence of personal connections.
"IRF24 isn't just a music trip - it's an opportunity to build genuine friendships with fellow Indian Motorcycle enthusiasts, share our tales and celebrate the joy of real, face-to-face interactions. Join us to honor simpler times."
This year's Indian Riders Fest will be featuring the biggest fleet of demo bikes yet - with enthusiasts able to test ride around 20 of the latest 2024 Indian Motorcycle models. There will be exclusive guided motorcycle tours at IRF24 (pre-registration essential), and for those who have journeyed through Europe, the gates are opening early this year - on Thursday, 13th June, at 14:00.
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| Brian and Vanessa Klock |
There is a new Parade Ride Route this year, with a 40 km route fully safeguarded and endorsed by national and local police - roads are being closed specifically for the event.
There will be a full entertainment and stage program with Live Media Streaming, so riders don't ned to miss anything. Additional show features this year include the 'Talk To The Pros/Academy; live VIP interviews with interactive sessions with the likes of Indian Motorcycle Head of Design Ola Stenegärd, Brian Klock and Carey Hart; The Indian Lounge Bar; a new 'Ride-in Check-in' to optimize the arrival experience and a 'Back In Time' exhibition that celebrates the Indian Motorcycle journey from the early 20th century to date.
Plus, a chance to 'Win Big' in the Indian Riders Fest 2024 Grand Lottery with a range of great prizes headlined by the chance to win a brand new 2024 Indian Motorcycle model.
In addition to the 2023 classes, the Budweis Custom Show sees the introduction of a ClubStyle/Performance Baggers class and, to allow even more creativity, the new Freestyle class is the only category where entrants do not need to be road legal - however, competitors in all classes must be able to start and ride their builds onto the podium to accept their awards.
The seven classes are:
• Indian Scout
• Indian Chief/Non-Fairing
• Indian Motorcycle Bagger
• Indian Motorcycle Vintage
• Indian FTR/Sportbike
• Indian Motorcycle ClubStyle/Performance Bagger
• Indian Motorcycle Freestyle