Honda loses race to get V5 to NEC Show

Honda’s hopes of putting the 2002 V5 race bike on display at the NEC Show have been dashed by red tape.

It had hoped to get the RC211V, which will be its four-stroke entry on next year’s GP grid, to Birmingham in time for this weekend.

Spokesman Scott Grimsdall said: ” We have tried every avenue possible, but it is unachievable. The bike would not have arrived in time even for Sunday due to flight and customs clearance issues.

” We would like to apologise to visitors for not having it there, we were all just as excited at the prospect of having it on our stand. ”

But there is a date for the machine’s first UK appearance – if you can get to the NEC between January 10 and 13 next year, you’ll see it at the Autosport Show.