Jonathan Fry: Dance Routine Premieres at MPH ‘05

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MPH ‘05’s motoring theatre spectacular is literally going to rock the stage and the crowd as a trio of hatchback stunt drivers meet with a dancing quartet of boogying JCB diggers in what will be a world first performance.

Audiences can catch this clash of the heavyweight dancers at the NEC Birmingham from 10-13 November, and then in London’s Earls Court from 17-20 November, with ticket prices for the NEC starting at just £10.

You might think seeing a group of JCB diggers performing handstands, or weaving and circling around each other with only inches to spare is enough drama, but of course it isn’t for this year’s audience. In a world first, the internationally acclaimed JCB stunt team joins up to perform a routine with a trio of shiny new hatchbacks from carmaker Vauxhall that will be making the most unlikely UK show debuts.

As the dance reaches its climax, the JCB diggers will heave themselves off their back wheels to create a perfect wedding arch through which the team of stunt car drivers will dance with a wild combination of moves including the J-turn and antics on two wheels. As you would expect with almost forty tonnes of machinery dangling above your head, only Britain’s best stunt have been recruited to make it happen.

Choreographing the entire dance routine is Russ Swift, renowned throughout the world for performing a J-turn between two parked cars with little more than six inches between him and a crunch. Unsurprisingly, he’s the current J-turn Guinness Book Of Records holder.

Russ comments: “Rather than just cars on carpets, the crowds here will see what live motoring theatre is all about. We have travelled the world pioneering live action with cars.” With over 30 years experience Russ is a bit of an expert on these things. Probably the same reason he was chosen to ensure the stunts on the remake of the Italian Job thrilled Hollywood.

Joining him on the stage is his 25-year old son, Paul, who has been exciting crowds since the age of nine. Proof of his breathtaking skills, Paul has been crowned British Autotesting champion for the last two consecutive years. Autotesting is the international event where he regularly pulls off the trickiest manoeuvres possible on four wheels such as spin-turns, brake-turns and reverse flicks.

Of course, dancing cars and JCB diggers aren’t the only spectacle at this winter’s MPH ’05. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and Tiff Needell will be on hand for all the latest irreverent motoring banter and even more edge of the seat car theatre.

Crowds can catch their breath after all this madness, by taking a stroll around the galleries offering unrestrained access to some of the world’s finest cars including Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Lotus, Marcos, Maserati, Mercedes, Noble, Porsche, Rolls-Royce among many more.

As with all MPH events, visitors will get a first glimpse of the cars of tomorrow with Aston Martin, TVR, Alfa Romeo, Citroën, Saab and the American supercar giants Saleen all promising to host UK public debuts of exciting new models while over in the Classic Gallery, there’s one of the finest collection of super cars of yester-year. Lovers of two wheeled performance machines aren’t overlooked either, with Ducati, BMW and Honda already promising to display some stunning machines.

Further details of MPH '05 can be found at www.mphshow.co.uk.

Research Material:

MPH '05 comprises five main elements;
The MPH Theatre - Hosted by motoring icon Jeremy Clarkson and celebrity guests, 75 minutes of spine-tingling excitement, a petrol-fuelled adrenalin rush where spectators witness spectacular stunts and screaming engines, and all laced with sublime catwalk processions of the finest supercars on the planet.

The MPH Gallery - A showcase of the biggest brands in high-end motoring. For those looking to buy a prestige or performance car, MPH Gallery provides the perfect platform to get all touchy-feely with the array of dream cars on show, allowing you to compare, evaluate and even buy from the impressive line up.

The Sony Ericsson MPH Studio - Here's where you can see a superb display of cars that have just about everything up-rated for increased style and power.

The MPH Style Piazza - Relax in our stylish champagne bar surrounded by an impeccable selection of boutiques featuring some of the most famous luxury, motoring and non-motoring brands on the planet.

The Classic MPH Gallery - From the rare to the iconic, new for 2005 the gallery offers a retrospective look at the most desirable cars ever produced including the Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing, the Aston Martin DB4 and Ford GT40.

Please note that cars featured in the MPH '05 event are subject to change.

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