Classic Racing Motorcycle Club Revival Meeting - Donington Park Sat 28/Sun 29 Jun
| Published: 27th June 2008 14:58 |
Donington Park hosts a spectacular weekend of classic and post-classic motorcycle racing, classic parades/displays and celebrity guests, the likes of which have not been seen for many a long day.
The event has been organised in conjunction with the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club (CRMC), the UK's leading club catering for post-war classic and post-classic racing motorcycles, to commemorate and celebrate the re-opening of the Donington circuit for motorcycle racing in May 1977. Prior to then the circuit had been closed for nearly 40 years and its rebirth was entirely due to the tireless labours of local businessman, Tom Wheatcroft.
Jens Kroon competes in Classic RacingAs well as a host of racing the weekend features CRMC and Peter Williams parades, static motorcycle displays, racing cars and Sunday's Stars Parade which features a Who's Who of household names from the 70's and 80's riding a stunning variety of historic racing machinery. These include Graeme Crosby on the Moriwaki Kawasaki and also Steve Parrish, Charlie Williams, Stan Woods, Neil Tuxworth, Roger Marshall, Steve Tonkin, Clive Horton, Malc Wheeler, Austen Hockley, Asa Moyce, Eddie Roberts, Dave Molyneux and Dave Hallam.
A thrilling race programme includes CRMC championship events together with rounds of the 350cc, 500cc and 1300cc National series, the UEM European Vintage Cup, International Historic Racing Organisation (IHRO) and the Lansdowne Cup. As if that isn't enough to set the pulses racing, Sunday's feature Wheatcroft Trophy Race features bikes from the late 70's/early 80's era and with a prize fund of £1000 from Classic Racer magazine and a magnificent trophy donated by the Donington circuit it is guaranteed to be a ding-dong battle involving most of the very best riders that classic/post-classic racing can offer.
The meeting's huge entry includes virtually every well known name from UK classic racing and a large contingent from the Continent. Many of the foreign riders are competing in the UK round of the UEM Vintage Cup, whose events are slotted in alongside the relevant CRMC classes, and these include Hasse Gustaffson, Jens Kroon and Torben Nielsen, who have all been CRMC winners over recent seasons. Continuing the International theme, the IHRO races also incorporate several overseas riders, but it's Worksop's Lea Gourlay on Roger Winfield's exotic Paton 500 who could well be the man to catch.
Classic Sidecar ridden by Damien Perilleaux and
Nancy DetournayThe CRMC classes include sidecars, 125's, 200's, 250's, 350 twins and singles, 500's, Goldstars, Formula 750's and 1300's and there are also rounds of the Summerfield Racing 350/500 and Classic Racer Syndicate 1300 National series with their big money and prize funds. Race speeds are comparable with most modern bike classes and the top quality entry here includes 2000 MRO champion and current CRMC Racer of the Year, Lea Gourlay; Macau G.P. Winner and 4-times British Champion, Mike "Spike" Edwards; double Manx G.P. and North West 200 winner, Olie Linsdell and 2007 British 600cc Endurance champion, Jim Agombar.
There's also an excellent turn-out of sidecars, with 2007 CRMC champions, Damien Perilleux/Nancy Detournay, facing a strong challenge to their unbeaten 2008 record from some of the best crews in Britain and Europe.
The prestigious Lansdowne Cup features very original specification GP solos from the 1945 - 1963 era and despite the venerable pedigree of these machines the competition is extremely fierce, with top quality riders like Duncan Fitchett, Chris Swallow, Nick Roberts, Glen English, Vernon Glashier, Mark Sharrock, Mike Russell, Roger Ashby and Mike Attrill fighting tooth and nail for the honours.
Racing is scheduled to start at approximately 11.30am Saturday and 09.00am Sunday. Adult admission £12 each day, accompanied children under 15 free.
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