Nostalgia and sunshine – Festival of 1000 Bikes (Mallory...

22 July 2013

Nostalgia and sunshine – Festival of 1000 Bikes (Mallory Park 14th July)

John Newman took a spin down to the festival of 1000 bikes at the weekend - here are his great photos

John Newman

This event organised by The Vintage Motorcycle Club (VMCC) has become an established favourite in the growing number of classic bike events that includes ex-championship racing bikes and their riders who now constitute a 'circus' around the shows and circuit parades.

Carl Fogarty chasing James Whitam

This year's VMCC programme on and off track, under blue skies and bright sunshine, attracted thousands to Mallory Park to rub shoulders with such current racing luminaries as John McGuinness, Michael Rutter and Simon Andrews. Also there were recently retired and historic champions: Jamie Whitam, Carl Fogarty, Wayne Gardiner, Phil Read, Jim Redman, Christian Sarron, Mick Grant, Neil Hodgson, and many, many more.

Christian Sarron

One of the real attractions for bike fans at this event, is being able to get up close and personal to the bikes and riders. No closed off areas here, everyone is in the same paddock and there to soak up the sights, smells and sounds of classic bikes and racers.

Foggy, Whit & Hodge

Bikes on display range from the completely immaculate to the outright scruffy, and no matter what is being ridden or displayed, everyone seems to derive the same enjoyment from taking in this elixir of motorcycling life.

Here are some of the delights that were on offer this year: