They came, they saw, they rode at the MCN Festival
Ex-500 Grand Prix champion Kevin Schwantz flew in to join the fun and lead Team USA in a tribute to the Transatlantic Trophy races of the 1970s and '80s. Pitting the best of British talent against top American racers in a dirt track race around Peterborough speedway, the ultimate winners were team GB, with 226 points after four rounds, just ahead of the USA's total of 220.
Visitors could get involved too, with hundreds taking test rides on the latest bikes from manufacturers as diverse as CCM, Harley-Davidson, Indian, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory and Yamaha. And an extreme wheelie machine, to give bikers a taste of life on one wheel. There was also an opportunity for a blast from the past, thanks to a selection of classic machines from the National Motorcycle Museum's extensive collection, available to ride around a closed course.
For those tempted to try off road riding, there was an adventure bike skills course and the AMCA off-road experience, where novice riders had a go at motocross in a safe environment.
There was action galore for spectators, with thrills and spills in the MotoXchange Extreme Enduro sprint, DTRA dirt track racing, demonstration runs by the National Sprint Association and daily Classic Bike parades courtesy of the Brackley Festival of Motorcycling. Meanwhile, in the Festival Hall, there was a live custom bike build by Hawg Haven, a display of historic Harley-Davidsons dating back to 1912, from the Warr's Museum, and a bevy of bikes on show by the Ace Café.
Plus 20 club stands, a fun fair and huge retail zone, with more than a hundred stands to browse.
For details of this spectacular event visit www.mcnfestival.com.