Race Retro Reaches Seven Year High - Classic Motorbikes

This year's Race Retro reached a seven year high as just under 27,000 motorsport enthusiasts attended the three-day event held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. This was an increase of around 3,000 people from the 2009 event. Whilst the numbers were impressive, exhibitors and industry representatives commented on the quality of the visitor especially on the Friday which is the unofficial trade day.

Features such as the impressive displays of Nortons proved equally as popular as did appearances by riders Peter Williams, Phil Read MBE, Trevor Nation, Mick Grant and Steve Plater while Steve Parrish hosted the live interview stage. The Vintage Wall of Death left visitors breathless while the hundreds of traders offering parts, spares, services and motorsport memorabilia helped lighten visitors' pockets.

At the H&H Auction, motorcycles were definitely in demand with an excellent sale rate of 90 per cent was achieved; many of which comfortably exceeded their estimates. H&H have built a fine reputation for their Manx Norton prices and the £30,800 achieved for the 1954/5 30M example on offer can only have enhanced this further.

It would be hard to find a prettier lot than the 1918 Harley Davidson Model J Combination. Beautifully restored in traditional green it realised £22,000. A number of the machines entered were from The Valencia Collection, most of which sold very well. Of particular note was the very attractive 1925 Norton Model 18 that was presented in competition trim and exceeded its estimate at £15,400. The star of the eight bicycle lots, all of which sold, was the Hetchins Magnum Bonam that returned £1,540.

In the Retro and Café Racer Concours Competition, judges were hard pressed to pick a winner as the standard was so high. The eventual winners were chosen as:-

• Best Pre-1946 Race Bike - Paul Onions with his 1936 Ariel Red Hunter 'Rainbow'
• Best 1960 - 1969 Race Bike - Bob Mills and the Norton Manx
• Best 1970 to present Race Bike - Alan Finnikin and the Mk4 Seeley
• Best British Race Bike - Robert Taylor and 1971 Triumph Trident
• Best European Race Bike - Jim Blomley and the 1983 Ducati Pantail
• Best Japanese Race Bike - Garry Morgan and the 1986 Yamaha TZ250s
• Best Café Racer - Johnny Lythe and the 1961 Norton

Plans are already underway for 2011 with the organisers investigating how they can introduce live motorcycle action on Saturday and Sunday to run alongside the popular Rally Stage. The show will also return to its original timing at the end of February.

Robert Limming, Director of Live Promotions the organisers of Race Retro, said: "As the historic motorsport season continues to add more events each year, the season has crept forward and now starts earlier in the year. We have always positioned the show as the kick-off for the new season and to accommodate the needs of the industry, we have moved the show to the 25th, 26th and 27th February for the 2011 event."

To see images from the 2010 show and to receive the latest updates, visit www.raceretro.com.