Thousands flock to bike show at Telford International Centre

The Classic Off Road and Road Racing Motorcycle Show took place at the International Centre in Telford on Saturday and Sunday, with up to 4,000 attending.

The event welcomed 19 times TT champion John McGuinness as its star guest, while the Ducati of seven-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi was exhibited.

McGuinness is the current Isle of Man lap record holder and was the main attraction yesterday at noon.

Sky Sports commentator Julian Ryder was also there talking about the upcoming MotoGP season, while many famous racing machines were on show.

The event also featured other forms of sporting motorcycles including sprinting, trials, scrambling, speedway, enduros and classic grass-track.

Visitors got to see about 500 machines from the 1930s to the year 2000, including many famous factory ones in their original condition.

Organisers hailed the event a success and estimated between about 3,000 and 4,000 people turned out to check out the gleaming machines.

John Wright, whose father Alan organised the event, said: "It went very well.

"I think we had the most we have ever had through. I would say we had about 3,000 and 4,000 people.

"We have held the event for about five years now in Telford."

Alan said he was delighted to bring the event to Telford and the refurbished International Centre.

"Good motorway links, value for money on site hotels and a nearby shopping centre all helped to influence the decision," he added.

Bikes on display also included Nick Grant's TT winning 1975 Kawasaki KR750, Freddie Spencer's 1982 Honda NS500 and Corky Ballington's 1981 Kawasaki KR500 – the only one in the world still working.

Other guest speakers at the show included Bryan Wade, Scott Ellis, and Sammy Miller.

The event opened at 10am on Saturday and was open until 4.30pm, and ran from 10am to 4pm on Sunday.

Tickets were priced £12 while there was no charge for children under 15.

Enthusiasts could opt to pay an extra £4 for early entry at 9am each day.