Classic Motorcycle Festival, Donington Park, Castle Donington, UK

The Classic Motorcycle Festival is happening this weekend Friday through Sunday August 9, 10, 11th 2013, at Donington Park race track, just south of Nottingham UK. It's the first Classic Motorcycle Festival featuring rare race bikes - all seen in one place. Over 50 racing bikes will be on display spanning 80 years of racing.

The event is organized by the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club which the largest race club in Europe staging races at the top UK race circuits for bikes built between 1945 - 1986.

Sponsored by Norton

The lead sponsor, Norton, is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Norton winning the F750 TT with a monocoque JPS Norton, ridden by Peter Williams. There's a possibility Peter will be attending to join the iconic JPS Norton in the paddock over the weekend.

Norton 961 Commandos Available to Test Ride

Throughout the three days of the Festival, Norton 961 Commandos will be available for test rides on a pre-booked basis. Visit www.nortonmotorycles.com to book or call Sean Kynnersley (UK Sales and Service Manager) on +44 (0)1332 812 119 to arrange this.

Track Day

Norton is also oragnizing track time. That means you can ride your race or road bike on this iconic MotoGP track for 8 x 20 minutes sessions for £120. Book your track time at Donington Park here.

Free Tours of the Norton Factory

Want to take of the Norton factory? You can do that too. On each of the three days of the Donington Festival, free of charge factory tours are being offered at 10 am and 2 pm catering for a maximum of 20 visitors each visit. To book a place contact [sean.kynnersley.@nortonmotorcycles.com]

The Race Action

There will be three days of spectacular racing action focusing on the 'Glorious Era's of Grand Prix Racing', especially the 60's and late 70's so expect to see Honda, Gilera and MV multi's, plus the ‟Best of British” including Manx Norton's, Matchless G50's, AJS 7Rs and much more; from an era when Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini and Phil Read dominated.

Racing includes classic Solos and sidecars from the 1960's 70's & 80's and the top Classic riders in the UK and Europe. Admission is £10 - £12 per day or £25 for the weekend. Race schedules and specifics can be found here.

More Vintage Race Bike Photos

Want more Norton vintage racing history? In 1972, the Imperial Tobacco company, through it's brand John Player, brought substantial resources to the Norton Villiers Performance Shop team, based on the Thruxton race circuit and led by former Grand Prix driver, Frank Perris, a new 'Formula 750' race circuit was born. Here are some great photos of machines derived from the series.