VMCC Festival Of 1000 Bikes 2009
 Thousands of enthusiasts descended on Mallory Park for the weekend of 10/11/12 July to witness what has become the best “live action” Classic Motorcycling event in the UK. Not only did this year’s sold out event attract the most Star riders of any event in Europe but the 1100 enthusiasts who rode in the “public” track sessions were stars in their own right having signed up for appearances on the 1.35 mile track on both the Saturday and Sunday. With the famous Ace Cafe providing their “Rock N Roll” stage in the big entertainment marquee which included DJs and live bands each night and a massive firework display provided by Norton it certainly made for a packed weekend.
Saturday’s weather provided some showers with all but 5 of the 27 track sessions for road machines being dry & which saw almost 1000 machines on the track through the course of the day. Hosted by the Taverners Section of the VMCC Saturday also saw over 50 entrants in the pre-65 Trial that took place in the wooded area adjacent to Gerards Bend.
The superb sunny day on Sunday brought record crowds through the gates who witnessed another 1000 machines out for the 23 Track sessions for racing machinery. Indeed, roads around Mallory came to a standstill as traffic queued for more than an hour to get into the public car park. The record crowds know that there is always so much happening on Sunday including 2 sessions of Sprinting on the circuit start/finish straight & a highly competitive Grass Track which saw over 30 entrants on both solos & outfits.
Also on Sunday The Past Masters demonstrated to us that they have lost none of their style and their élan. Some iconic machines from the past wafted stylishly around the circuit piloted by some iconic names including Phil Read, Mick Grant, Sammy Miller, Charlie Williams & Jim Redman.
An electrifying display of speed and skill came from the National Motorcycle Museum ‘team’ of Norton Rotaries under the watchful eye of their creator Brian Crighton. The huge crowd watched as the four National Motorcycle Museum machines howled around the circuit lead by the new Works Norton NRV 588 in the hands of works development rider Lee Dickinson.
The highlight for many was when Carl Fogarty took to the track on a Ducati 996 which was a perfect replica of the machine that took him to 4 World Superbike Championships. With Foggy riding at Mallory for the first time in 18 years he was certainly turning back the clock & bringing the crowds to their feet as he left black marks on the tarmac as he spun up the rear wheel exiting some corners! Foggy said “I have not ridden that fast or had my knee down since I retired”.
The Festival of 1000 Bikes gives 3 awards every year for best post war machine, best Pre war machine and best Club stand from within the massive 50 strong Ave of Clubs. The 2009 award for best Club Stand was won by The Harley Davidson Riders Club.
The “1000 bikes” weekend offers EVERY lover of old motorcycles the opportunity to participate at some level- and if not participating, there is something to appeal to the broadest range of “classic tastes”. That’s why the VMCC Festival of 1000 Bikes is supported by some of the biggest names in the old bike movement including Footman James Insurance Brokers, Bonhams Auctioneers, Mortons Motorcycle Media, The Ace Cafe, the National Motorcycle Museum & corporate partner Eriks UK.
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