LEGENDS TO RACE | Bikesportnz

Some of the best riders on the planet – including at least two Kiwis — will converge for two days of racing at Farleigh Castle in England in two weeks’ time, there to race the vintage Motocross des Nations.

British legend David Thorpe has indicated that he would be thrilled to be a guest of honour at the event, a magnet for racers from the past, including Kiwi legend Shayne King and an MX1 star of today, New Zealand’s Josh Coppins.

“I am over there already on a business trip,”explained King, who was 500cc motocross world champion in 1996 as well as being a multi-time New Zealand and Australian motocross champion.

“It was easy for me to stay on and be at this race weekend. It’s good to mix a bit of pleasure with business now and again.

“I’ve never raced at Farleigh Castle but the place is legendary and, as a kid growing up, I used to read all the magazines with stories about the place.

“I will ride a KTM350 in the modern bike class and a 1979-model Maico bike in the vintage class. Josh (Coppins) will ride an old Maico as well, or possibly an old YZ Yamaha.

“I’ve been doing a bit of running lately, so I’m pretty fit, although, obviously, not as fit as I used to be. But I’ll be good enough to race.”

Kiwi legends King and Coppins will rub shoulders with some of Europe’s real legends.

Thorpe (pictured above) and Farleigh go together like bread and butter, just having Thorpe do the Legends Laps last year was awesome but to be able to witness Thorpe racing there again for the first time in 21 years is just unbelievable.

Thorpe has yet to decide what class he wants to ride in but one thing is for sure, spectators need to get to Farleigh early to see this historic event, on September 18-19.

It will possibly go down in vintage MX history as the greatest motocross reunion of all time.

In addition to Thorpe, guests of honour include Belgium’s Eric Geboers and Australian Jeff Leisk, with other great riders too, such as Graham Noyce, Herbert Shmitz, Mark/ Paul Karsmakers, Neil Prince, Neil Hudson, Werner De Wit, Rob Andrews, Pete Mathia and about 250 others from England, USA, Australia, Ireland, Belgium, Holland, Northern Ireland, France, Portugal, South Africa, Italy and Germany.