SOME of motorcycling’s top names will appear alongside an action-packed programme of club racing at the Castle Combe Circuit Grand National on June 21-22.

The highlight will be the display of the Hondas of motorcycling legend Mike Hailwood, with TT legend John McGuinness fulfilling a long-standing ambition to ride the Honda owned 296cc ex-Hailwood six-cylinder bike.

Joining McGuinness during the special parade on the Sunday will be ex-GP racer and BBC television commentator Steve Parrish who will be riding the 500cc Honda for the first time.

John Guest Speedfit are joint headline sponsors of the two-day meeting, joining Fowlers Motorcycles and Motorcycle Direct Insurance. They are now supporting Newcastle JG Speedfit Racing Kawasaki rider Joe Burns in the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship, who will be one of the stars competing for the big prize fund in the King of Castle Combe Trophy Race.

Returning to the popular two-day format, Castle Combe's only motorcycle meeting of the year promises something really special.

Run by the NG Road Racing Club, the packed race schedule features the British Historic Championship after a two-year break.

The classic theme is continued with the Classic and Specials Parade, run in association with the TT Riders Association.

Castle Combe’s motorcycling co-ordinator, Rodney Gooch, said: “This is a fantastic coup and we are very grateful to both Neil Tuxworth, of Honda Racing, for agreeing to provide the bike for John to ride and also to Ron Mullen, the owner of the 500cc Four.

“Having seen Hailwood ride both bikes back in the 1960s, seeing those same bikes here at Castle Combe Circuit will be a major highlight in my long involvement with the circuit.’’ Practice, qualifying and racing will take place over both days.

See castlecombecircuit.co.uk or for riders wishing to enter contact the NG Road Racing Club at ngroadracing.org or contact Gooch on 01249 7825417 or rodney@castlecombecircuit.co.uk.

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