CELEBRITY racers and some of the most iconic race bikes from the last 50 years were the stars of the show at last weekend’s Grand National race meeting at the Castle Combe circuit.

Guy Martin, now as famous for his television exploits as for his racing, made an emotional union with one of the many bikes being demonstrated as part of the ‘Mike’s Bikes’ parade, a special tribute to the late Mike Hailwood, one of the greatest motorcycle racers of all time, including the the 1968 297cc Honda 6.

Freddie Spencer, a three-time world champion rode the later Honda NSR500 3 cylinder 2 stroke, while dozens of other bikes associated with Hailwood were also ridden by Martin’s Honda teammate, John McGuinness, a 23-time TT winner, Bruce Anstey, a multiple Superbike and TT winner and Steve Plater, another multiple TT winner.

Martin was introduced to the grandson of Mike Hailwood, also named Mike, some 60 years since the legend had his second-ever motorcycle race at Castle Combe at the age of 17.

The weekend provided a huge programme of racing action, courtesy of the ‘NG Road Racing Club’.

Sunday’s King of Combe 10-lapper saw Josh Day, on his Kawasaki ZX10R, reiterated his dominance by taking his sixth victory of the weekend.

Three-time Dan Cooper, from Stroud, was runner up on his 600cc Honda, some eight seconds behind Day.

Neil Sutton, from Odd Down, near Bath, took a class race win in the second ‘Pre Injection 1300’ race, having finished second in race one on his Yamaha R1.

Chippenham’s Nick Brown took fifth and fourth places in the pair of EDP Open 500 & Moto Mini races on his Kawasaki ZXR400 and also notched up a third and fourth overall in the combined Formula 400 races.

Melksham’s Russell Hynes took his Triumph 675 to a fourth and a third place in the Pre Injection 700cc races.