The Festival of Speed attracts a quarter of a million spectators over the three days and is a real treat for petrolheads worldwide. All the top teams from F1 will be present, including Briton Lewis Hamilton who won the British F1 GP last weekend in Silverstone.
In addition to the top drivers of F1, Touring Cars and the World Rally Championship, there will be a host of two wheel stars from World Superbikes, including Mick Doohan, Suzuki Alstare’s own Yukio Kagayama and former Alstare Suzuki rider Troy Corser. In fact Troy Corser’s 2005 gold bike will be on static display alongside the 2008 WSBK GSX-R1000 K8 racebike that Yukio will ride up the hill climb course on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Yukio
This will be my second year at the Festival of Speed and it is an amazing event, which has to be seen to be believed. It is not part of our calendar, but I enjoyed myself so much last year that I am happy to do it again. It is the only time race fans can get so close to all the top bikes and top cars in the world and meet the riders. The paddock is very open and everybody can get to within less then a metre of the cars and bikes. Last year was a bit wet and it was difficult doing any big wheelies going up the hill climb course, so I am hoping that this year will be dry and I can put on a display for the fans.
Although most people come to the Festival of Speed for the cars, it is surprising how interested they are in the bikes. Each year, the bike section grows and grows and this year will be fantastic for sure. I am so happy to be part of it, even though I have to wear a tuxedo for the special ball on Saturday night. I am used to wearing a race suit, not a tuxedo, but it’s fun and interesting to do something different.