A rip-roaring cacophony of two and four-stroke motorcycles

The speed of this showcase two-wheeled, two-part race always beggars belief. With machines and riders seemingly gliding around the fast and flowing historic Motor Circuit on a magic carpet of power and precision. The name of the game is of course momentum. Staying off the brakes as much as possible, tipping the bikes into the undulating, open corners with ever greater courage. 

Named to commemorate the boisterous and exceptionally talented Mike ‘The Bike’ Hailwood MBE, along with another all-time great of motorcycle-mischief-making Barry Sheene MBE, the race is a chance to remember two much-missed titans of British motorsport. It’s all wrapped up in a celebration of raw, unfiltered joy of competitive motorcycle racing.

Whether you prefer the intoxicating, unforgettable waft of wasp-like two-strokes, or the more guttural roar of the larger, heavier 750cc four-stroke ‘big bikes’, the entire field is stacked with ferociously fast and famously fickle machines. Where carefully jetted carbs and race prepped-suspension, along with a healthy dose of bravery and god-given bike skill will make all the difference come Sunday afternoon. 

From current-day motorcycle veteran Michael Rutter on a Hadleigh Honda CB 750, to Le Mans hero Emanuele Pirro throwing his leg over a Exactweld Yamaha TZ250, there’s plenty of pace amongst the riders. They will all be competing to take the Hailwood Trophy for the overall win, or the Sheene Trophy for highest finishing four-stroke.

The 80^th Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport is live now! You can watch every second of the action right here on GRR.

Photography by Toby Whales.