Two Wheels for Life supporters were treated to a unique experience at The Festival of Motorcycling at Mallory Park, 16-17 August, as they took to the track with MotoGP™ legend and Two Wheels for Life co-founder Randy Mamola who was reunited with his factory Suzuki RG500 which he piloted to victory at the 1980 Mallory Park Race of the Year.
Classic motorcycles ruled the track at the Festival of Motorcycling at Mallory Park on 16-17 August. Organised by Classic Bike Track Days, the event was always going to be full of beautiful classic bikes, but few of them could match the significance and nostalgia of the factory Suzuki RG500 which Randy Mamola had ridden to victory on the very same track in the Race of the Year in 1980.
Not only was the RG500 present at Mallory Park for fans to see, but Mamola used the iconic Suzuki to lead the parade lap of Two Wheels for Life’s The Big Ride participants around the track too. The parade lap concluded The Big Ride, which saw riders complete a set of exciting challenges on their ride into the festival to raise money for Two Wheels for Life, the official charity of the MotoGP™ World Championship, and co-founded by Mamola.
The Big Ride was Two Wheels for Life’s latest fundraising initiative where ticketholders could start the ride anywhere they liked, as long as they finished at the festival, having had to complete as many challenges as possible on their route.
The eclectic mix of challenges were set by some of the biggest names in motorcycling, including Isle of Man TT lap record holder Peter Hickman, Motorcycle News, and Two Wheels for Life ambassador Vanessa Ruck, known online as The Girl on a Bike. Fellow online motorcycling personalities Harvey Rides Bikes and Guy Markham also set tasks to complete, along with event partners Beeline Moto, Bike Shed, Yamaha UK and Alpinestars as well as racing legends Niall Mackenzie and Randy Mamola. The challenges covered everything from performing dares to visiting places or photographing something specific on the route.
The Big Ride and Two Wheels for Life’s fundraising activity at the festival raised over £5,000 to support programmes that ensure health care reaches the poorest and most remote communities in Africa, through the use of motorcycles.
Two Wheels for Life CEO & Co-Founder Andrea Coleman said:
“We are delighted that The Big Ride was such a success, raising vital funds for our charity work while offering such special moments to everyone at the festival, especially Randy riding his 1980 race-winning Suzuki RG500 being a particular highlight!
“A big thank you goes to all the riders who took part, the people and organisations who set the challenges, and of course our partners for the event, Bike Shed Moto Co., Yamaha Motor UK, Beeline, and Alpinestars, as well as the festival organisers Classic Bike Track Days and Mallory Park.”
* Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission (at no cost to you) if you click on the link and make a purchase. Any money made goes straight back into the website and magazine. Your support is appreciated!
