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Day of Champions

A record-busting £217,000 was raised for the Riders for Health charity at this year’s Day of Champions at Donington Park. More than £90,000 of that came from the auction of items donated by MotoGP riders and other celebrities including footballer Michael Owen who sold a signed England shirt for £650 and television’s Hairy Biker chefs Dave Myers and Si King whose offer to call at a fan’s home and cater a dinner party for eight attracted a winning bid of £1800. Dave and Si also helped cooked up the bacon rolls at the start of a ride-in which three times British superbike champion Niall Mackenzie led to the circuit from the Victoria Bikers Pub in Coalville. About 200 bikers paid £50 each to be part of that including John McMaster, who rode down from his home in the Isle of Skye – a round trip of about 1000 miles. “I just like riding my bike,” he explained.
Top lots at the auction included Chris Vermeulen’s Shoei helmet which went for £1300, John Hopkins’ helmet which fetched £1800, Dani Pedrosa’s leathers (£1600) and the fuel tank cover off Nicky Hayden’s 2006 World title winning Repsol Honda which attracted a bid of £1300.
Fans paid a total of £19,050 for various Rossi goodies including paintings, a cap, hat and knee-sliders and two places to join actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman on the final leg of their Long Way Down ride through Africa together raised £22,000. Full report July issue Motor Cycle Monthly. Pictures Julie Horne.