RED Marley roars back into action over the Bank Holiday weekend with hundreds of classic bikes being pushed to their limits at the Great Witley hill climb.
Speed and thrills will be very much the order of the day as bikes tear up a formidable quarter mile track through wooded hillside.
The classic trial and hill climb takes place on Sunday and Monday and the event has fired the imagination with a vast array of British bikes on display as more than 100 competitors line up for some intense racing.
Organisers hope to attract at least 5,000 spectators and, if the weather stays fine, numbers could even rival the 8,000 that flocked to the event's Millennium re-launch that followed a gap of nearly 30 years.
The Red Marley hill climb is back on the calendar thanks to the efforts of the West Midlands Section of the AJS & Matchless Owners Club who carved out a new track from the now wooded hillside to create a fresh challenge.
Sunday's classic trial features more than 150 riders who will take an assortment of bikes through the rigours of a course dotted with trees, streams and all manner of obstacle. Even better for the public is that Sunday is free.
Monday sees the demands of the hill climb when the power of Britain's great motorcycle heritage is put to the test in the most demanding fashion.
Tom Cook from the AJS & Matchless Owners club, which has spent the best part of 11 months organising the event, spelt out the attraction of hill climb.
"First off the bikes are 90 per cent British and to see them compete at such a high level is something to behold," he said.
"Secondly they weren't really built to do this which makes it even more fascinating. To see somebody on a 650cc bike roaring up a hill, that you couldn't even walk up, in about 20 seconds is a bit special."
The story of Red Marley began in the 1920s when Len Vale-Onslow discovered the hill, prompting him to remark "wouldn't that make a good American-style hill climb?".
The answer was of course yes and over the years thousands of riders have competed on the course with crowds of more than 10,000 flocking to enjoy the spectacle in its 1930s and 1940s heyday.
Among the prizes was the famous Silver Helmet awarded for the fastest climb. Bert Perrigo won the first Silver Helmet in 1927 and in 1934 Len Heath on a 500 Ariel set a record of 25.8 seconds that stood for 20 years.
The Silver Helmet still exists and will be present on Monday courtesy of the Amateur Motorcycle Association that owns the award.
Last year's Silver Helmet winner was Terry Challinor with a course record of 22.2 seconds and he will be back to try and beat his previous best.
Entry to the Monday event at Walsgrove Farm, Great Witley, is £5 with proceeds going to local charities including schools and the parish church. Car parking and camping is free while U16s get in for free. Sunday is a 1pm start with Monday practice beginning at 10am and racing at noon.
For more details check the website www.redmarley.com or call Tom Cook on 01886-888803.
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