Express & Star

Former Top Gear petrolheads auction their bikes as enthusiasts rev on down to show

They may not be returning to their hit BBC show but Richard Hammond and James May were still in top gear as they turned up in Staffordshire to see a dozen of their bikes go under the hammer for more than £77,000.

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They were among thousands of petrolheads at the 35th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show.

The event was held at Staffordshire County Showground and featured a Bonhams auction. Hammond and May – who quit Top Gear following the axing of Jeremy Clarkson – had 12 of their own motorcycles in the auction. Among the eight bikes being offered by May were a 2010 Yamaha SR400 Grievous Angel by Deus Ex Machina, valued at between £8,000 and £12,000, and a 1974 Yamaha 49cc FS1-E.

Hammond put four motorbikes up for auction, including his 2010 Norton Commando 961SE. The 12 bikes made a total of £77,625, beating the expected total of £60,000.

As well as the auction there was an array of trade stands at yesterday's event. Organiser Classic Bike Shows had set up a restoration theatre, which involved TV personality Pete Thorne offering advice and demonstrations.

Buyers attend the bike auction at the showground

Nick and Tony Jefferies, former sporting stars and leading industry figures, were also special guests.

Engineer Mike Endean, from Dudley-based bike manufacturers Rob North Triples, was on one of the trade stands. The 56-year-old, of Woodsetton, Dudley, said: "You get people from all over the world coming to these kinds of things. It's nice for people with a passion for motorbikes to get together."

Apprentice bike builder Henry Rogerson, aged 21

Nurse Jenny Temple-Smith, 32. of Stafford, who has been riding bikes for four years, said: "We come every year. There's always a nice turnout."

Samuel Grief, aged 17, of Stafford, brought his 1974 Yamaha and Kreidler to display at the show. He said: "I race all over the country.

"The atmosphere at the show is always good and everyone's dead nice."

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