Superbikes gearing up for Stafford auction

Superbikes are on the grid at an auction in Staffordshire this weekend.

Bonhams returns to the International Classic Motorcycle Show at Stafford on Sunday with one of its best-ever selections of motorcycles for auction.

Among items on sale is the Ducati 999 F03 raced by Spanish rider Reuben Xaus for the factory team in the World Superbike Championship in 2003 and by Noriyuki Haga for Renegade Racing in 2004. It is estimated to fetch £70,000 to £80,000.

Two other Ducatis previously owned by Britain's four-time World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty are expected to generate equal interest.

A third motorcycle raced by Carl Fogarty is Lot 433, the ex-Honda Britain, Isle of Man Formula 1 and Senior TT-winning 1989 Honda 750cc RC30 and is expected to sell for around £50,000 to £70,000.

The "Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles", Brough Superior is also represented in the sale, with a 1934 SS100 example estimated to sell for £120,000 to £150,000.

The most valuable of a selection of Pioneer motorcycles for sale is Lot 380, a c.1912 Indian 988cc Big Twin estimated at £20,000 to £24,000.

Other lots include a selection of memorabilia from motorcycling historian Jeff Clew.

Ben Walker, head of Bonhams motorcycles department said, "Not only is this auction one of the world's biggest sales of collectors' motorcycles, it is also one of the most diverse."

The motorcycle show runs on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 4pm.

The Bonhams auction starts at 10am on Sunday.

Visit www.bonhams.com/motorcycles to find out more about the bikes on offer.