I don’t know if it’s been decided what county Donington Park is in since they 'moved' East Midlands airport to Nottinghamshire, but this day was well worth a trip across the borders. Riders for Health chivvy up lots of famous bikers for the day, to do such things as show off on the race track or auction their wares, all in the name of charity folks.

Riders for Health do what they can to get health workers and motor cross bikes themselves over to the most rural parts of Africa. They also make sure that the medicines and medical help offered actually get to where they should do.

Supporting them, as well as actually being able to get into Donnie without having to queue for a decade (anyone who’s been to a big race day there in their car will tell you that next year they’re getting a bike), was a good enough reason to get covered in dust and dirt. I watched Moto GP riders battle against Rally drivers for the best lap time in fancy dirt buggies and almost got pneumonia whilst watching the auction of some famous riders’ gear.

Anyone who’s heard of Valentino Rossi may like to know his helmet sold for £3k. When I left at 7pm (with still a good hour of it left) nearly £40k had been raised through the auction in three hours.

Other attractions included Suzi Perry and Steve Parrish swearing a lot whilst hosting a bike version of A Question of Sport (yes, she was wearing a short skirt), and a lunatic stunt couple making pretty sparks with what I think was a titanium exhaust dragged along the ground whilst the bike was vertical. Unfortunately, or so it seemed at the time, I didn’t take enough cash to get a ride on the back of a race spec sidecar bike, but someone told me that after the first lap the punters were to nod if they wanted to go faster on the second time round... and not a single one did.

Perhaps most importantly, Enduro Africa was launched, a chance in November 2006 to ride 100 donated Honda bikes across Africa to get them to the health workers who need them. If that sounds like a fun holiday to you, go to www.enduroafrica.com. Or if you just want to look cool to your kids, you can donate £2 to Riders for Health by buying a wristband.

Day of the Champions took place at Donnington Park on 21st July 2005

www.riders.org

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