Monster Energy stars lined up at Silverstone yesterday for a ‘Trackday of Legends’ as some of the biggest personalities and fastest racers on two-wheels from MotoGP™, WorldSBK, the Bennetts British Superbike Championship and the roads took to the famous British Grand Prix circuit to have a blast!
Monster Energy is a long-established partner of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship and they created the ultimate trackday, bringing together their supported athletes and VIPs for the one-of-a-kind event, which has never happened before!
The event began with an opening briefing from Bennetts British Superbike Championship Series Director Stuart Higgs, before the riders were unleashed on track for the first time together as World Championships met British Championship and the Roads.
FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team’s Josh Brookes and Peter Hickman plus Rory Skinner represented the Bennetts British Superbike Championship as they shared the track with some of the biggest global names in the sport. The incredible line-up on track included MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia and fellow VR46 Academy members Franco Morbidelli, Marco Bezzecchi, Fabio Di Giannantonio and MotoGP™ legend, Valentino Rossi.
The reigning Superbike World Champion Alvaro Bautista and teammate Nicolo Bulega were also on track with Jonathan Rea and teammate Andrea Locatelli, with the Yamaha contingent also featuring Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP duo Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins (even Yamaha Racing’s MD Lin Jarvis zipped up the leathers for a few laps)!
Road racing icons Michael Dunlop and John McGuinness also hit the track with Monster Energy athletes John Hopkins, Randy Mamola, Darryn Binder, Cal Crutchlow and even former F1 star Mark Webber.
Speaking at the event, Rossi, fresh from his Le Mans 24hr debut, said: “A great idea from Monster. It’s an amazing feeling to share the track with people like John McGuiness, John Hopkins and the guys from different championships.
“I [always] try to have some time on the bike because I don’t want to give up. I feel in quite good shape and, also, when you do a [track] day like this then you can push but still have fun because there is a bit of margin; you think ‘I’ll try the maximum, but I don’t need the Pole Position. It’s a great feeling.”
“I’m embracing the event!” added Rea while sitting in his race leathers and getting a trim in the barbershop and tattoo parlour Monster Energy set-up in the final box of pitlane. “This is so cool because I never usually get the chance to hang out with peers. I had a good chat with John McGuiness and Michael Dunlop and then sharing the track with GP guys, TT guys, BSB and my peers in Superbike in a really relaxed atmosphere is cool.”
Reigning MotoGP™ World Champion Pecco Bagnaia, commented: “It’s incredible to have this mix of riders. Also, useful! I always struggle a bit with my first laps here at Silverstone and [riding the Panigale] is completely different, but the more you ride where you have to race then it helps.”
Bennetts British Superbike Championship Series Director Stuart Higgs concluded: "The Monster Energy Trackday of Legends was a once in a lifetime event and I am proud that the MSVR BSB Organisation Team were able to be a part of, and deliver such a special event."