First ever Burnout takes place in the grounds of Norton factory
Flat-out in the garden at the home of Norton at inaugural event
Shrieking classics, chatty legends, beers on the veranda, sideways racers – and peacocks. The inaugural Burnout at the weekend was unlike any other summer event.
Held in Donington Hall’s grounds, home of Norton Motorcycles, the event brought quick-fire action and intriguing parades to the venue’s stately calm. Big-name riders including James Hillier, Keith Amor, Richard Cooper, plus Norton’s TT riders John McGuinness and Josh Brookes, competed on supermoto bikes on a narrow, twisty, treelined 0.7-mile circuit. 1990 British Champion and ex-JPS Norton racer Trevor Nation also got in the thick of it. Though most racing was a superpole-style knockout, the two-wheel drifts, frantic riding and head-to-head showdowns supplied a real alternative to ‘regular’ racing. And with smallbore two-strokes, lunging four-stroke thudders and rider ages from 15 to 59-year-old Nation, it was a real mixed bag. Hard-charging Davey Todd tasted winner’s bubbly both days.
Fans had access around the lap and in places could stand on the tarmac’s edge. With straw bales for protection, the Burnout had an old-school feel, especially with fans freely able to chat with pro riders in the paddock. Display bikes ranged from veteran thumpers to modern sportsbikes, which took to the track between races including Nation on the Norton racers. The day was the idea of Norton owner Stuart Garner, who also lives at Donington Hall. “We found an old
‘It’s a bit like Goodwood, but in a relaxed way’ STUART GARNER, ORGANISER
track in the grounds, and realised if we cleared it out we could make a circuit. We scratched it out and had a go with the staff last year. We had so much fun we had to do it. We can get people close because it’s relatively low speed, but you still get the sense of speed. He added: “It’s got that oldfashioned magic with close racing and you can see the boys in the open pit. It’s like Goodwood for bikes, but in a smaller, homelier, more relaxed way.” The first Burnout was low key, but Garner knows where improvements can be made and he’s already committed to a bigger, better Burnout 2 next year. Get it on your calendar.