Grand Prix legend Kenny Roberts will make his first appearance on a British circuit for 28 years at Mallory Park this summer.

The three-times 500cc world champion from California is the star attraction at the VMCC (Vintage Motorcycle Club) Festival of 1,000 Bikes, which takes place Friday to Sunday, July 8-10.

Roberts will be riding a works Yamaha 0W60 in the Past Masters event on the Sunday.

Now 59, it will be Roberts' first public outing in this country since 1983. James Hewing, VMCC chief executive, said: "To bring Kenny back to the UK to ride a grand prix motorcylce is a huge privilege for the VMCC and something that race fans have been waiting decades to see."


Roberts last rode at Mallory Park as part of the American Trans-Atlantic challenge team and this will be a theme for the event this year with Stevie Baker, Graeme Crosby and Mick Grant among those to be confirmed.

The Yamaha Classic Racing Team (YCRT) will be making the trip from Holland to help celebrate 50 years of Yamaha racing in Europe.

With multiple world champions such as Giacomo Agostini and Phil Read already booked to ride, the festival can boast an even greater star-studded billing.

This year, the Leicestershire circuit will also be looking back to 1971 to celebrate 40 years since the epic Mallory Race of the Year showdown between Agostini and John Cooper.

More star riders are expected be announced in the coming weeks.

Over the past few years, the festival has become synonymous with the sheer variety of motorcycle sport on offer as well as the fact that everyone from track participants to spectators can mix with all the star riders in the paddock.