Ballington and Crosby to appear at Barry Sheene Festival of Speed

South African legend Kork Ballington and garrulous New Zealander Graeme Crosby will be special guests at the Barry Sheene Festival of Speed meting at Eastern Creek on April 11-12.

The former world champions will complete a series of parade laps over the Easter weekend, with Ballington on either his Kawasaki H1RA 500cc triple or KR250 GP bike, while the "Croz" will be aboard his 1980 Swann Series-winning Suzuki GS1000R - the same machine which guided him to that year's Formula 1 TT world title.

Croz was a popular rider in Australia during the late 1970s and early 1980s, and he last competed locally -- on a motorcycle -- in the 1983 Castrol 6-Hour when he shared an Apple computer-sponsored Honda VF750F with Mick Cole.

Croz crashed out on that day, but only after the 1982 world 500cc runner-up was involved in a massive scrap with local star Rob Phillis. He then raced touring cars in Australia for a few years before returning home permanently to sell cars and indulge in his passion for flying -- which included scaring the beejeezus out of unsuspecting people in his stunt plane.

The Rhodesian-born Ballington, now living in Queensland, was the world 250 and 350 GP champion in 1978 and 1979, with late Aussie Gregg Hansford one of his fiercest competitors.

Crosby, Ballington and the likes of Australia's 'Mr Superbike' Rob Phillis will be joined by approximately 200 riders on over 250 bikes competing in more than 25 classes ranging from pre-1950 motorcycles to 1995 models.

"The event is dedicated to preserving the memory of one of the best ambassadors of motorcycle racing, the late, great Barry Sheene," said Scott Waters from the Post Classic Racing Association of NSW, a non-profit organisation which promotes the festival.

"Barry was twice world champion and a fantastic bloke who embodied the freedom and independence that motorcycling offers."

The organisation managing Eastern Creek International Raceway, the Australian Racing Drivers Club, has welcomed the ongoing success of the Barry Sheene Festival of Speed.

"The festival is the biggest motorcycle event in NSW in terms of entries. It continues to attract a growing number of former legends and their magnificent bikes," said raceway chief executive Geoff Arnold.

"Along with Australian Muscle Car Masters in September, the Barry Sheene Festival of Speed demonstrates that there are plenty of people who want to compete in historic events - and plenty of others who like watching the former greats and their original machines getting around the track, and having a possible chance to meet them."

In addition to a packed program of racing, The Barry Sheene Festival of Speed will feature trade and club displays, Sunday's Show & Shine and a Super Motorcycle Swap Meet to be held on the raceway's skid-pan.

Tickets are $15 for Saturday, $20 for Sunday, with children under 13 free. Pensioner concession price is $10 on both days.

For more information on the meeting, click here.