Hard-working scrutineers at this weekend's Donington Classic Festival, where the racing is organised by the CRMC, are checking an amazing 700 motorcycles in 25 classes as the three-day frenzy gets under way.

"We have record race entries, a record number of members in recent years, and we're going from strength to strength," CRMC chairman Mark George said, as a giant programme of 43 races and 11 parades got under way.

CRMC statistics are truly impressive at a time when some racing clubs are under strain. "We have 750 racing members who compete at least once a year," George said. "We get between 300 and 400 entries per meeting. We have just over 500 entries at this meeting."

The large number of classes in CRMC competition reflects the varied interests of members who want to compete on everything from 125s to 1300cc superbikes, from the fifties to the eighties. It means that several classes might be grouped into one race rather than each class having its own event, but members accept the financial need to maintain full grids.

Recent trends include a growing interest in production racing for machines such as the Yamaha FJ1200, FZ600, XJ600 and 350cc YPVS and LC, and the Kawasaki GPZ550 and Suzuki Katana. "We also have a resurgence of interest in the 500 GP class, for bikes such as the Manx Norron, Matchless G50 and AJS 7R," George said.

"Our members are our customers and we have to look after them. An awful lot of time and effort goes into their bikes, and we have to remember that."

George can certainly see things from the rider's point of view - he races himself, on a 1980 Ducati Pantah and a 1979/83 P & M Kawasaki GPZ1100.