THE Annual Classic Motorcycle Sprint -- hit by the foot and mouth outbreak in April -- has got the green light to go ahead at Hoghton Tower on Sunday, September 30.

Competitors from throughout the country will turn up at the historic home for the event -- including two eager riders from Hoghton itself.

The Sprint began 22 years ago as a vintage and classic event.

However, over the last few years modern machinery has been allowed to take part as the increasing value of vintage machines made protective owners reluctant to risk a blow up, or worse!

Competitors race against the clock up the long straight drive to Hoghton Tower, the one-eighth of a mile uphill course providing a wonderful day's motorcycling for enthusiasts and general public alike.

The fastest man up the drive in recent years has been Richard Warlow from Wigan on his 1993 Kawasaki ZZR 1100 who motored up in a time of just 7.3 seconds.

However Simon Hoyle, from Hoghton, hopes to better this on his Kawasaki Z12XR1200.