Yukio Kagayama has added his name to the growing list of participants for this weekend's Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The event, which regularly attracts a quarter of a million people over three days, will see the world of motorsport on both two and four wheels merge together, with stars from each discipline set to descend on the West Sussex extravaganza.
Amongst the two-wheeled stars to attend, Kagayama will be joined by Mick Doohan and
Troy Corser, the latter of which will have his gold 2005 bike on display.
It is Kagayama though that will entertain the crowds with a demonstration run around the hillclimb course aboard the Suzuki GSX-R1000 K8 bike he rides in the World Superbike Championship.
The second time Kagayama has visited Goodwood, he was delighted to get the chance to go back to one of the highlights of the racing calendar – even if he his dreading wearing a tuxedo…
“This will be my second year at the Festival of Speed and it is an amazing event, which has to be seen to be believed. It is not part of our calendar, but I enjoyed myself so much last year that I am happy to do it again. It is the only time race fans can get so close to all the top bikes and top cars in the world and meet the riders.
“The paddock is very open and everybody can get to within less then a metre of the cars and bikes. Last year was a bit wet and it was difficult doing any big wheelies going up the hill climb course, so I am hoping that this year will be dry and I can put on a display for the fans.
”Although most people come to the Festival of Speed for the cars, it is surprising how interested they are in the bikes. Each year, the bike section grows and grows and this year will be fantastic for sure.
“I am so happy to be part of it, even though I have to wear a tuxedo for the special ball on Saturday night. I am used to wearing a race suit, not a tuxedo, but it's fun and interesting to do something different.”
