Lydden Hill Race Circuit will celebrate 60 years of the Lord of Lydden this October, as the iconic motorcycle meeting and historic Sidecar Burn Up return to Kent for a landmark anniversary weekend on 24–25 October 2026.
The event will bring together modern and classic solo bikes and sidecars across a packed weekend, alongside classic motorcycle displays, trade stands, family entertainment and live music on Saturday evening.
First staged in 1966, the Lord of Lydden has become part of the fabric of British motorcycle racing. The circuit’s motorcycling heritage runs deeper still, with competition on the original grass track dating back to 1947 and the first motorcycle road race on the tarmac circuit held in 1965.
Charlie Sanby became the first Lord of Lydden that inaugural year, beginning a roll of honour that has since included some of the biggest names in British motorcycle sport. Six-time British Superbike Champion Shane “Shakey” Byrne claimed the title in 1997, while Pat Mahoney, Tim Bourne, Tom Ward and Darren Dixon rank among the event’s multiple winners.
Dixon holds a particularly special place in Lydden history, having won on two wheels in 1984 before later taking multiple Sidecar Burn Up titles – making him the only rider known to have conquered the event on both two and three wheels.
The Surtees family also forms part of Lydden Hill’s earliest motorcycle history. Jack Surtees was a leading sidecar competitor during the circuit’s grass-track years, while his son John – the only person ever to win World Championships on both motorcycles and in Formula One – also competed at Lydden early in his career.
Introduced in 1970, the Sidecar Burn Up has developed an equally impressive pedigree. Eight-time FIM World Sidecar Champion and Isle of Man TT winner Tim Reeves has been one of the defining names of its modern era, while legendary TT competitor Dave Molyneux has also raced at the circuit.
History continues to be made at Lydden today. In 2025, Fenton Seabright set the fastest-ever solo motorcycle lap of the circuit at 40.471 seconds aboard a Suzuki 750, while Dixon’s three-wheel benchmark of 40.800 seconds, set aboard a Windle ADM 500, remains the sidecar target. Both records will therefore stand as the benchmarks heading into the anniversary weekend.
The 2026 programme spans Modern Open, Classic Open, F1/F2 Sidecars, BEARS & Classic Sidecars, Ducati Desmo, Open Endurance, CB500 Cup, Classic 2-Stroke Cup, Sportbike Cup and British Scooter Sport Organisation classes.
Lydden Hill will also host Round 7 of the 2026 British Scooter Sport Organisation Championship, alongside a wildcard 3-hour No Limits Racing endurance race. The scooter programme adds its own thread to the event’s history: former scooter racer Nev Frost went on to win the Lord of Lydden title in 1976.
To mark the milestone, the prize fund has been tripled to £6,000, and the circuit will deploy both of its unrestricted-noise days across the anniversary weekend.
Away from the racing, spectators will be able to experience the event throughout the venue: the paddock will remain open for fans to get close to the bikes, riders and crews, and the Hairy Hill Grandstand will be open all weekend. Owners of motorcycles built before 2000 are also invited to bring their machines for a special anniversary display, creating a snapshot of decades of motorcycle history — from iconic classics to much-loved road bikes and restoration projects. Live music, trade stands and family entertainment continue into Saturday evening, with camping available on site.
Hannah Bennett, Managing Director of Lydden Hill, said:
“Lord of Lydden is one of those events that has become part of Lydden Hill’s identity, so reaching its 60th anniversary is a significant achievement. We’ve had some extraordinary riders compete here over the years, and that history is a big part of what makes the event so special. This year we’re bringing together modern and classic racing, sidecars, scooters, endurance racing and our anniversary displays, while also putting up the biggest prize fund we’ve offered for the event. We’re incredibly proud to be hosting the 60th-anniversary Lord of Lydden, and hopefully it’ll be a weekend that does that history justice.”
The 2026 Lord of Lydden and Sidecar Burn Up takes place at Lydden Hill Race Circuit on 24–25 October 2026. Tickets start from £20, with weekend adult entry from £35 and free admission for children aged 13 and under.
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