Stafford Show's guest of honour: Christian Sarron

His time spans from the 1970s through to the 1980s, racing as a top-flight rider in Grand Prix as well as time as a team manager in 500cc GPs and in World Superbikes. So, if you want anything signed by the great man himself, you’d better get in there early!

Born in March 1955 in Clermont-Ferrand in France, Christian Sarron raced in what some describe as the golden age of motorcycling against the likes of multiple world champions Freddie Spencer and Eddie Lawson.

Known for his tremendous ability to ride in the wet and his trademark ‘lean with it’ style of riding, Sarron made his name racing 250cc GP bikes, but he was also a very successful 500cc racer, not to mention being one of the legendary French team who raced a highly tuned Yamaha TZ750 two-stroke GP bike at the 1978 Bol d’Or 24 hour endurance race, and almost won it.

He was fast on track and won the 250cc World Championship on a Yamaha TZ250 in 1984 with three race wins and eight podiums under his belt. Building on this success and experience, Sarron moved up to the premier 500cc division in 1985 and concluded his rookie season in an impressive third place. He did it again in 1989, finishing behind Eddie Lawson and Wayne Rainey.

Not only was he extremely fast in short spells, he had staying power too which he proved when he returned to endurance with his brother, Dominique, for the prestigious Bol d’Or endurance race in 1994 and rode the Yamaha YZR750 to victory.

Christian will be on stage again this afternoon at 16.00. You'll also see him in the Classic Racer GP paddock at 12.00 and 15.00.

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Saturday timetable
09.00 Show opens
10.00 Bonhams sale open for viewing *
10.15 Trials with a difference, with Tim Britton outside the Dirt Bike Hall
10.30 Owd Codgers – trials demonstration, side of the Dirt Bike Experience Hall
11.00 World Champion Christian Sarron on stage – Main Hall
11.30 Mr Showtime comes to Stafford – Steve Colley
12.00 Firing up the legends in the Classic Racer GP Paddock, with Christian Sarron signing autographs
12.30 Mr Showtime comes to Stafford – Steve Colley
13.00 Tim Britton on stage with the off-road stars in the Dirt Bike Experience Hall
13.30 Trials with a difference, with Tim Britton outside the Dirt Bike Experience Hall
14.00 Bertie Simmonds (CMM editor) and the experts question time on the stage
14.00 OWD Codgers – trials demonstration, side of the Dirt Bike Experience Hall
14.30 Mr Showtime comes to Stafford – Steve Colley
15.00 Firing up the legends in the Classic Racer GP Paddock, with Christian Sarron signing autographs
16.00 World Champion Christian Sarron on stage – Main Hall
* Bonhams catalogue needed

Sunday timetable
09.00 Show opens
09.00 Bonhams sale open for viewing *
10.00 Trials with a difference with Tim Britton outside the Dirt Bike Experience Hall
10.30 Bertie Simmonds (CMM editor) and the experts question time on the stage
10.30 Trials with a difference, with Tim Britton outside the Dirt Bike Hall
11.00 Mr Showtime comes to Stafford – Steve Colley
11.30 World Champion Christian Sarron on stage – Main Hall
12.00 Firing up the legends in the Classic Racer GP Paddock, with Christian Sarron signing autographs
13.00 Mr Showtime comes to Stafford – Steve Colley
13.30 Trials with a difference, with Tim Britton outside the Dirt Bike Hall
14.00 Bertie Simmonds (CMM editor) and the experts question time on the stage
14.00 OWD Codgers – trials demonstration, side of the Dirt Bike Experience Hall
14.30 Mr Showtime comes to Stafford – Steve Colley
15.00 Firing up the legends in the Classic Racer GP Paddock, with Christian Sarron signing autographs
16.00 Trophy presentation on stage with Christian Sarron
* Bonhams catalogue needed
Circumstances on the day may mean some of the even timings are slightly different to above so please listen for the announcements.

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