MOTORCYCLE legend Randy Mamola, a 13-time Grand Prix winner, left would-be stars of the track awestruck when he gave a high-speed masterclass yesterday.

The flamboyant American, one of the most famous names in the 500cc class, was at Croft Circuit, near Darlington, to pass on skills to pupils of the European Superbike School.

Mamola, a four-time runner-up in the 500cc Motorcycling World Championship, was renowned for his extravagant style and treated on-lookers to his trademark wheelie over the finishing line yesterday.

The 43-year-old showed the tricks of the trade to 70 people who signed up for the two-day course, with sessions on the track and in the classroom.

Tony Scott, one of the school's organisers, said: "We take it all over Europe - to France, Italy, Spain and the UK, although we try to keep the UK to a minimum because of the weather."

Novices and advanced riders came from across the country for the class, which was the second in the past three years to be held at Croft.

It was the first time Mamola who is also a television pundit, had taken part in a school event in the UK. He has raced for nearly all the top name teams.

Mr Scott said: "This is the only chance they'll ever get in their lifetime to occupy the same track as someone like Randy Mamola.

"If he tells you that you need to be doing something a certain way then it's gospel - you're talking to the very best in the field."

Workshops focused on a series of key issues, from building confidence to enhancing speed and bike handling.