Hornby gets on its bikes

MODEL train maker Hornby wants to race into the lucrative merchandising market for motorcycle grands prix. Having secured the worldwide licensing rights, it is designing a set of model motorbikes based on the MotoGP World Championship to use on its Scalextric racing tracks.

Hornby says MotoGP attracts 150,000 spectators and TV audiences of 320m. Its bikes, available next spring, are aimed at adult collectors among them.

Like the cars, Scalextric MotoGP bikes will have a guiding blade to hold them to the tracks and a small electric motor to power the rear wheel.

Hornby rode 35p higher to 1132 1/2p as analysts reckoned the bike market could be worth millions. The shares have soared from 117p in 2001. Group sales reached £34m last year, with pre-tax profits of £5.4m.