Yamaha riders 'burn rubber' at Marlboro Masters.

Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa today took part in a thrilling demonstration at the Marlboro Masters in Zandvoort, Netherlands.

Fresh from their second one-two finish of the year at the Sachsenring Grand Prix, the two Marlboro Yamaha Team riders took a slight detour to Zandvoort before their well deserved summer break.

They also shined during the team test session in Brno last week, Biaggi achieving a best time of 2m 01.5s, and Checa 2m 02.2s. The pair will return there for the Czech Grand Prix in two weeks time.

As well as the fast and furious 25 lap F3 race, won by Takuma Sato in the Dallara-Honda Mugen F301, the real show at the 11th Marlboro Masters was the line-up of the Marlboro Yamaha Team riders, former Moto GP winner Randy Mamola, Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer, and Mitsubishi drivers Tommi Makinen and Freddy Loix. The demonstration programme has become a fixed part of the Marlboro Masters, and today's audience was 65,000 strong.

Biaggi and Checa performed for their audience in a stunning display of wheelies, doughnuts and burn-outs, finishing with a lap of honour beside the F1 and rally cars. Also topping the bill during the weekend was the Marlboro Yamaha two-seater bike, ridden by Mamola. His passengers included Indy car champion Arie Luyendyk, and other lucky Dutch racing enthusiasts.

The Zandvoort crowd were also wowed by Checa's antics yesterday when he and Mamola duelled with their YZR500 machines until Checa's rear tyre burst, adding to the electric atmosphere at Holland's most important motor sports event.