Petrol-heads descended on the airfield near York to watch a host of two and four-wheeled machines reach eye-watering speeds in excess of 200mph.

One of the fastest riders on the weekend was Ken Dunn on his Kawasaki ZX12R which recorded a one-way run at 229mph along the airstrip, giving him a 224mph average.

But perhaps the bravest rider on the day was 44-year-old Zef Eisenberg who broke 11 bones in his body last year after coming off his Mad Max Turbine motorcycle at 230mph.

He was presumed dead on the scene and was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary, where he was rehabilitated.

Mr Eisenberg spent three months in hospital, and the rest of the year recovering from his injuries.

Despite this, he returned to the airfield at the weekend - which was the anniversary of the crash - and raced on a turbine motorbike powered by an engine from a helicopter.

He broke 200mph on the bike and made sure he sought out the three medics who first tended to him after his horror crash last year.

He said: “This weekend was my first time back racing at Elvington or anywhere since last year’s mega 230mph crash.

“It was so great to be back, amongst friends and fellow racers.

“I was also honoured to hug and shake the hands of the amazing three medics that attended me at the crash scene.

“I came to Elvington with a new Mad Max Turbine bike and the new super-charged ‘Green Monster’ Hayabusa.

“Saturday was spent tweaking and checking everything on both bikes to make sure all was safe and working.

“With a 200mph top speed already achieved in the standing mile, I feel great.”

Next weekend he is planning to break the land-speed record on sand in Pendine Sands, Carmarthenshire, Wales.

The Straightliners event saw everything from monowheels, saloon cars and gas-powered motorbikes take part in speed challenges including standing quarter mile and one-mile dashes.