Figures released after the four-day event mark a 28% increase in visitors compared to the 2010 show, also held at Stoneleigh.
Among the new free elements added to the show were ‘try-a-bike’ sessions in Stoneleigh Park’s Hall Four shed. Children were tutored on 100cc mini quad bikes and rode kids trial bikes around an obstacle course, while British Bike Trials Champion Danny Butler gave lessons to adults.
There were also family activities like a Spider Man climbing wall and a high rope climbing frame.
Stoneleigh Park chief executive Ian Pegler said: "Few venues in the UK have the versatility to cater for the ‘try-a-bike’ arenas." He added that the visitor increase demonstrated the "growing popularity" of dirt bikes.
A half-price ticket promotion on the show’s Thursday date, traditionally a quiet day, meant that attendance figures were as good as the previous year’s Saturday, according to organisers.
Show organiser Joanne Watson said: "We could tell from the vibes that the visitor attendance figures were going to improve for this year, but it wasn’t until we received the final statistics that we found out by just how much."
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