... IN MOTORSPORT MERCHANDISE FORMULA 2 CLASSIC TT RACE

The Motorsport Merchandise Formula Two Race will be the final race to get underway at this year’s Classic TT presented by Bennetts. Last year's race featured a battle royal between eventual race winner Chris Palmer and runner-up James Cowton and this year's race promises to be another thrilling contest.

Although Palmer has now hung up his leathers, Cowton, one of the sport’s brightest young talents, will be back for another try, again mounted on one of Peter Berwick’s TZ250 Yamaha’s. He'll face tremendous opposition from two of the sport’s true stalwarts and most successful riders.

Ten times TT winner Ian Lougher has a record that speaks for itself. The Welshman may have retired from the TT and other International road races but he remains a formidable competitor, particularly on the two-strokes where he made his name.

Classic racing legend Roy Richardson was forced to retire from last year’s race but won the corresponding event at the 2011 and 2012 Manx Grand Prix, lapping in excess of 111mph in 2011, so is sure to be challenging for the honours on the FCL Racing/Bullock Motorsport Yamaha. Phil McGurk, a regular on both the Classic scene and MGP, will certainly pose more than a threat on his Springcourt Motorcycles TZ Yamaha having finished third last year with the similarly mounted Chris Moore, fourth in 2013, also likely to challenge.

Stuart Garton is always a force to be reckoned with in the class on the Haskell and Co 250cc Yamaha while regular TT competitors David Hewson (250 Obsession Engineering Yamaha) and Grant Wagstaff are also likely to be in the mix, the latter on one of the few TZ350 Yamaha’s on the entry list. Tom Snow, on a second FCL Racing/Bullock Motorsport Yamaha, is also expected to feature.

2012 Supertwins Manx Grand Prix winner Nigel Moore cannot be ruled out on his OW47 250cc Yamaha with class regulars Ewan Hamilton, Neil Chadwick, Chris Barratt, Dean Martin and Tom Jackson just some of the other riders in the 30-strong field.

It’s not all about the two-strokes though with a handful of four-strokes in the field, most notably four GPZ 600 Kawasakis in the hands of TT ace Shaun Anderson, Derek Glass, Stuart Noon and Peter Gibson.

This year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show is encouraging the next generation of classic car enthusiasts to share their passion for motoring with a dedicated area of ‘YoungTimers’. These are the clubs focusing on younger members, which are on the increase and as such, bringing new ideas and fresh blood into the classic car world.

November’s NEC show will play host to these clubs with the likes of Oxford University Motorsport Foundation (OUMF), Young Guns Classics, the Morris Minor Owner’s Club Young Members Register and the Supra MkIV Owner’s Club all set to feature in the show’s first dedicated ‘YoungTimers’ area.

Event Director Dan Nwaokolo said: “By having a dedicated area for ‘YoungTimers’, we’re giving these young clubs a platform to introduce themselves to the classic car movement while also promoting the scene to like-minded enthusiasts of a similar generation. We know that they’re not only the future of our show but the entire classic community and we’re thrilled at the number of younger people we see each year – it’s great to see so many clubs either embracing younger people or youngsters forming their own clubs.”

OUMF was founded in 2005 specifically with the intent of bringing younger people into motorsport. “We wanted to give youngsters a practical side to their theory and encourage them into classic motorsport” says Ding Boston from OUMF. “For first timers the simplicity of classic cars makes them perfect for students. It’s always interesting to see what cars inspire these youngsters.”

Another club focusing on younger members is the Morris Minor Owner’s Club, which has set up a specific section within the club to cater for younger members. Matt Tomkins, Chairman of the club’s Young Members Register, said: “We’re heavily involved with promoting the entire classic car scene to the younger generation, having spoken at a number of events.”

The number of youngsters in the scene is growing all the time, thanks no doubt to the formation of clubs like Young Guns Classics. Member Georgina Davies said: “I feel we are a bit more laid back, which is why we have such fun. We all know each other very well and I would almost describe us as one big family. Unlike other classic car clubs we don't mind what car you drive be it a classic Beetle to a Land Rover!”

Supra MkIV Owner’s Club member James Jefferson is another owner with a broad interest in classic and retro cars owning a ’67 Mustang and a MkIV Toyota Supra. “I’m 22 now and I finished the Mustang when I was 19” said James. “I grew up around classic stuff – my Dad has MGBs, I used to ride around in Rover P4s, Minis, allsorts.”

James has found that the older generation is largely accepting of the new breed – with one or two exceptions. “They’re usually pretty pleased when they realise that people like me are genuinely interested. That said I know when my Mustang was part of a restoration feature, the magazine got a few letters from people who found it really difficult to believe it had been built by a 19yr old!”

Richard Morley, Operations Director for Lancaster Insurance said “We are passionate about getting more young people into classics and recognise that we must nurture new members so that we can preserve our motoring heritage. Introducing the ‘YoungTimers’ section to the show and encouraging young people to love and cherish classic cars, is not only a brilliant idea but vital to the future of the industry. ‘YoungTimers’ will inspire new recruits to become lifelong devotees, ensuring that this social pastime is carried on for years to come.”

While some clubs suffer from stagnating or even dwindling memberships, those that look to embrace young members look set to flourish. The youngsters are the future of the classic car movement, bringing with them a wider and wider selection of cars into the scene and with them the enthusiasm needed to keep the scene alive for years to come.

The 2014 Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show will be held from 14th to 16th November. For more information on the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show or Classic Motorbike Show as well as all the ticket prices and booking details, visit www.necclassicmotorshow.com

17-year old Joe to make Silverstone Moto3 debut for Redline

British Motostar race winner, Joe Irving, will make his first appearance at a MotoGP event when he lines up for the Moto3 race at Silverstone on August 31.

The 17-year old from Holmfirth has been a consistent force in British Motostar - the national equivalent of Moto3 - on KTM RC 250 R machinery, taking two wins and nine podiums in 2013 and is currently battling for the championship lead after five rounds of the 2014 season, with two wins and two other podiums.

Trainee chef Irving will be aiming to impress the partisan crowd at the Northamptonshire circuit when he lines up on his familiar British championship machine, supplied and run by Loughborough-based KTM dealer, Redline Motorcycles.

With the next Motostar race at Thruxton on August 3, Joe and the team still have a further two British championship races after that at Oulton Park and Cadwell Park to get through before the Grand Prix, with little time for rest.

On hearing the wildcard entry was confirmed, Joe Irving said: “Honestly, I’m so excited – it’s a dream come true. I can’t believe I have this opportunity and Silverstone is a circuit I really love.

“I can’t thank Tim Walker from Redline Motorcycles enough, but there’s a lot to be done to be ready for the Grand Prix, let alone trying to fight for the British championship. I’m under no illusions that lining up against the best riders in the world will be tough, but I’m more than ready for the challenge.”

With the huge costs associated with running at Grand Prix level compared to the National championship, Joe will be holding a fundraising event very soon to make sure this dream opportunity can be properly committed to. More details to follow.

5 weeks to find the brand new roadster fitted with MICHELIN Pilot Road 4 tyres hidden somewhere in Europe.

Michelin, in partnership with the agency Stratégie One, recently launched a Europe-wide treasure hunt that will last until the middle of the summer. Every Friday, at the same time for five weeks, Michelin will post clues on a special website to indicate where the motorcycle with the MICHELIN Pilot Road 4 tyres is hidden. Follow the clues to get your hands on the roadster first! 

Introduced in 2014, the MICHELIN Pilot Road 4 on-road tyre is available in Standard, GT and Trail versions and covers most categories of road motorcycles of more than 600cc. 

The new tyre brakes 17%* shorter on wet roads than its closest competitor and delivers 20%** more total mileage than its predecessor. The MICHELIN Pilot Road 4 is a tangible reflection of the MICHELIN Total Performance strategy, which is designed to drive continuous, simultaneous improvement in several areas of tyre performance.

Sign up at www.motohunt.michelin.com

*Braking tests conducted on wet and slippery surfaces in July 2013 by the DEKRA Test Center, an independent testing company.
** In-house tests conducted in 2013.

Well, we finally had some good weather for Farmyard Party this year and what a difference it makes - happy customers enjoying a great a rally.

We have had some excellent feedback and some constructive comments - yes, we will take on board what you have said for next year! It was also great to see lots of new comers to the event - this means we will continue to support MAG UK and the work it does on our behalf for riders' rights.

So, Yorkshire Pudding will be held at Escrick Estate for a second year - 1st to the 3rd of August. Last year was an absolute blinder and we have made every effort to ensure it is another. Band and comedian line ups are listed below. Don't forget to bring a towel for the free showers that will be available.

Tickets for Yorkshire Pudding will be available by post until the 18th of July and the 25th for online purchases. After that they will only be available on the gate.

As always, our events are held on behalf of Riders' Rights throughout UK and Europe.

No Cars, No Vans, No Pedestrians, No Excuses