Ducati UK to work in partnership with California Superbike School from 2014
• School will use a mix of 1199 Panigale, 899 Panigale and Monster 1200
• California Superbike School hosting 15 dates in UK using Ducati Motorcycles

Ducati UK has come to an agreement to supply the UK branch of the California Superbike School with Ducati Motorcycles. The two companies have long been associated with each other through Superbike School Limited (SSL) the event division of California Superbike School. SSL has over a number of years been responsible for operating the Ducati UK Roadshow throughout the UK as well as a number of successful track events.

The Silverstone circuit neighbours will begin their partnership immediately and Ducati UK will supply the school with the flagship 1199 Panigale, the new and highly acclaimed 899 Panigale and the soon to be launched Monster 1200. The bikes will be available to hire for students preferring not to use their own bikes and wishing to experience a Ducati on track and will also be used by the school instructors.

The first opportunity for students to experience a Ducati on a California Superbike School day will be 27 April at the Stowe Circuit, Silverstone. The agreement is for the UK specifically and there will be a total of 15 California Superbike School dates in the UK this year to choose from.

“We have worked with Superbike School Limited for a number of years and I have always been impressed with their professionalism and passion for what they do. Ducati considers rider training to be very important and in the UK we have supported the road based Bike Safe programme for some time and so it is a natural progression to support one of the leading exponents of track based advanced training. I am sure using a Ducati on the school will prove very popular amongst students and will expose many people to the thrill of riding a Ducati. We are certainly looking forward to this new venture.”

Tim Maccabee, Managing Director, Ducati UK

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with Ducati on the California Superbike School. I have been involved with Ducati for over 3 years with their Roadshows and I have become a big fan of the brand. Their range is one of the most technologically advanced on the market and the traction control and riding modes add an important element of safety to the school. Welcoming a premium brand such as Ducati to the California Superbike School can only encourage more people to join us in honing their skills.”

Richard (Badger) Brown, Executive Director and Rider Coach, California Superbike School

For information on the California Superbike School or to book online visit www.superbikeschool.co.uk/ and to view the Ducati model range visit www.ducatiuk.com

California Superbike School – Superbike School Limited

Founded by the legendary Keith Code in 1980, the California Superbike School offers a step-by-step method of technique oriented rider training in the art of cornering motorcycles. The California Superbike School operates in the USA, Australia and the UK. The UK branch was founded in 1999 and has since gone on to teach many thousands of pupils including regional, national and World Champions.

Bill Standley spent many of his years travelling across America atop his 1967 Electra Glide and his wish was to be buried with his beloved Harley... and he has!

The avid motorcyclist Bill was determined to take the bike with him when he departed and so with the help of his sons Pete and Roy, they created a customised 9ft x 11ft pexiglass box, where he sits astride his prized Harley-Davidson, dressed in his leathers and sunglasses.

The idea came about many years ago, where he said about who would be left his bike “What am I supposed to do? I’ve got two sons, but only one bike”. His daughter said to him “Oh Dad, just be buried with it”. And so the plan was hatched.

The family man had the casket stored for the past five years and would show off the casket to friends.  'He was proud of it,' his son Roy said.

While his family agreed that the procession to the cemetery, during which the body was on display, may be shocking, they wanted to honor their father's last wish. 'He'd done right by us all these years, and at least we could see he goes out the way he wanted to,' said his other son Pete. His daughter, Dorothy, added that he was 'a quirky man'.

Mr Standley, who used to work as a bareback rodeo rider, was be escorted to the ceremony on 31st January, 2014 at the Fairview Cemetery in Mutual, USA by a procession of bikers.

Five embalmers prepared his body and secured him with a metal back brace and straps to ensure he will never lose his seat on his beloved bike. The casket was lowered into three burial plots, which are next to his wife Lorna.

One funeral attendee said: ‘Some people walk through the pearly gates, some people ride.’

On Friday 31 January, the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust (BMIHT) held a training event for volunteers participating in their ‘Aston Martin - A Century of Craftsmanship’ project at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, near Warwick.

The ‘Aston Martin - A Century of Craftsmanship’ project is led by the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust with generous support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Aston Martin Lagonda, Aston Martin Works, Aston Martin Heritage Trust and Aston Martin Owners Club. The aim is to bring together current and former Aston Martin employees, to tell the behind-the-scenes history of Aston Martin.

Aston Martin Lagonda employees have volunteered their own time to take part in the Project and attend training events. Volunteers learnt about oral history and how to interview people using recording equipment. Julia Letts, an Oral History Society trainer introduced the training by saying “Oral history gives a voice to those people who often don’t get the opportunity to tell their stories”.

The volunteers will start by interviewing each other and then arrange interviews with people who are keen to share their stories of life at Aston Martin. The volunteer group will be supported by the Project team from the BMIHT Archive, where the recordings will be deposited for posterity, enabling future generations to learn about their industrial heritage.

The Heritage Motor Centre Gaydon near Warwick is currently hosting an ‘Aston Martin – A Century of Craftsmanship’ exhibition until December 2014. Admission to this exhibition is included within the standard museum entry fees.

www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

Multiple UK Club Championship winner Phil Crowe is preparing for a busy schedule during the 2014 season. The man from Market Rasen is set to make his debut at the Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy this year, as well as the Ulster Grand Prix. As if the race schedule were not enough, Crowe also plans to develop young motorcycle talent through his Lincolnshire based PCR Motorcycle Developments company.

Phil has announced that he will continue with his short circuit commitments with Thundersport GB in the GP1 class and selected British Superstock 1000 rounds, but the main focus in 2014 will undoubtedly be the roads campaign.

“It’s an exciting time for me” said Crowe. “While I will continue with the short circuit commitments, my focus and aim has always been to develop on the roads and this year I will make my eagerly anticipated debut at the Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix,” said the Lincolnshire rider.

“My plan is to run in the RL 360 Superstock, Dainese Superbike and PokerStars Senior TT Races and I will be returning to the North West 200. Oliver’s Mount remains part of the race schedule for me this year and I am looking forward to running the BMW S1000RR at Dundrod, a circuit that I have always wanted to race,” said Crowe.

“Additionally I am really looking to build on the plans to support young racing talent and inject something back into the sport. We have some exceptional riders that we are working with, including bright young stars Tom and Tim Neave, who I believe have a very promising future. If I can help them along the way, it will be extremely rewarding,” said Crowe. “I am also working with Carl Simpson who is already demonstrating his skills and talents on the bigger machines. He will only improve and get faster this year.”

“I have prepared carefully this year for the TT and Ulster, with some sound advice from experienced road racers. With the strong package behind us, I will be looking to be at the sharp end of the newcomers."

Phil would like to thank his friends, family and sponsors, notably PCR Motorcycle Developments, Holbeach Motorcycle Tyres, B&C Express, Fleetwood Grab Services, Objektum Modernisation, Astle BMW, WK Bikes, Merlin Leathers, Arrow Exhausts, Renthal and Tsubaki.

Tickets are now on sale and selling fast for the 2014 TT Races. Glencrutchery Road Grandstand race day tickets are sold out but there are still TT Fan Zone Grandstand tickets available at Ballacrye, Creg Ny Baa and Nobles Park during practice and race days. Grandstand tickets are also available by purchasing VIP or Platinum Hospitality tickets. All tickets are available from www.iomtt.com or by phoning 00 44 (0)1624 640000.

On Tuesday 21 January, the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust (BMIHT) held a training day for volunteers participating in their ‘Aston Martin - A Century of Craftsmanship’ project. Aston Martin Works kindly hosted this event in their new Heritage building, formerly known to many as ‘Olympia’.

The ‘Aston Martin - A Century of Craftsmanship’ project is led by the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust with generous support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Aston Martin Lagonda, Aston Martin Works, Aston Martin Heritage Trust and Aston Martin Owners Club. The aim is to bring together current and former Aston Martin employees, to tell the behind-the-scenes history of Aston Martin.

Current and former Aston Martin employees learnt about oral history and how to interview people using recording equipment. Roger Kitchen, an Oral History Society trainer and co-founder of the Living Archive in Milton Keynes introduced the day’s training by saying, “Everybody has a story to tell”.

The volunteers along with a similar group from Aston Martin Lagonda’s Gaydon headquarters will start by interviewing each other and then arrange interviews with people who are keen to share their stories of life at Aston Martin. The volunteer group will be supported by the Project team from the BMIHT Archive, where the recordings will be deposited for posterity, enabling future generations to learn about their industrial heritage.

The Heritage Motor Centre Gaydon near Warwick is currently hosting an ‘Aston Martin – A Century of Craftsmanship’ exhibition until December 2014. Admission to this new exhibition is included within the standard museum entry fees.

www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk