ALEIX ESPARGARÓ SEEKS HIS FIRST POINTS IN TEXAS, SCOTT REDDING KEEN TO CONTINUE THE POSITIVE TREND

Before beginning the long European tour, MotoGP is making its last overseas stop to take on the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. This is a track that created some difficulties for teams and riders because of rather bumpy asphalt, but which has now been partially resurfaced (between turns 1 and 9 and between turns 16 and 19), the effects of which will be clearer after the first practice sessions.

Scott Redding is approaching the American round after picking up his first championship points astride the Aprilia RS-GP in the last race in Argentina. The feeling with the Italian bike, which Scott is in his first year riding, is increasing consistently. This is partly due to the British rider's work method, analytical and always focused on improving in terms of race strategy rather than on instantaneous performance.

Aleix Espargaró is more than ready for redemption after being unable to earn points in the first two round of the season, despite clear demonstrations of his competitiveness, like his brilliant Saturday in Argentina. The Spanish rider's value and grit that shone through brightly on that occasion let him look at the upcoming race with renewed optimism.

ALEIX ESPARGARO'
"Qatar and Argentina were not two lucky races for me. On both occasions, I felt good and we had prepared well for the race, but we were unable to take points due to unexpected issues. During the break before Texas, I tried to rest up and recover energy together with my family - kind of a reset to rediscover the positive feeling for the upcoming race. It's not easy, but I know that I have always given my all, so we need to stay focused and continue working."

SCOTT REDDING
"The race in Argentina was an important one for me. It allowed me to recover the feeling that I had lost in Qatar after good pre-season training. My race position, just outside the top 10, is the result I was expecting to achieve at the beginning of the season. Riding race distance alongside other riders also gave me a chance to compare our performance with that of our rivals and see which areas we need to work on. I want to start from this foundation to keep growing and to grow the RS-GP, knowing that I am moving in the right direction."

Celebrating its milestone 70^th year, the Vintage Motor Cycle Club Banbury Run will once again be hosted at the British Motor Museum on Sunday 17 June. Around 500 Veteran and Vintage motorcycles will ride out from the Museum on various circular routes. Regarded as the largest gathering of pre-1931 motorcycles & 3-wheelers in the world, the Banbury Run is geared towards those who enjoy the thrill of riding with other Vintage, Veteran & Pioneer bikes.

In addition to the Run, there will also be Club and Trade Stands, over 100 Autojumble pitches and special interest displays within the Museum grounds. Camping is also available on the Saturday and Sunday night for a discounted advance price of £26 per pitch for 1 night or £34 per pitch for 2 or 3 nights.

Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum stated “Celebrating its 70th anniversary just goes to prove how immensely popular the Banbury Run is. Seeing hundreds ofvintage motorcycles ride together is a motoring spectacle that deserves to continue to flourish.”

The Museum will be open from 9am – 5pm with the Run beginning at 10am. Riders will start at 5 per minute. This year’s event is being supported by the Banbury Major who will be in attendance. Spectator tickets for the Run cost £8 in advance or £10 on the day for adults and concessions, children cost £8 advance or £9 on the day. All tickets include entry to the Museum and Collections Centre.

To find out more about the Banbury Run visit www.banbury-run.co.uk, for more information on the British Motor Museum please visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk  or call 01926 641188.

Top of Kirkstone Pass

Carl Maloney 

One of the most important aspects of the National Motorcycle Museum friend’s scheme is giving its members the chance to take part in some riding activities that just wouldn’t be possible otherwise. Some of this unique content includes the chance for museum friend’s to ride some of the best bikes in our inventory!

NMM Friend’s Classic Bike Tour Day

Saturday 24th March saw six museum friends scheme members having the opportunity to ride some of the most exciting and valuable classic motorcycles from the museums inventory.

Those taking part received an induction and “off road” training before being escorted by ex-police motorcyclists/IAM instructors around the beautiful Warwickshire countryside. Riding via Henley in Arden and other local beauty spots our riders enjoyed various museum bikes including a 1939 Triumph Tiger 100 and a 1960 Triumph Bonneville T120.
Each class of machine attracts a different “hire” fee which includes insurance cover and lunch in the museum restaurant. The next tours date we have planned is Saturday 12/05/18.

NMM Friend’s “Ride a Classic” Day

Saturday 31st March saw a capacity entry of 60 museum friend’s scheme members having the opportunity to ride a diverse range of classic motorcycles from the museums inventory in our first “ride a classic” day of 2018.
The day was split into two with 30 friends pre-booked onto either morning or afternoon sessions which gave everyone the chance to sample all of the eleven machines on offer.

Museum friend’s were treated to a host of exotic machinery including a Velocette Venom, Sunbeam Model 9, Ariel Cyclone 650cc, and even our very own “Steve McQueen/Great Escape” Triumph 650cc replica!

In addition to their annual membership fee the day cost museum friends just £10.00 per rider to help cover insurance costs. The next “ride a classic” day we have planned is Saturday 09/06/18.

Become a Friend Of The National Motorcycle Museum and Ride Our Bikes

Access to the above plus many other exclusive events & benefits for an annual subscription of-
Adults 18-65 £29.95
Senior Citizens 65+ £27.45
Junior 0-18 £19.95
Family (2 Adults & 2 Children) £49.95
By Phone: Call the National Motorcycle Museum on (01675) 443311

Join on-line www.thenmm.co.uk

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) is asking local bikers to step up a gear to support the charity.

Ride4Life, two new Ride Out events, are planned to help raise vital funds for HIOWAA. Ride4Life Isle of Wight will take place on Sunday 10^th June and Ride4Life Hampshire is scheduled for later in the year, on Sunday 16^th September.

It is hoped bikers will come together to enjoy the Ride Outs, taking in the best scenery Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have to offer, with routes covering forest and coastal roads.

In 2017, 45% of incidents attended by HIOWAA were road traffic incidents. Motorcyclists make up just 1% of Britain’s total road traffic, but account for 19% of all road deaths.

This year alone, the HIOWAA Critical Care Team have attended 49 road traffic incidents.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Chief Executive and keen motorcyclist, Alex Lochrane said:

“Our Critical Care Teams attend road traffic incidents throughout the year, many involving bikers, and this is a fantastic way for bikers to do their bit to help keep the Air Ambulance flying and saving lives. Our Ride4Life events promise to be a great day out for bikers and their families, as well as an opportunity for us to raise awareness for our life-saving service amongst the biking community.”

Online registration is now open for both events at www.hiowaa.org. Entry is £10 per person, +£5 per pillion and each participant will receive an ‘iRide 4 HIOWAA’ wristband.

The participant to raise the most sponsorship will win a water bottle signed by British motorcycle road racer, James Hillier, pictured with the HIOWAA Critical Care Team.