14-time Isle of Man TT winner Ian Hutchinson, who also became the World’s Fastest Road Racer during 2016 with a phenomenal lap of 134.089mph during August’s Ulster Grand Prix, has agreed terms to stay with the Northern Ireland based Tyco BMW team for the 2017 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy and the other international road races.

Hutchinson, who took Superstock wins at all three major International Road Races with Tyco BMW including the RL360 Quantum Superstock at the TT Races, and a double in the Superbike class at the Ulster Grand Prix, will also contest next season’s British Superstock Championship. The Bingley rider finished second in the series this season with Tyco BMW.

Speaking of his extended deal, Hutchinson said:
“I’m glad to have finally sorted a deal to stay with Tyco BMW for a second season. Looking back we had a very good run in 2016 with wins at all the International Road Races.  Having now worked together for a season, we know where we need to improve with the obvious goal, to go on now and challenge for the Superbike wins at all of the big three internationals.”

“The BMW S1000RR still has so much potential in Superbike trim on the roads and with another season of British Superstock planned, the aim there will be to go one step better and win the championship next season.”

Team owner Hector Neill said:
“Hutchy did a great job for us this season and whether it was in British championship or the roads, he was always in contentions for wins and podiums and provided both our sponsors and fans with a lot of entertainment.”

“His international hat-trick in the Superstock class and his terrific season in British Superstock proved how well he got on with the Tyco BMW, and to go on and take the world’s fastest track lap record at Dundrod was the icing on the cake.”

“The goal going forward is to build on that success and I’ve never hidden the fact that the Senior TT trophy is the one we really want to win in 2017. It’s the blue-riband road race on the season’s calendar, and along with Hutchy and our dedicated team we will be giving it our very best shot.”

THREE DAYS AT JEREZ FOR ALEIX ESPARGARÒ AND SAM LOWES

Final efforts for Aprilia before the winter break, three days of testing on the Spanish Jerez de la Frontera track. Aleix Espargarò and Sam Lowes were back in the saddle of their RS-GP machines, just a few days after their first contact in Valencia, for a final series of preliminary tests for the development of the bike from Veneto in view of 2017. The less than ideal weather partially complicated the job for the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, enough to force the team and riders to stop early because of the rain.

The two sides of the garage had different goals. Aleix Espargarò continued gathering data and information that will be used by the Noale Racing Department in defining the RS-GP in its 2017 configuration. The Spanish rider identified a good base on which to build from now until the next tests in Malaysia. Sam Lowes, visibly suffering after his crash in Valencia, was unable to push too hard astride his RS-GP, so he took advantage of the three days to get to know the team better, also benefiting from the comments made by his more expert garage mate.

Even with the early stop, Aleix did 80 laps with his best stopping the clock at 1'39.675, whereas Sam's best time was 1'42.312 of his 50-lap total.

MARCUS ESCHENBACHER - ALEIX ESPARGARO' CREW CHIEF
"We are heading into the winter break with good sensations. Aleix confirmed what he demonstrated in Valencia, both in terms of performance and harmony with the RS-GP. We have identified a rather precise technical direction to accommodate his riding style and during the winter we will work on bringing a further advanced bike to the first tests at Sepang. The weather did not help us and we also had a crash, but we can look forward to the 2017 season optimistically".

GIULIO NAVA - SAM LOWES CREW CHIEF
"Sam is suffering from the after-effects of his crash in Valencia, but he put himself to the test anyway at Jerez to continue growing. We have a long season ahead of us, so for the moment it is important to rack up the miles in the saddle and get to know the mechanisms of the team. Despite his physical difficulties, I think these tests added another notch in the belt for Sam's apprenticeship. I'm sure that in Malaysia his potential will begin to show. We can't consider the times from these tests as any real indication".

Halsall Racing today confirmed that the team will contest the 2017 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy and other international road circuits with Ballymoney rider William Dunlop.  The announcement ends significant speculation on the future direction that the team would take following their recent decision to vacate the British Superbike paddock.

Team owner Halsall has been a long-standing passionate and loyal supporter of road racing.  A regular attendee at the Isle of Man, the Lancashire based entrepreneur has always been open about his desire to one day compete with the team across the International circuits.  

“This has certainly been a personal ambition of mine to make a move towards this discipline of the sport”, stated Halsall.  “Road racing is a truly unique experience, with so much passion and energy.  There has never been a better time to take this step and I am really excited about the prospects ahead.”

Halsall and Dunlop had initially examined options for a partnership back in 2013.  “It’s true that we had explored possibilities previously, but the timing was not right.  If I cannot give one hundred percent to a project, I won’t do it.  It’s that simple.  We’ve continually maintained dialogue with a view towards potentially working together in the future.  Now is the time and I can give William my full attention for our roads campaign in 2017.”

Halsall arrives on the roads with vast experience and professionalism has been gleaned from years of running a team in the domestic short circuit series.  The owner certainly has the knowledge to deliver a leading package and remains highly confident about the task ahead.

“This will be a challenge for sure, but I am optimistic about our potential prospects,” stated the owner.  “With our proven ability to operate a leading race team, coupled with William’s extensive roads knowledge, we can make this very successful.  I know how to build a team and we will be recruiting key individuals with unparalleled experience in road racing to ensure that our package is the best.  Our focus and attention will be on William and on him alone.  He will have the right infrastructure around him and it will be dedicated to ensuring he has everything he needs to be successful."

No details have been provided on the machinery that the team will be running with a further announcement expected in January.  However it is understood that both Halsall and Dunlop are considering a ‘variety of options’.

“With no ties to any one manufacturer, this offers the flexibility for us as a privateer team to select the right tools for the job and choose the most suitable bikes for each discipline.  Bikes that William feels can give him the best opportunity across each of the classes.  He will have whatever he needs for Superbike, Superstock and Supersport.  We are being guided by his experience and choice of manufacturer.  Our aim is to confirm this fully in the coming weeks and months.” added Halsall.

Having finalised an agreement with Halsall Racing earlier this week, thirty-one year old Dunlop outlined how the opportunity with the Lancashire based team was certainly worth the wait.

“Martin runs a very strong team and you only have to look at what he has done and achieved on the short circuits to see that he ensures everything is done in the correct way.  It’s sleek, professional and highly driven. To have the team dedicated to me alone, will certainly raise my game. It’s the ride that I have been seeking and it’s been worth the wait to finally get this agreement in place.  We’ll be learning a great deal along the way, but I’m confident we can deliver some success in 2017 and I can’t wait to get started. This is also an opportunity for me to express my thanks to the loyal supporters and sponsors that have backed me in 2016 and have been extremely positive about the move to Halsall Racing.  I’d like to thank everyone for their continued support”, stated the Ballymoney rider.

The team will begin an extensive programme of Spanish and UK testing during the early part of the New Year.  “Time on the bike is so important ahead of the new season”, commented Dunlop.  “It worked this season as we saw, particularly on the Superbike at the TT for riders that had the preparation before the start of the roads season.  I was not as sharp at the start of 2016 because I had very limited time on the bike in those opening months.  By the time we arrived at Portrush, that deficiency was very clear for me.  It really set the tone for my season and I don’t want to be in that position next year.  Our plan with Halsall Racing is to ensure that I am in the best form by the time we arrive for the North West 200”, concluded Dunlop.

The main focus for the team will be the three main International road races, but owner Halsall also indicated that further to discussion with the rider, a number of Irish road events ‘may be considered’ as part of the 2017 schedule, but emphasised that the full programme of events would be released in the New Year.  

Over 86% of UK motorists think distraction caused by mobile phones has become worse in the last three years.  In second place was congestion at 81% reflecting the increasing number of vehicles on our roads as the recession ends.  These worrying figures come from the second Safety Culture Survey commissioned by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart.

Of the 2,000 UK drivers surveyed, nearly three quarters believed aggressive driving (72%) had worsened over the last three years, with more than 60% reporting the same for drug-driving.

IAM RoadSmart’s Safety Culture Survey was produced for the first time last year, and looks at UK motorists’ safety attitudes and behaviour and has just been updated for 2016.

The survey asked about the potential car driving problems faced by motorists now compared to three years ago,  perceived threats to personal safety whilst driving, support for potential new regulations  and many other aspects of motoring life in the 2010’s.

Huge numbers of UK drivers believe the dangers of mobile phones and technology are bigger threats than any other factor on the roads.

Some 94% saw drivers checking or updating social media as a threat to their personal safety, while 93% said that was the case for drivers text messaging or e-mailing, and for 91% it was the case for drivers talking on mobile phones.

This was higher than the perceived threat from drink and drug driving. Some 89% of those surveyed felt people driving after drinking alcohol was a threat to their safety compared to 88% who felt that about those who took illegal drugs and then drove.

And those surveyed thought the problems were caused by others; 91% said they had never used the internet whilst driving in the past 30 days, 88% had not sent a text or email whilst driving, 82% had not read a text message or email whilst driving and 79% had not talked on a mobile phone.

There is also huge approval for stricter measures to prevent and reduce drivers using mobile technology in cars.

Some 97% of those surveyed strongly supported a law outlawing reading, typing, or sending a text message or email while driving; 86% strongly supported the regulation of in car technology to minimise the distraction to drivers and 67% strongly supported a law prohibiting the use of any type of mobile phone while driving, hand-held or hands-free.

And nearly two-thirds (65%) agreed that all drivers be encouraged to improve their driving skills by taking advanced driving tuition and passing an advanced driving test.

Sarah Sillars, IAM RoadSmart chief executive officer, said: “The worries and concerns of Britain’s 32 million drivers should be listened to.  Whilst we can all take more responsibility for our actions it is clear that distraction and congestion are the two biggest bug bears for drivers today. 

“New road building and smart motorways will help with congestion but our survey has shown that UK motorists have real concerns about the way mobile phone technology could be a threat to their safety. More than 90% say checking social media, texting and talking on mobile phones whilst driving scares them – these are figures that cannot be ignored.

 “It is important that Government, road safety bodies and car makers work together to allay the fear caused by distracted drivers. Recent tragic high profile cases - underline the need for a combination of education, safe design and enforcement to make sure that the high-tech benefits of our modern cars do not prove a threat to safety of all road users.”

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