Lancashire-based Mistral Racing will return to the 2016 Classic TT presented by Bennetts with a three-pronged attack on the four-lap Motorsport Merchandise Classic TT Superbike Race.

Steve Mercer, Jamie Coward and local ace Dan Kneen will all campaign ZXR750 Kawasakis and are sure to be major contenders for the podium places.

Both Mercer and Coward have prior experience with the team, Mercer taking fourth place in the corresponding race in 2014, after posting a 121mph+ lap, whilst Coward was on board one of the ‘Green Meanies’ in 2013 only to be forced to retire on the third lap whilst in fifth place.

The Yorkshire rider missed the 2014 event due to injury, ironically being replaced in the team by Maidstone’s Mercer, but was back twelve months ago when he finished in sixth place with a best lap of 121.834mph. He arrives at the Classic TT on the back of an excellent campaign at the TT where he narrowly missed out on winning the coveted TT Privateer’s Championship.

Kneen, meanwhile, joins the team after making his Classic TT debut in 2015 when he rode the Valvoline Racing by Padgetts Motorcycles 750cc OW01 Yamaha. Back then, he took ninth place with his fastest lap being in excess of 120mph. Having missed the TT due to injury, the Braddan rider, who normally rides the Mar-Train Racing Yamaha’s, will be keen to get back out on the Mountain Course and score a strong result on the Mistral Kawasaki.

Run by highly experienced former racer Ian Harrison, the squad is again expected to run their immaculate machinery in Team Kawasaki France replica colours. Huge supporters of the Classic TT, having fully embraced the spirit of the event since its inception in 2013, they will again have one of the greatest presences in the paddock as well as being one of the most professional.

Speaking about his line up for the Classic TT, Team Owner Ian Harrison commented:

“We are really excited about the Classic TT this year with three riders in our team who are in the form of their lives. Jamie and Steve had their best ever TT’s this year and have been strong in testing and racing on our bikes also.”

“We are delighted to welcome Dan Kneen to the team. Dan is one of the best young riders in road racing, and was showing excellent form on the run up to the TT before he was forced to miss the event after picking up a training injury. He will be back to full fitness in time for the Classic TT and we will be providing him a bike capable of winning the race on.”

Classic TT Grandstand tickets are available for Friday’s final qualifying session priced at £5. All prior qualifying sessions are free for the main Grandstand. There are also race day tickets available for both Classic TT race days on Saturday 27th and Monday 29th as well as VIP and Platinum hospitality tickets. To purchase tickets go to iomtt.com or phone Duke Marketing on (00 44) 1624 640011

FOUR of the cast from iconic motorcycle documentary On Any Sunday are set for guest of honour duties at Stafford’s massive annual motorcycle event this autumn.

Gracing the Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show on the weekend of October 15-16 will be former racers David Aldana, Don Emde, Mert Lawwill and Gene Romero who each had central roles in Bruce Brown’s legendary 1972 film.

Classic Racer magazine editor Malc Wheeler said: “On Any Sunday will have played its part in inspiring many of our Stafford showgoers to get on two wheels in their youth, and I’m sure there will be plenty of excitement as they get to meet four of its stars.”

As well as finding fame on the big screen, all four of the guests also took part in the Anglo-American Match Races in held in the UK in the 1970s at circuits such as Brands Hatch, Mallory Park and Oulton Park. Mert Lawwill’s appearance at the show will be his first visit to the UK since that time.

The rest of the event – the biggest of its kind in the world – will feature its traditional blend of hundreds of trade stands, a massive autojumble, firing up of race bikes in the Classic Racer GP Paddock, trials demonstrations in the Classic Dirt Bike Experience, the Stafford Autumn Sale from Bonhams, a live restoration theatre and more.

classicbikeshows.com

Bikers are being offered the chance to take part in the exclusive BikeSafe observed road rides followed by an exhilarating track experience at the iconic Rockingham Circuit in the Midlands.

Organised by Bikesafe and Northamptonshire Highways, Bikesafe is a police led motorcycle initiative that is run by most forces throughout the UK. This year it is held in Northamptonshire and at the iconic Rockingham Circuit in Corby. Rockingham’s wide-range of facilities and industrial-style backdrop make it a unique venue and we are welcoming some great riders, themed activities and attractions on the day.

Riders will be welcomed to the circuit, with its wide range of facilities and industrial backdrop, by the BikeSafe team and start their experience with a road route assessed ride.

Following a debrief it’s time to join the prestigious California Superbike School where your coach will talk to you through the twists and the turns of Rockingham's inner track and then it's out onto the track to experience the challenges and the fast direction changes that make this an intense and thrilling experience. Rockingham's American oval circuit is unique in the UK and one of only two speedways in Europe.

Places are limited and booking is essential. Limited places left for the observed ride and track experience. Book now through the National BikeSafe website – www.bikesafe.co.uk

The experience takes between 2 ½ – 3 hours INCLUDES: • Hour long 2 to 1 assessment with police motorcyclist • Safety briefing and 15 minute circuit ride with California Superbike School in groups of 16 or less.

Describing the partnership between BikeSafe UK Richard Browne, aka Badger, of California Superbike School said: “As a team of committed and enthusiastic individuals our goal is to help riders understand how a motorcycle is affected by the rider and how best to overcome this. It is great we are able to offer these very limited edition track experiences at Rockingham and can't wait for Saturday July 16th. Riders of all abilities and machine types are welcome with the emphasis throughout the day on rider development and the skills that are transferable to road riding."

There will be a range of bike manufacturers at the event with demo bikes available to test ride from Triumph, Honda, Ducati, Suzuki and many more. The Yamaha MT Darkside Tour's Dave Coates will performing throughout the day and visitors will be amazed by the Moto Gymkhana.

Add in over 70 displays from some of the UKs leading retailers, clothing and accessory manufacturers, themed activities plus loads of family friendly attractions for non-riders and just £1 entry on the gate and you have a very special day.

July 16th will be a fun day out for everyone but, the serious motivation for holding the day, is to help cut the number of people being killed or injured on the UK's roads.

The event runs from 10am until 5pm, just £1 entry and parking is free.

The National BikeSafe Show & Track Experience @ Rockingham Motor Speedway.
Saturday July 16th
Mitchell Road, Corby, Northants, NN17 5AF

www.bikesafe.co.uk

Tour India at its exotic best! Our Rajasthan deluxe desert palace tour - Rajasthan Palace Classic - takes the rural back roads of India visiting castles and desert forts previously home to the Rajas and Maharajahs of the Moghul empire. Sweeping desert dunes, lush oases, jagged mountains accented with towering fortresses, ornate architecture and vivid colours will feed your senses. We visit the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Bharatpur bird sanctuary and finish with the brightest jewel in India's crown, the Taj Mahal.

At the Southern tip we offer our magnificent Kerala tours. Providing dramatic riding with truly unspoilt beaches, spectacular mountain rides, stunning landscapes with glorious tea and spice plantations along the way. We stay in an eclectic range of high end boutique and luxury hotels including jungle and rain forest resorts, beautiful beach hideaways and eco lodges.  And tour on empty roads, through Periyar wildlife reserve, elephant spotting along the route and enjoying the friendly welcome everywhere on our 11 Day Tea & Spices and 15 day Mountains, Wildlife and Beaches tours.

Sunday 3rd July - Ace Cafe London Brooklands Ride-Out!  Departs 9.30am

Brooklands once again comes alive with motorcycles and the sights, sounds and smells of speed, with the all new Brooklands Motorcycle Show, held at the world's first purpose built motor racing track, and home of the now legendary "Gold Star" (awarded at Brooklands for achieving sustained speeds of at least 100mph, the ton!), from 10am on Sunday 3rd July 2016.

In addition to the planned manufacturer displays and stands, and with Ace Cafe London, the legendary 59 Club, the latest and historic bikes, club and trade stands, this inaugural show includes with special guest, motorcycle and truck-racing legend, Steve Parrish, and is the main Brooklands Museum motorcycle event of the year.  

A "Brooklands Burn Up" Ride-Out departs from the Ace at 9.30am on Sunday 3rd July.    

Clip-ons, Rear-sets and Swept-backs - England Expects!    Route:  A406 West to Hanger Lane & A40  A40 West to M25  M25 South to Exit/Junction 11  Chertsey/Woking    Follow Brown "Heritage" signs - "Brooklands Museum".

Gates open at 10am and standard Museum entry charges apply: Adults £11, Seniors/Students £10, Children (5-16) £6, Under 5s FREE, Family ticket £30 (2 adults & up to 3 children). Visitor parking will be in The Heights off Wellington Way - please follow event signage.

BROOKLANDS - the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit, constructed at Weybridge, Surrey in 1907 - was more than a great sporting arena. Brooklands was the birthplace of British motorsport and aviation, home of Concorde and the site of many engineering and technological achievements throughout eight decades of the 20th century. Brooklands Museum Trust is an independent charitable trust.

www.brooklandsmuseum.com

www.ace-cafe-london.com