· 17% increase in registrations vs 2013 with 2742 registrations

· Increase in market share

· 2014 best ever year for net sales through the UK dealer network

· Best sales results since 2002

· March, best ever sales month for Ducati in UK 

Ducati Motor Holdings recently announced record sales for 2014 with Ducati UK and its dealer network contributing significantly to this overall result.

For Ducati UK it was a record breaking year in many ways. The UK subsidiary achieved 2742 registrations - a 17% increase on the previous year with a small increase in market share. This result was accomplished with consistently high sales throughout the year registering ten year highs in every quarter with March being Ducati UK’s biggest single sales month on record.

These results could not have been achieved without a strong dealer network that provided the highest number of net dealer registrations. Amongst the 32 strong dealer network there was also the highest ever proportion achieving more than 100 units.

These exceptional results by Ducati UK and its dealer network were achieved with an incredible model line-up that included the award winning 899 Panigale. The 899 was the best-selling model in the range and narrowly missed out on being the best-selling supersports bike over 500cc in 2014. UK sales were also buoyed by the introduction of new models such as the Diavel, Monster 821 and Monster 1200 whilst maintaining healthy sales of the Multistrada and the bigger capacity 1199 Panigale.

2014 also saw a significant increase in the number of Ducati models sold on finance as Ducati UK continued to offer affordability through the Ducati TriOptions scheme. Thanks to the brand’s high residual values, Ducati was able to offer low monthly payments across the range and this continues into 2015 with the Scrambler available at £95 per month and the top-selling 899 Panigale at £149 per month.

Tim Maccabee was delighted with the UK performance in 2014 and commented: “The Motorcycle Market has been tough over the last few years but at Ducati UK we’ve been steadily improving our market position. I think customers appreciate the advances we’ve made, not only in product technology and desirability but also in the associated services such as finance packages and extended service intervals. Our dealer network are also going from strength to strength and join us in looking forward to an even stronger 2015 with the introduction of the new Ducati Scrambler and all new Multistrada and 1299 Panigale which are packed with state-of-the-art technology and features.”

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity (MAAC) has announced that the current King of the Jungle and seven times World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty will lead an expected 3,000 strong biker ride-out to officially kick-off the 5th Bike4Life Fest on Sunday 26 April 2015.

Carl is personally appealing for riders across the region to register and join him on the 23 mile motorbike procession from Shrewsbury to the RAF Museum Cosford near Wolverhampton, the prestigious home to the Bike4Life Festival – a major annual fundraising event in MAAC’s calendar.

Last year more than 8,000 bikers, friends, family and enthusiasts from all across the UK took part in what has become one of the biggest and best biker events in the country. The event is partnered with RAF Museum Cosford and the Safer Roads Partnership to raise awareness of biker safety.

Commenting on his involvement, Carl Fogarty said: “I jumped at the chance to get involved with Bike4Life Fest 2015 to help support and raise awareness of the life-saving work of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.  This service is a vital lifeline for bikers with over 40% of the incidents the aircrew responds to being road traffic collisions, which sadly often involve bikers. It’s going to be a great honour to lead out the 3,000 strong bikers and I’d urge anyone who wants to be part of the event to kick start the motorcycle season to sign up.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

With arena displays, stalls, exhibitions and biker tutorials, the Bike 4 Life Festival promises to be a great day out for bikers, families and the local community.  Live music will be staged by radio station Planet Rock 105.2FM, showcasing the best in Midlands music talent.

Jason Levy, fundraising and marketing director for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “Bike4Life Fest has grown year on year and Carl Fogarty’s support of the event is fantastic and will undoubtedly make it our best year yet. We have a great relationship with the biking community, and as well as being a great day out, Bike4Life Fest also aims to raise vitally important funds for our life saving service, so I’d encourage anyone thinking of getting involved, to support our event and register now for the Ride Out.”

While the Ride Out is just £5, all visitors to the Festival will also gain free access to the RAF Museum Cosford.

To register to get involved in the ride out led by Carl Fogarty, simply visit www.bike4lifefest.com.  It only costs £5 to register with all proceeds raised going to MAAC.  Entrance to the Bike4Life Festival is free, however, organisers would like all visitors to make a donation to the charity at the event.

The organisers of Motorcycle Live, the UK’s biggest motorcycle show, have announced that the 2015 event will take place one week later than originally planned, opening at its usual venue of The NEC, Birmingham on Saturday 28 November and closing on Sunday 6 December.

The decision comes following confirmation that the EICMA exhibition in Milan has moved from its usual early-November slot to later in the month, thus clashing with the planned dates for Motorcycle Live. EICMA is traditionally where the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers unveil their new model launches, many of which are then shipped to Birmingham to make their UK debut, meaning that visitors to Motorcycle Live are amongst the first in the world to see the new machinery in the metal.

“If we had maintained our traditional slot of the last two weeks of November, it would have been logistically impossible for manufacturers to ship their new models to The NEC in time for the opening day of the show,” explains Motorcycle Live organiser Finlay McAllan. “This would ultimately mean that UK motorcycle fans would miss out on the opportunity to see the new models so soon after launch. For that reason we have decided to move Motorcycle Live 2015 back one week."

Motorcycle Live 2015 will take place at The NEC, Birmingham from 28 November to 6 December. Tickets will go on sale in August 2015.

www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

Official crash protection supplier to the 2015 BSB Championship

• R&G becomes official crash protection supplier to BSB
• Creation of R&G Newcomers Trophy across all classes
• Paddock-based race service at each round
• Increased retail presence throughout Championship
• Amplified branding in and around circuits and TV coverage
• Arrangement extends to MSV Track Days (MSVT)

R&G has become the official crash protection supplier to the 2015 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship as part of multi-structured deal with MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR).

Founded in 1999, Hampshire-based R&G quickly became the leading manufacturer of crash protection products for motorcycles, thanks to its innovative designs and model-bespoke fitments. During these 16 years, the Company has expanded into products that defend a motorcycle from damage caused from everyday riding, as well as offering a huge range of bike-related accessories.

In addition to becoming the official crash protection supplier: R&G will have a massively increased presence within MCE BSB, supporting riders and teams with a race paddock service, ACU discount, amplified branding in and around the circuits, more televised coverage, and the introduction of the R&G Newcomers Trophy. Spectators will also be able to take advantage of a dedicated retail shop at each round.

The agreement with MSVR also extends to MSV Trackdays (MSVT), with R&G products being used on the instructors’ bikes and promoted at the events.

MCE BSB Series Director, Stuart Higgs, said: “R&G is a recognised and award-winning brand, focused on protecting motorcycles, ultimately saving riders money, and I’m really excited that we’ve been able to increase our working relationship within the MCE British Superbike Championship and also to cover MSV Trackdays.
“The cost of racing is never likely to drastically reduce, but we’ve seen many times that fitting top quality, strategically-placed protection can make a huge difference to a bike in a crash and reduce delays caused by oil spillages, particularly on track days.”

R&G Managing Director, Simon Hughes, said: “I’m delighted to reach this deal with MSVR and for R&G to become more closely aligned with such a prestigious championship that reflects the same values as our brand. Racing is at the core of R&G and a large part of how we develop our expanding product ranges. We’ve always invested back into the sport and this agreement with MSVR should only help to reinforce that.

Secondary engine covers are a mandatory product at MCE BSB, to help prevent oil contaminating the track from a crashed bike, potentially causing further incidents. R&G’s Engine Case Covers were approved for use in all classes within the Championship in 2014 and were exclusively used by every bike competing the 2014 TriStar R&G Triple Challenge, as well as being trusted by Team WD-40 and Gearlink Kawasaki, among many others.

R&G will also be announcing its sponsored teams and riders for the 2015 season in both national and worldwide championships in due course.

Sarah’s mission will be to improve driving and riding skills and to campaign for legislation to improve road safety.

Sarah Sillars, OBE and Hon FIMI, joins London-based IAM next month. The IAM is one of the most regarded and well-established bodies in British motoring.
Sarah takes up her role on 5 February having overseen the commercialisation of Semta, the sector skills council for engineering and advanced manufacturing.

Sarah said: “I am delighted to be back playing a significant role in the automotive sector. The IAM has played a unique part in lowering the numbers of people killed and injured on UK roads. I am very proud to be appointed their Chief Executive.”

“Many thousands of people have reason to be grateful to the IAM and its passionate volunteers for their advice, guidance and training over the decades.”

She continued: “With more than 1,700 deaths and 21,000 serious injuries a year on our roads there is still much work to be done.

“My intention is to ensure that we consolidate our experience and expertise, and then change up a gear – to further build on the excellent and vital research, training and lobbying activities that we carry out.

“We will change opinions, driving habits and legislation.”

The IAM, which was formed more than 50 years ago, has more than 90,000 members, all intent on improving their own motoring skills or driving through reform to improve road safety. It provides independently audited driver and rider training, including the advanced test.

IAM Chairman Alistair Cheyne OBE said: “Sarah is the perfect person to drive the IAM into a new era. She has the skills, background and experience to help the IAM achieve its goal of becoming the best provider of post-licence driver and rider training in the UK.

“The challenge ahead is a large one, but I am now confident that we will see growth for an IAM that attracts more of the UK’s drivers and riders.”

Sarah has a long and illustrious career within the automotive sector, having been CEO and Executive Chair of the Institute of the Motoring Industry (IMI). They made her an Honorary Fellow and Vice President on her departure in 2012.

Awarded Industry Personality of the Year 2004 and Outstanding Achievement Award 2006 by automotive magazines AM and Motor Trader respectively, Sarah was listed in the UK motor industry’s most influential top ten and the ‘most powerful’ female executive, according to the 2007 AM Power List.

In September 2008 Sarah was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award by Bodyshop Magazine in recognition of IMI’s work with ATA in the body repair sector.

She was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June 2008 for services to skills training and the retail motor industry.

Sarah has more than 25 years of experience within the motor and retail industries, having begun her career with Marks & Spencer, managing stores in England and later as Operations Director at automotive management consultancy Anne Gray Associates.