Charlotte-based motorcycle racer Aaron League is set to become the youngest American to tackle the IMGold Manx Grand Prix next month. The 23-year-old will join Lancashire-based Rea Racing to pilot a Suzuki SV650 in the Newcomers B and Supertwin classes.

League will make his debut on the Isle of Man at this year’s IMGold Manx Grand Prix ahead of a planned assault on the 2015 Pirelli National Superstock 600 Championship, as he bids to break onto the British short circuit racing scene. He began racing in the US Championship Cup series at the beginning of 2013, and so far this year has racked up 12 podiums and six race victories in the Lightweight division, and is currently the points leader of the GTL class on a Suzuki SV650.

However he has always wanted to tackle the gruelling 37.73mile Isle of Man Mountain Course, and this year has been given the chance to contest the event. The IMGold Manx Grand Prix runs as part of the Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling which includes the Classic TT which this year will feature some of the biggest names in road racing including Michael Dunlop, John McGuinness and Bruce Anstey.

“I’ve been wanting to race on the Isle of Man for years now, and I finally created the right opportunities to make it happen,” said League. “It’s not going to be easy, and the work is going to continue full-stick until the very end of the fortnight, but I am absolutely up for the challenge. Huge thanks go out to Ben Rea and Rea Racing for setting me up with a top-notch Supertwin. With a great machine under me, I’ll be able to focus solely on learning the course and getting around quickly and safely.”

Following the IMGold Manx Grand Prix, League will be pursuing a ride in the UK’s National Superstock 600 Championship. Considered by many to be a hotbed of upcoming superbike talent, his aim is to break into what he believes is the best domestic racing series in the world.

“The Manx is my priority at this point, but I do want to use this as a potential springboard into the British series because I think the UK’s racing scene is the best in the world, and as I still plan on pursuing the short circuit route, racing in the UK is vital to the direction I want my racing career to go. I want to take this opportunity to thank my sponsors for the continued support and guidance - Cornerspeed/Cornerspin, Willow Downs Performance, Spyke, LS2 Helmets and Zoeburn.com.”

The Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza, now in its 40th year, will take place once again at South Cerney Airfield, Cirencester.

From Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd August 2014 the extravaganza will attract more than 15,000 visitors and raise money for local and national charities. The show has grown dramatically in recent years and is now widely regarded as one of the biggest and best Steam, Vintage and Countryside events in the UK. Attracting thousands of exhibits from all corners of the British Isles, as well as some from further afield - it really is a nostalgic road trip into bygone years.

The show was originally conceived for steam enthusiasts, but the range of exhibits has grown year on year. It now boasts a huge array of vintage transport, from buses and coaches, commercial vehicles, classic cars and motorcycles through to military vehicles, tractors, engines and historic caravans. A live action arena will be an integral part of the show with interactive demonstrations taking place every day. 

This year the show celebrates its 40th year, an amazing feat and we want to celebrate with everyone especially those born on 6th or 7th September 1975 - the weekend of the very first show. If you were born on that weekend, we will send you one complimentary ticket for the show. (DOB ID will be required). Please contact: [email protected]

The popular motorcycle display features more than 130 models representing manufacturers from England, Italy, Japan, India, the USA and other countries. Among the marques on display is Honda, Yamaha, Harley Davidson, Moto Guzzi, HRD, AGS, James, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Rudge, Baker, BMW, Norton, Velocette, BSA, Panther, Francis Barnett, Matchless and Greeves. The popular Ken Fox Wall of Death, one of the last original Wall of Deaths dating back to 1929, will make a welcome return to wow the crowds as they perform tricks, acrobatics and high-speed chases on their 1920’s Indian motorcycles. The classic car section alone features over 600 vehicles, showcasing veteran, pre-war, post-war, American to modern classics. Alongside regular exhibits are rare and remarkable stories of restoration projects and histories to be told. 

Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza is packed full of exhibits, displays and curiosity stalls to keep the whole family entertained for hours with displays of Victorian memorabilia ranging from antique sewing and knitting machines and model dolls houses to vintage garden tools and 1940s to 1950s home wares. Alongside the hundreds of vintage vehicles, there will be the popular steam driven vintage fun fair, 'electric yachts', waltzer, big wheel, steam-driven 'gallopers', face painting, dodgems and traditional arcade games, plus an Animal and Countryside area with poultry, Shire Horses, rare breeds, Alpacas and Ferrets with an arena demonstrating Horse Logging, Falconry and dog agility.

There we will also be a vintage tea dance which will include lots of cake! If you are a lindy hop dancer, why not join us! A prize will be awarded for the best dancers, performing in vintage clothes. Lindy Hoppers to receive free tickets if taking part, please contact: [email protected]

The Chairman of the Stroud Vintage Transport and Engine Club, Martyn Slater, says: “The Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza is the biggest of its kind run entirely by volunteers and I am proud to be involved. As well as raising money for local and national charities, our aim is to provide a safe and happy environment for everyone to celebrate our unique transport history, in hope that we can inspire future generations to get involved in the preservation of historic vehicles.”

The Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza is a great day out for all the family.

Admission Information: Show opens at 10 am.

Ticket prices Pre Sale On the day

FRIDAY Adult £5.60 Junior £3.20 Adult £6.00 Junior £4.00

SATURDAY or SUNDAY Adult £8.00 Junior £4.00 Family £20.00 Adult £10.00 Junior £5.00 Family £25.00

WEEKENDER Adult £12.00 Junior £6.00 Family £28.00 Adult £15.00 Junior £8.00 Family £35.00

Family tickets Includes two adults and two children. Juniors (Age 5-15)

Weekender tickets: Includes entry to all three days but no overnight camping.

Discounted tickets are available to buy online at www.glossteamextravaganza.com or from Cirencester Tourist Information Centre, located next to the Corinium Museum. Public enquiries contact T: 01453 890891

A free vintage bus service will be operating around the perimeter of the show site, and to and from Kemble railway station throughout the show to connect with selected First Great Western Trains.

The Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza, South Cerney Airfield, Cirencester

Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd August 2014

New Classic TT Trophies, named after four of the greatest names in TT history, have been created for this year's Isle of Man Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts.

The illustrious riders - Joey Dunlop OBE (26 wins), Geoff Duke OBE, (6 wins), Mike Hailwood MBE (14 wins) and Phil Read MBE (8 wins), have accumulated a total of 54 TT Race victories between them.

The trophies will be awarded to recognise class wins within the races where there is more than one class competing in the race and fastest single cylinder machines in a race.

'The Joey Dunlop Classic TT Trophy' will be awarded to the rider of the first 750cc machine to finish the Motorsport Merchandise Formula 1 race on Monday 25th while 'The Phil Read Classic TT Trophy' will go to the first 250cc machine in the Monday's Okells 350cc Classic TT Race.

The other awards - the 'Mike Hailwood Classic TT Trophy' and the 'Geoff Duke Classic TT Trophy' will be awarded to the first single cylinder 500cc machine in the Bennetts 500cc Classic TT race and the first single cylinder 350cc machine in the Okells 350cc Race respectively.

Tickets are now on sale and selling fast for the 2014 Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts. VIP experiences, Grandstand tickets, Classic TT Heroes Dinner and Classic TT Party tickets can be purchased from www.iomtt.com or by phoning 00 44 (0)1624 640000.

Travel and accommodation packages to suit all budgets and requirements are available from Official Classic TT Travel Agency Regency Travel on +44 (0)1624 694456 or [email protected] 

Mitas announces the sponsorship of the 11th Red Bull Romaniacs, which will be held from Tuesday, 15 July, to Saturday, 19 July 2014, in Sibiu, Romania.

A total of 350 off-road motorcycle riders hailing from 33 nations will compete in the world`s toughest Hard Enduro Rally. As a tyre partner, Mitas will provide tyre sales and service at the race site every day of the race.

At the Red Bull Romaniacs Mitas will support three riders: Wade Young, Ben Hemmingway and Lars Enöckl. Mitas will provide them with tyres for the Hard Enduro discipline -- EF-07 Super Light and C-19 Super. “The EF-07 features the latest type of tread pattern for sport Enduro, developed with top Enduro riders. The tread pattern provides optimal riding properties over a great variety of terrains,” said Karel Špaňhel, Mitas' product manager for motorbike tyres.

The BMF is sorry to learn that its contractor used for organising the three BMF Shows, Mulberry Events Limited, has announced that it is now entering into voluntary liquidation. As a result it will not be able to run the BMF Tailend Show this year and will not be able to carry out any further business for the BMF.

The Directors of Mulberry Events Limited have issued a statement thanking the BMF, Exhibitors, Clubs and other support services for their help, support and contributions over the past five years of working with the BMF.
As a result of this announcement, a decision has been made by the BMF to cancel the Tail End Show at Peterborough, planned to have been held on 13/14 September 2014.

The BMF will work with the Liquidators of Mulberry Events Limited in an effort to recover from them monies paid by members and exhibitors in relation to the now cancelled Tailend Show 2014. A further press release on this will be issued in due course.

There will be a lot of hard work and planning from this point so the BMF can reorganise arrangements to carry on with its events, in whatever form, for 2015 and onwards. A further press release on this will be issued in due course.

The BMF events have been an integral part of the organisation's activities from the time of its formation in the 1960's. Events have had an important role in generating funds to support the BMF's activities in protecting riders interests, but also to create interaction with the membership and raise public awareness of motorcycling. However the BMF is now no longer reliant on show income to fund lobbying activity.

Despite the news of the Liquidation of Mulberry, the BMF is keen to state that it is in good financial health and will continue to represent the interests of motorcyclists throughout the UK.

Roger Ellis
BMF Chairman