Josh Day took his Agro-On WIL Racedays Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP to fifth place in today's third round of the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup at Imola in Italy. It was another good result that allows to the new team to take positives out of what was otherwise a difficult weekend.

Hopes were high for the team’s two Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP-mounted riders, Day and Kyle Smith, who qualified in seventh and eighth places respectively. American Day (main picture) rode well to take fifth place after 14 laps of Imola’s 4.936km Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, but Smith crashed out of contention, remounting to finish in 16th place at the flag.

In the European Superstock 600 championship race on Saturday evening, Italian rider Kevin Manfredi put in a dazzling ride on his Honda CBR600RR machine after starting from 15th place on the grid. The diminutive Italian carved his way through to sixth place before crashing out on the penultimate lap of the 12-lap race.

His New Zealand team-mate Jake Lewis finished just outside the points in 16th place but the team’s third rider, Harry Stafford, was taken to hospital after a qualifying crash left him with a broken nose and a right arm fractured in three places.

The Superstock championships now have a six-week break before re-assembling for the second Italian round at Misano on 20-22 June.

Rider quotes:  

Josh Day – Superstock 1000 FIM Cup, 5th

“We’ve had a good weekend and the bike is beginning to feel like it’s mine every time I get on it. We made quite a bit of headway with suspension so we didn’t lose so much time in the practice session. It really paid off with good qualifying and a good race result. We didn’t chase a set-up this weekend, just did laps and got a feel for the bike and the track conditions. The race was a bit up and down, but I was happy with fifth; thanks to the whole team and we’ll just see how it goes at Misano.”

Kyle Smith – Superstock 1000 FIM Cup, 16th

“We struggled with set-up a bit but finally got a decent setting for qualifying. In the race I had some problems which were pushing me into corners and eventually it pushed a bit too far. It’s a problem that we’ve had in testing, but not during a race before. I hope we can fix it for the next race and be up there again.”

Kevin Manfredi – European Superstock 600, DNF

“I really enjoyed the weekend until the last moment. I had a good race and I had fourth place in sight, which would have been a good result after my qualifying. Unfortunately, I crashed so I was very disappointed to be unable to bring the bike home, but I just wanted to keep pushing. I’m sorry for the team but we will try to come back stronger at Misano.”

Jake Lewis – European Superstock 600, 16th

“It’s not a great result, of course, and I was unhappy that I could not finish higher. Imola is a difficult circuit and I haven’t really gelled with it, either last year with the European Junior Cup, or this year on the CBR. I’ll have to hope for a better result next time.”

Basking in the glory of the results achieved at their inaugural Classic Motorcycle sale in March, Anglia Car Auctions’ has announced their second motorcycle-only auction is to be held on Saturday 20th September 2014.

"We were delighted to see over 80% of the motorbikes that were entered into our first ever Classic Motorcycle sale go under the hammer successfully," states ACA's proprietor Lyn George

Over 75 motorcycles were up for grabs in March resulting in a total sale value of £134,731 (including commission), with the highest price of the day being paid for a 1954 Vincent Comet which went for £16,125.

"We anticipate that our Autumn sale will be even more successful and so we're starting to invite entries into the sale as of today. We are looking for barn finds, project motorcycles that may need a little TLC, affordable starter classics and even concours level entries - All makes, models, ages and conditions will be considered.”

To enter a motorcycle into the classic motorcycle sale, please call 01553 771881 or email at [email protected] For more information on Anglia Car Auctions as well as advice on how to buy or sell your motorcycle at one of our auctions, visit www.angliacarauctions.co.uk

The Aprilia Racing Team leaves Imola with the third place Sylvain Guintoli took home in Race 2 which, together with his fifth place in Race 1, keeps the rider close to the top of the championship standings. Sylvain, coming off two wins and demonstrating consistent performance, now lies in third place in the championship, just 16 points behind the new leader, Rea, and 12 behind Sykes.

In the first race, after holding onto second place for much of the race, Guintoli suffered a drop in tyre performance which forced him to a more defensive strategy in the second part of the race. These are important points in a Championship which, after only four rounds, promises to be extremely well balanced. Sylvain's redemption came in Race 2 where he played a key role, staying in the leading pack from the start and finishing in third place in front of some of his fiercest rivals in the battle for the title.

Sylvain Guintoli: “It was a hard battle in both races. In Race 2 we managed to improve our pace quite a bit. I knew I would have to start off strong because we are struggling a bit at the moment in the second half of the race. I fought all the way to the end. I knew that the podium was within reach so I gritted my teeth and tried not to make any mistakes. A fifth and third place don't exactly make me jump for joy, but in any case they mean 27 points. I know that I put forth my best effort on this track. The test tomorrow is important because we'll be able to continue improving and looking for new solutions so that we can be incisive in any conditions”.

The weekend at Imola was decidedly disappointing for Marco Melandri who, after two days of positive sessions, was expecting to be strong in the races. Instead, his sixth place in Race 1 and eleventh place in the second match, despite two excellent starts, kept the rider from Ravenna out of the spotlight on the track at Imola.

Marco Melandri: “This was a very disappointing Sunday race day, definitely not up to our expectations which were quite high after such a good start to the weekend. Friday and Saturday were positive and it seemed like we were on the right track. This means that we still have a lot of work to do. I am quite capable of bringing home very different results, but that's how this sport is at these levels”.

Touratech handlebar mount and Bike & Car Set as a complete package for the Zumo 590 LM The Zumo 590LM is Garmin's new top-end GPS motorcycle navigator.

This premium sat-nav device features a larger, even easier-to-read touchscreen display, practical route planning options and universal connectivity. As well as the made-to-measure bracket, Touratech additionally offers the Zumo as part of a Bike & Car Set, which is a complete package for all-round use. Specially developed for the Zumo 590LM, the handlebar mount with tried-and-tested Touratech vibration damping is a must for everyone who wants to extend the life of their valuable navigator for as long as possible. Utilising aluminium and stainless steel, the robust, lockable mount is designed like a hand that encloses, grips and protects the Zumo. Damping elements eliminate vibrations and even shocks, e.g. when riding on gravel roads. The bike's on-board power supply connects to the Zumo via a Garmin cradle built into the bracket. The handlebar mount can be ordered keyed alike with existing Touratech accessories. Available in black and natural aluminium. 065-0790 Handlebar mount for Garmin Zumo 590LM, natural aluminium  065-0791 Handlebar mount for Garmin Zumo 590LM, black   

Garmin Zumo 590LM Bike & Car Set

Touratech has put together the Bike & Car Set as a complete package that includes the Zumo 590LM along with everything you need to use the Zumo in your car and on your motorbike. The Zumo is supplied with preinstalled City Navigator® NT maps for Europe (full coverage of 45 countries) including lifetime map updates. We have added the lockable, vibration-dampened Touratech handlebar mount and in-car attachment kit to complement this navigation system's extensive set of features.

The set comprises the following items: - GARMIN ZUMO 590LM - TOURATECH handlebar mount for ZUMO 590LM, *lockable* - Set of bolts for RAM mount adapters

060-0531 Garmin Zumo 590LM Bike & Car Set, natural aluminium  060-0532 Garmin Zumo 590LM Bike & Car Set, black

The IAM is calling for more information and advice on SMART motorways for drivers.

The call comes after seventy-one per cent of drivers said they would feel less safe on a motorway with no hard shoulder than a motorway with one, according to the latest poll by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

One of the main concerns of respondents is the plan to increase the distance between safety refuges with forty-eight per cent of respondents believing that safety refuges should be no more than 500 yards (0.45km) apart.

Forty per cent of respondents are sceptical that new monitoring systems on SMART motorways, such as electronic signs, can protect them in the event of stopping in a running lane.

Other survey findings include:

•Sixty-seven per cent of respondents said they haven’t seen any publicity about SMART motorways.
•A third of respondents (thirty-two per cent) would support the legalising of undertaking on SMART motorways.
•Forty-two per cent believe SMART motorways have reduced congestion and forty-three per cent of respondents said it has improved their journey times .

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “SMART motorways are being rolled out across England but our survey shows that drivers want more reassurance and information on how safe they will be and how to use them. The IAM has been supportive of hard shoulder running but we have always said that the Highways Agency must be quick to learn and implement any real world lessons as more schemes come into use.”

The IAM offers some guidance on using SMART motorways:

Pay attention to the overhead gantries as they provide information on traffic conditions and lane access for the road ahead.

The six signals are:

•A red cross without flashing beacons. The hard shoulder is only for use in an emergency or breakdown.
•A speed limit inside a red circle. It is absolutely mandatory and may have cameras enforcing it.
•A blank signal. Usual motorway rules apply.
•A white arrow with flashing beacons. This applies to all lanes and means you should move into the lane which the arrow points to.
•A red cross with flashing beacons. You should not continue to use the lane.
•A national speed limit sign is shown. The national speed limit, 70mph maximum, applies to all lanes apart from the hard shoulder.

Types of motorways:

•Controlled motorway – these have three or more lanes with variable speed limits. Hard shoulder use is strictly for emergency use only.
•Hard shoulder running – the hard shoulder will be opened at busy times and the speed limit will be reduced. Don’t use the hard shoulder unless overhead signs show that you can do so.
•All lane running – there is no hard shoulder on these sections of the motorway. Obey the variable speed limits and do not stop on the motorway. In the event of an emergency, use an emergency refuge area, motorway service area or exit at the next junction.

www.iam.org.uk