The IAM is calling for the government to pilot an 80 mph speed limit on a controlled and managed motorway to assess its practicality and safety, and road users’ reaction to it.
 
In September the government announced that the motorway speed limit could be raised to 80mph.
 
On uncongested motorways more than half of car drivers exceed the 70mph speed limit, and around a fifth exceed 80 mph*; it is rare for the police to prosecute drivers travelling between 70 and 80mph*1.
 
Road safety groups have raised a concern that legalising today’s tolerated, yet unofficial, 80 mph speed limit would simply create an unofficial 90 mph limit. If this happened average traffic speeds would increase, as would accidents and their severity – more people could be killed and seriously injured.
 
The IAM highlights the need for a full risk assessment of an increase in the speed limit, and believes strict enforcement is required to ensure greater compliance with the limit. For example driving at 82mph should risk a speeding ticket.
 
The IAM wants to see 80mph trialled initially on “Controlled Motorways” and “Managed Motorways” where variable speed limit technology is used. These have already been implemented successfully on the M25 orbital motorway in Surrey and the M42 in the West Midlands.
 
IAM CEO Simon Best said:  “A fifth of motorway-users already travel at this increased speed, and more than half exceed 72mph when they can, suggesting that a properly controlled 80mph limit may not show huge increases in carbon or road casualties. A detailed trial is needed to assess these risks though, and if they are shown to increase significantly, of course a better-enforced 70 limit may be a more appropriate system.
 
“Raising the motorway speed limit has been debated for many years, and the evidence is that the motoring public are ready for it*2. The transport secretary should now publish a consultation with firm proposals.”

www.iam.org.uk

After taking the Manufacturer World Title, it's a double win for the Italian brand in the 125's last season.

This makes the 38th world championship for Aprilia in Motorcycle Grand Prix racing. Aprilia has now won 49 World Championships in the various motorcycle disciplines.

Noale, November 6th, 2011 - With the second place earned today on the Valencia circuit Nico Terol was crowned 2011 World Champion in the 125 class.

This is a long sought after confirmation for the young Spanish rider, born in Alcoy on September 27th, 1988.

In the race which closed out the history of the 125 class, eleventh place would have been enough for Terol to take the title. But after Frenchman Johann Zarco crashed out in the beginning stages of the race - the only rival within reach of the title - Terol lost no time, even moving into first place ten laps from the end, and rode his Aprilia RSA to second place behind Maverick Viñales, also astride an Aprilia.

With confirmation Aprilia adds the 125 class rider title to the manufacturer title, already awarded four rounds before the end of the championship, and strengthens its record as the most victorious Italian and European manufacturer of all those active in MotoGP with 294 Grand Prix races won (151 in 125 and 143 in 250) and 38 championship titles (19 manufacturer titles and 19 rider titles).

Aprilia now has a total of 49 World Championships in their trophy case.

In fact, in addition to the 38 MotoGP titles, there are 9 titles in the Off Road discipline and 2 Superbike titles in the collection.

www.aprilia.it

MotoGP star Dani Pedrosa will head up a star-studded roll call of racers attending this year’s Motorcycle Live at The NEC Birmingham from 19-27 November. The Repsol Honda rider will appear on Monday 21 November as a guest of Arai, joining a long list of riders already confirmed for the nine-day show.
 
The World Superbike stars will be out in force with Castrol Honda’s Jonathan Rea, BMW Motorrad’s Leon Haslam, Kawasaki's Tom Sykes, newly-signed Crescent Suzuki rider Leon Camier and Effenbert Liberty Racing’s Sylvain Guintoli all making an appearance. Rea will attend on Sunday 20 November, Haslam will make a two-day visit on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November, Sykes and Camier will appear on Saturday 19 November and Guintoli will be present on Monday 21 November.
 
The Brits in the opening day line-up will take part in a celebration of the best of British racing talent to open the show, alongside 2011 World Supersport Champion Chaz Davies, 2011 British Superbike Champion Tommy Hill, Moto2 star Bradley Smith and MotoGP star Cal Crutchlow, who will be firing up his Yamaha M1 live on the Blackhorse Stage at 10.30am on Saturday 19 November.
 
Other stars to appear throughout the nine-day show include 125GP title contender Johann Zarco (Monday 21 November), young Brits Sam and Alex Lowes (Monday 21 November), road racing favourites John McGuinness (Sunday 27 November) and Guy Martin (Sunday 20 November) and MX stars Zach Osbourne and Arnaud Tonus (Saturday 26 November).

A full listing of riders attending the show can be found at www.motorcyclelive.co.uk/visitor-information/celebrities
  
The ticket price for Motorcycle Live 2011 is completely all-inclusive, meaning visitors can enjoy everything the show has to offer at no extra cost. Tickets are £16 in advance* for adults, £10 for seniors, £6 for children aged 6-16 and  kids 5 and under accompanied by a paying adult go free. Visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk or call 0844 5812345. Visit www.facebook.com/motorcyclelive or follow @motorcyclelive on Twitter.

We are currently making a 4-part primetime series for Channel 5, a UK terrestrial channel.  The series will be broadcast in January 2012 and it's going to feature amazing content from around the world. If you feel that you have caught adrenalin pumped activities on camera or if you have had a seriously close call we would love to see your videos.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch - [email protected]

The popularity of, and interest in, the Isle of Man TT Races continues to grow, attracting more visitors and spectators every year but the Official TT VIP Hospitality package remains the best way for people to experience the action – whether entertaining clients, rewarding staff or giving someone a truly memorable gift.

The Isle of Man TT Races is widely recognised as one of the ‘must do’ events on the annual sporting calendar, taking its place alongside events such as Wimbledon, Test Match Cricket, the FA Cup Final, the Grand National, Six Nations Rugby and the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

The event also has something else in common with all of those prestigious events – world class VIP and Corporate Hospitality – with the TT Races offering the Isle of Man’s only prestige sporting hospitality experience. This year capacity has been capped at 300 places on each race day to ensure that guests experience a truly premium experience.

As well as exclusive TT VIP Club access, which offers a complimentary bar, breakfast and a gourmet buffet lunch - all prepared by first class chefs - the package also offers reserved grandstand seating; easy access to the TT paddock and exclusive appearances by top riders and special guests. All ticket holders will also be entered into the daily free prize draw to win a scintillating closed roads lap of the TT Mountain Course in one of the official course cars.

The TT VIP Club is located trackside and adjacent to the TT Grandstand and offers not only magnificent views of the famous TT course, but ensures that guests are at the very heart of all the action at the most thrilling spectator sport in the World. This year, guests will also be able to access a complimentary WiFi network and receive exclusive parking right by the action.

The current stars of the TT will be making daily appearances in the suite for exclusive post-race interviews and chat with Radio TT and will often be joined in the suite by many other famous faces including mega-stars from TT, MotoGP, BSB, World Rally and even Formula 1 as well as celebrity bike fans.

The 2012 TT VIP packages are available now. For an unforgettable TT 2012 experience call TT Ticketing Partner, Regency Travel on +44 1624 694456 or on line via the official Isle of Man TT web site, iomtt.com. Available on each race day, VIP packages can be purchased on an individual basis or complete tables of eight.