Halsall Racing today confirmed that the team will contest the 2017 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy and other international road circuits with Ballymoney rider William Dunlop.  The announcement ends significant speculation on the future direction that the team would take following their recent decision to vacate the British Superbike paddock.

Team owner Halsall has been a long-standing passionate and loyal supporter of road racing.  A regular attendee at the Isle of Man, the Lancashire based entrepreneur has always been open about his desire to one day compete with the team across the International circuits.  

“This has certainly been a personal ambition of mine to make a move towards this discipline of the sport”, stated Halsall.  “Road racing is a truly unique experience, with so much passion and energy.  There has never been a better time to take this step and I am really excited about the prospects ahead.”

Halsall and Dunlop had initially examined options for a partnership back in 2013.  “It’s true that we had explored possibilities previously, but the timing was not right.  If I cannot give one hundred percent to a project, I won’t do it.  It’s that simple.  We’ve continually maintained dialogue with a view towards potentially working together in the future.  Now is the time and I can give William my full attention for our roads campaign in 2017.”

Halsall arrives on the roads with vast experience and professionalism has been gleaned from years of running a team in the domestic short circuit series.  The owner certainly has the knowledge to deliver a leading package and remains highly confident about the task ahead.

“This will be a challenge for sure, but I am optimistic about our potential prospects,” stated the owner.  “With our proven ability to operate a leading race team, coupled with William’s extensive roads knowledge, we can make this very successful.  I know how to build a team and we will be recruiting key individuals with unparalleled experience in road racing to ensure that our package is the best.  Our focus and attention will be on William and on him alone.  He will have the right infrastructure around him and it will be dedicated to ensuring he has everything he needs to be successful."

No details have been provided on the machinery that the team will be running with a further announcement expected in January.  However it is understood that both Halsall and Dunlop are considering a ‘variety of options’.

“With no ties to any one manufacturer, this offers the flexibility for us as a privateer team to select the right tools for the job and choose the most suitable bikes for each discipline.  Bikes that William feels can give him the best opportunity across each of the classes.  He will have whatever he needs for Superbike, Superstock and Supersport.  We are being guided by his experience and choice of manufacturer.  Our aim is to confirm this fully in the coming weeks and months.” added Halsall.

Having finalised an agreement with Halsall Racing earlier this week, thirty-one year old Dunlop outlined how the opportunity with the Lancashire based team was certainly worth the wait.

“Martin runs a very strong team and you only have to look at what he has done and achieved on the short circuits to see that he ensures everything is done in the correct way.  It’s sleek, professional and highly driven. To have the team dedicated to me alone, will certainly raise my game. It’s the ride that I have been seeking and it’s been worth the wait to finally get this agreement in place.  We’ll be learning a great deal along the way, but I’m confident we can deliver some success in 2017 and I can’t wait to get started. This is also an opportunity for me to express my thanks to the loyal supporters and sponsors that have backed me in 2016 and have been extremely positive about the move to Halsall Racing.  I’d like to thank everyone for their continued support”, stated the Ballymoney rider.

The team will begin an extensive programme of Spanish and UK testing during the early part of the New Year.  “Time on the bike is so important ahead of the new season”, commented Dunlop.  “It worked this season as we saw, particularly on the Superbike at the TT for riders that had the preparation before the start of the roads season.  I was not as sharp at the start of 2016 because I had very limited time on the bike in those opening months.  By the time we arrived at Portrush, that deficiency was very clear for me.  It really set the tone for my season and I don’t want to be in that position next year.  Our plan with Halsall Racing is to ensure that I am in the best form by the time we arrive for the North West 200”, concluded Dunlop.

The main focus for the team will be the three main International road races, but owner Halsall also indicated that further to discussion with the rider, a number of Irish road events ‘may be considered’ as part of the 2017 schedule, but emphasised that the full programme of events would be released in the New Year.  

Over 86% of UK motorists think distraction caused by mobile phones has become worse in the last three years.  In second place was congestion at 81% reflecting the increasing number of vehicles on our roads as the recession ends.  These worrying figures come from the second Safety Culture Survey commissioned by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart.

Of the 2,000 UK drivers surveyed, nearly three quarters believed aggressive driving (72%) had worsened over the last three years, with more than 60% reporting the same for drug-driving.

IAM RoadSmart’s Safety Culture Survey was produced for the first time last year, and looks at UK motorists’ safety attitudes and behaviour and has just been updated for 2016.

The survey asked about the potential car driving problems faced by motorists now compared to three years ago,  perceived threats to personal safety whilst driving, support for potential new regulations  and many other aspects of motoring life in the 2010’s.

Huge numbers of UK drivers believe the dangers of mobile phones and technology are bigger threats than any other factor on the roads.

Some 94% saw drivers checking or updating social media as a threat to their personal safety, while 93% said that was the case for drivers text messaging or e-mailing, and for 91% it was the case for drivers talking on mobile phones.

This was higher than the perceived threat from drink and drug driving. Some 89% of those surveyed felt people driving after drinking alcohol was a threat to their safety compared to 88% who felt that about those who took illegal drugs and then drove.

And those surveyed thought the problems were caused by others; 91% said they had never used the internet whilst driving in the past 30 days, 88% had not sent a text or email whilst driving, 82% had not read a text message or email whilst driving and 79% had not talked on a mobile phone.

There is also huge approval for stricter measures to prevent and reduce drivers using mobile technology in cars.

Some 97% of those surveyed strongly supported a law outlawing reading, typing, or sending a text message or email while driving; 86% strongly supported the regulation of in car technology to minimise the distraction to drivers and 67% strongly supported a law prohibiting the use of any type of mobile phone while driving, hand-held or hands-free.

And nearly two-thirds (65%) agreed that all drivers be encouraged to improve their driving skills by taking advanced driving tuition and passing an advanced driving test.

Sarah Sillars, IAM RoadSmart chief executive officer, said: “The worries and concerns of Britain’s 32 million drivers should be listened to.  Whilst we can all take more responsibility for our actions it is clear that distraction and congestion are the two biggest bug bears for drivers today. 

“New road building and smart motorways will help with congestion but our survey has shown that UK motorists have real concerns about the way mobile phone technology could be a threat to their safety. More than 90% say checking social media, texting and talking on mobile phones whilst driving scares them – these are figures that cannot be ignored.

 “It is important that Government, road safety bodies and car makers work together to allay the fear caused by distracted drivers. Recent tragic high profile cases - underline the need for a combination of education, safe design and enforcement to make sure that the high-tech benefits of our modern cars do not prove a threat to safety of all road users.”

Was it You've been NABBED, Stormin' the Castle, Manchester Bike Show, Distinguished Gentlemans Ride, The Isle of Man TT, Farmyard Party, Motorcycle Live, Ace Café Reunion, Ride to the Wall, your clubs event, a charity run or the winner of last years vote - Soggy Moggy Rally?

Cast your vote on THE BIKER GUIDE facebook group here

The vote is open to members of the group on facebook.

If you wish to vote and are not yet a member, then just request to join. Please note that if you do request to join, an admin has to 'Let you in' and then all you do it tick the event you wish to vote for. 

The poll will run until 2017.

Nicky Hayden had successful surgery on a detached right knee medial collateral ligament (MCL), which was carried out by Dr. David Chao at the Oasis Surgery Center in San Diego, California, at 7am PST (GMT -8) today. The Honda WorldSBK Team rider twisted his knee last Friday during a flat-track training session near Barcelona, Spain.

Hayden will have a post-operation evaluation in the coming days to determine when he can begin physical therapy.

Nicky Hayden ⁶⁹

Last month Olympia London played host to a wonderful gathering of like-minded people; motorcycle lovers, engineers, designers, fabricators, artists and artisans...

Inside the "loft" at Olympia Central - up on level two - 2,500 visitors examined, analysed and enjoyed over 60 masterpieces in the showcase and a further 80 rare classics, customs and stock specials placed on the dealer stands.

Below is a small selection of the creations on display at KICKBACK London. You can enter your motorcycle for the next KICKBACK which is to be staged at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire from 1-2 April 2017. Email good photos of your custom-engineered motorcycle or rare classic to [email protected]

KICKBACK Stoneleigh Park is also hosting the 2017 National Championships (for customised motorcycles) again email Lorne if you would like to enter. You can also download the registration form at TheCustomShow.com if you would like to enter your build.

KICKBACK 2017 is at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire from 1-2 April. Visit TheCustomShow.com for more information.