Honda TT Legends’ Michael Dunlop will start this weekend’s North West 200 Superbike races from pole position, while Michael Rutter and John McGuinness will start from seventh and ninth respectively.

Today’s second practice went ahead in persistent rain, meaning that there was no improvement on Tuesday’s times from any of the riders. Dunlop was the fastest rider in both sessions and his best lap of 4:33.173 was seven seconds quicker than the second placed rider Bruce Anstey. The two Superbike races will go ahead on Saturday 18 May.

Neil Tuxworth   Considering the terrible conditions we’ve had for practice here at the North West, which have not only been wet and windy but constantly changing, to have all three riders qualify in the top ten without an incident is an excellent way to go into the races on Saturday. Dunlop’s performance on the Superbike machine in particular has been outstanding in each session.

Michael Dunlop   I still feel like we’ve got a bit of work to do, but the bike’s working really well and it’s great to be starting the race from the prime position. We’re quickest and we’re ready to go, but there’s not much more we can do now until race day. Let’s just see what happens.   John McGuinness   I mistimed my fast lap and got caught in traffic on Tuesday so it’s a real shame that today’s been wet and I couldn’t improve the time. It’s a little disappointing as I’ve been on the front row many times here. I’ve been going great on the Superstock and the 600 but this is a priority race and it’s not really happened for me. I’m on the third row and if I can make a good start and be strong on the first lap I think we’ll be alright.

Michael Rutter   It’s a shame we didn’t get the chance to improve on our times today. The conditions have been horrendous but the bike felt good and we’re happy enough with qualifying. I just hope we get some decent weather on Saturday so that we can give it a good go.

Leading Satellite operator SES has confirmed that it will continue to be the headline sponsor of the groundbreaking SES TT Zero Race in 2013, which takes place on Wednesday 5th June at the Isle of Man TT.

The company has been involved in the event since 2011, which last year saw the historic first 100mph lap of the course. This year's race is set to deliver greater speeds with leading protagonists Mugen and MotoCzysz set to go head to head once again on the TT Mountain Course.

As part of their sponsorship SES is also supporting an exhibition at the Sayle Gallery in Douglas that will run throughout the TT Races period. Titled 'Space Mountain' and created by artist Rachael Clegg, Space Mountain explores the development of satellites in connection with the development of the TT through a series of quirky, slick and thought-provoking prints.

Each image is accompanied by text explaining its historical significance and the image references include assassinations, smuggled secrets and crime. Starting with the first telegraph in 1837, Space Mountain takes the viewer on a tour of the development of telecommunications via Morse code, Nazi Germany, Soviet spies interspersed with references of TT triumphs.

Rachael Clegg said: "The stories behind the development of satellites are brilliant and the parallels between TT and satellite history are striking. The first satellite was Sputnik, launched in 1957, which was also the year in which Bob McIntyre broke the 100 mile-an-hour lap record. Both satellites and the TT were developing at a similar pace and - as the exhibition will reveal - with equal drama."

She continued: "Space Mountain has been so much fun in the making. We've used chocolate, farms, railway tracks, retro TVs, 1950s dentist chairs, over-sized trousers and even a rocket.We take satellites and telecommunications for granted but this exhibition brings home how quickly technology has developed. It wasn't that long ago that we were using Scouts on the TT course to relay messages to marshals and the first satellite-transmitted television image was only 51 years ago. Now companies like SES are launching zero-emission satellites into space, which allow us to watch television footage in India, Australia and the Middle East."

SES Satellite Leasing Ltd's MD, Mark Guthrie said: "SES is really excited to once again be involved with the SES TT Zero at a time when the race is set to deliver some remarkable results. We are also pleased to extend our activity by supporting an exhibition like this. As sponsors of TT Zero we wanted to commission something striking that also drew parallels between the development of satellites, telecommunications and the TT."

Space Mountain is on display at the Sayle Gallery, Douglas from May 25 to June 7 and is free to enter. 

... in Tywyn for TT3D: Closer to the Edge

Ride out to the resplendent seaside resort of Tywyn on the west coast of Wales!
Begin your day with a ride through the spectacular wild mountains of Mid and West Wales then enjoy a very special showing of TT3D: Closer to the Edge at the Magic Lantern Cinema.
The cinema is a truly unique and beautiful venue, first opened in 1893 as the town Assembly Room and converted into a cinema in the 1930’s. The present owners have been steadily renovating the venue over the last three years, ensuring that it retains its original charm and Victorian grandeur, whilst installing the most advanced cinema system in Wales.
The recently installed 4K projector  is Sony’s latest machine and combined with the brand new Dolby 7.1 surround sound system and the very best 3D lens available on the market it guarantees an amazing cinema experience.
Cinema co-owner Geoff Hill said “We’re aiming to provide an unforgettable day out for bikers. The film will be played on eight Sundays through the summer months and we’ll be opening the cinema at 1pm so riders can get food and drink in the café-bar area before the film starts at 2.30pm.”
The digital installation is thanks to the fantastic financial support from the Peter Saunders Trust and also from the Gwynedd Enabling Fund which comes from the Rural Development Plan for Wales, 2007-2013 funded by the Welsh Government and the European Union.
Cinema co-owner Mark Bond said “We are incredibly lucky to have this state of the art system here in West Wales, and a fabulous film like ‘TT3D: Closer to the Edge’ is perfect to show off it’s incredible capabilities”.
There is plenty of free off-road parking. Show dates are Sundays 9th and 23rd June, 7th and 21st July, 4th and 18th August and 1st and 8th September. Doors open 1pm. Film starts 2.30pm (Cert 15, running time 104mins). All tickets £6 (MAG members receive £1 discount- £5!)
Magic Lantern Cinema, Corbett Square, Tywyn, Gwynedd, LL36 9DF. tel: 01654 710260 

www.tywyncinema.co.uk

We put this down to the efforts of our members community sharing their views, thoughts, and ideas.

We have gained hundreds of new members recently because we believe the BBA is for real bikers who love motorcycling and is not for legislation drum banging bureaucrats.

WE DO NOT:

Publish printed articles full of adverts. Send you meaningless text messages. Charge £27.00 per year per member. Hold meetings about the meetings we had when we last met! WE DO:

Provide amazing value for money when compared to the BMF and MAG. Provide you with an android app full of resources for the avid motorcyclist. Give you up to date motorcycle news. Let members voice opinions, thoughts, and ideas through the website. Get you involved with campaigns that matter to us motorcyclists. Take a look at the fastest growing motorcycle association in the UK. Even if you don't join us you will find the BBA is a modern 21st century association for BRITISH BIKERS.

www.britishbikersassociation.org

Honda TT Legends’ Michael Dunlop will start this weekend’s North West 200 Superbike races from pole position, while Michael Rutter and John McGuinness will start from seventh and ninth respectively.

Today’s second practice went ahead in persistent rain, meaning that there was no improvement on Tuesday’s times from any of the riders. Dunlop was the fastest rider in both sessions and his best lap of 4:33.173 was seven seconds quicker than the second placed rider Bruce Anstey. The two Superbike races will go ahead on Saturday 18 May.

Neil Tuxworth   Considering the terrible conditions we’ve had for practice here at the North West, which have not only been wet and windy but constantly changing, to have all three riders qualify in the top ten without an incident is an excellent way to go into the races on Saturday. Dunlop’s performance on the Superbike machine in particular has been outstanding in each session.

Michael Dunlop   I still feel like we’ve got a bit of work to do, but the bike’s working really well and it’s great to be starting the race from the prime position. We’re quickest and we’re ready to go, but there’s not much more we can do now until race day. Let’s just see what happens.   John McGuinness   I mistimed my fast lap and got caught in traffic on Tuesday so it’s a real shame that today’s been wet and I couldn’t improve the time. It’s a little disappointing as I’ve been on the front row many times here. I’ve been going great on the Superstock and the 600 but this is a priority race and it’s not really happened for me. I’m on the third row and if I can make a good start and be strong on the first lap I think we’ll be alright.

Michael Rutter   It’s a shame we didn’t get the chance to improve on our times today. The conditions have been horrendous but the bike felt good and we’re happy enough with qualifying. I just hope we get some decent weather on Saturday so that we can give it a good go.