Seatbelt laws were first put into place thirty years ago but we still face issues with their use. One in five (19%) motorists claim to know someone who doesn’t use a seatbelt in the front of their car.  

Today will see the anniversary of the introduction of compulsory wearing which came to effect in 1983. Latest figures show 95 per cent of drivers and 96 per cent of front seat passengers wear a seat belt; 89 per cent of rear seat passengers use one.

Yet every year, not wearing a seatbelt is still a contributory factor in more than 220 deaths and serious injuries.

A higher number of younger motorists know someone who does not wear a seatbelt compared to the older age group.  

• In the back of the car, 41% of 18-29 year olds know someone who doesn’t wear a seatbelt compared to 25% of 45+ year olds whilst for in the front of the car, 36% of 16-29 year olds know someone compared to 11% of 55+ year olds.
• Drivers and passengers aged 17-34 have the lowest seat belt wearing rates combined with the highest accident rates.
• Yet 14 per cent of adults still admit to being inconsistent seat-belt wearers.  

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “In the past three decades seatbelts have made a fantastic contribution to road safety success in Britain helping to save thousands of lives. But the ongoing message needs to be reinforced to all age groups. All the modern technology in a new car assumes the occupant is wearing a seatbelt.  Younger drivers know that not wearing a seatbelt is dangerous, but they must still be reminded that no matter where you are sitting in a car, a seatbelt will save your life.”

DAREDEVIL riders will push the limits of what you can do on two wheels when they perform spectacular stunts at Scotland’s top motorcycle show.

The Carole Nash Great Scottish Bike Show takes place at Lanark Agricultural Centre, Hyndford Road, Lanark, on Saturday, May 11, and Sunday, May 12.

The Vertical Trix stunt team and their ‘stunt monkey’ will be burning rubber as they drift and jump their sports bikes around the arena; classic 1920s motorcycles will race around the gravity-defying Wall of Death and the Danny Butler Extreme Mountain Bike Show will provide pedal-powered thrills.

Brian Marr will be proving that trials riders see every obstacle as an opportunity and there will be a classic scrambles competition on a dedicated scrambles track for both days of the event too.

Show-goers can practice pulling wheelies on a Repsol Honda bike in complete safety on the Extreme Wheelie machine and children can join in the fun on an inflatable mini quad bike track.

Star guests at the show will be father and son Scots racing champions Bill and Ian Simpson. Both are Isle of Man TT winners and Ian scored a long list of victories in Grand Prix and road races.

A wide selection of trade stands will also be offering motorcycling parts and merchandise for sale and there will be both private motorcycle exhibitors and club stands.

Classic Bike Shows organiser Nick Mowbray said: “We’ve got some very talented performers lined up for the Carole Nash Great Scottish Bike Show and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do.

“Clubs and private owners will be showcasing a huge selection of both classic and modern machinery that you’ll be able to examine at close quarters.

“Our star guests Bill and Ian Simpson have got some amazing stories to tell about their racing careers and there will be loads to see and do whether you come on your own or bring the kids too.”

Changes to bring UK driving licences in line with those around the EU mean motorcycle licence changes from January 2013.

For more information see here:

You don’t get much more historic in motorsport than ‘Whistling Billy’, the 1905 steam powered racing car that has undergone a full restoration and rebuild, and will make its Race Retro debut at Stoneleigh Park from 22-24 February.

Originally built by the White company, this steam works sprint car was made for the popular new motor racing on the dirt trotting horse tracks throughout North America. It was called Billy but was soon renamed Whistling Billy because of the howl that it made from its burners going down the straights.

Its engine was a 1905 compound 20hp White steam car engine with Stephenson’s link motion that was soon modified to have a piston valve instead of a slide vale on the high pressure side, something all Whites had after 1907. The steam generator was a 30hp mono-tube as used then in the 30 and 40hp cars from 1907 onwards. Most of the other parts were stock parts from production cars. The car was fuelled by gasoline or kerosene and the burner jets were enormous.

Whistling Billy started winning races; on July 4th 1905 it took nearly four seconds off the World track record for the mile with a time of 48.35 seconds (about 74 mph). Driven by Webb Jay, who believed he was driving the fastest car in the World. Its fastest recorded speed was 120 mph and Race Retro is hoping to make it whistle once again if it can bring Whistling Billy back to life in the Fire Up Paddock.

Visitors can also enjoy high octane rally action on the Live Rally Stage on Saturday and Sunday, appearances by motorsport legends Sir Stirling Moss and Murray Walker throughout the weekend* on the interview stage, the Silverstone Auctions Retro and Classic Sale and the Fire Up Paddock as well as hundreds of traders.

Adult tickets for Race Retro, sponsored by Peter James Insurance and HERO, start at £20 in advance with children’s tickets at £5 for Friday and Saturday and free on Sunday. Car parking is free and has been moved to a hard surface area nearer to the halls. The show is open from 9.30am each day and closes at 5.30pm on Friday and Saturday and 4.30pm on Sunday.

www.raceretro.com

Sunday 27th January 2013  @ Newbury Racecourse, Newbury, Berks, RG14 7NZ

We return to Newbury racecourse in January where we expect to see an abundance of classic cars displaying on the hard standing in front of the grandstand. This is also a good show for bikes that tend to fill half the inside hall with trade filling the other half and most of the perimeter outside. Upstairs there is restaurant/cafe serving hot food and drinks with a balcony which overlooks the racecourse and the display of cars, there will be an all day concours competition with prizes available, this is a great little event to start the year with so why not join us.

Admission Prices: £6 per Adult £2 per Child (7-14yrs) Under 7's free. Free Parking.

Opening Times: 10am - 3pm Directions: Newbury Racecourse is in Newbury Town Centre just off the old A34. Follow signposts from the Burger King R-A-B.

Any vehicles that have not booked in are still welcome to display and take part in the concours competition but will be required to pay the normal admission price on arrival.

www.classicvehicleevents.com