Category: Moto GP

1. Dunlop takes first Honda TT win as McGuinness sets new lap record

   Posted on 12:56pm Sunday 2nd Jun 2013

   Honda TT Legends’ Michael Dunlop stormed to victory in today’s Isle of Man TT Superbike race to bring home his first TT win for Honda, 30 years after his uncle Joey Dunlop achieved the same feat.

   Team-mate John McGuinness – who ran a tribute Joey livery in the race to celebrate the anniversary – took third place and in doing so set a new outright lap record of 131.67mph. Third Honda TT Legends rider Michael Rutter placed sixth.      

   The race got away at 3pm this afternoon with Dunlop taking the lead on the first lap. He proceeded to hold his position on the timesheets for the entire race, widening the gap lap-by-lap to eventually cross the line with a 40-second advantage over Cameron Donald (Wilson Craig Honda) in second. The victory is Dunlop’s fourth at the TT but his first in the Superbike class and his first for Honda.      

   McGuinness had a more eventful race, climbing from fourth to second and leading on the roads by the four-lap mark. The 19-time TT winner unfortunately broke the pit lane speed limit during the second pit stop, picking up a 60-second penalty that dropped him back to fourth behind Guy Martin.

   The Morecambe Missile came back fighting, putting in a stunning final lap that saw him catch Martin and set the new outright record, claiming third place and completing an all-Honda podium.      

   Rutter meanwhile put in an impressive performance aboard the Honda TT Legends CBR1000RR Fireblade, chipping away with every lap to climb from 11th to sixth by the chequered flag. The three riders will convene again for the team on Friday 7 June for the Senior race.

   Michael Dunlop

   The Superbike was the main goal for me. It’s been a dream of mine and it honestly hasn’t sunk in yet that I’ve won it. I never got to ride with Joey so when I caught John on the road in the tribute livery it was kind of weird and I had to think twice that it wasn’t Joey. John was so smooth and he’s taken over the title of King of the Mountain, so to sit behind him and follow those lines was just fantastic. It was a very special moment. The Superbike was just unbelievable, it handled lovely and I can’t thank Honda and the team enough.      

   John McGuinness  

   I can’t win them all. I don’t know what happened in that second pit stop. Obviously it’s my fault and I’ll take it  on the chin because they’re the rules. I’d ridden hard for five laps and on that last lap I just pushed and pushed, giving it everything I could and I’m just pleased I was able to nick the podium back. I’m so proud to wear the Joey Dunlop colours from 2000. I was in the same position on the podium with him in the Superbike race that year, and now here I am next to another Dunlop. I wanted to win but it wasn’t be. I’m on the podium and the consolation is the lap record.

   Michael Rutter  

   That was good overall. We had a bit of a problem on the first pit stop with the rear wheel and with the front tyre in the first stint, but once we got that out of the way I started to enjoy it and got myself back up to sixth. I’m well happy with that as top six was my aim. Hopefully we can gain a couple of places on Friday.

2. Motor sport legend John Surtees OBE roars through Edenbridge High Street

   Posted on 9:53am Sunday 2nd Jun 2013

   Edenbridge, Kent came to a standstill yesterday, as thousands of spectators lined the streets to cheer on motor sport legend, John Surtees OBE, McLaren test driver Oliver Turvey and ex Formula 3 Champion Robbie Kerr in Surtees Edenbridge built Formula 1 and 2 cars. 

   The racing drivers were joined by noted motoring journalist Steve Cropley driving a McLaren Supercar, and John’s daughter Edwina driving a Gullwing 300 SL Mercedes-Benz, plus two Grand Prix motorcycles from John’s past. 

   Leading the way was an Aston Martin Course Car driven by David Barzilay. The vehicles roared through Edenbridge High Street on Monday 27th May 2013 for 2 laps. The event in Surtees' home town was organized by the Eden Valley Chamber of Commerce as an attraction to the town to showcase what it has to offer. 

   The two motor cavalcades formed part of the Edenbridge Fun Day, which also had an objective of raising awareness of the activities of the Henry Surtees Foundation. Speaking at the event John Surtees said: “It’s not often people get to see Formula 1 cars up close and it was amazing to have the High Street closed on a busy Bank Holiday weekend so we could give them a blast. It was a great turn out, and everybody looked like they thoroughly enjoyed it, I certainly did. I hope that it helps to put Edenbridge on the map.”

   Peter Kingham, Chairman of The Eden Valley Chamber of Commerce said: “The whole event was a huge success and it has always been our intention to make this an annual event centring on the town's racing construction heritage. The day surpassed all our expectations and we were thrilled to see the town packed out with so many happy smiling faces. This event will help us to put Edenbridge on the map to attract inward investment into the town. Personally, I would like to thank John for all the help and effort he, his staff and friends put into making it such a great day. I hope that this will further promote the work of The Henry Surtees Foundation.”

   The Team Surtees and John Surtees related vehicles that took part in the parade included:

   ·       A TS7 Formula 1 car which John Surtees raced at the British Grand Prix in Brands Hatch in 1970 driven by John Surtees.

   ·       The TS15 2-litre Formula 2 car which won the prestigious Interlagos race in Brazil in 1973. Driven by past Formula 3 British Champion and A1 Grand Prix runner-up Robbie Kerr.

   ·       The TS14 Formula 1 car which Mike Hailwood drove to second place in the 1972 Italian Grand Prix was displayed statically.

   Engineers associated with John Surtees’ career on two wheels rode the motorcycles including:

   ·       A 1960 MV Agusta four-cylinder GP motorcycle – John Surtees won seven motorcycle championships riding for MV Agusta.

   ·       A 1954 BMW Rennsport twin-cylinder motorcycle – John Surtees raced for the factory team at the Nurburgring in 1955.

   The vehicles were displayed throughout the day outside the Bradford shop, Station Road, where they were built and designed by predominantly local residents.

   The special event featured static displays and a parade of rarely seen race cars and bikes as well as veteran and classic vehicles. Road cars and motorcycles in the parade ranged from two TVR sports cars to several Lambretta and Vespa scooters. There was also a 1968 Jaguar S Type Police car in its original black livery and complete with radio, bell, klaxons and two 'uniformed officers' (mannequins) in the back! The 1932 Alvis Firefly was one of the first to be built and displayed on the company's stand at the Motor Show of that year – where it was sold for £495 (more than four times the price of a new Austin 7). A 1995 Reliant Scimitar Sabre Mk2 is one of just 30 still in use – only about 60 of them were made. Even rarer was the 1938 Scott Prototype Clubman Special, of which only four were built.

3. Dunlop on pole for the North West 200

   Posted on 8:34am Wednesday 15th May 2013

   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.

4. Monster Energy renews Isle of Man TT Races Title Sponsorship in multi-year deal

   Posted on 12:57pm Thursday 7th Mar 2013

   Energy drinks brand Monster Energy has renewed its title sponsorship of the Isle of Man TT Races in a new multi year deal. The USA based company has been the title sponsor of the world's leading road race since 2010.

   The deal will see Monster Energy handed a range of high-profile benefits including the overall Presenting Sponsorship, naming rights to the two Supersport Races, presence on the official iomtt.com website, advertising around the TT control tower in the race paddock, Grandstand and Mountain Course as well as a high profile branded start gantry featuring the famous Monster 'claw'. The TT Races will continue to carry the credit ‘fuelled by Monster Energy’.

   Monster Energy will also be bringing its entertainment infrastructure to the famous promenade entertainment programme with five evenings of brand-endorsed music, stunts and appearance by Monster Energy brand ambassadors including global FMX talent such as Andre Villa, in their TT Mayhem show.

   The company has a high profile association with Motorsports events including presenting sponsorships of FIM Speedway Grand Prix and World Cup, Rallycross RX, FIM Motocross World Championships. Monster’s connection within the world of motorsport also includes sponsorship of the Yamaha MotoGP team, Monster Energy Yamaha Tech 3, MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, the Monster Energy Factory Yamaha Motocross outfit and rally driver Ken Block. The company also supports 19-time TT race champion John McGuinness and the Yamaha factory backed Milwaukee Yamaha Superbike Team that features leading TT racers William Dunlop and Conor Cummins.

   John Beasley. VP of Marketing at Monster Energy Europe commented: "The Isle of Man TT has been one of the most powerful motorsports activities for Monster Energy in Europe. The TT and its amazing fan-base never fail to inspire us through awesome levels of participation and the spectacle they manage to produce year after year. We’re really pleased to be extending the association and are looking forward to our involvement in the continued growth of the TT."

   Trevor Hussey, TT and Motorsport Development Director, Isle of Man Government commented: "Monster Energy has made a major commitment to the TT Races and has become a valuable partner for us in delivering a successful event. Our commercial programme goes from strength to strength and this is epitomised by Monster Energy's commitment. We are pleased and proud to be working with them for an extended period of time."

5. WARM WELCOME ASSURED AT NEW WINTER CLASSIC

   Posted on 12:01am Wednesday 30th Nov 2011

   Originally intended to be fully indoors, this new event has simply grown and grown, with many traders wanting to be based outside in the fresh Nottinghamshire air. The vast majority of indoor pitches have now been sold, with just a handful remaining – so if you want to be involved, time is running out.

   To make the show even more informative, there'll be a 'roving mike' as Dave Craggs holds a Traders Tech Talk Walkabout – where he interviews traders, finds out what they do and asks them to do live demonstrations of their products and services.

   You'll also find Moto GP presenter Julian Ryder on a stand in the Lady Eastwood Hall, one of more than 400 plots which include a mixture of trade, autojumble, clubs and private entries

   Classic Bike Guide magazine editor Nigel Clark has been looking forward to the show for some time, and said: "We are planning to make the Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic a show to rival anything. We know that for many enthusiasts in the south, the Bristol show is their first chance to show off a new restoration, we’d like this show to become a showcase for northern talent too.”

   Tickets for The Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic Show can be bought on the day or online. An advance adult day ticket is £7 online and £8 on the gate.

   For more information on how to buy pre booked discounted tickets call our hotline discount number on 01507 529529.

   Future Dates:

   The 1st Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic Show – 7/8 January 2012 (NEW SHOW!)

   32nd Carole Nash Bristol Classic MotorCycle Show -18/19 February 2012

   32nd Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show – 28/29 April 2012

   The 1st Carole Nash Great Scottish Bike Show - 12/13 May 2012 (NEW SHOW!)

   The 19th Carole Nash Eurojumble – 7/8 September 2012

   The 19th Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show – 20/21 October 2012

   1st Carole Nash Scottish Dirt Bike Show – 1/2 December 2012 (NEW SHOW!)