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Category: Moto GP
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Joint statement from the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA), the Amateur Motor Cycle Association (AMCA) and the Auto-Cycle Union (ACU)
British motorsport could end due to EU ruling
The outcome of a government consultation on a piece of EU insurance legislation could end motorsport in the UK.
Yesterday, the Government issued a document for public consultation, which gives an option of implementing the European Court decision known as the ‘Vnuk judgment’. The ruling makes it compulsory for anyone using any form of motorised transport to have third party damage and injury insurance. This will affect all participants in all forms of motorsport.
The insurance industry has made it clear to government that third party risks for motorsport activities are uninsurable, not least because of the sheer number of potential vehicle damage claims that would arise. Therefore, if implemented, the Vnuk judgment would wipe out all legal motor and motorcycle sport activity.
In the UK, the motorsport industry employs over 50,000 people, generates a total of £11 billion of sales each year and is backed up by a world-leading high performance engineering industry.
Motorcycle competition is a popular UK Sport and generates much needed income in rural areas, with over 1.9 million spectators watching around 58,000 riders attend an average of over 4000 off-road and track events each year. These range from junior motocross to the British Superbikes, which would all end without the required insurance under the ECJ ruling.*
MCIA, ACU and AMCA call on the government to exempt motor and motorcycle sport from any changes to insurance law which arise from the ECJ judgement. While the UK remains in the EU, even a temporary implementation of the ruling, as suggested by the Department for Transport in its consultation document, would be fatally damaging to what is an important industry and net contributor to the UK economy.
Speaking for the ACU, AMCA and MCIA, Steve Kenward, CEO of MCIA says: “At a stroke, this would wipe out a successful industry and all the jobs that go with it, as well as eliminating a popular leisure pursuit for 1.9 million people, along with the boost that this gives to both local and national economies.
“If the government implements the Vnuk judgment un-amended, British motorcycle sport would end in the UK. Given that we are coming out of the EU, we are astonished that the government is even considering an option to implement Vnuk. We call on ministers to end uncertainty and put a stop to Vnuk in the UK.”
Background
The Vnuk judgment imposes compulsory third party injury and damage insurance to all vehicles of any kind when used on any type of land. As well as affecting all motorsport vehicles, it could affect electric bicycles, sit-on lawnmowers, golf buggies, mobility scooters and even uninsured vehicles parked on private property under the Statutory Off-Road Notification scheme. The ruling stems from a case involving a Slovenian farm worker, who was hurt falling from a ladder, which was hit by a reversing tractor.
For additional information please contact Steve Muir on 07989 378597 or email [email protected]
Grass roots events like the Skegness beach race (pictured) would end if Vnuk is implemented
Information
- You can read the consultation document here
- The original judgement arises from Damijan Vnuk v Zavarovalnica Triglav C-162/13. See here
- *Figures come from MCIA industry commissioned report
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The 13th edition of the Official MotoGP Season Review, published by award-winning Evro Publishing, records one of the most remarkable seasons of recent years.
MotoGP in 2016 produced a record nine winners, starting and ending with Jorge Lorenzo, and going via Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi, Jack Miller, Andrea Iannone, Cal Crutchlow, Maverick Viñales, Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso.
One man emerged from the confusion to win five races and take his third MotoGP title. Marquez, who was crowned champion with three races to go, tamed his Honda and, most impressively, reined in his natural instinct to win every corner of every race. He rode for the points, he made impossible saves, and now and then he cut loose and shattered lap records just to remind everyone he was a winner.
The year brought plenty of fascinating sub-plots. There was Cal Crutchlow winning for Britain for the first time in the premier class in 35 years, not once but twice. Ducati’s search for their first win since 2010 was frustrated by self-inflicted crashes and bad luck until after the season’s halfway mark. There was the first win by a non-factory independent team in nearly ten years thanks to Jack Miller, who introduced the ‘shoey’ to a startled paddock and set off an epidemic of winners drinking podium champers from their boots.
In the Official MotoGP Season Review each race receives eight pages written by Julian Ryder, detailing what happened to every rider as well as tracing the story of each race weekend. MotoGP’s top technical journalist, Neil Spalding, analyses all the bikes as well as providing expert assessment of how Michelin approached the task of taking over as MotoGP’s tyre supplier. Mat Oxley provides a typically insightful summary of the season as a whole. The unique ‘Rider’s Rider of the Year’ poll, in which all the riders vote for their top six men of the year, throws up some surprises as usual.
The Official MotoGP Season Review also covers Moto2 and Moto3 as well as the Red Bull Rookies championship. Johann Zarco successfully defended his Moto2 title and Brad Binder fulfilled his promise and dominated a Moto3 year notable for a stunningly fast quartet of rookies. The Red Bull Rookies brought a new rising son from Japan in the form of Ayumu Sasaki.
The Official MotoGP Season Review follows every twist and turn of a fascinating and unpredictable season, illustrated with the best motorsport photography on the planet.
JULIAN RYDER is on BT Sport’s MotoGP commentary team and has been editor of the Official MotoGP Season Review since its inception in 2004. From 1993 to 2000 he was a member of the team that brought the golden era of World Superbike and Carl Fogarty’s championships to British TV screens before moving on in 2001 to cover the last year of 500cc Grand Prix racing and then 15 seasons of MotoGP. Julian transferred to the top class of racing at the same time as Valentino Rossi burst on to the scene and he has commentated on all of Rossi’s races since then.
NEIL SPALDING writes about technical aspects of MotoGP for motorcycle magazines and newspapers throughout the world as well as for the Official MotoGP Season Review. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed book MotoGP Technology.
MAT OXLEY is an Isle of Man TT winner and lap record holder. He has been writing about motorcycle racing for magazines and newspapers since the late 1980s, and his books include acclaimed biographies of Valentino Rossi and Mick Doohan, plus the Cold War motorsport spy story Stealing Speed.
ANDREW NORTHCOTT is one of the top MotoGP photographers working today. As well as providing images for the Official MotoGP Season Review, his photos are used by many news publications worldwide.
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TT rider Michael Dunlop has been shortlisted for the prestigious Torrens Trophy. The Royal Automobile Club, organisers of the Trophy, announced the shortlist, featuring Dunlop and British riders Cal Crutchlow and Jonathan Rea at the Motorcycle Live show at the NEC. The overall winner will be announced at a ceremony on Tuesday 24 January 2017 at the Club’s historic Pall Mall clubhouse.”
Barrie Baxter, Chairman of the Torrens Trophy Nominations Committee said, “We are delighted to have teamed up once again with Motorcycle Live. It seems only appropriate to announce the contenders of one of the most prestigious industry trophies at the UK’s largest bike show. The Torrens Trophy celebrates an individual or organisation considered to have made an outstanding contribution to motor cycling in Britain.”
Each year the Royal Automobile Club awards a series of historic trophies and medals to individuals and organisations, celebrating and recognising outstanding achievements, technical skills and innovation in the motoring and motor sport industries.
Last year Torrens Trophy recipient was TT racer Hutchinson. His outstanding determination was a tale of courage and overcoming adversity. From nearly losing his leg and having to endure over 30 gruelling operations to returning to the pinnacle of a sport which dealt him a cruel blow and win multiple TT’s was one of the sport's most courageous stories.
The Club’s Torrens Trophy Nominations Committee consists of Chairman and ex-bike racer Barrie Baxter, Royal Automobile Club member Ben Cussons, well-respected motorcycle journalist Mat Oxley, former racer and commentator Steve Parrish, Club member Richard Bourne (son of motor cycle journalist, Arthur Bourne, whom the Trophy is awarded in memory of) and new to the committee is Queen of Bikers Maria Costello MBE who has held the Guinness World Record for being the fastest woman to lap the Isle of Man TT course.
The Torrens Trophy winner will be awarded at the prestigious Pall Mall clubhouse in January 2017. The shortlist of nominees for the 2016 trophy is:
Michael Dunlop
Dunlop won another two Isle of Man TTs last June and raised the Mountain circuit lap record to an astonishing 133.962mph. When it came to riding the fastest bikes around the world’s toughest track, no one could touch him.
Jonathan Rea
The Northern Irishmen rode another faultless season in World Superbike to successfully defend his 2015 title and thus become the first man since Carl Fogarty to score back-to-back championship victories in the class.
Cal Crutchlow
The former World Supersport champion came of age in MotoGP, twice beating nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi to score Britain’s first premier-class Grand Prix victories since Barry Sheene’s last success way back in 1981.
The Torrens Trophy
The Royal Automobile Club has always had a close association with the motor cycling world. The Club formed the Auto Cycle Club in 1903, which went on to become the Auto Cycle Union in 1947. The first Tourist Trophy race was held on the Isle of Man in 1905 for cars - two years before the first TT for motorcycles.
The Torrens Trophy recognises an individual or organisation considered to have made an outstanding contribution to the cause of safe and skillful motorcycling in the United Kingdom OR to have made an outstanding contribution of technical excellence to further the cause of motor cycling in the UK OR to have shown outstanding skill in international motor cycling sporting events in the United Kingdom.
The Torrens Trophy was first awarded in 1978 in memory of Arthur Bourne, a motor cycling journalist who wrote a column under the name Torrens. Arthur Bourne was also a Vice-Chairman of the RAC. It has only been awarded nine times in its history and only when the club feels that the achievement justifies it.
Previous winners of the Torrens Trophy include:
1989 BMW in recognition of their contribution to motor cycle safety through their development of their anti-lock braking system.
1998: The Metropolitan Police’s Ian Kerr for 20 years of tireless work in promoting safe and responsible motorcycling.
2008: World Superbike Champion James Toseland for his immense contribution to raising the profile of motorcycle racing in this country.
2013 Tom Sykes for being crowned the fifteenth World Superbike Champion, the fourth from Great Britain and only the second rider to win for Kawasaki in the series for twenty years.
2014: Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne for his unique achievement of securing a fourth British Superbike Championship.
2015 Ian Hutchinson for his outstanding determination, courage and overcoming adversity to win multiple TT’s.
The Royal Automobile Club:
The Royal Automobile Club was founded in 1897 and its distinguished history mirrors that of motoring itself. In 1907, King Edward Vii awarded the Club its Royal title, sealing the Club’s status as Britain’s oldest and most influential motoring organisation.
The Club’s early years were focused on promoting the motor car and its place in society, which developed into motoring events such as the 1000 Mile Trial, first held in 1900. In 1905, the Club held the first Tourist Trophy, which remains the oldest continuously competed for motor sports event. The Club promoted the first pre-war and post-war Grands Prix at Brooklands in 1926 and Silverstone in 1948 respectively, whilst continuing to campaign for the rights of the motorist, including introducing the first driving licences.
Today, the Club continues to develop and support automobilism through representation on the Motor Sport Association (MSA), Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and RAC Foundation, while continuing to promote its own motoring events, such as the free-to-attend Regent Street Motor Show and the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, which are two of the highlights of the Club’s London Motor Week.
The Royal Automobile Club also awards a series of historic trophies and medals celebrating motoring achievements. These include the Segrave Trophy, the Tourist Trophy, the Simms Medal, the Dewar Trophy, the Torrens Trophy and the Diamond Jubilee Trophy.
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14-time Isle of Man TT winner Ian Hutchinson, who also became the World’s Fastest Road Racer during 2016 with a phenomenal lap of 134.089mph during August’s Ulster Grand Prix, has agreed terms to stay with the Northern Ireland based Tyco BMW team for the 2017 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy and the other international road races.
Hutchinson, who took Superstock wins at all three major International Road Races with Tyco BMW including the RL360 Quantum Superstock at the TT Races, and a double in the Superbike class at the Ulster Grand Prix, will also contest next season’s British Superstock Championship. The Bingley rider finished second in the series this season with Tyco BMW.
Speaking of his extended deal, Hutchinson said:
“I’m glad to have finally sorted a deal to stay with Tyco BMW for a second season. Looking back we had a very good run in 2016 with wins at all the International Road Races. Having now worked together for a season, we know where we need to improve with the obvious goal, to go on now and challenge for the Superbike wins at all of the big three internationals.”
“The BMW S1000RR still has so much potential in Superbike trim on the roads and with another season of British Superstock planned, the aim there will be to go one step better and win the championship next season.”
Team owner Hector Neill said:
“Hutchy did a great job for us this season and whether it was in British championship or the roads, he was always in contentions for wins and podiums and provided both our sponsors and fans with a lot of entertainment.”
“His international hat-trick in the Superstock class and his terrific season in British Superstock proved how well he got on with the Tyco BMW, and to go on and take the world’s fastest track lap record at Dundrod was the icing on the cake.”
“The goal going forward is to build on that success and I’ve never hidden the fact that the Senior TT trophy is the one we really want to win in 2017. It’s the blue-riband road race on the season’s calendar, and along with Hutchy and our dedicated team we will be giving it our very best shot.”
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THREE DAYS AT JEREZ FOR ALEIX ESPARGARÒ AND SAM LOWES
Final efforts for Aprilia before the winter break, three days of testing on the Spanish Jerez de la Frontera track. Aleix Espargarò and Sam Lowes were back in the saddle of their RS-GP machines, just a few days after their first contact in Valencia, for a final series of preliminary tests for the development of the bike from Veneto in view of 2017. The less than ideal weather partially complicated the job for the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, enough to force the team and riders to stop early because of the rain.
The two sides of the garage had different goals. Aleix Espargarò continued gathering data and information that will be used by the Noale Racing Department in defining the RS-GP in its 2017 configuration. The Spanish rider identified a good base on which to build from now until the next tests in Malaysia. Sam Lowes, visibly suffering after his crash in Valencia, was unable to push too hard astride his RS-GP, so he took advantage of the three days to get to know the team better, also benefiting from the comments made by his more expert garage mate.
Even with the early stop, Aleix did 80 laps with his best stopping the clock at 1'39.675, whereas Sam's best time was 1'42.312 of his 50-lap total.
MARCUS ESCHENBACHER - ALEIX ESPARGARO' CREW CHIEF
"We are heading into the winter break with good sensations. Aleix confirmed what he demonstrated in Valencia, both in terms of performance and harmony with the RS-GP. We have identified a rather precise technical direction to accommodate his riding style and during the winter we will work on bringing a further advanced bike to the first tests at Sepang. The weather did not help us and we also had a crash, but we can look forward to the 2017 season optimistically".
GIULIO NAVA - SAM LOWES CREW CHIEF
"Sam is suffering from the after-effects of his crash in Valencia, but he put himself to the test anyway at Jerez to continue growing. We have a long season ahead of us, so for the moment it is important to rack up the miles in the saddle and get to know the mechanisms of the team. Despite his physical difficulties, I think these tests added another notch in the belt for Sam's apprenticeship. I'm sure that in Malaysia his potential will begin to show. We can't consider the times from these tests as any real indication".
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