Category: Random

1. Padgett’s Motorcycles Awarded Prestigious Royal Automobile Club Torrens Trophy

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 4th Sep 2026

   Padgett’s Motorcycles Awarded Prestigious Royal Automobile Club Torrens Trophy Padgett’s Motorcycles, one of the most respected and successful names in British motorcycle racing, has been awarded the historic Torrens Trophy by the Royal Automobile Club in recognition of more than six decades of outstanding contribution to the sport. Presented only in exceptional circumstances, the Torrens Trophy recognises an individual or organisation that has made an outstanding contribution to the cause or technical excellence of safe and skilful motorcycling in the United Kingdom. This rare accolade reflects Padgett’s extraordinary legacy in the sport, spanning more than six decades of success at the highest levels of international racing and road racing. Padgett’s has supported and developed generations of world-class riders, achieving sustained success at the very highest level. Over this period, no other organisation has supported as many British riders across such a wide range of events and championships, from the Isle of Man TT and British Superbikes to Irish road racing and Grand Prix World Championships. As one of the most successful privateer teams in motorcycle racing, Padgett’s has achieved multiple Isle of Man TT victories with riders including Bruce Anstey, and has secured historic success with both John McGuinness and Ian Hutchinson, most notably Hutchinson’s unprecedented clean sweep of all five solo TT races in 2010. The team has also established an enduring and influential presence at major road racing events, including the North West 200. From its early association with Grand Prix legends such as Mike Hailwood and Phil Read, through to its modern-day achievements, Padgett’s Motorcycles holds a unique place at the very heart of British motorcycle racing, making the them truly worthy recipients of this prestigious award. Duncan Wiltshire, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club, said: “Over the years, Padgett’s has played a pivotal role in shaping British motorcycle racing, supporting and developing generations of world-class riders while maintaining an unwavering commitment to performance and safety, and establishing standards and relationships that have endured across generations. “Their enduring competitive success, contribution to the advancement of British motorcycling and role in nurturing talent firmly cement their place at the very heart of the sport. This award recognises both their remarkable heritage and their continued influence at the highest level.” ”Clive Padgett, who continues to lead the family-run team, said: “To receive the Torrens Trophy is an incredible honour for everyone involved with Padgett’s. It’s recognition not just of results, but of decades of hard work, passion and commitment to doing things the right way. On a personal level, this means a huge amount to me and my family. My father, Peter, dedicated his life to building Padgett’s into what it is today, and it’s something I know he would have been immensely proud of. To receive this in the same year that we lost him makes it especially poignant.” Multiple Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness MBE added: “Padgett’s is more than just a team, it’s a family. To see them recognised with something as prestigious as the Torrens Trophy is absolutely deserved. They’ve been at the heart of British racing for decades, and I feel privileged to have been part of that story.” Ian Hutchinson said “Clive and the Padgett’s team have always been very special to me. We had an unbelievable year together in 2010, winning all five solo TT races, but it’s always been about much more than the racing. “They’ve been there for me through the good times and the tough ones. There’s so much knowledge, passion and hard work behind Padgett’s, but also real loyalty and friendship. They’ve given so much to riders like me and to motorcycle racing. I’m absolutely chuffed to see them win the Torrens Trophy – they really deserve it.” The Torrens Trophy is awarded only when the Royal Automobile Club considers an achievement or contribution truly worthy of the honour, underlining the significance of Padgett’s Motorcycles joining its distinguished roll of recipients.   About The Royal Automobile Club The Royal Automobile Club was founded in 1897, and its distinguished history mirrors that of motoring itself. In 1907, the Club was awarded its Royal title by King Edward VII, 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, one of the oldest continuously run competitive 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 Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and RAC Foundation, while promoting its own motoring events including London Motor Week and the RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. This year the Club’s London Motor Week – including the Motoring Book of The Year Awards – runs from Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November 2026. The Royal Automobile Club also awards a series of historically world-famous trophies and medals celebrating motoring achievements. These include the Segrave Trophy, the Tourist Trophy, the Simms Medal, the Dewar Trophy, the Torrens Trophy, the Diamond Jubilee Trophy and the Historic Awards.

2. Making Motorcycle Deliveries More Efficient

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 3rd Sep 2026

   Motorcycles are well suited to local deliveries. They are compact, relatively economical, and easier to manoeuvre through congested urban areas than larger vehicles. But the bike itself is only one part of an efficient delivery operation.

   Route selection, loading, timing, navigation, and rider habits all affect how many jobs can be completed during a shift. Small inefficiencies become expensive when repeated across dozens of deliveries.

   Start With Better Route Planning   

   A delivery route should be planned around more than distance. The shortest route is not always the fastest. Junctions, one-way systems, traffic lights, road restrictions, and congestion can add significant time to a short journey.

   This matters on UK roads. Department for Transport figures show that local A roads in England had an average speed of just 23.0 mph in 2024. Average delay was 48.3 seconds per vehicle per mile compared with free-flow conditions.

   For riders handling several addresses, planning the sequence of stops before leaving can reduce unnecessary mileage and repeated sections of road. A free route planner tool can help organise multiple destinations into a more practical route.

   Good route planning should consider:

   • The location of every delivery

   • Required delivery times or customer windows

   • Road restrictions and access limitations

   • Expected traffic conditions

   • The distance between consecutive stops

   • Where the rider can safely stop and unload

   The objective is not simply to cover fewer miles. It is to reduce total journey time while keeping the route predictable.

   Group Deliveries by Location

   When several deliveries are assigned to one rider, grouping stops geographically can make a major difference.

   Suppose five customers are located across three neighbouring areas. Sending the rider back and forth between those areas creates unnecessary mileage. A better approach is to complete one cluster before moving to the next.

   This becomes particularly useful during busy periods. The rider spends less time making route decisions and more time completing deliveries.

   However, geographical grouping should not override delivery deadlines. A stop with a strict time window may need to be prioritised even if it sits outside the main cluster.

   Keep the Motorcycle Ready for Work

   Mechanical reliability directly affects delivery efficiency. A minor problem can turn into a missed delivery schedule and lost working time.

   Before a shift, riders should check the basic operating condition of the motorcycle. Tyre pressures deserve particular attention because incorrect pressure can affect handling, braking and fuel consumption.

   A practical pre-shift check includes:

   • Tyre condition and pressure

   • Engine oil level

   • Brake operation

   • Lights and indicators

   • Chain condition and tension

   • Fuel level

   • Mirrors and controls

   The delivery box or luggage system should also be checked. Loose mounting hardware can create vibration and instability. Heavy items should be secured so they cannot move during braking or cornering.

   Load the Bike for Faster Stops

   Time spent at each address matters just as much as riding time.

   If packages are loaded without a clear system, the rider may need to search through the storage box at every stop. That creates small delays that accumulate throughout the day.

   Organise packages according to the planned route. Items for the first stops should be accessible without removing everything else. Fragile goods should be protected from movement, while heavier items should be positioned securely and within the motorcycle's luggage capacity.

   Labels should be clear and easy to read. If possible, include the delivery sequence on the package or in the rider's navigation system.

   Reduce Unnecessary Waiting

   Not every delay happens on the road.

   A rider can lose considerable time waiting for customers, searching for entrances, finding loading areas, or dealing with unclear delivery instructions.

   Before starting the route, check the information available for each address. Commercial buildings may have separate entrances for deliveries. Residential developments may have restricted access or limited parking.

   Where the delivery system allows it, customers can also be given an estimated arrival window. Clear instructions reduce the likelihood of the rider having to make additional calls or search for the correct location.

   Use Data to Improve Future Routes

   Efficiency improves when delivery performance is measured.

   Record basic information such as total deliveries, kilometres travelled, shift duration, failed delivery attempts, and average time per stop. After several shifts, patterns become easier to identify.

   One route may consistently cause delays during the afternoon. Another may contain too many difficult access points. A particular group of addresses may work better at a different time.

   Motorcycle traffic in Great Britain reached 3.0 billion vehicle miles in 2024, up 3.5% from 2023 and 10.6% above 2019 levels, according to the Department for Transport.

   As motorcycle use grows, efficient route management becomes increasingly useful for businesses relying on two-wheeled delivery vehicles.

   Build a Repeatable Delivery System

   The most efficient motorcycle delivery operation is rarely based on riding faster. It comes from removing wasted time.

   Plan the route before departure. Group nearby addresses. Load packages in delivery order. Keep the motorcycle maintained. Record performance and adjust routes when the data shows a recurring problem.

   These practices make each individual delivery more predictable. Over a full working day, that can mean fewer unnecessary miles, less waiting, and more completed jobs without placing additional pressure on the rider.

    

    

    

    

   article supplied

3. From Two Wheels to Four: Why Motorsport Fans Should Experience F1 with Fanatix

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 27th Aug 2026

4. From Two Wheels to Four: Why Motorsport Fans Should Experience F1 with Fanatix

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 20th Aug 2026

   A MotoGP fan does not need an introduction to late braking, tyre limits or the tension of a rider setting up a pass several corners in advance. What makes an F1 weekend interesting is seeing those familiar ideas expressed through completely different machinery.

   Choosing Your First F1 Race

   A motorcycle racing fan can start with the circuit rather than the driver standings. Someone who enjoys fast, flowing sections may be drawn to Silverstone, while heavy braking and long straights make tracks such as Monza interesting for a different reason.

   Once that preference is clear, the Formula 1 calendar on Fanatix can be used to compare listed Grands Prix by city, circuit and date. The page currently covers events including Silverstone, Spa, Monza, Singapore, Austin and Abu Dhabi, so the first decision can remain about the type of track you want to experience.

   The familiar names can also help. Silverstone and Circuit of the Americas have hosted

    both F1 and MotoGP, giving motorcycle fans a rare chance to watch another championship attack asphalt they already understand.

   The Same Track Feels Different

   

   COTA provides one of the clearest comparisons. Autosport lists a 1m36.169s F1 lap record and a 2m03.126s MotoGP record on the current layout, a gap of almost 27 seconds.

   Top speeds alone do not explain it. Autosport points to the much higher cornering speed of an F1 car, particularly through COTA’s twisting first sector, where aerodynamic load and four large contact patches allow the car to carry speed in a way a bike cannot.

   That is what makes a shared circuit so revealing. The braking marker may look familiar, but the point where the F1 driver turns in, the speed maintained through the corner and the time needed to change direction can be completely different.

   What You Notice Trackside  

   MotoGP makes the rider’s physical work impossible to miss. Body position, lean angle and movement under braking are part of what the spectator sees, while Formula 1 shifts more of the visual drama toward the behaviour of the car itself. A motorcycle racing fan is likely to notice several things quickly:

   • F1 cars carry remarkable speed through fast corners where a bike needs a very different line.

   • Braking zones can look surprisingly short because of the car’s downforce and braking performance.

   • Different F1 cars may behave noticeably differently through the same corner.

   • Pit stops can change track position in seconds and make strategy visible to the crowd.

   • Tyre life affects when drivers attack, defend or manage their pace.

   These details make it worth watching more than the leader. A midfield battle can reveal differences in traction, braking stability and tyre condition that are easier to spot when several cars arrive at the same corner close together.

   For fans arranging several kinds of live events during a trip, the broader event catalogue reached through the F1 tickets link also includes Formula 1 alongside MotoGP, football, tennis and other categories. That makes the homepage more relevant when the weekend is being planned around more than one event rather than a single Grand Prix.

   Silverstone Shows It Clearly

   Silverstone may be the best circuit for seeing how differently the two disciplines interpret speed. A recent Motor Sport Magazine report described its 3.6-mile, 18-corner MotoGP lap as the longest of the season and highlighted the physical strain created by its flowing changes of direction.

   Sections from Maggotts through Chapel demand rhythm from a MotoGP rider because one mistake can compromise several following corners. In F1, the same sequence becomes a demonstration of aerodynamic grip, rapid direction changes and how much speed a car can preserve through linked bends.

   Autosport’s recorded lap figures underline the difference. Its comparison gives Silverstone records of 1m27.097s for F1 and 1m59.346s for MotoGP on the current layout.

   Why Watch Both?

   Watching both championships makes familiar details easier to notice. Braking technique, racing lines, tyre behaviour and overtaking preparation all become more interesting when the same problem is solved with completely different machinery.

   MotoGP and Formula 1 do not need to compete for the title of “better” motorsport. Seeing both live simply gives a fan two ways to understand how much engineering, grip and human judgement can change what is possible on the same piece of race track.

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    article supplied

5. Touratech Suspension performance parts for CFMOTO adventure bikes

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 19th Aug 2026

   The carefully coordinated optimisation options offered by Touratech for CFMOTO’s adventure bikes range from minor upgrades to comprehensive suspension tuning. CFMOTO has evolved from a long-standing KTM partner into an independent motorcycle brand with a growing presence in Europe. From the 450MT, the versatile all-rounder in the entry-level segment, to the two powerful models in the upper mid-range adventure bike class – the road-oriented 800MT adventure tourer and the off-road-capable 800MT-X – the brand offers three technically developed and superbly equipped adventure bikes. Touratech offers suspension components for these models that specifically optimise the vehicle's suspension for heavy loads, sporty riding and more demanding off-road use.  CFMOTO 450MT: Premium upgrade for the front and rear For the CFMOTO 450MT, Touratech Suspension has developed a high-quality complete solution comprising the Extreme shock absorber and the Open Cartridge Kit for the fork. In addition to a particularly wide adjustment range for spring preload, the shock absorber offers extensive adjustment options for rebound and compression damping. The basic setup is tailored to a rider weighing 100 kilograms and a typical load for travelling, but can be customised to suit individual requirements. The Open Cartridge Kit is fitted as a complete unit in place of the factory-fitted hydraulics and mechanics of the KYB standard fork, without the need for any further modifications to the vehicle. This makes the performance gains offered by this high-end solution all the more impressive: all parameters, such as spring preload and rebound and compression damping, can be conveniently adjusted from the top. The Open Cartridge Kit excels with its sensitive response to even the slightest road irregularities and offers enormous reserves of performance during tough off-road use. An integrated hydraulic end stop reliably prevents bottoming out under extreme loads. For riders who demand the very best off-road performance from their CFMOTO 450MT, Touratech Suspension has developed a set comprising an Extreme shock absorber and an Open Cartridge Kit, offering 25 millimetres of additional spring travel. CFMOTO 800MT and 800MT-X: The full range of chassis optimisation Touratech Suspension offers an affordable yet effective entry-level solution for the CFMOTO 800MT: progressive replacement springs for the front fork and rear shock absorber, as well as progressive front fork springs sold as individual components. This solution is aimed at riders who wish to optimise the suspension of their 800MT with a manageable amount of effort, without having to invest directly in a complete premium system. For the 800MT-X, which is designed for off-road and long-distance riding, an Extreme shock absorber is also available. The model-specific monoshock offers the same extensive adjustment options as its counterpart for the smaller sister model, the CFMOTO 450MT. A technically identical version of the shock absorber is also available, designed to lower the seat height by 25 millimetres. Further information is available in the Touratech online shop