Category: Random

1. Full Throttle and Famous Faces at Leighton Hall

   Posted on 7:52am Wednesday 3rd Sep 2014

   On the 28th of September,  Leighton Hall races back to the spirit of 1969 as hundreds of classic and modern motorbikes race up the drive in an exciting Bike Sprint.

   The hall has a history of motor racing sprints, however this is the first time in 45 years that Leighton has been fortunate enough to host such an exhilarating event.

   The track stretches for 220 metres with a thrilling 50 - 60 degree bend 50 metres from the start-line, adding extra excitement, as it is not just a straight line sprint. Racing is open to all classes from vintage to modern machines and 3 wheelers (with no cc limit), so all enthusiasts can push their bikes to full throttle. For serious competitors, the times at this event will count towards the North West Sprint Championship.

   The action doesn’t stop there though. With commentaries throughout the day, a fantastic collection of trade stands, an autojumble and motorcycle club displays, this show gives visitors a chance to get up close to bikes from every era, including entry into the race paddock. Enthusiastic exhibitors will be talking about their passions, and sharing stories of the golden age of motoring. And they’ll be in good company, as very special guest John McGuinness will be there. Used to reaching speeds of up to 200mph around the TT race track, Leighton Hall’s driveway shouldn’t be too taxing for this superstar of motorsport.

   Run in association with Sherrard Classic Vehicle Events and Blackline Sprinting, this thrilling family day out came to fruition after organiser, Ian Sherrard visited Leighton Hall last year. “After attending their classic car event in July, it seemed Leighton Hall was the perfect venue for a motorcycle sprint. It’s going to be wonderful to see (and hear) over 100 motorbikes racing through their beautiful parkland. As many of our bikes are true classics, Leighton steeped in history and heritage seems the perfect backdrop”.

   Admission price includes entry to Leighton’s picturesque grounds, gardens and tea rooms (there is a small additional charge of £3 for house tours). Practise and public entry starts from 9:30 and racing starts at 1pm. Onsite catering is available to complement Leighton’s tea rooms. Although (due to health and safety) dogs aren’t allowed, there are lots of outdoor activities for younger visitors to enjoy. Children can let off steam racing around the Caterpillar Maze, Woodland Walk and Tree Face Trail as well as playing in Leighton’s dens and sandpit.

   So if the purring of engines sets your pulse racing and the sight of beautifully waxed bikes reaching top speeds catches your eye, Leighton Hall on the 28thof September is the place to be.

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   The Leighton Hall Motorcycle Sprint will take place at Leighton Hall, Carnforth on 28th Sept 2014 9:30am – 4pm. Admission is £7.50 for adults and £3.50 for children. Free Parking. Admission price includes entry to grounds, gardens and tea rooms. There is a small additional charge of £3.00 for house tours.

   For all enquiries and entry forms, please contact Ian Sherrard on 07836 331324 (daytime) or 01772 323654 (evenings 6pm - 8pm) or visit the webpage at www.leightonhallsprint.co.uk

2. Biking around the world... The best road trip destinations

   Posted on 11:22am Monday 1st Sep 2014

   As the warm weather draws to a close, chances of giving our favourite ponies one final ride are dwindling day by day. If you haven't had the chance to hit the road this summer, there's still time to get your motorbiking fix if you're willing to travel for it and ride on the other side of the road.

   The great Route 66 is a path that's been favoured by American bikers for years, but there are also a number of other roads you can take across the land of the free, each with their own exciting stop off points. Here are a just a few stops that you can't afford to miss on the trip of a lifetime.

   The Grand Canyon

   Thelma and Louise may have put this on the map by driving off it, but you don't have to total your motorcycle to enjoy the views of the Grand Canyon! Situated by the Colorado River in Arizona, this 277-mile long canyon offers outstanding views like no other. There's ample parking on all four sides for your wheels of choice, offering the opportunity to walk, hike, or even fly into and around the Canyon.

   Las Vegas

   Situated 200 miles from the Grand Canyon, one of Nevada's best gems, Las Vegas, offers the perfect stop off point for bikers. If you head over there quick, you can catch the Las Vegas Bike Fest, which lasts from 2nd-5th October. However, for something a little different, you can't miss any one of the strip's famed casinos, offering more games than you could ever imagine. If the party scene's too much for you, you can always play River Belle's Canadian online casino games in your hotel room, or visit any one of the strip's theatre performances.

   
   Pacific Highway

   Perfect for the petrol head driver, the Pacific Highway offers a blend of accommodating stopover spots plus an unforgettable motorbike ride. Over on the west coast, the highway bypasses some of California's most beautiful destinations, including San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles. If you're a bit of a tourist at heart, you can't miss an opportunity to walk amongst the stars in Hollywood, where you can find the names of your favourite stars on the Walk of Fame. Wherever you go, just make sure you take the route from north to south – it's a common warning amongst locals that driving the wrong way down the highway will make you miss out on the best views of the sea!

3. National Motorcycle Museum Trophies Stolen

   Posted on 10:00am Thursday 28th Aug 2014

   Substantial Reward offered for their safe recovery

   At around 11pm last evening, the inner foyer of the National Motorcycle Museum was broken into and a large amount of the Museum’s trophies and TT replicas stolen.

   Each of the Museums trophy cabinets was smashed causing substantial damage to the displays.

   Many of the trophies and TT replicas have little 'scrap' value ,but are unique and irreplaceable as part of this countries Motorcycling Heritage.

   Because of the historical importance of these trophies the National Motorcycle Museum will be offering a substantial award of £20,000 for information which leads to the safe recovery of these important artefacts.

   Anyone with any relevant information is asked to contact West Midlands Police or the National Motorcycle Museum on 01675 443311 or e-mail Museum Director James Hewing [email protected] 

   The Museum has re-opened as normal this morning.

   www.thenmm.co.uk‏

4. Top 5 Biking Destinations

   Posted on 5:00pm Friday 27th Jun 2014

   There’s nothing quite like biking; extreme speed, magnified by one’s exposure to the elements, all whilst the aggressive and bullish throng of the engine plays beneath you; it’s quite hard to beat! In fact, the only thing that could possibly improve the experience is the location at which one wishes to barrel down. Dramatic mountains; winding, sun beaten coastal roads; and calm and scenic countryside all have their respective draws- here’s the best five biking locations we could think of.

   Tuscany

   Smooth, meandering roads, dotted with cypress trees and flanked by sunset-beckoning rolling hills are what a traveller coated in leathers can expect from this quintessential Italian region. Areas such as Siena and Volterra boast roads that are very lightly travelled, and small, picturesque hamlets along the drive where one can park up and relax for an hour before opening up the accelerator once again. Bliss.

   Rhône-Alpes

   Tucked away in the south-east of France is the Rhône-Alpes region, blessed with mountains, vineyards, valleys and olive groves. Hidden in this region is the D24 road, a decidedly rural and lesser-travelled track blessed with staggering sites and hundreds of corners, just waiting for a pair of wheels to go screaming down it.

   The Death Valley Run

   Bone dry land and azure skies await those who wish to complete the Death Valley Run in Nevada, USA. Though extremely desolate, thanks mainly to the exceptional heat and waterlessness of the desert, Death Valley is utterly awe inspiring primarily due to the fact it looks so incredibly alien and unlike the majority of the earth’s various environs. If that hasn’t peaked your interest there’s also always Las Vegas nearby; head over to online casino UK to train yourself up before your big trip to Sin City!

    

   Transfagarasan Highway

   Built decades ago as a military supply road, the Transfagarasan Highway, Romania, is one of the best known and most loved roads in Europe. Stretching along one of the most dramatic and altitudinous areas of the Southern Carpathian Mountains, the 2034 metre high road is one of the most winding, wonderful and well maintained mountain routes in Europe.

    

   The Cat & Fiddle Run

   Running between Macclesfield and Buxton, UK, the Cat & Fiddle Run is frequently classified as one of the most dangerous roads in Britain. Meandering through the Peak District National Park, the route is perfect for bikers thanks to its many sharp turns and wonderful moorland scenery.

5. Michelin to become MotoGP tyre supplier from 2016

   Posted on 4:37pm Saturday 24th May 2014

   Dorna Sports, promoter and organiser of the MotoGP World Championship, which is sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), has announced that Michelin will be the sole supplier of tyres to teams participating in the series from 2016.

   “Our policy of carrying over our technologies from track to street fits perfectly with the new technical regulations which are due to be introduced in 2016 and which will dictate the use of 17-inch wheels. That is why Michelin decided to submit a bid following the tender process instigated by Dorna Sports. We take this opportunity to thank the governing bodies for the confidence they have placed in us today. Their confidence recognises Michelin’s expertise and the 26 Riders’ world titles it has secured”, says MICHELIN Motorsport’s Director Pascal COUASNON.

   The MotoGP World Championship features the discipline’s most technologically sophisticated bikes, the power output of which exceeds 250hp. The level of performance they deliver both mechanically and dynamically is very high. The series also stars the world’s best riders and their efficiency is notably due to the confidence they have in their machines, particularly their tyres. The discipline consequently serves as an exceptional proving ground for the technological innovations of tomorrow.

   Thanks to the MICHELIN Total Performance concept, which consists of constantly and simultaneously pushing the envelope in all the areas that influence tyre performance, Michelin is geared to providing the riders with increasingly higher levels of grip in dry and wet conditions alike.