Category: Other

1. Museum To Restore Foggys First Bike!‏

   Posted on 10:00am Tuesday 16th Jun 2015

   The National Motorcycle Museum is proud to announce that four times World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty MBE has chosen the Museum’s workshop to restore his very first motorcycle!

   This little Honda C50 based special was the product of Honda dealer Ken Martin who made the bike for his son Chris around 1972. Indeed, the specially manufactured tank badge’s still read “motochris” in recognition of the little bikes first owner.

   Purchased from Ken Martin in 1975 by Carl’s dad George the bike was given to Foggy for his 10th Birthday.

   Recently re-united with the bike after nearly 40 years, Foggy was looking to get the machine restored and phoned Museum Director James Hewing.

   Speaking of the call James recalled: “I have worked with Carl in the past & was really pleased that he thought of the Museum’s restoration team to restore the bike for him. We have restored everything from the earliest and rarest veterans through to superbikes of the 1970s but never anything like this!”

   Foggy commented: “It’s in a rough state but I know the lad’s at the Museum will restore it back to just how it was when my dad gave it to me back in 1975”
   
   www.thenmm.co.uk
   

2. DAKAR NEWS -

   Posted on 9:00am Tuesday 16th Jun 2015

   ASSISTANCE AND RACE: EVERYONE GOES TO BOLIVIA!

   WARNING. Going through the Bolivian winter requires an intensive preparation: rain and cold are to be expected!

   The Dakar caravan takes altitude and will travel trough Bolivia.
   New specials, new bivouacs, breathtaking landscapes from the Titicaca Lake to the Uyuni Salar, an equally welcoming and passionate local population… all the ingredients for this edition to remain engraved in the memory of everyone involved in this 38th edition of the Dakar.

   However, it is essential to be prepared to the extreme conditions of the Bolivian Altiplano, and to provide oneself with the appropriate equipment: raincoats, sleeping bags (suitable to cold temperatures), spare clothes for the pilots, etc.

   Important clarifications on the conditions encountered on the Bolivian Altiplano:
   • Altitude: from 3500 to 4000 meters between Lake Titicaca and Uyuni.
   • Uyuni military barracks: The Uyuni stage won’t be realized as a « marathon stage ». The pilots and race teams will stay with their assistance, on the bivouac.
   • Bivouacs: Unlike the last 2 editions, the Bolivian stages won’t be « marathon stages » and the entire caravan will be present on the bivouacs. No accommodation will be provided by the organisation for the competitors.
   • Rains and Winds: some of these areas are very rainy, most particularly near the border between Peru and Oruro. It is a must to anticipate and have some spare pilot suits for the pilots and co-pilots, as well as rain clothes.
   • Cold: If the temperatures could be pleasant or even hot sometimes during daytime, they might be cold (or freezing) from sunset to sunrise. To bring suitable sleeping bags is very important.
   • Road networks: the roads taken by the assistances are asphalted and will be secured by the local police forces and the organization.

    

3. IAM warns drivers not aware of impending changes to scrapping of driving licence counterpart today‏

   Posted on 11:45am Monday 8th Jun 2015

   The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is warning people to be aware of the changes that will take effect today (8 June) as the paper counterpart for the driving licence is scrapped.

   As was the case with the abolition of the paper tax disc last October, the IAM fear many people are still confused or unaware of the implications of the scrapping of the paper counterpart today.

   The counterpart was introduced alongside the photo card driving licence in 1998 to include details such as any endorsements and which category of vehicles you are entitled to drive.

   However this information will now be stored electronically and any updates will not be shown on any written documentation you will have. These details can only be obtained via the DVLA driver record system, and be checked online or in writing by post.

   As of 8 June the paper counterpart, or an old-style paper driving licence cannot be relied upon to carry correct or-up-to-date information about endorsements or categories of vehicle someone can drive.

   The counterpart will carry no legal status, and the DVLA recommends you destroy it after 8 June.

   What is also changing is the procedure if you have to surrender your driving licence to a court in the event of an endorsement. The court will take your photocard and if you include the paper counterpart with your submission, the photocard will be returned to you but the counterpart will not. You will be expected to pay your fine in the normal way however.

   Another change is how to provide proof of your driving record to an employer or car hire firm, as your photocard or paper licence will not be enough in itself any more. You will need to access the DVLA’s Share Driving Licence service for this (reference 1 again).

   You will be expected to access the details yourself and print those off for submission to a car hire firm or employer. Or you can call the DVLA and give a third party permission to check your driving record verbally.

   If you are hiring a vehicle, it is important to check with the car hire firm beforehand what information they need. Other than downloading the information as detailed above, you can also obtain a special code from www.gov.uk which allows the hire firm access to your record for 72 hours to make the necessary checks. This applies to both holders of photocard and paper licences.

   Sarah Sillars, IAM chief executive officer, said: “People are not aware of how many of the current procedures are changing. Similar to the abolition of the tax disc, they assume much of what has happened before will continue.

   “The onus is very much on the individual to obtain the information they need beforehand. So we very much hope people will not be caught unawares, especially if they don’t want a nasty surprise when arriving to collect their car at the start of their holiday.”

    

   Reference 1
   
   
   www.iam.org.uk

4. Isle of Man TT Mountain Course Tribute for Geoff Duke

   Posted on 9:00am Saturday 9th May 2015

   Geoff Duke's final lap of the TT will take place this weekend, ahead of a private family funeral next week.

   Geoff, who won seven races on the Mountain Course in a stellar career that included six World Champion titles, passed away on the 1st of May at the age of 92. A hearse carrying his coffin willdepart the Grandstand at 2.30pm on Sunday (10th May) to complete a final tour of the circuit where he made his name, and gave so many fans such pleasure with his successes.

   David Cretney MLC, a former MGP competitor, will wave the flag to start the hearse on its journey. Geoff's sons, Peter and Mike, will follow on motorbikes while other family members will join the lap in cars.

   The family would welcome any fans who would like to pay their last respects to Geoff to join them for the lap*.

   Speaking ahead of the procession Geoff's eldest son Peter said 'Mike and I think dad would have really appreciated a last run around the course. It's not going to be 10mph cortege, we'll stick to the speed limits but we're going to open it up a bit over the Mountain. Dad would definitely have liked that.' Peter added 'Anyone who wants to come and join us for the ride will be made welcome. It's not exclusively for bikes; Dad was as handy in a car as he was on two-wheels so if it's got wheels, bring it along!'

   Geoff's TT victories, first for Norton and later Gilera, helped to secure his place as a household name in the 1950s, becoming the first true superstar of motorcycle racing. Reflecting the importance of Geoff's place in post-war motorsport, national newspapers including the London Times, Daily Telegraph and The Guardian have all carried obituaries.

   Further afield Fox Sports and CycleWorld in America, and Australian, Italian, German, Spanish and French newspapers, magazines and websites have carried tributes to 'The Duke'.

   Spectators at the MotoGP round at Jerez paid tribute to the former champion during a minutes silence last Sunday, and TV coverage of the event showed a special film showing some of Geoff's career highlights. A further obituary with tributes from son Peter will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4's 'Last Word' programme at 4.00pm on Friday (8th May).

   Locally, Manx Radio will air a special tribute programme featuring archive audio of an interview conducted by the 'Voice of the TT' Geoff Cannell from 1987

   The Manx Radio tribute will be available to listen again on Manx Radio's website for a week after broadcast.

   Douglas Borough Council have also confirmed that flags on buildings in the town will be lowered to half-mast on the day of the funeral. Geoff was awarded the freedom of the borough in 2003.

   Geoff's family have asked that any donations in Geoff's memory are made to the TT Riders Association, c/o Frances Thorp, Mountain View, Glen Maye, IM5 3BJ

5. Get on your bike and head for the inaugural ‘Classics and Coffee’ event at Comet Classics

   Posted on 4:34pm Wednesday 29th Apr 2015

   On Sunday 24th May, where owners Martin Webb and Ray Waller will be revealing their new promotional vehicle – a 1951 Ford F1 truck restored by Wheeler Dealers’ Mike Brewer and Edd China.

   Mike will be at the showroom and global distribution centre of the classic motorcycle specialist, to hand over the restored pick-up that featured in the second episode of the series currently being shown on the Discovery Channel.

   Martin said: “We had been looking for a vehicle but wanted something in keeping with the period of the motorbikes we specialise in. When we saw the F1, we knew it was exactly what we were looking for.” Martin and Ray plan to use the F1 to transport their motorcycles to various events during show season.

   The truck will also be joined at the company’s Emsworth base by the MGA that appeared in episode three. This classic 50s sportscar had just been finished when Martin was telling Ray about the vehicles Mike and his mechanic Edd China were working on.

   Wheeler Dealer and classic bike fans are invited to join Martin and Ray at Comet Classics, bringing along their own classic bikes or cars for an informal open day, starting at 10am.  There you will be able to meet Mike and other like-minded enthusiasts and see the vehicles from the show as well as the current line-up of motorbikes on offer

   Martin added: “We’re thrilled to have Mike join us for our inaugural event and hope classic motorcycle fans will come along and join us for what promises to be a fun event.”

   Comet Classics was born out of two friend's enthusiasm for classic & vintage motorcycles and petrol pumps.  Between them, Martin and Ray have over 80 years of automotive and motorcycle experience. What started as a private collection is now a three-year-old business with over 100 classics motorcycles and petrol pumps in stock.  Many are appreciating classics and all represent excellent value for money.

   ‘Classics and Coffee’ will take place at Comet Classics, Windsor House, Clovelly Road, Southbourne, Esmworth, PO10 8PF, starting at 10am.

   www.cometclassics.co.uk
   
   For more information on Mike Brewer, visit www.mikebrewer.tv