Category: Other

1. If you’ve ever wanted to try off-road riding for the first time – now is your chance

   Posted on 2:56pm Wednesday 30th Apr 2014

   The Motorcycle Off-Road Experience (MORE) is holding another 4 day mini off-road ‘try out’ festival, which will be held 20th to 23rd of June at the AMCA track at Bevercotes in Nottinghamshire.

   This is for anyone aged 16 or over, who has not ridden off-road before, and is suitable for road riders, or complete novices.  All bikes, protective clothing and training will be provided for a subsidised fee of just £25, for a whole morning or afternoon session.

   Places are allocated on a first come first served basis, via an online booking system, which goes ‘live’ on Saturday May 10th at 10 am.  Most of the places for a similar event last year went within the first hour of going live.

   A women only session will be held on the morning of Friday 20th June, but women are obviously welcome to attend any session.

   See the website:  www.rideoffroad.co.uk

   And like the facebook page 

2. VMCC BRITISH HISTORIC RACING 2014 ROUND 1, ANGLESEY

   Posted on 1:34pm Wednesday 30th Apr 2014

   A dry but windy Anglesey circuit greeted the BHR brigade for round 1 of the 2014 season.

   The entertainment began with the Ducati singles and Formula Bantams sharing the track, Rich Hawkins taking his first of many wins over the weekend on a 349 Mk 3 Duke. Nick Bramley took the first Bantam race honours with Michael Brown, Ian Scutt and Mike Powell pecking at his heels all the way to the flag. These four had some great dices over the weekend, each grabbing a win.

   
   Some very funky paintjobs were being shown off on the packed scooter grids, Damon Tunnicliffe’s mean looking fully faired Lambretta taking him to the front in most of Saturday’s outings. More beautifully turned out bikes graced the ‘big bike’ startline, the Rob North Rocket 3s of the Woolleys putting in good performances, but the fight for top spot all day was between the Seeley G50 mounted Ian Sheltner and Mike Bevan on a 750 Seeley Norton. Rich Hawkins rode the wheels off his Ducati again to take the 250/350 races and the world’s oldest rider/bike combination of Mervyn Stratford and his bionic Rudge bossed virtually everyone else about.

   
   The pre ’72 unlimited 3 wheelers showed everyone how to have a good time throughout the weekend. The Quirk’s Vincent powered outfit just seemed to have the legs in the early stages, but the Tuer’s very rapid Morgan and Eddy Wright’s 750 Bella BMW soon made sure the spectators were on their toes.

   
   Misfortune dogged many of the BEARS riders on Saturday, not least novice Robin Webster who threw his very nice Laverda 500 away in the first race whilst leading, causing the red flag to come out. With a depleted field on Sunday, Nigel Clark took charge with some strong showings on his 950 V7 Guzzi. Rich Hawkins had it all his own way again in the Ducati class, with Andy Hunt looking the strongest of the 250 competitors over the weekend. The four key Bantam jockeys fought hard again with Mike Powell hopping onto a Seeley G50 between the Bantam races to contest the 351-500 specials championship. Some cracking racing saw Powell and Ian Sheltner share victories, with Dave Matravers, also Seeley G50 mounted, join them up front and grab a win for himself in race 4.

   
   Tony Perkins rode his 500 Rudge with style and class keeping Stratford in his sights, and showed many of the newer and larger capacity BEARS the way home in the mixed BEARS/pre 48 races. Saturday’s sidecar madness continued on Sunday with the Quirks, Tuers and the Wright/Clarke combo knocking lumps out of each other. Sheltner, Bevan and Tim Woolley fought it out in the ‘big bike’ class.

   
   Over the weekend John Woods had it all his own way in the ‘Zip’ scooter class, winning all of his five races. Graham Buller put in some great rides over the weekend on his Norton to show he is one of the key contenders in the pre’63 350 class.

   
   The 750 Crick BSA outfit of Phil Holt/Jeff Gamble swept the pre’72 750 sidecar races, with the 1300 Vincent outfit of Bishop/Howes proving to be the frontrunner in the unlimited to ’58 three wheeler class. Two BMW ‘Flying Brick’ big wheeled outfits joined the sidecar party, and what a curious sight they were. Mr Lorriman’s machine sported the number ‘13’, but the pilots, outfits and passengers stayed in one piece and enjoyed the action.
   The unlimited capacity sidecar races must mean there are some hard fought battles ahead. The Tuer’s Morgan turned into a ride on mower more than once over the weekend in a bid to make up a place, the Quirk’s Vincent pulling off the same trick and demolishing a corner sign.

   
   Ian Sheltner proved to be a hot contender in more than one of the solo classes, but by the final races on Sunday a lot of riders were really finding their feet again after the winter layoff. With some new riders getting up to speed quickly too, we should have a great season ahead. 

3. Michelin rider attempts 250cc World Land Speed Record

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 30th Apr 2014

   Stuart Swift is about to embark on one of the biggest challenges of his life. A dream he has held for more than 40 years. The Michelin-sponsored rider will travel to the famous Bonneville Speedway in an attempt to break the 250cc motorcycle world land speed record.

   Lining up with world-class riders like Toseland, in the centenary year of Bonneville speed racing, Stuart, a 51-year-old RAC patrolman, is looking to take the top spot in the 250cc production motorcycle class.

   Riding an Aprilia RS250 fitted with Michelin’s new Pilot Road 4 tyres, Stuart will need to beat the current record of just over 136 mph held by British rider, Mark Jordan. To qualify for the world record, Stuart will have to ride faster than the existing record three times, and then an average speed of two runs over the three mile course will be taken for the final figure.

   Stuart said: “I’ve been interested in Bonneville since I was seven years old, but it wasn’t until I was thirteen that I got my first bike, a Honda ST50. This attempt will fulfil one of my lifelong dreams and I truly can’t wait to line up on the salt in August this year. I’ll be wearing number 58 in honour of one of my heroes, the late Marco Simoncelli 2008 250GP World Champion.”

   Stuart has spent years researching and developing the Aprilia’s engine himself, being a firm believer that a world record beating engine tune cannot be bought – hence the difficulty in breaking these records.

   Of course tyres will play a crucial role in the attempt. The surface at Bonneville is unique, as it can vary between compact, hard salt and softer, looser patches. In places grip can be reduced to as little as 20% when compared with asphalt. Using Michelin’s new Pilot Road 4 tyres will help combat the wide variation in available grip.

   Michelin Technical Manager, Tony Charlton said: “When Stuart contacted Michelin with his idea to break the 250cc World land speed record, we knew we could help. Michelin has a range of motorcycle tyres for every bike and surface, and the Bonneville salt is one very special surface. We chose the new Pilot Road 4 because it has been designed for optimum performance with excellent grip and stability over a variety of surfaces, whilst being able to cope with the extreme heat that Stuart will have to contend with.” Talking of his Michelin sponsorship, Stuart said: “The support I have received from Michelin has been outstanding. I don't know why, but ever since I was a young boy I’ve always had a fascination for Michelin tyres. I had them on my pedal bikes and on all of my motorbikes. If it was on two wheels, it had to be Michelin. Now I just can’t wait to get out to Utah and hopefully break records with the new Pilot Road 4 tyres – and have plenty of fun while doing it!”

   Find out more about the new Pilot Road 4 at www.moto.michelin.co.uk

4. Motorsport legend Murray Walker is reunited

   Posted on 1:32pm Sunday 27th Apr 2014

   ... with his past at the Royal Automobile Club dinner

    

   Retired motorsport commentator Murray Walker was surprised and overwhelmed last night when, as guest of honour at a Royal Automobile Club dinner, when he was reintroduced to one of his father’s old racing motorcycles. The bike was one of a group of his late father’s Rudge motorcycles that the Club had assembled as a surpise for Murray.

    

   To millions, the name Murray Walker is synonymous with Formula One, but as the son of Graham Walker, the succesful motorcycle racer of the Twenties and Thirties, Murray’s first love was bikes and his early career centred around motorcycling. Indeed the king of F1 commentary often said; ‘four wheels good, two wheels better.’

    

   Another bike in those assembled had been specially shipped over from Australia for the occassion and hasn’t been seen in the UK for over 60 years. The collection included: 

    

   1932 Isle of Man TT Senior Race, with a top speed speed of 76.36mph (finished 6th)

    

   1933 Rudge TT replica

    

   1934 Tyrell-Smith motorcycle (6th in the Ulster Grand Prix and won the Australian TT)

    

   1935 TT Rudge Replica racer, one of only ten made

    

   Murray was obviously deeply moved by the sight of the old racing warhorse. ‘For once I’m almost speechless,’ said the 90 year-old broadcaster. ‘This is absolutely astounding. My father was a great man to me. I have fifteen silver replicas of his TT bikes and to see these here together after all these years is overwhelming.’

    

   Graham and Murray Walker

    

   Murray’s late father Graham Walker was a motorcycle despatch rider for Royal Engineers Signal Service during the First World War. He received a leg injury and had to ride a motorcycle with a modified brake pedal. Despite this, Walker went on to a successful racing career with Rudge, Sunbeam and Norton. He won the Ulster Grand Prix on a Rudge Ulster in 1929, at an average of 80 mph. He also won the 350cc class at the 1931 North West 200 on a Rudge, and won the lightweight 250cc class in 1931. Walker won the Manx TT 15 times.

    

   In 1935 Graham Walker retired from motorcycle racing and was employed by the BBC to commentate on motorcycle racing events for both radio and, later, television. After a brief spell racing motorcycles himself, his son Murray was also employed and made his first outside broadcast at Shelsley Walsh hillclimb in 1948. In 1949, both Graham and Murray were partnered on the BBC's motorcycle commentaries.

    

   By 1949 Murray was commentating on races alongside Max Robertson, although it wasn't until the late Seventies that Formula 1 racing was given extensive coverage on British television. Murray went full-time with Formula One for the 1978 season and, from then until his retirement at the 2001 Indianapolis United States Grand Prix, was to millions, the trully authoritaitve and entertaining voice of the sport.

    

   About Rudge

    

   Back in the Thirties,  Rudge was the British make everyone was talking about. Its four-valve, single cylinder-engined machines dominated racing in a way not been seen before. Racing and lap records fell to Rudge motorbikes as they won both the Senior and the Junior events.

    

   Graham Walker’s Ulster Grand Prix victory in 1929 prompted the release of the Rudge Ulster, which went on to became one of its most famous models. The bike was advertised as "probably the fastest 500cc motorcycle in production".

    

5. Hundreds attend grand opening of top West Country attraction

   Posted on 11:31am Saturday 19th Apr 2014

   The new Haynes International Motor Museum, by Ed Vaizey MP

    

    

   ·         Over 500 guests attend grand opening, ahead of busy Easter weekend

    

   ·         Exceptional new facilities, exhibition halls and interactive exhibits on display for first time

    

   ·         Over 400 cars and motorcycles in collection from around the globe

    

   ·         Expected to position the Museum as a top tourist attraction in the West Country, boosting local economy

    

    

    

   The Hon Ed Vaizey MP, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, on Wednesday 16 April formally opened the new Haynes International Motor Museum in Sparkford Somerset, drawing over 500 guests from around the world to this top tourist attraction in the South West of England, with the furthest travelling from Australia for the special day.

    

   Mayors, councillors, celebrities, leading business CEOs, Chairmen and MDs, car clubs, and enthusiasts alike, all attended the Grand Opening of the new Museum which, after ten years of planning, two and a half years of building work, and a privately funded £5 million investment, showcased its full collection of some of the greatest cars from around the world for the first time.

    

   This included the official opening ofthree new exhibition halls – Minis and Micros, Century of Supercars, Motorcycle Mezzanine – three modernised halls, a new Haynes Motorland Children’s adventure play zone, new and modernised events facilities in the ‘Engine Rooms’, a brand new entrance foyer with a shop and Café 750, named after John H. Haynes OBE’s first book – ‘Building a 750 special’, and much more.

    

    

   Guests were also able to take a ride outside the grounds in five of the Museum’s cars, which are part of the 400+ car and motorcycle collection, arguably the biggest global collection in the UK, and mostly in full working order.  For those preferring to stay on firm ground, they could explore the range of new, modernised and more interactive exhibits, taking a tour from the start of the journey – an 1885 Benz – through to Veteran, Vintage & Pre-War Classics, the famous red room of sports and GT cars, a trip through Memory Lane, or to the world’s largest collection of Speedway Motorbikes and memorabilia in the British Motorcycle Collection, to name a few.

    

   Cutting the ribbon to the grand entrance, Ed Vaizey MP commented:  “I was delighted to be invited to open the new Haynes International Museum which I know has been a stunning success over the last thirty years and I have every confidence will be even more so over the next thirty years.  It has been impressive to see the journey from 30 to over 400 cars and motorcycles in the collection” and he joked “although if I can get my hands on the fantastic Mustang I have been eyeing up, that number may reduce by one.”

    

   He added: “As well as bringing a much needed boost to the local Somerset economy and creating jobs, the new Museum will in the future continue to attract visitors and investment to the West Country at a key time for the South West following the recent flooding.”

    

   John H. Haynes OBE, Chairman of Haynes International Motor Museum, said: “It has been an honour to welcome such esteemed guests here today and to share my passion for cars with you all.  As an educational trust, I am pleased to be able to show the evolution of cars through the ages and geographies of the world so they can be appreciated by all age groups and backgrounds.  I look forward to continuing to grow and share the collection, ensuring this continues to be a top tourist attraction in the UK and beyond.”

    

    

   Discussing the project, Marc Haynes, Managing Director of Haynes International Museum, added: “Today’s official opening marks the culmination of a thrilling journey for us and we are very excited to finally be able to unveil the new Museum in its full glory.   The new more modern facilities and displays will appeal to all ages and generations, making a fun and interesting day out or an excellent, not to mention unique and memorable, event venue that can be tailored to an individual’s needs and requirements.  Now this project is complete, we will turn our eyes to the future, with a new hotel a possible option to ensure guests can travel from far and wide and enjoy their visit with no time pressures. Watch this space.”

   www.haynesmotormuseum.co.uk