Category: Other

1. Fancy doing something different in 2014?

   Posted on 9:41am Monday 3rd Mar 2014

   What about coming to see a large collection of engines, running... exactly as they used to, many years ago!

   Old engines, ranging from a massive 500hp Allen, to the humble Lister that was used on farms many years ago. Bring your children to see the engines being started, and the grand parents who will remember using, or seeing them, in their youth. A visit to the museum provides an opportunity to see, and remember, British machinery as it used to be. Large engines of vertical or horizontal construction will be running, some ticking over quietly and unobtrusively, providing an opportunity to experience the evocative sounds and smells of a working engine museum.
   
   Whether you come on normal open-day, or during one of the special weekends, it will be a memorable occasion, an enjoyable day out, providing a chance to see something different.

   The museum is a popular venue for enthusiasts with many travelling from all parts of the UK, and even from overseas. 2014 marks the 10th Anniversary year of the opening of the museum, an important milestone in any calendar, as it provides a unique opportunity to look back and thank those who have supported the museum since day one, as well as taking in what has been achieved. This year is very special; you are guaranteed to receive a very warm welcome.

   A visit presents a wonderful opportunity to see engines made by once famous British manufactures. Evocative names like Tangye, Petter, Crossley, Ruston & Hornsby, Lister, Allen, Blackstone, National, Bristol Siddeley, Pelapone, and many others, will be on view for your entertainment. Internal Fire Museum of Power provides, for the younger visitor, an educational glimpse of our industrial past, while older visitors can enjoy a trip down memory lane.

   First Event: Petter VJ Day, April 12th 
   
   Second Event: A full Easter venue.
   
   After Easter: open Wednesday to Sunday inclusive.
   
   Further details with opening times:
   
   www.internalfire.com

2. GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FOR MICHELIN STUNT RIDER

   Posted on 9:38am Friday 28th Feb 2014

   Mark Van Driel has ridden into the record books on a Kawasaki ZX6R 636 fitted with Michelin Pilot Road 3 tyres.

   Mark, from the Michelin-sponsored 2 Bros Racing stunt riding team, broke the world record for performing the most ‘switchback zero rotations’ in one minute.

   The feat was captured by national television as part of CBBC’s second series of Officially Amazing – the show that follows wild and wacky World Record attempts.

   Switchback zero rotations involve the rider sitting facing backwards, using only expert balance to steer the bike through full circles – if the hands touch the handlebars at any time, the attempt has failed.

   In spite of terrible weather, Mark managed 13 rotations in 60 seconds, beating the previous unofficial record of 12 rotations and earning himself a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

   Mark said: “With terrible weather on the day of the attempt, I wasn’t sure what we would be able to achieve. Fortunately my stunt bike is fitted with Michelin’s Pilot Road 3 tyres, offering superb grip and stability – even when riding a bike backwards on wet concrete! Safety is absolutely critical to me whether I’m performing stunts or just enjoying being on the road, and the Pilot Road 3s go a long way to ensuring that safety margins are maximised.

   “I was really chuffed with the result. It’s a great feeling having your name attached to a World Record.”

   Michelin has sponsored Mark and his teammate Ash at 2 Bros Racing for two years, and is dedicated to showing how world-class tyres can transform both safety and performance.

   The Pilot Road 3 is testament to Michelin’s Total Performance ethos – a commitment to constantly improve tyre performance across a wide range of criteria including fuel efficiency, wet braking, dry braking, longevity and noise.

   Find out more about motorcycling with Michelin at moto.michelin.co.uk

3. GETTING A BIKE DIRTY HAS NEVER BEEN THIS FUN!

   Posted on 8:25am Tuesday 25th Feb 2014

   Regardless of your skill level there's a Triumph Adventure Riding experience perfectly suited to you.

   The fun-filled courses are run by expedition specialists Trailquest whose expertise means you'll be in safe hands no matter how confident you are off the beaten track.

   Based in the Malvern Hills the Triumph Riding Experiences will give you a taste of riding off-road, through woodlands, over a variety of surfaces and teach you bike control when ascending and descending tricky terrain.

   For those after a more comprehensive experience intermediate and advanced courses are available - but however you're progressing the team will always tailor your day to suit your specific needs with specific attention on making it an entertaining and fun day!

   All our courses are run on the superbly agile Tiger 800XC, our ultimate option for serious off-road riding, but we'll also cater for those who choose to bring their own bike along.

   Courses are available from £240 including your loan bike - see our website for more information and a comprehensive list of course pricing. Alternatively, if the course is for someone else the team will be happy to provide gift vouchers to use at a later date.

   If you want a taste of the action without booking a full day's training make sure you join us at Triumph LIVE at Gaydon Heritage Motor Centre on July 12th where the Triumph Adventure Riding Experience will be providing trial sessions.

   Contact the Triumph Adventure Riding Experience team on 01531 650252 to book or visit www.trailquestadventure.com for more information on courses.

4. Roses are red, violets are blue, I love my motorbike, do you?

   Posted on 10:02am Friday 14th Feb 2014

   

5. Photographic memoir of John Surtees announced

   Posted on 8:45am Wednesday 12th Feb 2014

   John Surtees: My Incredible Life on Two and Four Wheels

   On the day of John Surtees’ 80th birthday, new motorsport book publisher EVRO Publishing announces that in June 2014 it will publish a photographic memoir by John Surtees.

   Containing over 250 photographs from Surtees’ own collection as well as from the world’s finest motorsport picture libraries, John Surtees: My Incredible Life on Two and Four Wheels will present a complete visual record of the life of the only man to have won World Championships on motorcycles and in cars. In motorcycle racing through the second half of the 1950s Surtees was in a class of his own, winning seven World Championships on Italian MV Agusta motorcycles. He was 500cc World Champion in 1956 and followed that with an incredible run of six titles – three each in the 350cc and 500cc categories – in the three years from 1958 to 1960.

   This year marks the 50th anniversary of Surtees becoming Formula 1 World Champion in 1964. Driving for Ferrari, Surtees achieved his unique accomplishment with outstanding wins in the German and Italian Grands Prix, as well as second places in three other races.

   John Surtees: My Incredible Life on Two and Four Wheels will show every great moment of his racing life as well as candid behind-the-scenes shots and personal photographs right back to his childhood. Accompanying the imagery will be Surtees’ own commentary, written in collaboration with leading motorsport journalist Mike Nicks.

   Royalties from sales of John Surtees: My Incredible Life on Two and Four Wheels will go to the Henry Surtees Foundation, which was set up to honour the memory of John’s son Henry, who was killed in a freak accident at Brands Hatch in 2009.

   The Henry Surtees Foundation aims to raise funds to support accident care, with particular emphasis on head injuries, and help educate and train young people with motorsport-related programmes in technology, engineering and road safety instruction for two and four wheels. The worthwhile causes supported by the Henry Surtees Foundation include the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust.

   John Surtees: My Incredible Life on Two and Four Wheels

   Published by EVRO Publishing, 19 June 2014

   Jacketed hardback • Price £50 • 304 pages • 295x240mm • ISBN 978 0 99282 092 3

   EVRO Publishing is a new motorsport book publisher set up by Eric Verdon-Roe (former Group Managing Director, Haymarket Publishing) and Mark Hughes (former Editorial Director, Haynes Publishing, Books Division).