Category: Other

1. 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

2. 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.

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

   Posted on 10:02am Friday 14th Feb 2014

   

4. 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).

5. Biker is buried in leathers astride his beloved 1967 Harley-Davidson in a transparent casket

   Posted on 9:21am Wednesday 5th Feb 2014

   Bill Standley spent many of his years travelling across America atop his 1967 Electra Glide and his wish was to be buried with his beloved Harley... and he has!

   The avid motorcyclist Bill was determined to take the bike with him when he departed and so with the help of his sons Pete and Roy, they created a customised 9ft x 11ft pexiglass box, where he sits astride his prized Harley-Davidson, dressed in his leathers and sunglasses.

   The idea came about many years ago, where he said about who would be left his bike “What am I supposed to do? I’ve got two sons, but only one bike”. His daughter said to him “Oh Dad, just be buried with it”. And so the plan was hatched.
   

   The family man had the casket stored for the past five years and would show off the casket to friends.  'He was proud of it,' his son Roy said.
   
   While his family agreed that the procession to the cemetery, during which the body was on display, may be shocking, they wanted to honor their father's last wish. 'He'd done right by us all these years, and at least we could see he goes out the way he wanted to,' said his other son Pete. His daughter, Dorothy, added that he was 'a quirky man'.
   

   Mr Standley, who used to work as a bareback rodeo rider, was be escorted to the ceremony on 31st January, 2014 at the Fairview Cemetery in Mutual, USA by a procession of bikers.

   Five embalmers prepared his body and secured him with a metal back brace and straps to ensure he will never lose his seat on his beloved bike. The casket was lowered into three burial plots, which are next to his wife Lorna.
   

   One funeral attendee said: ‘Some people walk through the pearly gates, some people ride.’