Celebrating its 69^th year, the Vintage Motor Cycle Club Banbury Run will take place at the British Motor Museum on Sunday 18 June. Around 500 Veteran and Vintage motorcycles will ride out from the Museum on various circular routes. Regarded as the largest gathering of pre-1931 motorcycles & 3-wheelers in the world, the Banbury Run is aimed at those who enjoy the thrill of riding with other Vintage, Veteran & Pioneer bikes.

In addition to the Run, there will also be Club and Trade Stands, Autojumble pitches and special interest displays within the Museum grounds. Camping is also available on the Saturday and Sunday night.

Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum stated “Celebrating its 69^th anniversary just goes to prove how popular the Banbury Run is! Watching hundreds of vintage and veteran motorcycles ride out together is a fantastic spectacle and we look forward to its milestone anniversary in 2018.”

The Museum will be open from 9am – 5pm with the Run beginning at 10am. Riders will start at 5 per minute. Spectator tickets for the Run cost £8 in advance or £10 on the day for adults and concessions, children cost £8 advance or £9 on the day. All tickets include entry to the Museum and Collections Centre.

To find out more about the Banbury Run visit www.banbury-run.co.uk, for more information on the British Motor Museum please visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk  or call 01926 641188.

SAM LOWES FINISHES FP2 IN THE TOP TEN FOR THE FIRST TIME

The weather, traditionally unpredictable at Le Mans, conditioned the first day of free practice ahead of the French GP on Sunday.

The morning session (FP1) was characterized by the uncertain asphalt conditions which, initially wet, dried out gradually but without ever getting to the point of being able to use slicks or to conditions that would allow optimum use of rain tyres. In this situation, the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini riders preferred reducing their track time, finishing in 19th place with Lowes and 22nd with Espargaró, but putting in a total of just 15 laps.

In true wet conditions, the two riders took advantage of the second practice session (FP2) with Sam Lowes finishing in ninth place (at 1’42.988) and Aleix Espargaró in eleventh (1’43.177). For Lowes, this is his best placement in a session since his MotoGP début, a sign of the confidence that the English rider is gaining with the bike and the category. It is also a confidence booster in view of tomorrow's decisive sessions.

ALEIX ESPARGARO'
"This morning the track was in mixed conditions, so FP1 was not particularly useful. In the afternoon we were competitive enough in the wet. The new track surface provides good grip and I can't wait to try it when it's dry. Tomorrow it will be important to use our heads. We'll need to evaluate the track conditions and find the right time to use the slicks and push. It would be nice to go through to Q2, but if that doesn't happen, the important thing will be to work well in view of the race on Sunday."

SAM LOWES
"With the conditions this morning I did not feel particularly good, so we decided not to go out much. But in the wet I had a good feeling straight away with the RS-GP. Being in the top-10, even if it is in the rain, is an important step for me. Obviously I would like to maintain that position on a dry track too. It won't be easy, but already in Jerez, if we don't count the race, I had a good weekend. The important thing is to continue progressing and working hard."

Back protectors have been at the heart of Knox since we started the company back in 1981. Our founder Geoff Travell was a motorcycle racer himself and to cut a long story short, after a string of serious injuries, Geoff decided to make the world’s first back protector, a real invention that kick-started the company and created this market sector. The Back Protector remains to this day a key part of the KNOX product range.

In addition to his RST Superbike and PokerStars Senior TT Race duties for Norton Racing at the 2017 Isle of Man TT Races, fuelled by Monster Energy, Australian Josh Brookes will contest the Bennetts Lightweight TT riding for Ryan Farquhar’s IEG/KMR Kawasaki team.

Brookes, who will be making his first appearance in the class, will campaign the bike originally earmarked for Hudson Kennaugh which Michael Rutter took to first and second place finishes at the recent North West 200 road races. Riding for three-time TT winner Farquhar, Rutter also became the first rider to lap the Triangle circuit at more than 110mph.

With Kennaugh withdrawing from the event and Brookes keen to extend his 2017 race schedule around the Mountain Course, the 2015 British Superbike Champion, currently lying fourth in this year’s table, struck a deal with Farquhar and will be among the favourites for victory in the four lap race.

The 33-year old, who will be making his third appearance at the TT, will be the fourth rider in an already formidable looking line-up at KMR Kawasaki that also features Lee Johnston, Peter Hickman and Danny Webb. It’s a team packed with talent and pedigree and one that Farquhar is extremely proud of and whilst results are never guaranteed, he certainly has a great chance of success.

Ryan Farquhar: “When Hudson withdrew from the North West 200 and TT, my immediate focus was on the North West and Michael did an absolutely brilliant job to take a race win after stepping in at the last minute. He’d already agreed to ride the Paton at the TT though so wasn’t available but having had tentative talks with Josh over the winter, I’m now delighted to welcome him on board. Having a ride of that pedigree riding for KMR is a terrific coup and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”

“We were a little bit down on top speed at the North West but Michael showed what the bike was capable of, particularly in the handling department, and with four incredibly talented riders on the KMR Kawasaki’s, we’re confident of having a good TT. It’s going to be hard work, without doubt, but all four riders are more than capable of standing on the podium so we’ll be giving it our best shot.”

Qualifying for this year’s TT is due to get underway on Saturday 27th May with the four-lap Bennetts Lightweight TT scheduled to take place on Wednesday June 7th.

The filming period will be from 12th June – 9th July 2017 and they are looking to speak to people about being interested over the next couple of days.

This is an amazing opportunity for the right person and it will be a once-in-a life time trip.

They would like the main mode of transport to be the classic motorbike (but there will be other vehicles involved) so it’s important the person they take has a motorbike driving licence and a passion for bikes. They will be making adaptions to the bikes in Vietnam so they are suitable for disabled riders.

They are particularly looking for female riders at this stage so if you are interested get in touch.

Paul - [email protected]
07921 648 237