• A programme of events and initiatives to celebrate the anniversary of the iconic Ducati Naked bike
• A special celebratory parade on 24 March in France at the “Sunday Ride Classic 2018”
• 25 years on from the start of production, Ducati displays a 1993 Monster 900 at the Bologna museum        

IAM RoadSmart’s renowned Skills Days, which allow drivers and riders to learn handling skills from real experts while driving their own cars or motorbikes on race tracks across the country, are back for 2018.

Taking place at Thruxton in Hampshire and Knockhill in Scotland during the summer and autumn, the sessions are open to the public – and allow a rare chance to learn about handling and precision driving on a world class racing circuit, and how to use those skills to drive and ride with safety and enjoyment on public roads.

Drivers and riders will either work one-to-one with an instructor, or as part of a small group, and will be given the opportunity to fully understand what their car or motorbike is capable of.

Skills you will have the chance to develop include:

ï‚·Entry, apex and exit points, how they vary from road to circuit, how we use them and where we should position for view, stability and progress

ï‚·Where to brake, when and how much to brake, how it feels in an emergency. Most people have never used their brakes to their full potential – you will on a Skills Day!

ï‚·Controlled, progressive, smooth cornering

ï‚·Gear selection and how to decide which is the most appropriate gear for the circumstances

ï‚·How to use the accelerator or throttle to add stability to the car or motorcycle when cornering

The 2018 schedule for Skills Days is as follows:

Thruxton

May :

1st – Cars; 2nd – Bikes

June :

11th – Bikes

July :

11th – Bikes Ladies Day (this session led by IAM RoadSmart Rider Ambassador and professional bike, car and sidecar racer Maria Costello, who will be giving personal tuition to all attending on the day); 25th – Bikes

August :

16th – Bikes

September :

10th – Cars; 11th – Bikes

Knockhill

July :

30th – Bikes

Motorcycle Skills Days are £149 each (full day), car Skills Days £135 each (half day).

Sarah Sillars, IAM RoadSmart Chief Executive Officer, said: “Drivers and riders rarely get to understand and explore what their car or bike is capable of – and what they are not capable of. Our Skills Days are the perfect chance to enjoy the art and the fun of driving and riding well – and translating those skills into something that will make driving and riding a pleasure rather than a chore.”

For more information or to book visit https://www.iamroadsmart.com/campaign-pages/end-customer-campaigns/skillsday or call 0300 303 1134.

GOOD SENSATIONS FOR ESPARGARÓ AND REDDING ON THE SECOND DAY OF TESTS

In the Aprilia garage, the work programme is divided, but the sensations at the end of the second day of tests in Qatar are similar. In fact, both Espargaró and Redding are satisfied with the way the tests are going, the last ones before the season opener.

Espargaró went out on the track with different chassis settings looking for more confidence on the Losail asphalt and his feeling at the end of the day satisfied the Spanish rider. Tomorrow Aleix will work toward improving, especially in braking and acceleration, before doing a race simulation long run.

This is a simulation that Scott Redding did toward the end of the session today, completing about 15 laps with excellent times and consistency. The new entry in the Aprilia camp confirmed the quality of the Italian V4 in terms of proper tyre wear management, able to use a soft tyre on several laps without evident signs of deterioration.


ALEIX ESPARGARO'
"We have to be happy. We are making progress and working hard. I still don’t feel like I’m at my best braking, but overall I am satisfied with the way the tests are going. We are struggling to take full advantage of the new tyre for a fast lap, but we are competitive in terms of pace. I am very curious to see my race simulation tomorrow and what the others will do in order to have a more concrete idea of what our potential could be over race distance. As for what we’ve seen up to now, and counting on improving more, I think that we will be able to demonstrate a good pace."

SCOTT REDDING
"Today we weren’t focusing on lap times, but we worked to prepare for the final long run. I had done one in Thailand that did not satisfy me, whereas here, despite starting later than race time, things went rather well. The times and the easy ride satisfied me, although there is still work to be done in order to increase the edge grip. I used a soft tyre on the rear, which is new for me, and I was surprised at how good condition it was in at the end and how my feeling improved lap after lap."

Including British Motorcylists Federation, Cheshire Grass Track Club, Chunky Tread Motorcycle Adventure Club, Ducati Owners Club GB, Gawsworth Jesters, Honda Owners Club, NABD, Rainy City HDC, RBLR and Triumph Owners Club. 

See the full list on the website, along with the current exhibitors and Manufacturers list...

Manchester Bike Show | 24th - 25th March 2018

At this years show, Honda Owners Club, KCS Honda, North West Honda and vintage Honda Motorcycles on exhibit!

Manchester Bike Show | 24th - 25th March 2018