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  1. The highlight of the road racing calendar, the Isle of Man TT, is due to get underway next week and D3O is eagerly anticipating success for Michael Dunlop. Having supported the Northern Irish road racer since 2017, D3O is his protection of choice for tackling the closed roads of the 37.73mile long Mountain Course at speeds of over 200mph.

    Dunlop has recently competed in the North West 200, which is used by a lot of riders as their pre-TT test, in several categories and successfully tested his bikes on “The Triangle” ahead of the Isle of Man event. Michael enjoyed podium success this year with third place finishes in the Tides Restaurant Supersport race, the Anchor Bar Superbike race, the Amici Ristorante Superstock race, the Fraser Homes Supersport race and the Briggs Equipment Superbike race.

    All focus is now on the 2024 Isle of Man TT where D3O-supported Michael Dunlop could become the most successful TT rider of all time. At the moment the record is 26 wins and is held by Michael’s uncle Joey, while Michael himself has 25 wins to his name. The 35-year old will have eight chances for victory as he will compete in all two-wheel classes (Superbike, Supersport, Superstock and Supertwin), where there are two races per category.

    The partnership between the market leader for impact protection and the TT icon not only benefits Dunlop, who is known for his aggressive riding style and for scraping the walls, but the wider motorcycling community. “I can do nothing to help safety bar surround myself with the best stuff I possibly can. My helmet, my suit, my armour. With D3O you get the best of both worlds – it fits you perfectly, but it also provides the best protection that you can ask for,” said Michael Dunlop. The distinctive orange protectors, that are available through a variety of brand partners, are manufactured with testing and feedback provided by athletes like Michael to help make them the lightest, most comfortable and most protective on the market.

    The 2024 Isle of Man TT races will get underway on Monday 27 May with the first Free Practice and Qualifying sessions, before racing gets underway with the Monster Energy Supersport TT Race 1 on Saturday 1 June.

  2. The British Motor Museum has launched a young artists competition to celebrate the opening of the new exhibition, ‘The Gallery 2024’. This exclusive contest gives young artists with a passion for automotive art, the chance to showcase their work at the Museum over the summer. There are three age categories for entry: under 11s, 11-16 years, and 17-25 years.

    The deadline for entries is Monday 8 July. Entries in all mediums of artwork, including drawings, paintings, sculptures, and digital art are welcomed. The entry form can be found on the Museum’s website.

    The competition will be judged by an esteemed panel, including artists John Ketchell and Kate Alger, Rupert Whyte from Historic Car Art, and Stephen Laing, Head of Collections & Engagement at the British Motor Museum. The winning artworks will be displayed in the Museum from Friday 26 July. The winner of each age category will also receive £50 worth of art vouchers, thanks to a generous donation from LifeWithArt.

    In addition, and thanks to the generosity of the Museum’s Founder Patron, Peter Mitchell, each winner will have the opportunity to spend half a day with one of the artists featured in the exhibition, getting tips on everything from how to set the scene for their next artwork to how to succeed with art as a career.

    Those looking for inspiration for their entry should stop by “The Gallery 2024” during their next visit to the Museum! “The Gallery 2024” is a continuing collaboration with Historic Car Art, which will run until 30 June 2024. The exhibition showcases 19 of the UK’s most talented automotive artists including Simon Britnell, Kate Alger, John Ketchell, Emma Capener and Neil Collins. The artists work with a variety of media, including acrylics, oil, watercolour, pen, and pastels.

    Stephen Laing, Head of Collections & Engagement at the British Motor Museum, said, "We're delighted to collaborate for a second year with Historic Car Art to showcase the work of some of Britain's most talented artists and to launch this competition alongside the exhibition. We’re looking forward to receiving some really inspiring artwork from the next generation of aspiring artists”.

    Access to the exhibition is included with standard Museum admission tickets. Museum entry is just £43 for a family in advance or £49 on the day, £16 for adults in advance or £19 on the day, £14 for concessions in advance or £17 on the day, £9 for children (5-16 years) in advance or £10 on the day and under 5s are FREE. There is also the option to Gift Aid or donate your entry fee and get an Annual Pass in return at no extra cost.  To find out more information about the exhibition, please visit the website at https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/explore/the-gallery

     

  3. Automotive industry charity, Ben, is calling on automotive people to step up to its new Big Walk fundraising challenge on 8th September. As May is National Walking Month, the charity is launching Ben’s Big Walk, inviting members of the automotive family to take the first step and sign up to the challenge.

    The charity is calling on people from across the automotive industry to grab their walking shoes and get moving with friends, family and colleagues in Ben’s Big Walk. There are two locations so participants can choose to take part at the South Downs or Hadrian’s Wall and there are two challenges to choose from in terms of distance, a full marathon or half marathon.

    In the South Downs walk, participants will start just outside Brighton and will experience breathtaking views as well as testing, undulating terrain before finishing in Eastbourne. Participants of the Hadrian's Wall trek will journey alongside one of the largest ancient monuments in Northern Europe in this world-famous historic landscape. Whichever the chosen route, it will be a tough but rewarding challenge with lots of support from like-minded members of the automotive family – all putting their best foot forward to help raise vital funds at a time when Ben is supporting more people than ever.

    Next steps - sign up
    Take the first step to Ben’s Big Walk this September: click here

    Matt Wigginton, Director of Partnerships, Engagement & Income, said: "We’re inviting all members of our automotive family to take a step in the right direction and sign up for our new fundraising challenge, Ben’s Big Walk. As May is National Walking Month, we thought what better time to launch our new event and get people to step into the challenge in time for September. So, step up today for people in our industry who are struggling or in crisis, because, now more than ever, they need us and we need you!”

    When any member of our automotive family is struggling or in crisis, we all rally to support them.

     

  4. From 14th place on the grid to another podium finish in what was an exciting Catalan afternoon, with Marc Marquez the absolute star. It was not a stellar star this time (albeit a good one), but the talent displayed this time was of a different type: patience. A consistent and relentless comeback, one that surprised even Marc himself who realised he was on the podium only after the chequered flag. 
     
    Alex Marquez also put together a great race. The rider #73 knew he could be competitive in the Sunday race and the seventh position at the finish line is the confirmation of the great work done, despite an underwhelming qualifying performance. There is no time to rest, with Mugello around the corner in a few days’ time. 

    3rd - MARC MARQUEZ #93
    “We keep improving each day, but it’s clear that it’s not always possible to save the weekend as we did here and in Le Mans. On the other hand, at this track, which is the worst on the calendar for my riding style, two podiums are surely a great achievement and bode well for the rest of the season. Now let’s focus on Mugello and especially on solving the issues on the single-lap performance.”
     
    7th - ALEX MARQUEZ #73
    “I had a good feeling throughout the weekend and today’s result shows it. I struggled a bit at the beginning of the race today, maybe also due to the fact that I didn’t want to destroy the soft tyre, but also in the battle with Enea and Brad. It’s good anyway, but it’s clear we need to find something extra during Fridays, starting from Mugello.”

  5. Electric motorcycle brand, Torrot, has partnered with the FIM E-Xplorer Championship for the 2024 season. This year marks the second time the brands have joined forces to bring the entire Torrot range to the paddock's 'Fan Village'. 

    With models available for riders aged three to 14, the full Torrot line-up can be found at each of the five E-Xplorer rounds to not only see, but also, experience with test rides available in a dedicated area.  

    Both brands have a shared commitment to sustainability and innovation, Torrot's involvement offers the next generation of rider - and maybe even racer - an entry into the world of sustainably powered two-wheelers. 

    Following the success of the inaugural season of the all-electric, all-terrain motorcycle FIM World Cup, the 2024 season kicked off in style in Osaka, Japan, for the first round in February. Oslo, Norway, played host to the second round of the Championship and the third round is a doubleheader, taking place in Vollore-Montagne, Auvergne, Central France, 20-22 June 2024. 

    Find the full E-Xplorer calendar here

    John Dixon, CEO of Torrot, comments: "The ethos of the E-Xplorer Championship correlates exactly with what we believe in at Torrot - having fun sustainably. We also believe strongly in promoting gender equality, especially within motorsport, so for us, extending our partnership was never in question."

    About Torrot

    In 2011 Torrot was reborn, embarking on a journey to craft cutting-edge electric vehicles with strong environmental consideration and reviving a brand steeped in historical popularity. The brand’s ethos then, mirrors the present day philosophy: to manufacture practical, comfortable, sturdy vehicles that enhance mobility and make daily life more enjoyable and convenient. Torrot continues to keep these principles at the centre of the business, championing sleek designs, using state-of-the-art technology and sustainable manufacturing, with the aim of caring for the world we all live in. 

    About E-Xplorer 

    The E-Xplorer FIM World Cup is a cutting-edge, international electric all-terrain motorcycle racing series, founded by a team of visionaries, including Valentin Guyonnet, Carina Munte, Alejandro Agag, and Eric Peronnard. This event is the epitome of excitement, technological advancement, environmental sustainability, and adventure, catering to a diverse audience. The competition comprises private and factory teams, with each team consisting of two riders of both genders. These teams will compete in a range of thrilling races, held at various locations, including city streets and natural terrains. Get ready to witness the pinnacle of racing excellence at the E-Xplorer FIM World Cup.