...next to the Bimota Alstare Team in the Superbike Championship for 2014. URANIO, historical battery brand of FIAMM Group, is the official sponsor of the Bimota Alstare Team for the Superbike World Championship 2014.

The Italian brand , known in the graphical representation of the “U” with two dots will be displayed on the motorbikes , on the suit of the pilots, inside the race boxes and in the Hospitality Booth of the Team , on the trucks and on the Team clothing . It will appear also within the official media of the Teams such as the website , the social network Facebook and all the other tools dedicated to the dissemination of the news related to the championship.

The Alstare Bimota Team, born as a result of the agreement between the Bimota Mark and the Alstare Team, will be officially on the track starting from the next race weekend on the Aragon circuit (ESS) for 13 races scheduled for the 2014 championship. The pilots who will take the Bimota BB3 on track are Ayrton Badovini (ITA ) and Christian Iddon (UK).

“ I am very excited about this initiative that will bring visibility to the URANIO brand, a brand that is representing us with great satisfaction abroad and that already in the 80's and 90's was close to motor racing in Italy . I am confident that the Alstare Bimota Team led by Francis Batta , strong of a long and successful tradition in the superbike championship , will do well in the category of Evo” says Alessandro Lanari, Marketing Director of the Company settled in Vicenza.

"I would like to thank the FIAMM Group that by sponsoring us with the URANIO brand has demonstrated to believe in Alstare although we came from a not really happy year. I hope to be able to grasp some results well aware that we are debuting with a new motorbike , the BB3 Bimota "says Francis Batta , owner of the Alstare Bimota Team.

THE only man ever to win a Formula One World Championship in a Ferrari that wasn’t red will be reunited with his blue and white machine this weekend.

John Surtees, who is also unique in having won world championships on both two and four wheels, will be at the 34th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show at Staffordshire County Showground alongside his unusually painted Ferrari 158. The car’s original Rosso corsa colour scheme was painted over in American NART team livery for two races only during the 1964 World Championship on the orders of Enzo Ferrari. It was a protest move after the fiery company boss fell out with the Italian racing authorities.

Also on display at the show will be the MV Agusta 500 GP on which Surtees won the 1956 Motorcycle Grand Prix and his 1955 Norton Model F. Unrivalled in his achievements, Surtees was crowned as BBC Sport’s Personality of the Year in 1959 and has since been awarded both an MBE and an OBE.

In 2013, he was also named as the recipient of the Seagrave Trophy, awarded to British nationals who are deemed to have accomplished the most outstanding demonstration of the possibilities of transport by land, sea, air or water. He joins pivotal figures such as Malcolm Campbell, Stirling Moss, Geoff Duke, Mike Hailwood, Barry Sheene, Colin McRae and Richard Branson.

Later this year, Surtees will release a photographic memoir of his life as he celebrates both his 80th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the triumphant moment when he became the first, and only, man to conquer the world both on bikes and in cars. Surtees’ appearance at Stafford will kick-start a year of events marking his phenomenal career.

He will also be raising funds for and awareness of the Henry Surtees Foundation, the charity he set up following the tragic death of his son following an accident at a Formula Two race in 2009.

James Robinson, editor of The Classic MotorCycle magazine and spokesman for the Stafford show said: “What John achieved in both bike and car disciplines is remarkable. He is a real master of machinery and it’s a great honour that he’s chosen to come to Stafford.

“We are all delighted to be able to share some of the incredible work done by the Henry Surtees Foundation with the event’s visitors, as well as showcase a man, a career and three machines that we believe to be among the finest – if not the finest – that have ever graced the world of motor racing. It’ll be fascinating to hear him talk about his wide ranging experiences; surely he’s the only man in the world who was employed by both Count Agusta and Enzo Ferrari, as well as being Mike Hailwood’s boss!”

The Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show is one of the flagship events of the classic motorcycling calendar, and with John Surtees in attendance, April 26-27, 2014, is set to be just that little bit more special.

Those wanting to attend can enter the Staffordshire County Showground on both days from 9am, with a one day adult ticket priced at £13.

Surtees will be on stage at various times throughout the weekend as he’s interviewed by ex-TT winner and TV personality Steve Plater, and he’ll also be taking part in signing sessions, paddock displays and trophy presentations.

James added: “The opportunity to meet one of Britain’s most successful ever sporting stars is one that doesn’t come around all that often, and to see the MV Agusta, Norton and Ferrari that played such a vital role in that success on display, together in one hall next to the man himself, is incredibly rare. This is something that any motorcycle enthusiast or motorsport fan simply cannot afford to miss.”

Ace Cafe London has again teamed up with, and will have a special Cafe Racer Corner display, at the forthcoming Southern Classic Bike Show to be held at Kempton Park, Saturday 24th May 2014. The show is open from 10am - 5pm and includes British, Japanese and numerous other motorcycle clubs exhibiting their bikes alongside private entries, trade stands and displays and Kempton's renowned bike jumble!

All bikes entered into the show receive goodies, and in addition to the club stands competing for 1st, 2nd & 3rd prizes, this years show will again include a special Ace "Best Cafe Racer" award.

If you have a classic motorcycle or cafe racer that you wish to display, please contact Eric Patterson, the show organiser, via email: [email protected]

Six (6) pairs of tickets to attend the show are up for grabs as prizes at the cafe on Friday "Bike Nights" from 6pm and Sunday Bike Days from 9am.

Spend £5 or more over the counter and receive a raffle ticket.

Friday 2nd May - Draw at 10pm
Sunday 4th May - Draw at 3pm
Friday 9th May - Draw at 10pm
Sunday 11th May - Draw at 3pm
Friday 16th May - Draw at 10pm
Sunday 18th May - Draw at 3pm

For more information about the Southern Classic Bike Show check out:
www.egp-enterprises.co.uk

www.ace-cafe-london.com

That's right - only two weeks to go!

We have had a lot interest so far this year, with ticket sales ahead of schedule for all events and especially for Into The Valley. It seems from our facebook page that some of you are desperate to kick the rally season off with a bang.

Our last newsletter told know about a few of the Into The Valley bands and you will have seen the full Smacked Arse Comedy line up on our Facebook events page. We can now confirm all of the bands for this event as well as a few that will be seen at the Farmyard Party. We had some great feedback on our music and band poll on our Facebook page - we will take these recommendations on board and you will hopefully see some of these bands next year.

We made visits to all of the event sites this week and, as usual, all are looking stunning and in tip top condition for the onslaught of bikes and riders. A couple of pictures below - let's hope the good weather continues throughout 2014 and we have a great rally season.

Tickets for our events are on sale through our website - this is the easiest and most secure way to get them. If you don't trust t'internet then don't worry - you can still buy them by cheque and get delivery by pigeon post.

As always, our events are held on behalf of Riders' Rights throughout UK and Europe.  No Cars, No Vans, No Pedestrians, No Excuses

www.farmyardparty.com

Thirty per cent of young drivers (aged 18-25) admit to breaking the law during their first few years on the road, according to a poll by Vision Critical and road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).1

Despite spending many weeks learning to pass the test, a majority (68 per cent) of younger drivers feel that they need to improve.

Twenty-five per cent of young drivers admit to crashing.

These are backed up by official figures which show that:

· A fifth of people killed or seriously injured in a reported road accident in Great Britain during 2012 were involved in a collision where at least one of the cars was driven by a young driver.

· Around 22 per cent of all accidents involved at least one young driver. The 32, 400 accidents involving at least one young car driver resulted in 350 deaths and more than 4, 1000 seriously injured casualties.

· Nearly a quarter of all car drivers (133 out of 542 drivers) who died in 2012 were young drivers themselves.2

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “This survey shows that younger drivers simply don’t feel adequately prepared for independent driving. The current learning system is failing the next generation of motorists and there needs to be serious review. Early experience of a wide range of traffic conditions is vital but so is dealing with negative attitudes. This can be done most effectively through peer group discussions rather than just relying on stricter controls and curfews.”

The IAM’s objectives for younger drivers and an improved test include:

•Road safety education as part of the school curriculum
•Theory and hazard perception tests be delivered online and in education establishments
•Insurance companies not penalising L drivers gaining experience in the family car
•A 12 month minimum learning period with a logbook to build experience safely
•A practical driving test that includes high speed roads
•Post-test assessment and training for all in the high risk early months of solo driving