Biker News - Regularly updated

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  1. British Historic Racing is an integral part of the VMCC that holds Road Race meetings across the country for members and invited clubs.

    A wide range of vintage & classic motorcycles compete against each other in a range of events from pre-1934 solos, outfits & 3 Wheelers, through to the exciting BEARS series catering for European & American machines from the 1970s & 80s. We also have regular invited clubs who come along and join our meetings such as BSSO Scooters & the Morgan Three-Wheeler Club.

    We hold more than 20 Championships over a calendar of six meetings at venues all across the country including the newly re-opened Mallory Park!

    If you have a road race license and would like to race with likeminded friendly racers come and join us at our meetings where you will be made most welcome.

    BRITISH HISTORIC RACING CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2014

    Anglesey 12/13 April
    Three Sisters 10/11 May
    Mallory Park 14/15 June
    Lydden Hill 05/06 July
    Darley Moor 26/27 July
    Cadwell Park 27/28 September
     

    For more details contact BHR entries Secretary Carole Allison 07400 508055 e-mail [email protected] or download entry forms directly from our website

    www.britishhistoricracing.co.uk

  2. Ace Cafe Xmas Toy Run

    Ace Cafe Xmas Toy RunThe cafe's annual Christmas Toy Run into central London departs at 11am on Sunday 15th December to attend the children's wards of three hospitals:

    St Mary's (Paddington) 11.45am - 12.15pm
    Royal Brompton (Chelsea) 1pm - 1.30pm
    Evelina Children's Hospital (Westminster) 2pm - 2.30pm

    As always, any surplus gifts will be distributed to various children's homes and groups.

    Please bring gifts that are wrapped and labelled Boy/Girl/Age Group

    Because of allergies hospitals advise against stuffed toys and sweets - the nursing staff however may appreciate some sweeties!

    On returning to the cafe, there will be prizes for the "Best Dressed Bike" and the "Best Dressed Rider" - and a hot cuppa!

    NB: After 15 years of "heading up" the toy run, Ron Miles will be retiring. He said "I started this run back in 1998, and have attended the event every year. It has been wonderful to see the smiles of the kids who are in hospital, and also to see the smiles of the riders who take part - it's a very emotional experience, and I would like us to make this year a big one!"

    www.ace-cafe-london.com

  3. Vintage Adventurer Rod Wade and co-driver Michael Flanders have created a new World record for driving a pre-war car across the USA, from New York to Los Angeles in 50 hours, 20 minutes and 6 seconds.

    Australians Rod and Michael began the 3,000 miles journey in their 1930 Ford Model A at Staten Island at 00:01am on Friday November 22nd with the aim of reaching Venice Fishing Pier in around 60 hours, giving an estimated arrival time of the morning of Sunday November 24th.

    Despite horrendous weather conditions including rain storms, extreme winds and snow through New Mexico, the driving duo arrived much sooner than expected, reaching Venice Fishing Pier, Venice Beach, just after 11.15pm on Saturday evening (23rd Nov).

    The team experienced the worst of the turbulent weather in Amarillo, the place where the Model A suffered a broken crankshaft after 38 hours of driving in an earlier attempt in October of this year. The freezing rain, fog and snow forced Rod and Michael to stop every two miles to clear the windscreen of ice as there is no heated windscreen in the classic car.

    On arriving at Venice Fishing Pier, Rod said: “I can’t believe we got here in such a good time. It got scary through Amarillo again but we battled on. If it wasn’t for the weather conditions, we would have done it on 40’odd hours. Maybe next time!”

    Next time will in fact see the Vintage Adventurer team take on the Ocean to Ocean Australia, driving from Queensland to Freemantle but also making the return journey. This is scheduled for June 2014.

    The whole reason for setting the World record is to raise awareness and funds to support kidney disease suffers all over the world. With kidney disease affecting Rod’s wife and daughter, he has raised thousands of dollars for kidney charities and the Wade family has just commissioned the first ‘Kidney Kamper’ to get the ball rolling.

    Rod added: “The money we raise will allow us to outfit RVs and campervans with dialysis machines so people requiring dialysis can have a little personal freedom to travel and enjoy life, instead of needing to be constantly within reach of a machine at their home, clinic, or hospital.”

    Rod and Michael were accompanied by the team’s support vehicle – a 1988 Plymouth retired police car that also made the journey with them. The support crew was made up of engine builder Ora Landis of Schwalms, Ricardo Da Cruz as lead mechanic/photographer, both from the USA. Arron Hage from Australia’s Network 7 and UK media manager Andrea Seed.

    For more information on the Ocean to Ocean Challenge, the Vintage Adventurer and the latest updates, visit www.vintageadventurer.com

  4. A new seasonal promotion offering savings of up to £2,500 (incl. VAT) on purchases of a new Can-Am Spyder from its 2013/2012 range of Sport Touring (ST) and Road Touring (RT) models until 28 February 2014 will give riders a three-wheeler experience with cutting-edge looks and excellent handling performance.

    Consumers who purchase a striking Can-Am Spyder ST, ST-S, RT, RT-S or RT techno model will save £1,250 (incl. VAT) while Can-Am ST LTD and RT LTD buyers will receive a saving of £2,500 (incl. VAT) from any authorised BRP participating dealer in the UK and Ireland, subject to available stock.

    Spyder enthusiasts will also benefit from BRP’s 4-year warranty coverage and 4-year roadside assistance offer, taking advantage of two additional years of cover for free. This promotion is also available on purchases of the 2013/2012 Can-Am Spyder RS or RS-S models.

    In addition, Spyder riders wanting to treat themselves this festive season will also be entered into the draw to win one of five an all-expenses paid place to attend one of BRP’s 2014 Spyder Rider Days community events worth over £400, including participation fee and hotel accommodation.                                                                                                      

    With its Rotax V twin engine and ‘Y’-shaped, three-wheeled design, the Can-Am Spyder delivers a bold, exhilarating new driving experience.  This sophisticated take on a motorcycle marries the open-air freedom of a motorbike with the comfort of a luxury car, and can be driven on a full car driving licence. Anti-lock brakes, stability control, cruise control and an optional clutchless semi-automatic transmission are key features of the Can-Am Spyder roadsters resulting in the effortless handling of corners and smooth acceleration.

  5. British Superbike Championship competitor Martin Jessopp has confirmed he will make his much-anticipated Mountain Course debut at the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy.

    The 28-year old will campaign a BMW S1000RR in the Dainese Superbike, Royal London 360º Superstock and Pokerstars Senior TT Races for his regular Riders Motorcycles team, owned and run by father Phil.

    With the exception of 2012 – when he contested the World Supersport Championship – Jessopp has been an ever present in the British Championship paddock since 2004 when he entered the British Superstock Championship on Ducati machinery. The Yeovil rider moved to the British Supersport Championship for the following three seasons enjoying his best season in 2007 when he finished 11th overall with a best result of fifth.

    A switch to Honda and a move to the premier British Superbike series followed and Jessopp took second and third in the 2008 and 2009 Privateer’s Cup before making the step up the BSB series proper. Back on Ducatis, and with Michael Rutter as team-mate, Jessopp impressed in 2010 with five top ten finishes from the first eight races including a maiden pole start at Thruxton before a broken leg at the fifth round halted his charge. However, he bounced back in style in 2011 to claim 11th overall with a best finish of fourth at Donington Park and 11 top ten finishes.

    However, it’s his road racing results that will have made the most impact on TT fans with excellent performances at both the Macau Grand Prix and North West 200. Having made his debut at Macau in 2007, he proved his talent in 2011 when he took second to Rutter, pushing his more experience teammate all the way, and he repeated the result in 2012 for another superb result.

    He made his North-West debut in 2006 and has had numerous top fifteen finishes although cancelled races have prevented him from finishing higher than the 11th he took in the 2008 Superbike race. Indeed, he qualified in second place for the 2011 Superbike Races before becoming the fastest ever man through the speed trap the following year at a phenomenal 208mph on his way to qualifying fifth.

    Speaking about the news that he will make his TT debut Martin said: “Having gained road racing experience at the North West 200 and the Macau Grand Prix, I now feel ready to make my TT debut. The TT is the pinnacle of road racing and I am very excited about the opportunity to finally race there. My plan is to work hard and learn the circuit without any pressure to get a result. Hopefully after a few years I’ll have learnt enough to push on and start to challenge towards the front as I have been able to do at the North West 200 and Macau Grand Prix.”

    Paul Phillips, TT & Motorsport Development Manager, Isle of Man Government added: “Martin is a rider we have been talking to for a number of years and we are delighted that he feels the time is right to come and take part in our event. He has proven quality on the roads and will add real quality to an already superb entry. It’s also fantastic to have another top quality team in the paddock with Riders Motorcycles who have had such a significant presence in the British Superbike paddock for so many years.”