The British Motorcyclists Federation has today congratulated Azhar Hussain the founder of the zero carbon, clean emissions TTXGP motorcycle race, on being honoured in The Queen’s Birthday 2011 Honours List with an MBE for services to motor sport. 

Speaking on the announcement, Azhar said: "This was a shock at first but I am honoured at the recognition. In truth the award belongs to the teams, suppliers, tracks, governments, and many others such as the BMF, who have stood with TTXGP and believe we can all make a difference. Competition not only provides great challenge and entertainment but also improves the breed; we hope that TTXGP will come to be seen as a milestone in bringing new transportation technology to the world of motor sports and beyond.”

Businessman and entrepreneur, Azhar, 38, the founder and CEO of TTXGP, the eGrandPrix, the world’s first formally sanctioned zero carbon, clean emission motorcycle race, is also the CEO of Mavizen, the producer of the Mavizen TTX01 and TTX02 electric race bikes and of the skills development project LEO.

Speaking for the BMF, Chris Hodder, Government Relations Executive, said: “Azhar deserves this recognition. He has worked tirelessly to get the TTXGP project off the ground and as the BMF’s aim is, and always has been, to promote, protect and safeguard the future interests of motorcyclists, events such as the TTXGP provide an exciting test-bed for clean-technologies that will enter the mainstream market in the future."

Launched on the Isle of Man TT in 2009 as the TTXGP, the eGrandPrix has quickly become an international race series providing a high profile platform for the development of electric vehicles. It is from this perspective that the BMF, normally concerning itself solely with the road riding aspects of motorcycling, has given its support to the TTXGP eGrandPrix from the beginning.

Now with races in seven countries and over 30 teams worldwide taking to the track in 2011, TTXGP is the leading global electric race series and at the forefront of motorsport technology.

Fully aware of the environmental impact of traditionally fuelled vehicles, the BMF sees cleaner propulsion methods as essential in promoting wider use of the motorcycle and scooter and in February ’09, Chris Hodder, the BMF’s Government Relations Executive, was the first to try the Mavizen TTX01 on the road, a 130 mph motorcycle built to demonstrate the potential of electric power for sports bikes.

For more information see www.egrandprix.com and www.mavizen.com

Hundreds of Supercars and Superbikes are set to zoom into the Heritage Motor Centre when it hosts the exhilarating Supercar Sunday show on Sunday 26th June. The annual event, which has been running for over 10 years, will see thousands of visitors enjoy an impressive display and track runs featuring some of the world’s most powerful cars and bikes.

Highlights will include the appearance of the Aston Martin One-77 supercar which Ian Cook, the radical car artist will be painting a picture of. Artist & photographer, Ian Cunningham will be showcasing his artwork with an exhibition.  Mattie Griffin, a bike stunt professional and ranked fifth in the world at Street Bike Freestyle Riding in 2008 and 2009, will be performing stunt shows throughout the day. Charlie Webster, the stunning commentator for Sky Sports News and one of the UK’s brightest new TV talents, will be commentating in the Show Arena with ‘Our Tim’, a character presenter. ‘Our Tim’ is known for his absolute love of all things automotive, lack of knowledge of everything else and the fact he will do pretty much anything including blagging his way into the Brits and waking people up at 6am live on the radio!

Land Rover Experience will be offering rides around the off road track plus a new supercharged ride which takes place next door at the top secret site of Jaguar Land Rover (additional cost applies). Another feature is Dream Rides provided by Sporting Bears which gives visitors the chance to have a ride in a dream car in exchange for a donation to charity.

Visitors will be able to watch an historic and magnificent plane fly over courtesy of Airbase, the living aviation museum in Coventry plus take part in Zorbing for just £5 a go. Surf boards and bouncy castles will also provide entertainment for children.  Visitors will also get the opportunity to meet their 'Hollywood Hero', costumed characters such as Freddie Krueger, Michael Myers, Jedi, Joker and Lara Croft. Inside the Museum there are over 180 historic cars on display plus the new Sci-Fi at the Movies exhibition, a unique opportunity to see original artefacts, replica models and costumes from favourite Sci-Fi movies.

Emma Rawlinson, Event Executive for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “Supercar Sunday is a fantastic and thrilling day out giving visitors the chance to view and admire some of the world’s finest Supercars & Superbikes. With stunt shows, artists, costumed characters, aircraft displays and plenty of supercar activities, the show has something for everyone!”

Anyone interested in showcasing their own Supercars or Superbikes should contact the organisers.  Those that enter their vehicles will receive a free pass for the driver to enter the event and a car pass. The organisers are specifically looking for cars in the following categories: Supercars (McLaren F1, Bentley 4.5 litre supercharged, Ferrari, Lamborghini, GT40, Porsche GT1 & Aston Martin), Sports Cars (Jaguar XKR, TVR, MR2, & Lotus), Performance Cars (Subaru Impreza & Mustang) and any interesting, unusual or rare cars.  Car owners have the additional option of entering one of the two Track Runs for super/sports cars which takes place on the Emissions Test Track of the Jaguar Land Rover Test facility.

There are special discounted rates for advance tickets which are £11 for adults, £5 for children (5-16yrs) and £30 for a family (2 adults & 3 children). Advance tickets can be purchased at www.supercarsunday.co.uk or via the ticket hotline on 01926 645029 Monday – Friday from 9:30am – 5pm. 

Supercar Sunday is just one of many exciting and unique motoring events held at The Heritage Motor Centre in 2011.

www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

Ducati UK is to auction the 1198 Valentino Rossi rode recently at Silverstone during the official launch of the new Silverstone Wing, with a donation from the sale being made to motorcycling’s favourite charity, Riders for Health.   

On 17 May 2011, Valentino Rossi joined a host of motorsport champions from the past and present in an inauguration ceremony to open Silverstone’s state-of-the-art new Pit, Paddock and Conference complex – The Silverstone Wing. After the ceremony, Rossi, who missed riding at the British Moto GP last year due to injury, used the occasion to put in some practice laps on board a specially prepared 1198 SP.

Unfortunately the bike soon developed technical problems and Ducati UK stepped in to supply a standard road registered 1198. The bike (still with its licence plate, indicators and mirrors attached) is normally used for customer demonstration rides but Rossi was able to complete 30 laps on the 1198 to familiarise himself with the Silverstone circuit ahead of the AirAsia British MotoGP.

Rossi signed the 1198 as a thank you to Ducati UK and now the bike will auctioned at Silverstone auctions to help raise money for Riders for Health. The bike will be displayed at the Riders for Health Day of Champions on Thursday 9 June and then be moved to the auction on Saturday 11 June.

This is a unique chance to own a piece of Ducati history and Rossi memorabilia.  It will attract collectors, bike and race enthusiasts alike and in turn will raise money for a worthwhile cause.

The money donated by Ducati UK will help Riders for Health to mobilise health workers with reliable motorcycles and train them in basic maintenance so that they are able to provide a regular health care to even very remote villages.  To find out more about the work of Riders for Health, visit www.riders.org

The auction takes place on Saturday 11th June at Silverstone Circuit at 5.30pm and will be held at the new The Wing building and pit complex during the MotoGP race weekend.

If you cannot attend the auction telephone and commission bids are being accepted.

For further information:

A welcome return to the main stage on Friday Night for Dr Feelgood.

Dr Feelgood, with their no-holds-barred style changed the face of rock'n'roll. Without them, punk wouldn't have risen.

View the latest post

After contesting the first two rounds of the Endurance World Championship as an all-new outfit, the Honda TT Legends team heads to more familiar ground next week for its namesake event – the Isle of Man TT.

Fifteen-times TT winner and outright lap record holder John McGuinness and teammate Keith Amor are both bike fit and mentally prepared having completed hundreds of superbike laps a piece during the Bol d’Or 24-hour race in France in April, and more recently at the Albacete 8-hour in Spain.

McGuinness’s 15-year knowledge of the circuit cannot be underestimated as he aims to defend his title as the fastest man around the Isle of Man TT lap. Relative newcomer Amor is hoping that his EWC experience, combined with the unrivalled knowledge of the Honda TT Legends team and the dynamic capability of the CBR1000RR Fireblade will help him bring home some solid results.

Following a week of practice sessions from Monday 30 May, McGuinness and Amor will compete for the Honda TT Legends in the Dainese Superbike race on Monday 6 June and the Pokerstars Senior Race on Friday 10 June.

Neil Tuxworth, team manager

We’re sticking to basic principles for the Isle of Man TT – a proven formula for preparing the bikes as we always have, with performance and reliability in mind. The specification of the bike is virtually the same as we ran in 2010. Under the new Honda TT legends livery, we are of course aiming to win both superbike races and have both our riders on the podium.

John McGuinness

Endurance has been really good for me – it’s completely different and it has definitely improved my fitness – but I am so excited to be back at the TT. There’s a buzz about it that you just don’t get anywhere else. I think we have all the right ingredients this year – the team, the bike, the tyres – it’s all there. There are some very competitive riders though and you just never know what will happen – what will be will be but of course I want to win!

Keith Amor

Racing in the endurance championship with the Honda TT Legends means that I have spent more time on a superbike than ever before this year. It has not only provided great experience getting to grips with a superbike but it’s also increased my fitness level. I have the benefit of a brilliant team with years of TT experience behind them and a bike that is a legend in its own right so everything is in place. I’m not stressing about getting my first win, but hopefully we can get on that podium.

For further information on Honda TT Legends visit the website www.hondattlegends.com.