Double Supersport TT race winner Gary Johnson will run his own team at the 2017 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy, having announced a return to Suzuki machinery for the 1000cc races at last week’s official press launch on the Isle of Man.

The Lincolnshire rider, who is still searching for a title sponsor, will run the all-new GSX-R Suzuki in the RST Superbike, Pokerstars Senior and RL360º Quantum Superstock races. He will continue to campaign Triumphs in the two Monster Energy Supersport races having purchased the East Coast Construction bikes used by Lee Johnston in 2016.  Phil Reed’s team will continue in the sport as one of Johnson’s personal sponsors.

A front-runner now for a decade, Johnson took victory in the opening Monster Energy Supersport race in 2014 when riding for the Smiths Racing Triumph team which added to his win in the second 600cc encounter in 2011.

The 36-year old, who made his Mountain Course debut in 2007, has four more podiums to his name, the most recent of which came in the first Monster Energy Supersport race in 2015 when riding for Mar-Train Racing Yamaha and he also stood on the podium in the 2009 Senior TT, 2011 Superbike TT and the 2014 Superstock race.

Last year saw him enjoy another successful week on the Island, with fourth in the Bennetts Lightweight and fifth in the RL360 Quantum Superstock races the undoubted highlights. He also recorded three more top ten finishes in the RST Superbike and Monster Energy Supersport races and now has 30 silver and four bronze replicas in his collection.

Riding the Penz13.com BMW, 2016 also saw Johnson set a new personal best lap of the 37.73-mile course with a speed of 130.945mph in the Senior, which currently makes him the 12^th fastest rider of all time around the Mountain Course.

Commenting on his plans, Johnson said:

“I’m feeling as strong as I’ve felt over the last few years and although it’s a massive undertaking to run my own team, I’m really focused on the job ahead and determined to make my mark this year.  I’ve got a great bunch of lads supporting me and I’m looking forward to giving it a good go this year.”

A group of people are taking their 1975 restored Massey Fergusson Tractor, plus a trailer, plus some cyclists and musicians from Pattishall, Northants to the Isle of Man in June and complete a circuit of the TT course, raising funds for Dogs for Good.

If any Motorcyclists and enthusiasts are travelling that same route, or care to remain on the Isle of Man after the TT Rally to spend some time with our fundraisers, that would be great.  There is no onus to support them financially if they don’t want to, but sharing a photo on Facebook would be much appreciated.

They leave Northants on Friday 16 June, catch the ferry from Heysham on Monday 19 June to Douglas, returning on the Heysham ferry on Friday 23 June.

They are the Convoy for Canines – TT Road Trip 2017

www.facebook.com/LEJOGConvoyForCanines

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lejogconvoyforcaninesttroadtrip

Pioneered by Italian footwear brand TCX, the ‘biker sneaker’ has become a popular choice for riders who want a casually-styled and fashion-focused boot, but with the assurance that they are still protected. The new STREET ACE WPreasserts TCX’s dominance in producing protective footwear that looks equally good both on and off the bike.

Made from full grain vintage-look leather with a classic lacing system for a secure fit, the new STREET ACE WP boot benefits from a sharper design of the upper and a redesigned sole with tread guaranteed to give the ultimate grip. The boot is CE-certified and features protection at the toe, heel and ankle. A waterproof lining provides protection against adverse weather conditions.

The STREET ACE WP has an RRP of £119.99 and is available in size 36-48 in four colours. The Black, Coffee Brown and Dakar Brown are available now, while a Cold Grey option is expected in UK dealers at the end of April.

The STREET ACE WP is also available for women. The sole has been designed according to the shape of the female foot to offer ultimate comfort and protection thanks to its special 4-tier structure, comprising: a detachable, antibacterial footbed, an EVA insert to absorb vibrations and an assembly footbed made of thermoplastic material. The sole also features a 2.5 cm inner heel. The STREET ACE LADY WP is available in three colour options – Dark Lady (matt black with studs), Dark Grey and Cold Grey/Fuchsia – in sizes 35-42 with an RRP of £119.99.

For more information or to locate your local dealer visit www.nevis.uk.com or call 01425 478936 

British sporting hero Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards will be heading to the slopes of Prescott Bike Festival to support the Blood Bikes. Prescott Bike Festival is the charities biggest annual fundraiser and takes place at Prescott Hill Climb, Cheltenham. 

Festival Organiser Gordon Downie said ‘We are delighted that Eddie is coming to Prescott Bike Festival. Eddie is a fearless man who has overcome huge sporting and life hurdles, the whole country loves Eddie. I’m sure that he’ll enjoy meeting like-minded people who, like him are pushing the boundaries in pursuit of their dreams. Although not a biker, throughout his sporting career Eddie had his fair share of spectacular crashes and has undergone extensive surgery. It’s heart-warming that he’s coming to support our fundraising event which provides a vital lifesaving service to the NHS’.

Prescott Bike Festival prides itself on its diversity and celebrates engineering excellence; from rare, classic, modern, customised to hand built bikes and those of historic significance, this year the organisers have secured the most diverse motorcycles yet.

Crowd pleaser Matt McKeowen will be returning with the World’s fastest shopping trolley powered by a Chinook helicopter engine (holds record speed of 70.4mph/ 113.298kmh), plus his latest project, the World’s Fastest jet powered Hearse called ‘Dead Quick’. Kevin Scott brings his bonkers record-breaking Monowheel, which earned a place in the Guinness World Records along with fellow Monowheel engineer Tom ‘The Atom’ Anable.

Iconic motorcycle builder Allen Millyard will take to the hill on the award-winning Flying Millyard motorcycle (powered by a 5-litre V-twin aero engine) and returns with no less than eight of his amazing creations – all of which will be in action.

Bike Fest’s excellent showcase of Paddock Specials include over 100 examples of rare machinery where you can meet the owners, watch them fire up and see them run. From David Jefferies 2002 hand-built 570cc Vertemati Supermoto race bike, an original Joey Dunlop TT race bike, James Toseland’s 1998 Honda CBR600 World Supersport Bike, through to a 1914 Triumph LX126 one of only eight in the world which also participated in the very first London to Brighton pioneer run to David Hailwood, son of TT legend Mike ‘the bike’ Hailwood with his legendary fathers 1966/'67 500cc Honda RC181.

There’s plenty of attractions off-track to keep the whole family entertained too. You can take a thrilling passenger ride in anything from a Formula Two or Watsonian Squire Sidecar to a Morgan Three Wheeler, watch the jaw-dropping ‘On the Edge’ Trials Stunt Show, and hear the ever popular George Formby tribute act from the motorcycle film, No Limit? The Orchard main stage will host several Rock n Roll and rockabilly bands and dancers throughout the day and over 100 quality trade exhibitors.

Plus NEW for 2017 - An Ettore Bugatti’s ‘Motocyclette perfectionnée’. The Bugatti Trust new exhibition is dedicated to the Bugatti family’s exploration of bike and motorcycle design and engineering. Exhibits range from Carlo Bugatti’s 19th century bicycle design to Ettore Bugatti’s type 72 single cylinder 10 ½ cc cycle motor engine he created in the 1940s. The Bugatti Trust will be open from 11am till 3pm on the Sunday of the Bike Festival free and is free of charge to all Festival goers.

Prescott Bike Festival 2017

Motorcycle parking free, plus motorcycle side stand puck and Helmet Park.

All proceeds go to the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and regional blood bike group Severn Freewheelers, one of 27 blood bike groups around the UK that provide a free out-of-hours courier service for medical essentials.

Book in advance to save £2 over the on-the-gate price, adult admission only £13, while under-16s go free. For tickets and more information, visit: www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk

About Blood Bikes and Severn Freewheelers:

Severn Freewheelers the local branch of Blood Bikes celebrate their tenth anniversary of operating in the county. Founded in 2007 the motorcycle based charity, provides a free delivery service to hospitals and medical centres throughout the county; moving vital medical supplies, blood and pathology samples as well as transporting frozen human milk from the donor to the milk processing banks. This has been a real lifesaver due to the necessity of very premature babies having intolerance to anything but human milk. The bikers selflessly give their free time in all winds and weathers to help save lives throughout the country.

Severn Freewheelers is a life-saving service run entirely by volunteers and it part of the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes. All riders are trained in the movement of medical essentials and have one common goal – to alleviate suffering and reduce the funding pressures on the NHS.

Severn Freewheelers deal with around 300 calls per month locally and rely solely on fundraising to operate, please find below some facts/details on how they support the NHS throughout Gloucestershire, Hereford and Worcestershire and North Wiltshire.

www.prescottbikefestival.co.uk

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The Padgetts Honda Racing team will have a two-pronged attack at the 2017 Isle of Man TT Races, fuelled by Monster Energy, with Conor Cummins joining 11-times TT winner Bruce Anstey at the Batley-based squad.

The Manxman will contest the RST Superbike, PokerStars Senior, RL360 Quantum Superstock and Monster Energy Supersport races riding the latest-spec Honda CBR1000RR and Honda CBR600RR for one of the most experienced, and most successful, teams on the grid.

It comes on the back of Cummins having a successful outing for the team at last year’s TT after a last minute deal saw him contest the RL360 Quantum Superstock and two Monster Energy Supersport races. Riding the then Valvoline-liveried machines, he took an excellent fourth in the opening Supersport race and backed this up with seventh in the second, repeating the latter result in the Superstock race.

He also posted new personal best laps on those particular machines with 126.620mph and 129.739mph in the Supersport and Superstock classes respectively. Cummins, who has ridden for the official Honda Racing team for the last three years, also enjoyed successful meetings for the team at the Classic TT and Ulster Grand Prix.

2017 will be the Ramsey-based rider’s 12th year of competing in his home event and as well as a change in teams, there’s also a change in his starting position this year. After eight years with the number ten plate, the now 30-year old moves up the order in 2017, starting at number seven, ten seconds behind Michael Dunlop and ten ahead of the returning Guy Martin.

The eighth fastest rider of all time with a lap of 131.767mph, Cummins has taken six podiums during his TT career, the last of which came in 2014 when he took second and third respectively in the Senior and Superbike races and he’ll be hoping a complete switch to Clive Padgett’s family orientated team will propel back onto the rostrum this time around.

Kiwi Anstey has taken three wins and 13 podiums at the TT since joining Padgetts in 2011 with Ian Hutchinson giving them seven wins in 2009 and 2010, the latter year seeing him become the first man to win five races in a week.
Clive Padgett, team boss at Padgetts Honda Racing team said:

“Conor’s a very talented rider and a great lad and we are proud to have him representing our Motorcycle shop and the team but we’d be happy to share the limelight with a headline sponsor if a company is interested in coming on board and joining us.”

“Conor’s had some great results already at the TT and what I particularly like about how he races is his focus and commitment. He’s a great fit for the team. We’ve already made a good start with him last year and it’s good to have him with us full time.”

Conor Cummins said:

“What Clive Padgett and the team don’t know about racing on the Isle of Man isn’t worth knowing. He’s assembled a great group around him and I really enjoyed racing with the team last year – it just felt right. I’m looking forward to representing the team in all of this year’s races and I’m looking forward to repaying Clive’s faith in me.”