Paul Shoesmith, who lost his life participating in the 2016 Isle of Man TT Races and his family have been awarded the 2016 PokerStars Spirit of the TT.

The award is given annually to the person or persons who best represent the ethos and values of the TT Races including decency, honesty, generosity, courage, compassion, integrity, respect, teamwork and commitment to the development of the races.

The presentation of the award was made at the Grandstand podium ahead of this year’s PokerStars Senior TT Race.

Paul Shoesmith was one of the biggest characters in the TT paddock who not only competed in the TT Races but also gave the opportunity for a number of riders to race on the Mountain Course through his Ice Valley Four Anjels Racing outfit including Peter Hickman, who made his TT debut for the team, and Simon Andrews as well as a number of international competitors.  He was also well known for his fundraising efforts, most notably his work with the Simon Andrews Foundation.

Eric Hollreiser, Director of Corporate Communications, PokerStars commented:

“We have been overwhelmed with the response to this year’s award.  Paul has received many more nominations than we have ever had before and it is clear that he has a huge number of friends in the TT paddock and helped numerous people at the TT.”

David Cretney, Isle of Man Government’s Tourism and Motorsport representative said:

"Paul was truly one of the largest personalities in the TT paddock and his character shone through in everything that he did. He made an enormous impact on everyone who met him, not only through his racing but his larger than life personality, his incredible generosity and willingness to help anyone. He was a great ambassador for the TT Races and his loss is hugely felt by everyone associated with the event and the Isle of Man."

He continued:

“This award is not only for Paul but also for his remarkable family who have shown such spirit and resilience in such difficult circumstances.”

As well as the award to Paul’s family, PokerStars would also like to highlight a number of other people who were nominated including fundraiser Shaun Hogg, who raises money to run ambulances at Motorsport events on the Isle of Man in memory of his brother Phil.

A number of marshals have been recognised this year including Matthew Horn who is battling major injuries from a motorbike crash but continues to marshal at this year’s TT, Kevin Quinn who marshalled this week at Alpine despite battling cancer and a posthumous award to Willy Killey who marshalled for 59 years at the TT and passed away during TT2015 race week, after carryout flag duty throughout practice week.  TT marshal Emma Limerick who continued to marshal this week despite personal loss will also be recognised.

PokerStars will be creating mementoes for all of the above named nominees, which will be sent out to them shortly.

Representatives from the Isle of Man Government's Motorsport team including David Cretney, the Isle of Man Government representative with responsibility for Motorsport and Tourism, TT rider liaison officers Richard Quayle and John Barton, ACU Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson and PokerStars Director of Corporate Communications Eric Hollreiser judged the award. Nominations were invited from members of the public and from officials associated with the TT.

Previous winners have included Paul Owen, Conor Cummins, the Birchall Brothers, TT Marshal Eric Alexander and TTRA secretary Frances Thorp.  Last year’s winners were 91 year old Harold Leece who opens up his garden to visitors and 8 year old fundraiser Cici Reed.

Whether on the roof of the world or in deepest Africa, few products embody the spirit of adventure so much as Touratech Desierto fairings, which have proven themselves time and again on extended journeys across all continents over the last years.

Touratech is starting a new chapter in this success story with Desierto IV for the BMW R 1200 GS / Adventure (LC), reinterpreting the concept of distinctive looks and maximum ride comfort.

The characteristic Desierto sweep above the headlight is striking at first glance, as are the distinctive wedge-shaped side sections creating a concordant link between fairing and tank. The dynamic styling emphasises the agile nature of the R 1200 GS (LC), lending a new aesthetic dimension to the familiar Desierto look. The side sections are available in black, gray or white.

The windscreen itself is at a steeper angle than the original, which gives a superior ride feel, enhances the sense of space, and at the same time optimises wind protection without adding turbulence at helmet level. Since the standard adjustment capabilities are retained, the height and angle of the windscreen can be modified as required while riding.

In response to customer requests, Touratech offers four different windscreens for the Desierto IV: a small version that is visibly lower than the original GS screen, provides greater ventilation and is intended for more sporty riding, and a significantly higher screen for touring and travelling. Both are available in a clear and a tinted version.

Michael Dunlop shattered his own outright lap record in Friday’s Pokerstars Senior TT, the final race of the 2016 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy, as the Hawk Racing BMW rider lapped at 133.962mph on his way to his 13th TT victory. In a repeat of Saturday’s RST Superbike race, Dunlop got the better of Ian Hutchinson and John McGuinness with his eventual winning margin a commanding 31.4s. 

With morning delays, the race finally got underway at 3.45pm and at Glen Helen on the first lap, Dunlop had already established a healthy 1.8s lead over Hutchinson with Harrison a further 1.6s behind in third as Lee Johnston, Gary Johnson and Peter Hickman rounded out the top six, just six seconds covering the top ten.

Dunlop was really pressing on but having doubled his lead by the time they jumped Ballaugh Bridge, Hutchinson had reduced it again at Ramsey to 2.9s while Johnson moved up to third ahead of Hickman, Bruce Anstey and Dean Harrison.

With an opening lap speed of 133.256mph, Dunlop led Hutchinson by 2.8s with the leaderboard places behind the leading pair constantly changing. Hickman had moved into third, eight seconds down on Hutchinson, with fourth to sixth now seeing Anstey, Johnson and Harrison occupying the places.

Hutchinson grabbed the lead on the road on the second lap but he was unable to make any inroads into Dunlop’s time and all the way round the lap, the Ulsterman’s advantage grew. Indeed, with yet another new outright lap record of 133.962mph, Dunlop led his BMW rival by a commanding 9.2s as they made their first pit stop at the end of the lap.

There was change further behind though as Anstey moved up to third, albeit almost 26 seconds behind Hutchinson, after Hickman retired at Brandywell. John McGuinness, down in ninth at the end of the first lap, had jumped up the order to fourth with Harrison in fifth and Johnson now in sixth.

The pit stops saw Dunlop and Hutchinson maintain their first and second place positions but McGuinness’ crew again worked wonders and that helped him take over third by the time he reached Glen Helen on lap three, with the Morecambe man now some 6.7s clear of Anstey. Johnson’s good run ended though with a retirement at Appledene while David Johnson slid off the Norton at Sulby Bridge after posting a 130mph lap on his opening lap.

At half race distance, Dunlop had stretched out his lead slightly to 11.2s and now almost had Hutchinson in his sights on the road. McGuinness had also pulled away from Anstey with the difference between the two Honda riders having gone out to 11.8s. Harrison was holding station in fifth with Conor Cummins moving up to sixth.

Coming into the second pit stop and two-thirds race distance at the end of lap four, Dunlop still didn’t have full control of the race as the gap was still only 10.6s. Hutchinson and McGuinness were circulating on the road together and looked secure in second and third with the lower leaderboard places also becoming more settled, Anstey, Harrison and Cummins still occupying fourth to sixth.

Dunlop’s team got him in and out quicker than Hutchinson and his lead grew by an additional five seconds. Indeed, he now had him firmly in his sights on the roads and was able to ride accordingly for the final lap and a half, eventually overhauling both Hutchinson and McGuinness on the road too.

He eventually took the chequered flag from Hutchinson by over twenty seconds with McGuinness taking his 46th TT podium in third. Harrison grabbed hold of fourth on the penultimate lap from Anstey as Cummins, Rutter, Johnston, James Hillier and Ivan Lintin rounded out the top ten.

The results saw Hutchinson end with 115 points to be a comfortable winner of the Joey Dunlop TT Championship with Harrison second on 80 and Dunlop third with 70.

Meanwhile, Dan Hegarty was the first privateer to finish in an excellent 11th and that saw him clinch the TT Privateer’s Championship with 91 points to Jamie Coward’s 72.

Ace Cafe London's annual Triumph Day, Sunday 12th June, this year includes with Dave Lilley and his team with stand and display from the Triumph dealership Jack Lilley Ashford, along with intrepid two wheel traveller and writer Zoe Cano signing copies of her books, and confirmed attendance includes with West Middlesex Triumph Owners MCC, Mk1 Speed Triple Owners Club and Triumph Tiger Cub magazine and spares – spanning Triumphs unique history and range!

Three "Ace" goodies packs are up for grabs as raffle prizes at the cafe and each of the three prize packs will include items from Jack Lilley, a Zoe Cano book and a pair of tickets to attend the cafe's annual Stunt Fest & Streetfighter Show, Wembley, Sunday 17th July.
One of the prize packs will include a pair of tickets to attend the forthcoming “Simply Bikes Show” at Beaulieu, home of the National Motor Museum, on Sunday 10th July!

Spend £5 or more over the counter from 9am and receive a raffle ticket.

Draw to be held at 3pm.

www.ace-cafe-london.com

500 Veteran and Vintage motorcycles will ride out as a group when the British Motor Museum hosts the nostalgic Vintage Motor Cycle Club Banbury Run on Sunday 19th June. Now in its 68th year, it is the largest gathering of pre-1931 motorcycles & 3-wheelers in the world and visitors will be able to see the motorcycles start and finish at the Museum.

The Banbury Run is aimed at those who enjoy the thrill of riding with other Vintage, Veteran & Pioneer bikes. In addition to the Run, there will also be Club and Trade Stands, 100 Autojumble pitches and special interest displays within the Museum grounds. Camping is also available on the Saturday and Sunday night. 

Tom Caren, Show Manager at the British Motor Museum stated “The Banbury Run is a celebration of vintage and veteran motorcycles. Seeing hundreds of vintage motorcycles ride together is a motoring spectacle that deserves to continue to flourish!”

The Museum will be open from 9am – 5pm with the Banbury Run beginning at 10am. Riders will start at 5 per minute. Spectators tickets for the Run cost £8 in advance or £10 on the day for adults, children and concessions and include entry to the Museum and new Collections Centre.

To find out more about the British Motor Museum please visit the website at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk 

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