Into The Valley : Farmyard Party : Yorkshire Pudding

We are very pleased to say that 2016 looks like it’s going to be a great year for biking and rallying in Blighty. Yorkshire MAG has something to really shout about! 2016 brings us the 30th Farmyard Party - that’s 30 rallies with No Cars, No Vans, and No Pedestrians. Farmyard is not going “Old School” or “Back to a Biker Rally” because it never left! From day one of the Farmyard, you have been able to indulge yourselves in having your own personal campfire around your tent for you and your mates. To help celebrate our 30 years raising cash to fight for your riders rights we have not raised ticket prices again and we offer a book early deal on any and all our pre-book rally tickets till the end of March.

If you're not aware through our Facebook page, tickets are available from the 15th of February and, as always, our events are held on behalf of Riders' Rights throughout UK and Europe.

No Cars, No Vans, No Pedestrians, No Excuses.

Touratech presents the 2016 2,020-page catalogue with hundreds of new products... 
Bigger than ever, packed full of products and featuring tons of new items, Touratech presents the world’s largest accessory catalogue for adventure riding. It contains custom-made equipment and parts to suit many models that will soon enliven the 2016 season. 

One of these is the Honda CRF 1000 L Africa Twin, a bike that has sparked the urge to travel in a whole generation of adventurers. With over 20 years of experience in developing and manufacturing special parts for the Africa Twin, Touratech has an extensive portfolio lined up for the long-awaited successor. From GPS mounting adapters to the Zega pannier system, every desire is fulfilled. Plus there is an exclusive report on the first Touratech test drive with the reborn ‘Desert Queen’.

Bikes other than the classic touring enduro have inspired the motorcycle accessory specialists from Niedereschach as well – such as the Ducati Scrambler and the BMW S 1000 XR – and of course there are more interesting new developments for nearly every motorbike model.

Because both the bike and its rider need reliable equipment on the road, Touratech has significantly expanded the riding gear section: the AVENTURO Mod combines the advantages of flip-up and off road helmets, the COMPAÑERO World2 is an enhanced version of the tried-and-tested touring suit, and the DESTINO Adventure is Touratech’s first very own motorcycle boot. All are the result of tens of thousands of kilometres of touring experience. This same expertise has also gone into developing ‘Touratech Waterproof made by Ortlieb’. Another example of European manufacturing quality, this line of waterproof motorcycle luggage products is available now exclusively from Touratech.

With all of this and much more, including great photos and travel stories, Touratech’s 2016/2017 catalogue makes an enticing read: the new Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro and Ducati Scrambler go on a test tour to Albania, Simon and Lisa Thomas (2 Ride The World) report on their round-the-world journey – now twelve years long – and Dirk Schäfer completes his preliminary Iron Butt trial on the 1,000-kilometre Touratech bike.

To help readers navigate through this mammoth publication, the catalogue includes a detailed index and a clearly structured table of contents. The first section is dedicated to special parts for specific motorbikes, with individual models sorted alphabetically and in descending order of engine size. It is followed by sections on the cockpit, luggage, seats, the new windscreens, Touratech Suspension and universal motorcycle accessories. Finally there are rider equipment, navigation and outdoor sections.

Two hundred thousand copies of the 2016/2017 Touratech catalogue with its 2,020 pages have been printed in five different languages and will be available at all major trade shows and events where Touratech is represented, as well as from Touratech distributors.

Copies can be ordered by telephone, e-mail or via the internet – free of charge, as always and the catalogue is also available online at www.touratech.com

Leicestershire based Hawk Racing has confirmed that Michael Dunlop will race for the team at the 2016 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy. The team made the announcement in London at the MCN Motorcycle show at Excel today.

Eleven time TT Race winner Dunlop, 26, will again ride the BMW S1000 RR Superbike on which he dominated the 2014 TT Races, which included a Superbike and Senior TT double.

Dunlop’s 2015 TT campaign for the team was hampered by an injury sustained in the opening race of the meeting, the RST Superbike Race but he still went on to record his fastest TT lap – 132.515 – which is the second fastest lap in TT history, on the final lap of the PokerStars Senior TT to finish fifth.

The Ballymoney man will also race for the team at the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix as well as campaigning the team’s Superbike in several BSB rounds, including Silverstone and Oulton Park, as a wild card entry.

Dunlop’s remarkable TT Races career began in 2007 with his first race win in the Supersport class two years later. He took his first ‘big bike’ win in 2011, winning the Superstock race before taking his first Superbike title in 2013.

Hawk Racing Team Manager Steve Hicken commented:

“We’re delighted to have Michael back on board for 2016. We know what we have to do to get him back on the top step on the Isle of Man and with a proper lead time to prepare this year we’re looking forward to helping Michael achieve his ambitions.”

Michael Dunlop commented:

“I’m coming back to win again. I gave it my best last year but the Superbike crash wasn’t the best preparation for the Senior. My last lap at the TT reminded everyone what I can do and with these boys behind me I’m ready to race properly again.”

The new look British Motor Museum opened its doors to the public on Saturday 13 February following a £1.1m refurbishment. Previously known as the Heritage Motor Centre, the Museum is now a modern and immersive display of British motoring history.

The Rt. Hon. Gavin Williamson, MP, unveiled the new look Museum on Friday 12 February at a private preview event. It was then officially opened to the public at 10am on Saturday 13 February, by Managing Director, Julie Tew and Josh Harden, aged 8, the face of the Museum’s marketing collateral. Local radio station Touch FM was also broadcasting live on the day.

Visitors to the Museum are now welcomed via a new entrance to an introductory gallery which sets the scene and flows into distinctive new themed zones, including ones for Design & Concepts, Jaguar, Land Rover, Royal Cars, Motor Sport, and Film & TV cars. The popular ethos of allowing visitors to get up close to the exhibits has not changed but there are now different ways to view the cars. Many are on raised plinths including a series of Land Rovers on an all-terrain ‘mountain’ and some life-size matchbox style cars. The visitor experience is more interactive and immersive, visitors can now stroll along the Time Road, whilst touch screens provide interactive interpretation telling the cars’ stories in more detail.

Gavin Williamson MP, stated “I feel very privileged to unveil the new look British Motor Museum. I have loved classic cars since my father took me to the British Motor Show as a child. I am therefore delighted to be here today amongst 400 of the finest historic British cars to declare the Museum and its Collections Centre open for business. The British Motor Museum is instrumental in enabling visitors to learn more about the past, present and future of the British motor industry, its technology and its people. With the exciting improvements and enhancements now made, the Museum can now be counted as being amongst the best motor museums in the world”.

The new Collections Centre also opened on the 13 February, allowing public access for the first time to an additional 250 cars from the reserve collections of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust and the Jaguar Heritage Trust.

Tours of both the Museum and the Collections Centre will be available daily and can be booked at no extra charge on arrival, (subject to availability) and all half term family activities are also included in admission: Adults £14, Children £9 (5-16 years) under 5’s free, Concessions £12 & Family £39 (2 adults & up to 3 children). Buy one day and get 12 months free if you Gift Aid your entrance.

From 13 – 21 February, the British Motor Museum is celebrating half term with “Build a British Car Week”. Every day children of all ages can test their knowledge with the ‘Family Story’ trail and join one of the workshops in the LEGO® Education Innovation Studio where they can get creative building British cars with LEGO® bricks.

To find out more information please visit the website at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk or call 01926 641188.

Eleven-time TT winner Ian Hutchinson was awarded the Royal Automobile Club’s coveted Torrens Trophy at the Pall Mall clubhouse for his outstanding determination, courage and overcoming adversity to win multiple TT’s.

The Torrens Trophy recognises an individual or organisation considered to have made an outstanding contribution to motorcycling in Britain. The Trophy was first awarded in 1978 in memory of Arthur Bourne, a motor cycling journalist and Vice Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club who wrote a column under the name Torrens. It has only been awarded nine times in its history and only when the club feels that the achievement justifies it.

Upon receipt Hutchy said: ‘I am very proud to win the Torrens Trophy and be recognised by the Royal Automobile Club. It has been a fantastic year for me and I would like to extend a huge thanks to the team at Paul Bird Motorsport and Team Traction Control Yamaha and to my family for all the support through my days in hospital and recovery’.

This year, was an exceedingly strong year for British motorcycle racing, resulting in a worthy crop of Trophy nominees, including Danny Kent who became the country’s first Grand Prix World Champion since Barry Sheene in 1977, Jonathan Rea who secured the World Superbike Championship and utterly dominated the 2015 season finishing on the podium in all but four races, Tai Woffindon who won the gruelling 2015 World Speedway Championships for the second time and then there was Ian Hutchinson, his dramatic return to the Isle of Man TT and whose hat trick of victories was awe-inspiring.

With such a strong crop of potential worthy recipients, the Club’s Torrens Trophy Nominations Committee - consisting of Royal Automobile Club member Ben Cussons, Torrens Nomination Committee Chairman and ex-bike racer Barrie Baxter, well-respected motorcycle journalist Mat Oxley, former racer and commentator Steve Parrish and Arthur Bourne’s son Richard Bourne, debated long and hard. It was ultimately decided that ‘Hutchy’ would be awarded the Trophy.

Barrie Baxter, Chairman of the Torrens Committee said: ‘Motorcycle racing can be a very punishing discipline, and Ian Hutchinson's inspirational journey is a testament to that. From nearly losing his leg and having to endure over 30 gruelling operations to returning to the pinnacle of a sport which dealt him a cruel blow and win multiple TT’s must be one of the sport's most courageous stories’.

Understandably news of Hutchy winning the Torrens Trophy has been greeted with huge support from industry and fellow racers.

TRIBUTES TO THE WINNER

Former motorcycle commentator Murray Walker said: ‘I first went to the TT in 1925 and have been lucky enough to know most of the greats of our sport but none of them has earned my admiration and respect more than Ian Hutchinson. Uniquely to win five races in one TT year was amazing but even this was topped by Ian`s awesome courage and determination to race again after his subsequent appalling leg injuries. And now he has emphasised his skill and bravery by winning another three TTs in one week - plus a dominant victory at Macau. Truly brilliant! All done with quiet modesty and, as a truly worthy winner of the Torrens Trophy, Ian joins the legends of our great sport. I warmly congratulate him, salute his personality and achievements and look forward to following the development of his great career’.

John Surtees CBE grew up reading the Torrens column during his motorcycling days. The racing legend also paid tribute saying: ‘I would like to congratulate Ian Hutchinson on receiving this award. I am particularly impressed that having first tasted success on the Isle of Man he should fight back from such adversity following that accident by returning to winning form in the 2015 TT. May I add my congratulations to this wonderful personal achievement’

Former World Superbike Champion and previous Torrens Trophy recipient James Toseland said ‘To go from the highest point of his career to the lowest within days must have been a psychological rollercoaster to say the least. We are all very proud of Hutchy for keeping the belief and finding the inner strength to keep going through such adversity, pain and frustration for such a long period of time to being able to ride competitively again. To go from winning 5 TT's to nearly losing his leg to then get back onto the top step in one of the most physical motorcycle races there is, is an amazing achievement and show of character. Hutchy very much deserves this award today and I wish him all the very best for this season coming and hopefully many more TT victories to come!’.

__________________

The Royal Automobile Club was founded in 1897 and its distinguished history mirrors that of motoring itself. In 1907, King Edward VII awarded the Club its Royal title, sealing the Club’s status as Britain’s oldest and most influential motoring organisation.

The Club’s early years were focused on promoting the motor car and its place in society, which developed into motoring events such as the 1000 Mile Trial, first held in 1900. In 1905, the Club held the first Tourist Trophy, which remains the oldest continuously competed for motor sports event. The Club promoted the first pre-war and post-war Grands Prix at Brooklands in 1926 and Silverstone in 1948 respectively, whilst continuing to campaign for the rights of the motorist, including introducing the first driving licences.

Today, the Club continues to develop and support automobilism through representation on the Motor Sport Association (MSA), Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and RAC Foundation, while continuing to promote its own motoring events, such as the free-to-attend Regent Street Motor Show and the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, which are two of the highlights of the Club’s London Motor Week, which next year runs from Monday 31 October to Sunday 6 November 2016

The Royal Automobile Club also awards a series of historic trophies and medals celebrating motoring achievements. These include the Segrave Trophy, the Tourist Trophy, the Simms Medal, the Dewar Trophy, the Torrens Trophy and the Diamond Jubilee Trophy.