This year's Classic TT presented by Bennetts will have added poignancy as Bruce Anstey will ride in the Classic Racer Magazine Lap of Honour in a tribute to six-time TT winner Geoff Duke OBE. The bike will also be on show for all of the Classic TT weekend and Geoff's son, Peter Duke, will ride it at Festival of Jurby.

Anstey will ride a 1950 'Works' Norton owned by Mr Peter Bloore and restored in New Zealand by Ken McIntosh and McIntosh Racing, This is the only 1950 'works' Norton in original condition that exists in the world.

The Kiwi's 108.110mph lap in last year's Classic TT was achieved using a completely standard, original spec Manx Featherbed frame, which is essentially the production version of the 1950 McCandless design.

The name 'Featherbed' was coined by 1949 Senior TT winner Harold Daniel who is reported to have said: "It was so comfortable it was like riding on a featherbed." Duke described it as the "best handling motorcycle I ever rode." With a fine-handling Norton perfectly suited to his riding style and streamlined one-piece leathers, Duke and the Featherbed became the unbeatable combination.

The 'Featherbed' Norton was unique as it changed motorcycle racing from a 'horsepower' contest to a 'roadholding' contest. The entire chassis and suspension was designed and built, hands on, by Rex McCandless and his small team from Belfast with Artie Bell, McCandless' business partner and the winner of the 1948 Senior TT on a Works Norton. He was responsible for the testing and development of the prototype 'featherbed.'

The new frame and a small increase in power gave Norton a clean sweep in 1950 with a first race win at Blandford followed by a TT Junior/Senior 'Double' and first, second and third places as well as lap and race records in both classes. Duke graduated from being a new and junior member of the Norton 'Works' team to being the leader in a week after second place in the Junior TT behind Artie Bell, and then dominating the Senior TT including smashing the lap record, set by Harold Daniel in 1938.

The Norton Featherbed became a production motorcycle using McCandless' design and patents, for which in the early years the McCandless and Bell partnership were paid a £1 royalty for each machine sold. The Featherbed frame continued to be the standard by which all other machines were judged until the 1970s.

The only surviving 1950 'Works' Norton was rebuilt by McIntosh Racing in New Zealand using the only original 1950 'Works' frame found at Beaulieu Autojumble by the owner, Peter Bloore and his subsequent 30 year search for the missing parts.

Many of the original 1950 parts had seen further service in the later 'Works' bikes and were very difficult to acquire largely because the eight 1950 'Works' Norton's were all broken up at the end of 1950, the parts being used to build the updated 1951 team bikes. The only survivor in modified form was Eric Oliver's 1951 World Championship winning sidecar outfit, which was based on a 1950 'Works' 500.

As a result, the bike Anstey will ride took over 2000 hours labour to restore, as every part is special. No 'Manx Norton's' parts are the same as the 1950 'Works', although nearly every part forms the prototype for the production 'Featherbed Manx' which was made for the next 12 years, until 1963.

Bruce Anstey will lead the Lap of Honour away joined by Geoff's son Peter who will ride a replica of the 500cc Gilera he won three World Championships on in the 1950's.

David Cretney, the Isle of Man Government's political member with responsibility for Tourism and Motorsport said:

"Geoff Duke is undoubtedly one of the true TT icons and despite his multi world championship wins he will forever be remembered for his exploits on the Isle of Man - not least his remarkable achievements on the works Norton and the Gilera. It is entirely fitting that we pay tribute to Geoff and I am very grateful for the support that we have had from the bike's owner Peter Bloor, Ken McIntosh of McIntosh Racing and the Duke family in creating this tribute."

MotoScotland is delighted to announce, for the first time in the UK, that their off road training has been recognised by motorbike insurance specialist, Devitt Insurance Services Limited as advanced rider training.

Further to the shift in perception of this type of training, Devitt has been the first company to announce an insurance premium discount for riders who complete MotoScotland’s Level 2 course. Having insurance discounts for people who complete their training is another UK first for MotoScotland - Scotland’s only off road motorbike training centre.

Managing Director for Devitt, William Hughes said: “We’re delighted to be working with MotoScotland and offer a discount on our motorcycle insurance to recognise the benefits of off road training. We want our customers to be as safe as possible on public roads and we believe that this type of training can help bikers to stay in control of their motorcycle on potentially hazardous surfaces.”

Uniquely, MotoScotland train their off road skills in a way that not only helps riders stay in control of their bike in off road conditions, but also helps riders use these skills to dramatically improve their road safety.

MotoScotland recognises that there are a whole host of “potentially dangerous riding surfaces” on the public highways, including loose gravel, diesel, wet mud, tar over banding, smooth surfaces, moss, grass, metal, leaves, etc.. For some riders, understandably, the thought of riding their bike in these conditions causes a feeling of dread, fear, etc..

With a clear focus and interest in rider road safety, MotoScotland identified these legitimate concerns and for over two years have been helping riders overcome these feelings by training the skills needed to safely and competently steer / stop and control a motorbike in these slippy conditions.

Some of the key safety benefits that riders can learn include: 

· How to steer a motorbike (e.g. in tight circles) at walking speeds without dropping the bike – invaluable skills for safe U-turns on the public highways.

· How to gain additional grip through tyres on slippy surfaces, e.g. gravel, leaves, mud, diesel, etc. – critical skills when a rider encounters these surfaces unexpectedly, e.g. when cornering!

· How to ride safely on slippy surfaces – subjects like bike angles, throttling and braking are summarised for control on surfaces like painted lines, wet metal surfaces, e.g. manhole covers, etc..

· How to safely arrive to and set off from junctions – badly planned junction arrivals can lead to a bike being dropped; unplanned junction set offs can lead to the bike going wide, potentially into oncoming traffic!

· Managing bike controls better – so that the rider is more pro-active than re-active.

· How to achieve better balance whilst anticipating changing conditions – one of the most fundamental riding skills that can be learned.

· Which brake to use on which slippy surface and how to stop safely, under control – critical safety skills to avoid running into other vehicles, etc..

· How to identify an over-braked front wheel, recover it and avoid falling off – an absolute must for road safety.

· How to identify an over-braked rear wheel, recover it and avoid falling off – an absolute must for road safety.

The Department For Transport latest accident statistics reveal a 4% rise in road deaths (1775) in 2014 compared to 2013. The number of motorcyclists seriously injured rose 9% to 5628. Overall motorcyclist casualty numbers also rose by 9% to 20,366 (source BDN 13/7/15). MotoScotland believes that their specific style of training could help reduce accidents and improve road safety.

MotoScotland Chief Instructor/Centre Manager, Clive Rumbold is an advocate for all motorbike riders to take advanced rider training, e.g. IAM, Bike Safe, RoSPA, etc., to have the right skills to stay in control. He also believes that riders need to keep refreshing these skills to avoid bad habits developing which could lead to danger.

Anyone trained in off roading can confirm the benefits to their improved control of a road motorbike. With MotoScotland’s training now being recognised by Devitt as “advanced rider training”, an important and significant gap in rider training has now formally been bridged.

Riders can now be better informed on the choices of training they can undertake to improve their riding skills and safety. This includes new riders who have a CBT licence for a 125cc motorbike or a higher motorbike license.

Entries open for the fifth annual Henry Surtees Challenge 2015
Wednesday 7th October 2015 at Buckmore Park Kart Circuit

The best of British young motorsport talent are invited to enter the ‘Henry Surtees Challenge’, which is taking place on Wednesday 7th October 2015 at Buckmore Park Kart Circuit, Chatham, Kent. This superb annual is organised by former F1 World Champion, John Surtees OBE and the Henry Surtees Foundation.

The Challenge, now in its fifth year, has become an essential fixture on the racing calendar for motorsport talent aged 15 years or over wishing to give themselves that vital edge in their preparation for the 2016 season John Surtees would like to invite kart and car racers that are currently progressing up the motorsport ladder, to compete in the karting event and have the unique opportunity to win a spectacular range of career enhancing prizes to help aid their race programme preparation for 2016. Drivers of the calibre of Alexander Sims, Scott Malvern, Ben Barnicoat, Oliver Rowland, Piers Prior, David Pittard have to name but a few, have all been very supportive and have benefitted from our unique prize content.

The event will see drivers battling it out, using the superbClub 100 Birel Karts . The top three drivers will be awarded with the prestigious Henry ‘H’ trophy title and exclusive prizes – considered to be the best prizes ever offered at a kart meeting last year stretched to tenth place! Prizes will be awarded for fastest lap, the most unlucky driver and a heavyweight prize for 80kg or above.

John Surtees said “the first Henry Surtees Challenge took place in 2010, and Buckmore Park seemed the natural venue to host it; it had it been the circuit where Henry first sat in a kart, at the age of 8, but also where he had gained success. Buckmore is renowned for being a superb training ground for future British World Champions. During its 52 years; the track has seen the likes of World Champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button hone their racing skills along with racers Johnny Herbert, Dan Wheldon and many others, and is a great venue to host the Challenge.

The 2015 Challenge will once again provide an excellent opportunity for talented young racers, to compete to win test drives, experiences and equipment worth thousands of pounds, in order to assist them with their racing season and enhance their motorsport career. I am delighted that the motor sport community are once again assisting this initiative”.

One of the 2014 winners, Jack Aiken said “I’d like to thank John and the Foundation for putting on such a great event for young drivers, the prizes are incomparable to any karting, or racing, competition out there.”

Another 2014 prize winner, Ross Gunn won a Formula Renault test experience. We caught up with Ross shortly after his trip to Jerez, and he said “it was such an honour to take part in the Formula Renault test. I can’t thank the foundation enough for what was a truly unforgettable experience. Manor MP Motorsport teams professionalism and work ethic was far beyond anything I have ever worked with. I would like to thank the Henry Surtees Foundation and the team at Renault UK and Manor Competition for the amazing experience and opportunity that this prize has given me. I will never forget the two days I had.”

Prizes for 2016 will shortly be confirmed but for 2014 comprised of the following:-

•Test day in the Ginetta G40 GRDC to one driver aged 16 or over, donated by Ginetta
•FIA Formula 4 Ford test: half day seat fitting and acclimatisation test in the UK, followed by one full day, with Falcon Motorsport, at their Spanish test, with the new composite-chassis car that will be on display at the event, donated by Falcon Motorsport
•BRDC Formula 4 test, donated by Hillspeed

•Formula Renault 2.0 two day test with Manor Competition at a Spanish circuit, donated by Renault UK and Manor Competition

•Tour of Carlin racing facility, seat fitting, simulator testing session with race engineer, Formula 3 Dallara Volkswagen test, donated by Carlin Motorsport

Race Support Equipment and Services

•A full kit of Puma race clothing - one suit, three pairs of gloves, two pairs of racing boots, one pair of running shoes and one pair of lifestyle shoes for the winner (in addition to their chosen prize), donated by Puma SE

•Two sets of gloves and underwear, one pair of racing shoes, one pair of running shoes and one pair lifestyle shoes for second place (in addition to their chosen prize), donated by Puma SE

•One set of gloves and underwear, one pair of racing shoes, one pair of running shoes and one pair of lifestyle shoes for third place (in addition to their chosen prize), donated by Puma SE

•Tour for two people of the Red Bull Racing facility, simulator session and evaluation by a race engineer, donated by Christian Horner

•An Arai GP-6S helmet in white finish, donated by Arai

•Full website package and online branding, plus a three month social media package, donated by 5G Creative

•A pair of custom-fit driver communication earpieces suitable for all racing formulas up to F1, supplied with a year’s support to ensure the wearer is fully equipped to hear vital communications for a full season of racing. A pair of custom-fit filtered noise plugs - to protect hearing. A complete hearing health check consisting of an ear examination using a video otoscope (see inside your own ears) and a comprehensive hearing test. Advice and information on protecting your hearing to assist with a motorsport career, donated by specialist in Formula 1 equipment, Hearing Electronics Limited

•A two hour training session at iZone Driver Performance, donated by Andy Priaulx
•A supply of Teng Tools to the value of £1,000, donated by Teng Tools

•A simulator session at the Ferrari Driver Academy and a Ferrari Racing Department factory tour for two people, donated by Ferrari. Air travel donated by Travel Places

•A full motorsport fitness assessment, donated by Porsche Human Performance

Fastest Lap: HSF Teamwear
Over 80kg: HSF Teamwear
Unluckiest Driver: HSF Teamwear

Cost of entry: £500

Entrants must be aged 15 years or over on or before 7th October 2015 and hold a current MSA or ACU licence or be a current Premier Sprint Class, Clubman Sprint Class member of Club100 or a Buckmore Park Elite Class driver.

To register your interest, please email: [email protected]

About The Henry Surtees Foundation

The Henry Surtees Foundation was inspired by motor sport legend John Surtees OBE, following the tragic death of his son Henry, killed aged just 18 years old whilst competing in Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch in 2009.

The Henry Surtees Foundation aims to raise funds to support accident care, with particular emphasis on head injuries, and help educate and train young people with motorsport-related programmes in technology, engineering and road safety instruction for two and four wheels. The worthwhile causes supported by the Henry Surtees Foundation include the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust and Great North Air Ambulance, and its regional Blood Bike groups.

There are numerous ways you can keep up to date with the Foundation news, events, products and donations. Please follow the foundation official twitter feed @HSF_Foundation or Facebook, and check out the website:

www.henrysurteesfoundation.com

The website has all the instructions the user needs to create the ideal suit with his/her choice of logos, texts and colours

• The configurator lets every Ducatista be as creative as they want
• The website is in 7 languages and is optimized for computers and all other devices

Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 31 July 2015 – Customize a Ducati suit by modifying its colours and adding logos and texts with just one click. The new website Ducatisumisura (www.ducatisumisura.com) is online. The site of the iconic Bologna motorcycle manufacturer dedicated to the ‘SuMisura’ (i.e. custom made) project was born in collaboration with Dainese to satisfy requests for personalising Ducati suits.

Ducatisumisura.com offers the possibility to create an online sketch of one’s perfect suit: the website has all the instructions to fine-tune the suit and a configurator that lets the user personalize the chosen model. Once the sketch is complete it can be printed, saved and sent to a trusted dealership that will order the suit created by the client.

At Ducatisumisura.com four models of suits can be chosen from: Ducati Corse C2 Racing suit, D|air® racing Ducati Corse Racing suit, Ducati Corse Lady Racing suit and the Ducati Corse C2 Two-piece suit.

For those who don’t wear standard sizes, they can find the “custom made” section on the new website where they can make an appointment with a Ducati dealer who will take their measurements and finalize all aspects of the suit.

The website is translated into seven languages and is optimized for use on any type of screen, from computers to all hand-held devices. 

In an effort to encourage bikers to take their skills to the next level, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is launching its biggest ever giveaway promotion in England and Wales geared exclusively to bikers.

Any bike licence holder will be entitled to a free one hour taster session with an IAM qualified instructor in one of 12 locations around England and Wales.

The taster sessions are part of the IAM’s ongoing goal to improve the riding and driving standards of road users across the country and cut the numbers of those killed and seriously injured on our roads.

The IAM also wants riders to enjoy their riding more as a result of gaining those extra skills.

But anyone wanting to take advantage of the taster sessions, normally worth £45 a person, needs to move fast – they must be booked by the end of September.

To take advantage of the free sessions visit the webpage www.iam.org.uk/bikemoments     

Sarah Sillars, IAM chief executive officer, said: “This is also a great opportunity for people to do something they have no doubt been putting off for a long time. Everyone gets into a few bad habits in their riding over the months and years, and this is the perfect opportunity to put that right.

“The free taster is an enjoyable low-pressure way of sharpening up those skills, pointing out any areas that need attention, and perhaps pave the way for taking part in one of our other courses.

“This is an unprecedented opportunity for riders, wherever they are in the country, to get a very valuable taster session by an acknowledged expert in the field.”

Running alongside the IAM’s taster session giveaway, the charity is also encouraging bikers to share their love of riding as part of its #BikeMoments promotion on social media.

Riders are asked to share their unforgettable bike memories on the www.facebook.com/IAM.BikeMoments page or on Twitter using the hashtag #BikeMoments.

Anyone taking part has the chance to win free tickets to this year’s Motorcycle Live show at the Birmingham NEC between 28 November and 6 December.

Motorcycle Live promises to be a must-see for bike enthusiasts, with more than 30 manufacturers revealing their 2016 bikes for the first time and a host of celebrities expected to attend.

Sarah Sillars, IAM chief executive officer, said: “The campaign #BikeMoments aims to showcase the joy of riding and the fantastic memories it brings, and encourage motorcyclists to discover new advanced riding techniques as a way to ensure even more unforgettable bike memories.”

As well as the webpage www.iam.org.uk/bikemoments you can also book your free taster session on our central hotline number: 0300 303 1134.

IAM

The IAM is the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, dedicated to improving standards and safety in driving and motorcycling. The commercial division of the IAM operates through its occupational driver training company IAM Drive & Survive. The IAM has more than 200 local volunteer groups and over 90,000 members in the UK and Ireland. It is best known for the advanced driving test and the advanced driving and motorcycling courses. Its policy and research division offers advice and expertise on road safety.