Jessopp, like Johnson, will be having his first taste of the Classic TT as he looks to expand his knowledge of the Mountain Course and the Yeovil rider showed his capabilities at this year's TT Races when he took a best finish of 14th in the PokerStars Senior Race. Competing at the TT for just the second time, the 29-year old also lapped at 128.461mph to become the 23rd fastest rider of all time.

Jessopp will campaign a TYS/CMB F1 750 for the team, a combination of Kevin Pearson's Team York Suzuki and Craig Brookes' CMB Motorsport. Brookes will be Jessopp's crew chief where he'll be assisted by new team member Rob Acomb and ex-Mark Buckley mechanic George Serc and newcomer to the team, Rob Acomb.

With sponsorship from York Suzuki Centre, C&A Brack, The Old Ebor Pub, York Digital Image, Maxcestay York, Motul Oils, Maxton Suspension and Race Products Direct, the bike is built around a 1992 ZXR750 Kawasaki with assistance also coming from Mistral Racing. The machine will be one of the most competitive on the grid in the hands of Jessopp who is scheduled to test the bike later this month.

Speaking about making his Classic TT debut Martin commented:

"I have been really keen to get involved in the Classic TT for a number of reasons, not least for the extra track time it gives me whilst I am still learning the course. The TT went really well this year and I think we should not be too far away at the Classic TT on the Team York Suzuki bike. I'm very grateful to the team for giving me the opportunity to get involved and I am looking forward to getting back to the Island in August."

Scotland has some of the best roads and scenery in the UK so if you fancy the experience there are two great opportunities coming up in the autumn being organised by the VMCC’s Auld Reekie Edinburgh (ARE) Section.

The weekend of 5-6 September will be the occasion of the Sixth Scottish Gathering for veteran and vintage motorcycles and held in the Rosetta Holiday Park, Peebles. The Gathering is the premier event in Scotland for pre-1931 motorcycles. There will be a social run on the Saturday afternoon followed by an evening get together in the, on site , Hayloft Bar and the main run will start on the Sunday morning from the Rosetta Park. Regs. are available from Ralph White on [email protected] or 0131 334 4144.

ARE Section is breaking new ground with the Auld Reekie Classic Run on Saturday 19 September.

The venue is the Boathouse Bistro on Loch Leven in Kinross, Perthshire. The run, of over ninety miles, is open to all machines up to 1990 but is designed for riders of the later classics from the 1970s and 1980s. Alastair Alexander , Area Rep. for the VMCC in Scotland and ARE Chairman, said “ARE Section has been very active in recent years trying to encourage the older bikes with the Scottish Gathering (pre-1931) and the Demob Runs (pre-1950). The new Classic Run is aimed at widening the appeal of the Section and the Club to the riders of younger motorcycles. There is a myth that the VMCC is just about older British bikes but any motorcycle made before and including 1990 is eligible for our events. The Section hope that will be a strong entry of the later classics and especially Japanese bikes and to this end will be issuing invitations to all the old bike clubs in Scotland to get involved. So please tell your pals about it and encourage them to come along.” Regs. are available from George Plumb on [email protected] or 0131 333 3336. Both of the Runs are open to non-members at no extra charge.

RIDERS DEFEAT DRIVERS IN TEST RETAKE

Bikers regularly find themselves on the receiving end of drivers' fury for their alleged reckless behaviour on British roads. All an unfair situation, if we are to believe the findings of new research.

To mark the 80th anniversary of the first driving test, motorcyclists went head-to-head against car drivers as they were subjected to a retake of the theory exam by specialist insurance brokers Carole Nash. The results found that when it comes to road knowledge, two wheels are definitely better than four.

Based on the official DVSA quiz, it has revealed that those who own a motorbike licence fared better than their four-wheeled counterparts in 76% of instances – and more shockingly, that nearly one in five (16%) motorists would potentially fail their test were they to retake it, as opposed to only 6% of bikers.

The research has highlighted road sign recognition as a major concern. Given eight to identify, car drivers finished behind riders in six categories and whilst 83% of bikers were able to correctly identify all eight test signs, only 67% of car drivers were able to replicate the feat.

When it came to other areas of road safety, motorcyclists beat car users eight times out of ten. For instance, 92% of riders knew the correct answer to the question "When may you cross a double solid white line in the middle of the road?" (to pass a road maintenance vehicle travelling at 10 mph or less) as opposed to 71% of car drivers.

Rebecca Donohue, Head of Marketing for Carole Nash, said: “Motorcyclists scored so highly because they must have their wits about them at all times. It's certainly an exhilarating way to travel, but it can also prove risky unless you are fully aware of everything around you and the rules of the road at all times. But more importantly, our study revealed that a rather considerable proportion of car drivers still do not know how to interpret and react to certain everyday road situations involving motorcyclists – something we believe should be addressed as soon as possible."

Only 34% of car drivers were able to accurately point out the sign indicating that special care should be taken when overtaking a slow-moving motorbike.

Additionally, four out of ten car drivers failed to showcase their understanding of why one should allow extra room when overtaking a motorcyclist on a windy day (the rider may be blown across in front of your vehicle). Unsurprisingly, riders scored very highly for both questions (89% and 95% respectively).

The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA)'s Safety and Training Director, Karen Cole, said: "Many motorcyclists are also car drivers and what this survey shows is that experiencing the road using different modes of transport makes you a safer road user. This endorses the idea that motorcycling should be encouraged as a long-term strategy to improve road safety. This was one of the main proposals explored in a policy document written jointly by the National Police Chief’s Council (formerly ACPO) and the MCIA. It also supports our call for a single theory test for drivers and riders.”

Following a preliminary round of research conducted last year, Carole Nash introduced a new policy entitled 'Bikers Only Car Insurance', whereby the company is guaranteeing not simply to match but to beat motorcyclists’ car insurance renewal quote, based on the premises that they make safer road users.

Take the test yourself here

Rainy Daze 12 - 17th - 19th July

Rainy City Harley-Davidson Club present Rainy Daze 12, a great weekend with some of the friendliest people around. With free camping, live music, bands, cheap food and beer, ride-out, bike show and silly games.

venue: Bowdon Rugby Club, Clay Lane, Timperley, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, WA15 7AF
price: OTG: £25. Under 16's free when accompanied by an adult. Free goody  bag for first 100 tickets sold - "The best Goody bag on the rally scene says American V magazine"

www.rainycityhdc.com

facebook event

NEW FOR 2015 - Shelsley Walsh Bike Festival on Sunday 13 September 2015

The 'End of the Season' Motorcycle Festival at Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, Worc, WR6 6RP, in support of The Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and Severn Freewheelers

Following on from the success of their season opener, Prescott Bike Festival; the organisers are delighted to announce their first ‘season closer’ Festival at Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, Worcestershire on Sunday 13th September 2015.

Shelsley Walsh Bike Festival will feature large displays of historic, modern and race bikes, plus a Paddock Specials area, motorcycle manufacturers, motorcycle clubs, passenger ride experiences, an Auto Jumble, live music, biker celebrities, trade stands and regional dealers including Blade Motorcycles Stratford Outlet Centre.

Unlike a static bike show, Shelsley Walsh Bike Festival gives you the unique opportunity to get up close and see lots of historic, classic and modern race bikes and watch, smell, hear and see them run the historic hill climb course. Entries for Paddock Specials are both by invitation and by application - so if you own a special, rare or historic bike, we want to hear from you! Please contact us via the website, and provide further details.

Festival Organiser, Gordon Downie said, “We are delighted to introduce another motorcycle festival to our calendar; Shelsley Walsh is the oldest motor sport venue in continuous use in the world. First used in 1905, and is even older than Indianapolis, Le Mans or Monza. Our event provides the unique opportunity for people to take part in the event and ride the historic hill climb course on their own bike. Special “Run the Hill” tickets are limited, and are already selling fast, so booking early is essential”.

The Festival prides itself on its diversity, and is not just for modern bikes either, the classic marquees are well represented with the likes of Bantam, AJS, BSA, Rudge, Royal Enfield, Douglas, Manxman, Ariel, Matchless and Norton to custom choppers. Whilst there are just too many to mention, here are a few to whet your appetite:-

Watch motorcycle builder Allen Millyard take to the hill on his home-built ‘Flying Millyard’ - do not by fooled by its appearance, despite resembling a classic 1920s sedate two-wheeled Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, this beast is powered by a gigantic 5.0-litre V-twin engine designed for an aeroplane!

See the MADMAX Race Team ‘Streetfighter’ Bike blast up on the World’s first jet turbine street legal motorbike. It currently holds the land speed record of an astonishing 224.9mph from a standing start and is powered by a modified upside down Rolls Royce 250-C20B Shaft turbine from a helicopter.

Check out the experimental 1963 Norton Manx 348cc Reverse Head developed by Ray Petty and Derek Minter.

Plus the iconic 1962 BSA Rocket Gold Star 650cc (a genuine original) 1 of only 1370 built, a prototype 1927 Velocette KSS 350cc - affectionately known by enthusiasts across the world as ‘Spring-Heeled Jack’, the only one ever built at Hall Green, Birmingham 1945 and a Moto Guzzi Airone Corsa to name but a few!

· Be the star of the show! - A unique opportunity to ‘Run the Hill’ yourself. Run the Hill entries are limited. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

· Haven’t got a bike, but want to run the hill? Why not borrow some leathers and take the ride of your life with a thrilling passenger ride experience in a Watsonian Squire Sidecar, a modern or a classic Morgan Three Wheeler, a Grinnall Scorpion or a Grinnall Trike.

· Visit the Mike West Racing Paddock to see and hear an impressive array of famous and iconic race bikes

· Make the most of the end of season bargains in the Trader Zone.

Shelsley Walsh Bike Festival is a ‘Must Do’ day out for all motorcycling enthusiasts. What’s more, all event proceeds of the event go to The Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes and Severn Freewheelers.

Event Address: Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, Shelsley Walsh, Worcestershire, WR6 6RP

Advance tickets: Special introductory price of just £10 (£15 on the day). Children under 16years old, go free. Run the Hill entries £35.

Free parking, free motorcycle side stand puck and free helmet park for bikers

Gates Opens at: 08:30am, Track starts at: 09:30am, Festival closes at: 4:30pm.

www.shelsleybikefestival.co.uk