Honda Racing riders John McGuinness and Conor Cummins completed a two-day test at Castle Combe, Wiltshire yesterday in preparation for the forthcoming 2015 North West 200, which will take place in Northern Ireland 10-16 May.

The first day of the test saw the team complete a full day on track, while overnight rain and intermittent showers on Wednesday morning meant McGuinness and Cummins were only able to get out in the afternoon on their Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP machines.

The outing has proved positive for both riders who were testing various Dunlop tyre compounds, trying different electronic settings and fine-tuning the suspension with the K-Tech engineers who were on-hand.

The Castle Combe test was the second time McGuinness has ridden the CBR this year, following a test in March at Monteblanco in Spain. The 21-time TT winner is feeling confident and fit ahead of the North West and also this year’s Isle of Man TT races after suffering a wrist injury last year, which affected both events for the ‘Morecambe Missile'.

Team-mate Cummins is in his second year with the Honda Racing squad and had a successful debut with the team in 2014, scoring three Superbike podiums in total with one at the North West and two at the TT. The Manx-man leaves the test confident and looking forward the races ahead.

The North West 200 takes place in two weeks time from 10-16 May, with McGuinness and Cummins competing for Honda Racing in the two Superbike races on Saturday 16 May. Forming a triangle between the Northern Irish costal towns of Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart, the 8.970-mile course is one of the world’s fastest.

John McGuinness

It's been a really solid test at Castle Combe over the two-days. I’m really happy, motivated and looking forward to the next two months, which will be busy for us all with the North West 200 and also the Isle of Man TT. The whole package is awesome with the bike, the team and also my team-mate. My wrist is feeling good and I’m feeling bike fit and strong. Both of the pre-season tests have been positive and I just can’t wait to be on my bike again for the races.

Conor Cummins

We've worked hard and on a lot of different settings over the two days. We tried a different electronics package on the bike, which is different to last year and required some hard work and lots of laps. It's been really productive and worthwhile and I'm happy with the direction we have and can work towards now. The best thing about this year is the amount of time on-track we've had on the CBR and I can't wait to get to the North West now.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has warned that car manufacturers are building high-tech distractions into their new vehicles and have made interiors so comfortable they are being turned into living rooms.

The warning came from IAM chief executive officer Sarah Sillars, who said efforts to reduce distraction factors for motorists are being undone by the relentless pace of technology and eagerness of car makers to pack more gadgets onto dashboards.

She said the main areas of concern were highly sophisticated satellite-navigation and GPS systems, smartphones that mirror tablets and easy connectivity of internet and social media.

The IAM has suggested the UK should adopt guidelines suggested by the US Department of Transportation and National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

They say drivers should be restricted from using certain non-essential forms of technology while the vehicle is in motion, and car makers should not introduce any technological development which takes the driver’s attention off the road for longer than two seconds (reference 1).

These voluntary guidelines are to be phased in over the next three years to address this large-scale problem in the USA.

US Federal data figures showed in 2011 that accidents involving a distracted driver killed 3,331 people and injured another 387,000 (reference 2).

And for younger drivers the problem is worse. Car accidents are the main cause of death of teenagers (as it is for all people aged between five and 34), and a quarter of all teen-driving crashes in the US are attributed to distracted driving (reference 3).

Sarah said: “We cannot allow the same trends in the USA to happen here. While car makers work constantly to incorporate active and passive safety features into vehicles, making us safer than ever before, they are also guilty of making us too comfortable and making us feel more cosseted – like we were in our own living rooms.”

The IAM says as technology constantly changes, continued education campaigns are required to reinforce and update the current laws (reference 4).

Sarah concluded: “Technology could be a great way of helping to cut the numbers of people killed and seriously injured on our roads. It would be a tragedy if technology became a reason why more, rather than less, people lose their lives.”

Bikers from across the country turned out in their thousands at the weekend, as they took part in one of the largest biking events in the country – the Bike4Life Ride Out and Festival (26 April 2015), raising money for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

In excess of 5,000 motorcyclists participated in the 23 mile ride, along the A5/ M54 from Meole Brace, Shrewsbury to the RAF Museum Cosford, home of the Bike4Life Festival. They filled the motorway as far as the eye could see, travelling en masse by police escort to the Museum.

It took 40 minutes for participants in the Ride Out to filter out of Shrewsbury and before the last few bikers had departed, the front riders had arrived at the Festival, filling the 23 mile route from start to finish.

Leading the 5,000 strong Ride Out this year was seven times World Superbike Champion and current ‘King of the Jungle’ Carl Fogarty, joined by TV Presenter Richard Hammond and Bike4Life competition winner Trev Tawn from Broseley, Shropshire. The lucky winner got to meet his idols and pose for photos before joining them at the front of Ride Out, along with TV’s Emergency Bikers Mark Hayes and Steve Forrest.   

Support for the event has grown each year, not just with the biking community, but with families and local residents alike. Thousands of members of the public lined the roads and every bridge along the route, waving as the bikers passed.

The event raised in excess of £45,000 thanks to the phenomenal turnout and support shown by the biking community, smashing last year’s total by 50 per cent. The day was a huge success, with more bikers taking part in this year’s ride out than ever before, with many bikers travelling some distance to be part of the day. In addition to the 5,000 bikers on the Ride Out, over 4,000 bikers and families headed straight to the Festival, with over 9,000 visitors on site throughout the day.

Upon arrival at the Museum, bikers were treated to an afternoon packed with entertainment which included a spectacular flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire and live music supplied by five rock bands on the Planet Rock stage.

Abi Betteridge, Museum Events Manager for the RAF Museum Cosford said:

“We were staggered with the number of bikers wanting to take part in the Ride Out this year - I’ve never seen so many bikes in one place! Looking back at the photos and videos posted online of the Ride Out shows just how big the event has become. It was fantastic to welcome so many bikers and families alike to the Museum and to see them enjoying the Festival atmosphere and everything the day had to offer. This event has been months in the planning and the staff and volunteers organising the event have worked hard to make Bike4Life 2015 the best yet.”

Two Midlands Air Ambulance helicopters were situated at the event and visitors were able to view on board as well as meet the aircrew. Fogarty took some time during his day to tour the helicopter and speak with the aircrew about their roles. Both helicopters were called out during the day, demonstrating the great need to continue to raise funds for the lifesaving service.

Jason Levy, Fundraising and Marketing Director for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity said:

“What an incredible day! We are blessed with immense support from the biking community and the number of motorcyclists and local people who joined us on the day was terrific. Each Midlands Air Ambulance mission costs £2,500, so the £45,000 raised will go towards 18 further life saving missions. Everyone who attended the Ride Out and Festival should be extremely proud of what they’ve helped us achieve, and we couldn’t be more grateful for their commitment to the charity.”

Bike4Life is also in collaboration with Safer Roads Partnership and West Mercia Police who work tirelessly to promote road safety and to help reduce the number of road traffic collisions across West Mercia. The event took months of planning and wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Central Motorway Police Group, the Highways Agency, West Mercia Police and Shropshire County Council, who ensured the safety of all of the bikers on the Ride Out. Organisers would also like to thank other road users for their patience and understanding during the Ride Out procession.

Vicki Bristow, Communications Manager, Safer Roads Partnership said:

“It's been great to be involved in such a worthwhile event and being able to engage with so many bikers not just across our region but from elsewhere. Helping to keep bikers as safe as possible whilst on the roads is one area we work really hard on and it was great to talk to so many bikers about the training opportunities that are available to them as well as talking about work we are doing on educating other road users about the importance of sharing our roads with bikers. The feedback we've had from the event has been fantastic and we can't wait to get involved again in 2016."

Find out more information about the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity by visiting www.midlandsairambulance.com or for more information on the RAF Museum Cosford visit www.rafmuseum.org.

Further details about the Safer Roads Partnership can be found at www.srpwestmercia.org.uk

www.bike4lifefest.com

On Sunday 24th May, where owners Martin Webb and Ray Waller will be revealing their new promotional vehicle – a 1951 Ford F1 truck restored by Wheeler Dealers’ Mike Brewer and Edd China.

Mike will be at the showroom and global distribution centre of the classic motorcycle specialist, to hand over the restored pick-up that featured in the second episode of the series currently being shown on the Discovery Channel.

Martin said: “We had been looking for a vehicle but wanted something in keeping with the period of the motorbikes we specialise in. When we saw the F1, we knew it was exactly what we were looking for.” Martin and Ray plan to use the F1 to transport their motorcycles to various events during show season.

The truck will also be joined at the company’s Emsworth base by the MGA that appeared in episode three. This classic 50s sportscar had just been finished when Martin was telling Ray about the vehicles Mike and his mechanic Edd China were working on.

Wheeler Dealer and classic bike fans are invited to join Martin and Ray at Comet Classics, bringing along their own classic bikes or cars for an informal open day, starting at 10am.  There you will be able to meet Mike and other like-minded enthusiasts and see the vehicles from the show as well as the current line-up of motorbikes on offer

Martin added: “We’re thrilled to have Mike join us for our inaugural event and hope classic motorcycle fans will come along and join us for what promises to be a fun event.”

Comet Classics was born out of two friend's enthusiasm for classic & vintage motorcycles and petrol pumps.  Between them, Martin and Ray have over 80 years of automotive and motorcycle experience. What started as a private collection is now a three-year-old business with over 100 classics motorcycles and petrol pumps in stock.  Many are appreciating classics and all represent excellent value for money.

‘Classics and Coffee’ will take place at Comet Classics, Windsor House, Clovelly Road, Southbourne, Esmworth, PO10 8PF, starting at 10am.

www.cometclassics.co.uk

For more information on Mike Brewer, visit www.mikebrewer.tv

Bautista and Melandri are keen to confirm the progress demonstrated during the last race in Argentina

Jerez (Spain), 28 April 2015 - Aprilia Racing Team Gresini comes to the first European round to confirm the initial progress demonstrated by the RS-GP bikes in the American rounds. At Austin the first point was earned thanks to Bautista's placement and in Argentina the gap behind the leaders and the central pack of bikes and riders was reduced significantly with Melandri almost catching his team mate up.

The classic round on the Jerez track is just around the corner to confirm and consolidate this growth process which is the primary goal of the 2015 season for the Italian team. The first set of European races should also allow the team to work more on the bikes and accelerate development.


ROMANO ALBESIANO (Aprilia Racing Manager)
"The first three races showed us just how big a challenge we accepted by entering MotoGP a year ahead of schedule. It's no surprise but rather it confirms that the level of bikes and riders, grown compared to recent seasons, is very high. For this reason we are looking at our initial progress as a positive and important sign. In particular in Argentina both riders crossed the wire, reduced the gap behind the leaders and finished just a few seconds (just over four) behind that central pack which is our goal at the moment. Marco has also come much closer to Alvaro in confirmation of his improved feeling with the bike. These are all important indications that we need to confirm. The next few weeks will also let us to speed up development on the RS-GP, an operation which is quite complex during non-European rounds, following the indications that can out of this first part of the season."

FAUSTO GRESINI (Team Manager)
“At Jerez the long European season of the Championship begins on a track where we have already tested. It would be nice to be able to take a few more steps forward. After all, in Argentina we already showed that we can fight for positions from twelfth on, which is in line with our expectations. We'll keep working to grow step by step, determined and strongly motivated.”

ALVARO BAUTISTA
"Like every year the Jerez round is a special occasion for me. There will be a lot of fans there to support me. We'll keep working hard on developing the bike like we did both in Austin and in Argentina, hoping to be able to identify new valid solutions. The track is very difficult with all kinds of turns so it will be important to work well on the setup and on power distribution as well because there are a lot of sections where the bikes restart at low speeds where good grip is needed.”

MARCO MELANDRI
“The Jerez track is really nice but it is also quite difficult and complete from a technical point of view with both slow turns and fast turns. Restarting after the slow curves is a particularly demanding situation where we need to improve but I'm counting a lot on the technical changes that Aprilia has prepared for this round. I hope that they will let us take another step forward. We'll be putting forth our best effort as always.”