A LOT OF LAPS AND GOOD SENSATIONS FOR THE APRILIA RSV4

LEON HASLAM IS FIT AND READY FOR PHILLIP ISLAND, "ROOKIE" JORDI TORRES IS IMPROVING AND PLEASED

Jerez (Spain), 27 January 2015 - The two days at Jerez de la Frontera for the Aprilia-Red Devils team were intense, with riders Leon Haslam and Jordi Torres busy with the final tests before the opening round of World Superbike 2015 which will be held in Australia on 22 February.

Thanks to the decidedly fair weather, Leon and Jordi were able to complete a tight testing schedule, increasing their familiarity with the reigning World Champion bike, the Aprilia RSV4, lap by lap. Lap times were encouraging, but what really counts is that the range of possible adjustments was explored in terms of setup and electronics, gathering information which will be useful as the season develops.

Leon Haslam, already fast at Portimão, confirmed his excellent condition. His harmony with a bike that is new to him is impressive, so much that the rider from Ealing was able to work on tyre wear, simulating race conditions. Haslam put in 148 laps, the best of which in 1’40.069. "We took a lot of laps today, more than anyone else. We analysed a lot of things and now I feel really good on the bike in terms of setup. In a race simulation toward the end of the testing we were able to find a good speed and I gained confidence, even managing to improve on my best time using a soft tyre. That has always been a problem for me, putting the qualifier tyre to good use is another reason for us to be pleased with these tests. Phillip Island is a track that I like and apparently it suits my Aprilia well, so we'll definitely be optimistic going into our first race."

The "rookie", Jordi Torres, showed significant progress compared to the previous tests. Determined to do well in his rookie World Superbike year, the twenty-seven year old Spaniard took full advantage of the two days he had, lapping consistently (169 times around the track by the end of the tests) and stopping the clock at 1'41.983 on his best lap. He also did a lot of work with used tyres and reported a decidedly positive feeling.

Jordi Torres: "I'm pleased with the way things went. We were able to try a lot of things. The bike is easy to ride, that's my first impression, even if I still don't feel like I'm at 100%, especially when braking in the middle of a turn. There are still a lot of things I need to figure out, but I'll be heading to Phillip Island confidently, especially since we did a good job with race tyres. We could have shaved off a few more tenths of a second, maybe testing the qualifier tyre, but overall I'm quite pleased."

Six-time World Champion Max Biaggi was also in the Aprilia garage at Jerez, with Michael Laverty working alongside him as a test rider. Biaggi made excellent progress, topped off with a best time of 1'41.9 in race simulation.

Max Biaggi: "At the beginning of these tests I had a bit of trouble getting back into the groove, but that's normal after a long break. Little by little I began to feel more comfortable with the bike and my times began to show it, so as a result my enthusiasm also increased because I'm always happy to be in the saddle. I'm happy that we were able to complete the testing schedule. That's what I'm here for and I adapted willingly to the Team's needs. We are all quite pleased with this return 3 years after my last time around the track on a Superbike. In the future I expect to put in some faster laps so I can give accurate indications in “race” mode."

FOR SUPERBIKE AND SUPERSTOCK 1000 CHAMPIONSHIPS

2015 - 2016

The partnership with the Althea Racing Team presented in the Montecchio Maggiore headquarters

FIAMM top management, the pilots, and the Althea Racing General Manager all present.

Montecchio Maggiore, 30 January 2015 – The partnership between FIAMM, the leading company in the automotive component sector and energy systems, and the Althea Racing Team, a prestigious Italian motorcycling team and four-time winner of the Superbike and Superstock World Championships, was presented to the press.

FIAMM will be the official sponsor of the Althea Racing Team for the 2015 -2016 seasons, both in the Fim World Championship Superbike and in the Fim Cup Superstock 1000.

Superbike-class riders Matteo Baiocco and Nicolas Terol, as well as Superstock 1000-class riders Raffaele De Rosa and Luca Salvadori were also present at the event. The former are veterans of the Jerez de la Frontera test, where they obtained excellent results in view of the first race of the season to be held on Phillip Island next 22 February.

The event conducted by sports journalists Giovanni di Pillo and Gian Luca dall’Ara was also attended by FIAMM CEO, Stefano Dolcetta, FIAMM Executive Vice President Market & Product Reserve & Mobility Power Solutions, Nicolò Gasparin, and Althea Racing Team patron, Genesio Bevilacqua.

FIAMM will sponsor the Althea Team and its brand will be present on the motorbike fairing, on the riders' racing suits and their clothing, on the team vehicles used for transport, on the outside walls of the box and Hospitality booth, and on everything regarding communications.

“FIAMM has always believed in motorsports as a vehicle for promoting its brand and image in both Italian and foreign markets,” affirms Stefano Dolcetta, CEO of FIAMM.

“I remember our commitment during the 1980’s and ‘90s in the Formula One of Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, and Michele Alboreto, but even the epic deeds of the Group B Rallies where Audi, Lancia, and the Superbike competed with the reds of Borgo Panigale, winning on circuits worldwide. More recently, we sponsored Peugeot, the multi-champion of Italia Rally, and supported the Ferrari Challenge."

In light of this constant interest in the world of racing motorcycles, two years ago FIAMM decided to invest in becoming a leader of the motor sports.

“For us, Superbike represents the ultimate vehicle,” explains Nicolò Gasparin, FIAMM Executive Vice President Market & Product Reserve & Mobility Power Solutions, “above all since this type of motorcycle derives from the series and is therefore very similar to products that the public can buy and equip with FIAMM products.

We made contact with Althea as soon as 2012 and today we firmly believe in the Team’s potential.”

"I am truly grateful for the trust that FIAMM has placed in our team,” shares Genesio Bevilacqua, General Manager of Althea, “and I am honoured to bring to the track an Italian brand that has accompanied so many riders and teams in its long history.

The FIAMM Group, founded in 1942, produces and distributes accumulators for automobile ignitions and industrial use (UPS, energy reserves) and acoustic signals (automobile horns and sirens). The group is now present in 60 countries with about 3300 employees worldwide and about 1200 in Italy. The 2014 turnover amounted to a value of 560 million Euro. The main markets served are Italy (26%) and the rest of Europe (51%), where direct sales to auto manufacturers (BMW, Fiat-Chrysler, Ford, Mercedes, GM-Opel, PSA, Renault-Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen, Jaguar, Ferrari, Maserati) represent about 30% of the turnover.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is warning that despite 50 years of seat belt laws, far too many drivers and passengers are still putting themselves and others in great danger by not wearing seat belts.

The first seat belt law came into force in January 1965, which saw all new cars in the UK required to have seat belt anchorage points on the outer front seats – and paved the way for far-reaching compulsory seat belt wearing laws in the decades after.

Statistics from the Department of Transport show that of the 232 car occupants killed in 2013 (for which seatbelt data was recorded), 45 were not wearing a seat belt – a shocking 19%, or nearly one-fifth (1).

According to Safer Roads, 2,000 people a year are saved by wearing seat belts. They say in the event of an accident if unrestrained, you will hit the windscreen, or the front seat in the case of a rear seat passenger at a force of 30 to 60 times your own body weight (2).

The effectiveness of seat belts as a life saving device is without question. Research has found that for drivers seat belts are 50% effective at preventing fatal injuries, 45% effective at preventing serious injuries and 25% effective at preventing minor injuries.

It also found for front seat passengers, seat belts are 45% effective at preventing fatal or serious injuries, and 20% effective at preventing minor injuries (3).

Quite apart from safety factors, drivers caught without a seat belt face on-the-spot fines of £100 and three penalty points. If prosecuted, the maximum fine is £500.

Back in 1965 all new cars sold were required to have seat belt anchorage points for the front outer seats. In 1967 the law was changed so all new cars were required to have seat belts fitted. In 1968, seat belts were required to be retro-fitted to all cars sold from 1965.

The biggest development in seat belt development came in 1983 when it became compulsory for front seat occupants to wear one. This Sunday (31 January) marks the 32nd anniversary of the passing of the front seat belt law in the UK.

In 1989 it became compulsory for all children under 14 to wear a seat belt in the rear, and finally in 1991 it was required that all rear seat occupants wear a seat belt.
After the 1983 law was passed, there was an immediate 25% reduction in driver fatalities and a 29% reduction in fatal injuries among front seat passengers.

Despite that, the 2013 statistics show there is still a section of the driving population that continues to ignore the law, despite it being in place for more than three decades.

Kevin Delaney, IAM head of road safety, said: “The biggest problem is complacency.

“Quite simply people feel it will never happen to them. They think if they are driving locally and at a low speed they will be OK. Statistics show that many accidents not only take place at low speeds but also within a few miles of home – so people are mistaken if they think that makes them safer.”

Although putting on a seat belt is habitual to many car occupants today, evidence from the DfT’s THINK! campaign has found that people are less likely to belt up on short or familiar journeys (4).

Kevin added: “The trouble is if people are not wearing a seat belt and find themselves heading towards an accident, it is far too late to do anything about it.”

He called for continued campaigning by government, police and road safety bodies to ensure the issue of wearing seatbelts remains a priority message.

“We need to keep spreading the message particularly on rear seat belt use. And if people don’t take heed of it, they will end up as a Department of Transport accident statistic.”

This month the Minister for Economic Development, Laurence Skelly MHK offered a confident outlook for the Isle of Man's economy in 2015. The Island performed well over 2014, with growth across key sectors and Minister Skelly was keen to highlight a renewed focus on regeneration and development in the Island's town centres.

'There is a definite drive for investment and regeneration this year. The Government owns many strategic assets which can be better utilised to support entrepreneurship by private investors and developers. For example, Expressions of Interest are currently being invited for parties interested in developing areas around Douglas Quayside. Building on recent regeneration this site offers significant opportunities for the investor.

'Developments such as these are essential for attracting new business to the Isle of Man. As the Island's economy continues to grow and diversify, it is important to seek out growth and development opportunities to ensure a sustainable future for the Island. 2014 was a good year for the economy, with continued growth of around 3% and unemployment falling by around one quarter, and the prospects for 2015 are looking just as positive. It is very important that we continue to drive forward skills development and training on the Island as well as creating more jobs in our established sectors and industries such as manufacturing and financial services.

'We are also increasing our capabilities to engage with businesses from overseas and the UK regions. We have been particularly successful in engaging with China and closer to home with the North of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

'We are undertaking significantly increased promotional activity this year on the advantages of doing business with the Isle of Man and are committed to maintaining our status as an International Business Centre in the heart of the British Isles.'

Thursday 11th February - Friday 12th February

Ace Cafe London's regular monthly Italian Night, held 6pm - 11pm close on the 2nd Thursday of each month, next falls on Thursday 11th February and as this date is also the 82nd birthday of John Surtees OBE, the cafe will be marking the occasion by teaming up with the charity founded by John in memory of his late son, Henry Surtees 1991 - 2009, for all Italian Nights at the Ace through 2016.

The charity, www.henrysurteesfoundation.com assists people with accidental injuries and helps young people to develop their capabilities.

Starting at age 15 in 1949, racing motorcycles and winning Grand Prix's and World Championships, in 1960 John switched to racing cars, his debut Formula 1 race being with Lotus. This year, 2016, is the 60th anniversary of his winning his first World Championship in 1956 on a 500cc MV Agusta.

In 2013, the Royal Automobile Club awarded John the prestigious and historic Seagrave Trophy, the citation on which reads "For his outstanding career in two and four wheels motorsport, including seven motorcycle World Championship titles, culminating in the unique achievement of being the only man to win a motorcycle World Championship and the Formula One World Championship".

On Thursday 11th February everyone who puts a donation in the charity collecting tins on the counter at the cafe will receive a raffle ticket with draw being held at 10pm to win an Ace goodie pack and a subscription to Classic Cars Magazine!

Similarly, on Friday 12th February, Bike Night, from 6pm with draw at 10pm an Ace goodie pack is up for grabs as a prize, along with a subscription to Classic Bike magazine!

www.henrysurteesfoundation.com‏