British Superbike rider geared up for the season
•BSB race winner protected by Kushitani in 2015
•Will use leathers based on range-topping Elevation suit
•Josh will also use GPR-6 gloves - £189.95

Josh Waters will race in Kushitani leathers and gloves in the 2015 MCE British Superbike series on his factory-supported Halsall Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000.

The 28-year old Australian, a former two-time Australian Superbike champion and British Superbike race winner, is no stranger to the historic Japanese brand. Racing for the Yoshimura Racing Team on three occasions at the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hour, Josh took to the podium in 2011 and 2014 protected by Kushitani products.

For the 2015 MCE British Superbike Championship, Josh will re-unite with the Halsall Team he raced with in 2013 but will continue with Factory-backed Suzuki machinery that took him to two wins in the 2014 BSB series and a brace of top six finishes.

Over the 12 round series, Josh will utilise a fully customised version of the Kushitani Elevation; the Hamamatsu factory’s premier, GP-spec suit. Starting from £1649, it boasts a 1.5mm cowhide construction made from a breed of cows unique to Kushitani and is available to all customers fully customisable, in terms of sizing, colours and detailing.

Josh will also use the range-topping Kushitani GPR-6 gloves developed in MotoGP™ and the Suzuka 8-Hours. The GPR-6 glove gets its name from having six layers of outer protection and is the highest specification glove from Kushitani, focusing on maximum protection and comfort for riders who seek to get the most from their machines. Priced at £189.95, it is available in red, white, or black in sizes S-XXL.

Josh Waters said: “I’m really pleased to be wearing Kushitani products throughout the entire 2015 season. From their close working relationship with Yoshimura Racing, I’ve Kushitani in the Suzuka 8 Hours and that is a race that really pushes a product hard. Not only do I trust it for its excellent protection and comfort, the finish of them is truly stunning.”

Visit www.kushitani-uk.co.uk for more information

Former World Supersport podium finisher Robbin Harms is set to make his debut at the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races, fuelled by Monster Energy.

The Danish rider will ride for the highly respected TC Racing/DP Coldplaning team, run by former racer Mick Charnock, and will contest the RST Superbike, RL360 Superstock, PokerStars Senior and Monster Energy Supersport Races on Honda machinery.

The 33-year old came to prominence in the cut and thrust arena of the World Supersport Championship, contesting the series on a full-time basis from 2005 through to 2011. His best results came when he rode for the Hannspree Stiggy Motorsport Honda team from 2006 to 2008, finishing fifth, seventh and ninth overall in the Championship, taking four podiums along the way, including a brace of runner-up spots in 2007 at Donington Park and Silverstone.

An ever-present top ten finisher, he then successfully ran his own team in 2010 and 2011, again on Honda machinery, scoring a best Championship position of seventh overall in 2010. In total, the Copenhagen resident's impressive haul of results in the World Championship saw 20 top five finishes and 41 top ten finishes in seven years of competition.

Harms made his first appearance on the World stage as a teenager in 1999, contesting the 125cc World Championship where he scored points at the season finale in Argentina after finishing 13th. He returned to the series between 2002 and 2004, scoring 13 points in total and recording a best position of 10th at the 2003 Australian Grand Prix.

As well as making his TT debut in 2015, Harms will return to the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, riding for the MotoDex Performance First Racing squad aboard a BMW S1000RR. His best result in the series came in 2013 when he placed seventh at Snetterton before injury curtailed his campaign.

Speaking about his planned debut, Robbin commented:

"I didn't think I would have the chance to race in the world famous Isle of Man TT but thanks to the efforts of the organisers and Mick Charnock and the TC Racing/DP Coldplanning team that dream has become a reality. I made my first visit to the Island to see the circuit for myself in December and I am under no illusions as to how much work there is ahead of me. However I am not fazed by this and I intend to spend as much time as I can on the Island learning the course so I am fully prepared when the races begin."

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 and motorcyclist, including introducing the first driving licenses.

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 Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run held on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November 2015.

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 and the Torrens Trophy.

www.royalautomobileclub.co.uk/motoring

Picture of group: Shane 'Shakey' Byrne and Tom Purves, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club

1993 500cc World Champion to race at Jerez in June aboard his iconic Suzuki RGV500 XR84, while Graeme Crosby also adds his name to the impressive line-up

Another true legend of grand prix motorcycle racing – Kevin Schwantz – is the latest confirmed rider at the upcoming World GP Bike Legends extravaganza. The 1993 500cc World Champion will be racing flat out alongside a host of fellow former titleholders at Jerez, Spain, on 19-21 June.

The American ace will be reunited with the very Suzuki RGV500 XR84 that carried the #1 plate during his 1994 season as World Champion (see fact file below). Schwantz will be part of the ‘Race of Legends’ features taking place on all three days, in which he will clash fairings with a huge host of fellow racing icons. Kevin joins Freddie Spencer, Wayne Gardner and Christian Sarron who are all former champions already confirmed for World GP Bike Legends as well as multiple race winner Didier de Radiguès.

Racing full time in the World Championship between 1988 and 1995, the Texan scored 25 race victories and won over a huge host of fans all around the world and will undoubtedly put on a spectacular show in June.

“When I first heard about the event it sounded like it would be a great time,” said Schwantz. "It’s going to be some good fun to be back out there with the ‘ole boys on our 500’s! Spain has always been the most popular place for Grand Prix racing and I look forward to seeing the huge crowds and all the fans at the event!”

As if the Legends needed another excuse to party, Friday night, the 19th June, is also Kevin's birthday so make sure you're there to celebrate it with him!

What’s more, another front-running rider from the heyday of grand prix motorcycle racing has also just been confirmed – Graeme Crosby. The New Zealander rode his Yamaha YZR500 to the runner-up spot in the 1982 World Championship, beating the likes of Spencer, Kenny Roberts and Barry Sheene in the process. As well as his grand prix successes, Crosby has a wide following thanks to victories in the Daytona 200, the Imola 200, the Suzuka 8 Hours and the Isle of Man TT.

“It’s going to be just like the good old days,” enthused Crosby. “We’ll be back out on the old two-stroke bikes which are themselves very special, but even better it’s going to be great to see and ride with everyone again. I can’t wait to get down to Jerez!”

The groundbreaking event will not only bring together what will likely be the biggest ever grids of former World Champions to do battle on the circuit, but offers a full weekend of entertainment. With music legend Bonnie Tyler just announced to headline the Saturday evening’s main stage and more artists to be confirmed in the coming weeks, the fun won’t stop when the chequered flag drops. There will also be a shopping village offering a huge variety of motorcycle and racing paraphernalia along with loads of other entertainment and demonstrations.

There are currently significant early bird discounts on weekend tickets – with the full weekend price fixed at €55 until 31 March 2015. Tickets provide bike fans will full access to grandstands, race paddocks, the trade village and the live music concerts. For more information go to www.worldgpbikelegends.com

Keep updated with all the news as it happens by following World GP Bike Legends on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Photo caption: Kevin Schwantz (main above, below top row) and Graeme Crosby (below bottom row) have will race in the inaugural World GP Bike Legends at Jerez on 19-21 June.

· 17% increase in registrations vs 2013 with 2742 registrations

· Increase in market share

· 2014 best ever year for net sales through the UK dealer network

· Best sales results since 2002

· March, best ever sales month for Ducati in UK 

Ducati Motor Holdings recently announced record sales for 2014 with Ducati UK and its dealer network contributing significantly to this overall result.

For Ducati UK it was a record breaking year in many ways. The UK subsidiary achieved 2742 registrations - a 17% increase on the previous year with a small increase in market share. This result was accomplished with consistently high sales throughout the year registering ten year highs in every quarter with March being Ducati UK’s biggest single sales month on record.

These results could not have been achieved without a strong dealer network that provided the highest number of net dealer registrations. Amongst the 32 strong dealer network there was also the highest ever proportion achieving more than 100 units.

These exceptional results by Ducati UK and its dealer network were achieved with an incredible model line-up that included the award winning 899 Panigale. The 899 was the best-selling model in the range and narrowly missed out on being the best-selling supersports bike over 500cc in 2014. UK sales were also buoyed by the introduction of new models such as the Diavel, Monster 821 and Monster 1200 whilst maintaining healthy sales of the Multistrada and the bigger capacity 1199 Panigale.

2014 also saw a significant increase in the number of Ducati models sold on finance as Ducati UK continued to offer affordability through the Ducati TriOptions scheme. Thanks to the brand’s high residual values, Ducati was able to offer low monthly payments across the range and this continues into 2015 with the Scrambler available at £95 per month and the top-selling 899 Panigale at £149 per month.

Tim Maccabee was delighted with the UK performance in 2014 and commented: “The Motorcycle Market has been tough over the last few years but at Ducati UK we’ve been steadily improving our market position. I think customers appreciate the advances we’ve made, not only in product technology and desirability but also in the associated services such as finance packages and extended service intervals. Our dealer network are also going from strength to strength and join us in looking forward to an even stronger 2015 with the introduction of the new Ducati Scrambler and all new Multistrada and 1299 Panigale which are packed with state-of-the-art technology and features.”