NEWS: Bridgestone backs Bradley with sponsorship deal

Bradley Smith’s encouraging start to the MotoGP World Championship has received a timely boost, with the announcement that Bridgestone UK is to sponsor the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 star.

Bradley Smith - Bridgestone to sponsor

 The world’s largest tyre manufacturer and official series supplier is teaming up with the Oxford-born rider, as he embarks on the most important season of his highly successful grand prix career.

The 18-round MotoGP season kicked off under the floodlights at the Losail International circuit in Qatar and after qualifying in a career-high third place, early signs are that he can make a lasting impression in one of the most illustrious fields in recent times.

Smith said that he is relishing the many battles that lie ahead in the next eight months and was greatly heartened by the support shown by Bridgestone.

He said: “To receive Bridgestone’s backing is as heartening as it is exciting for me. To be on board with Bridgestone as it prepares for an exciting year of its own means a great deal.”

Bridgestone has recently unveiled four new bike tyres, including the Battlax V02 slick racing tyre and the Hypersport S20 EVO road tyre.

Bridgestone’s north region communications manager Andy Dingley said: “Having one of the brightest and most talented racers in MotoGP with us will help us communicate our products, which will be a huge boost as we aim to reach out to even wider audiences and raise our presence accordingly.”

http://www.bridgestone.co.uk/moto/

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NEWS: MORE SPONSORS FOR BSB

Motorcycle security marking specialist Datatag has renewed its relationship with MCE British Superbikes commercial rights holder MSV for a third consecutive year.

Datatag - renewed MCE BSB sponsorship

The company’s branding will again feature in Eurosport TV coverage of Datatag Extreme Qualifying, a three-stage knockout qualifying session to decide the starting grid for the first MCE BSB race at each round.

Datatag will continue to provide security protection for all competing teams and their race bikes too. Motorcycles across all classes will be protected and registered with Datatag identification technology, so that bikes and their main parts can be traced in the event of theft. In addition, Datatag technology will help to ensure that the one bike per rider regulation is enforced.

MSV has also announced a new official MCE BSB timekeeping partnership with watch brand Royal London, which will be credited on the official event live timing service and in associated timing graphics embedded in the worldwide TV feed. Royal London will also enjoy a comprehensive package of marketing rights in association with the MCE BSB brand.

Royal London watches will be awarded to all MCE BSB riders starting in pole position and the six Showdown qualifiers. More watches will go to the MCE British Superbike champion, the Motorpoint British Supersport champion and the MCE BSB Riders Cup winner at the season’s end.
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EVENT: RUTTER IS STAR AT CASTLE COMBE BIKESAFE

The 2014 National BikeSafe event takes place at Castle Combe on 12 April. Organisers says the day is not only a must for all bikers, wannabe bikers and fans of the open road, it also promises to be a great day out for all the family.

Crowd pleaser Michael Rutter to star at Bikesafe

Last year the attendance was 7000, with 400 assessed ride-outs and track experiences.

This year there will be a star guest appearance by British Super Bike, Isle of Man TT and Honda Legends Endurance racer Michael Rutter, along with his BSB team IWR Racing and their new Bathams BMW’s for the 2014 season.

Kawasaki-sponsored stunt rider Lee Bowers will be doing displays, along with the Kawasaki Rider Experience, Chris Walker Race School and the Mick Extance Kawasaki Experience.

Visitors can ride the latest Ducati, Kawasaki, KTM, Honda, Harley-Davidsons and Triumph and get race input from the California Superbike School. Plus you can find out how good you really are on an hour-assessed road ride with police motorcyclists and have a blast on the Castle Combe Track (booking essential).

There is also the Moto Gymkhana on site for riders to test their skill against the clock and police riders will be taking part in a Police Challenge on their patrol bikes. There will be stunt displays and a police parade lap around the circuit at the end of the day.

There will also be the opportunity to meet officers from the Police Firearms Unit, explore the world of the Underwater Search Unit, meet both four-legged and two-legged members of the Police Dog Unit and play giant “Cop Trumps”.

Other attractions include a trade stands and stalls and fairground rides.

BikeSafe is a police-led initiative available nationwide.

The assessed road rides on offer at Saturday’s event are a taster session for full BikeSafe days or other post-test training which aims to help reduce casualty and collisions, making bikers safer riders.

Gates open at 10am.

www.BikeSafe.co.uk

www.facebook.com/ASPolice - see events

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NEWS: CLASSIC VEHICLES TO BE BANNED FROM LONDON?

A move is under way that could see classic bikes and cars banned from the London Congestion Zone by 2020. It’s part of Boris Johnson’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone programme (ULEZ) which aims to give central London the cleanest air of any city in the world.

Classic Bikes in London- a thing of the past?

Transport for London (TfL) is the authority behind the move. If its plans go ahead, only electric vehicles and the very lowest pollution-emitting cars and motorcycles will be permitted to enter the congestion zone. The current belief is that the controlled hours are likely to run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, rather than the current congestion charge operating times of 7am to 6.00pm.
What this could mean is that classic motorcycles could be permanently excluded from this zone, and until details are published, the definition of the term “classic” could be much wider than most people realize, and might include bikes built way into the 1990s, and conceivably beyond.

Without special dispensation, events such as the London to Brighton Run would  be impossible (or at least impractical) to organise at the established Hyde Park start location, which is on the margins of the current Congestion Zone. Additionally, the classic car boot sale events on the Southbank, adjacent to the London Eye, might also fall foul of the new regulations.

Moreover, many other central London businesses that rely on classic vehicles would be hit, including wedding hire cars, classic car hire, motorcycle shops, etc.
At present, there is no specific mention of classic vehicles. However, the fear is that classic or historic motorcycles and cars might inadvertently fall foul of the ULEZ rules unless immediate lobbying is begun.
mayor@london.gov.uk

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/metro/27204.aspx

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EVENT: A CLASSIC DAY OUT AT BROMLEY

The UK’s biggest one-day classic vehicle show is back as the Peter James Insurance Bromley Pageant of Motoring returns to Norman Park, Bromley, on Sunday 8 June. The event usually features around 3000 vehicles - including classic motorcycles, cars, bikes, trucks, tractors, and stationary engines - and this year the organisers have added two features.

Bromley- great day out

New for this year is Classic Trunk Trading, a chance for classic enthusiasts to fill the boot of their cars with classic parts, spares and related items and bring their vehicle to the show and trade right from where they park.

Spaces in the Classic Trunk Trading area are only open to show ticket holders at just an extra £5 with a show ticket. These spaces must be reserved in advance.

There’s also an extensive trader village selling a host of products and services as well as the popular autojumble and a huge classic-cars-for-sale area.

www.bromleypageant.co.uk

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NEWS: MV AGUSTA BACK ON WORLD RACING SCENE

MV Agusta and Yakhnich Motorsport have joined forces to compete in both the World Superbike and World Supersport championships.

MV Agusta- back racing on the World Stage

Thirty-eight years on from MV Agusta's last official appearance on the world racing scene, 2014 will - thanks to an agreement between MV Agusta and Yakhnich Motorsport - give fans and enthusiasts all over the globe the chance to see the Varese manufacturer in top competition.

Team MV Agusta Reparto Corse will enjoy the benefits of the working partnership between MV Agusta and Yakhnich Motorsport on both the sport management and technical development fronts.

Claudio Corti will ride an F4 RR in the World Superbike Championship, with Jules Cluzel and Vladimir Leonov contesting the World Supersport championship on the F3 675, which scored a superb win at the season opener on Phillip Island.

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EVENT: SURTEES THE STAR AT STAFFORD SHOW

MOTORSPORT legend John Surtees will be the star attraction at the 34th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show next month.

John Surtees will be at the Classic Motorcycle Show, Stafford in April

The show takes place at the Staffordshire County Showground on the weekend of 26-27 April and, as well as the man himself, both the MV Agusta and Ferrari that took Surtees to two-wheeled and four-wheeled world championship glory will be on display.

James Robinson, editor of the event’s title publication The Classic Motorcycle, said: “What John achieved in both bike and car disciplines is remarkable. Surely he’s the only man in the world to have been employed by both Enzo Ferrari and Count Agusta, as well as being Mike Hailwood’s boss!”
Meanwhile, motorsport TV personality Steve Plater will be taking the reins from the retiring Dave Craggs as show compere and commentator. Plater will be on stage regularly throughout the event talking with the guest of honour and presenting awards.

Among the top billings in the classic bike displays will be a Moto Major, an incredible looking, one-off machine built by Italian Salvatore Majorca in 1949. It’s a bike that has never been seen in the UK before.

The National Motorcycle Museum will have bikes on display and the Rolls-Royce Motorcycle Club is bringing a 1923 Cotton. It’s powered by a 349cc ohc engine which owner Tony Trueman believes to be the only one in existence.

The event will also feature numerous halls packed with traders, manufacturers and autojumbles, and there is live action in the form of the world famous Wall of Death.

www.classicbikeshows.com

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JOB: Northern Area Sales Manager, Yamaha

CONTACT DETAILS: Personel Dept. Yamaha Motor (UK) Ltd, personnel@yamaha-motor.co.uk

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Sales & Marketing Division for a dynamic sales person to become an Area Sales Manager for all Yamaha two wheel related products.

Representing the Yamaha brand in the North of England and Scotland, the main responsibilities of this role are to visit our extensive dealer networks, maintaining and strengthening the relationships which exist and seek out new sales opportunities. Applicants should have relevant sales experience, plus the energy and enthusiasm to meet challenging targets in one of our key market sectors.

If you believe you are ready for the challenge then please send your up to date CV with covering letter (including your salary expectation) to:

Personnel Department, Yamaha Motor (UK) Ltd,
Units A2 & A3 Kingswey Business Park,
Forsyth Road, Woking, Surrey GU21 5SA
or Email: personnel@yamaha-motor.co.uk


Closing Date 21st March 2014

No agencies please
Be Part of a Heavyweight Brand

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NEWS: SUZUKI CLAIMS 'WORLD FIRST' FOR EBAY STORE

Suzuki GB has become the first motorcycle manufacturer globally to launch its very own eBay store in association with its dealer network.

Featuring a range of products from Suzuki's official parts, accessory and merchandise ranges, the eBay store has already achieved 'Power Seller' status thanks to its efficient dealer fulfilment process.

Power seller- Suzuki on ebay

Suzuki GB's Emma Gibbon, explained: "Thanks to the unique way that our new eBay Store operates, customers now have a new and informed way to shop. With orders fulfilled by members of our dealer network, customers benefit from additional peace of mind with the very latest products from our official parts and accessory lines, available 24 hours a day."

Launched with a free postage and packing offer, the Suzuki motorcycle eBay store is "a multi-dealer global first for both eBay and Suzuki", offering the same benefits that customers can expect when purchasing at their dealer via more traditional methods, with a 14-day return policy.

As well as the latest accessories, merchandise and parts, the Suzuki eBay store will soon incorporate Suzuki's Vintage Parts Programme - another first in online motorcycle retail.
Suzuki's motorcycle eBay store can be viewed at:

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Suzuki-Bikes-UK-Official

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NEWS: Classic TT appeals for Joey Dunlop Bikes

The Isle of Man Government is appealing for people to come forward with bikes formerly ridden by Joey Dunlop so the machines can form part of this year's Classic TT Festival.

Joey Dunlop - Road Racing Legend

 The theme running through this year’s Classic TT is 'Joey Dunlop - Road Racing Legend', and the Department of Economic Development is hoping a festival display will feature the largest collection of the Northern Ireland racer’s bikes ever in one place.

Joey's glittering racing career featured a record 26 outright TT victories over his 24 years of racing at the TT, from 1976 to 2000. He also competed at World Championship level, took a podium in World Superbikes and achieved numerous race wins and podiums in Ireland including 24 Ulster Grand Prix victories and 13 North-West 200 titles.

The Classic TT is one of the events that makes up The Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling, a fortnight of competitive racing from 16 to 31 August, which also includes the Manx Grand Prix Races, The Classic and Two-Day Trials and the Vintage Motor Cycle Club's Festival of Jurby.

Trevor Hussey, head of motorsport, Department of Economic Development commented: “We have several initiatives planned for this year’s Classic TT to tie into our Joey Dunlop theme and one of the most significant will be the creation of a one-off display in the paddock of bikes that Joey raced throughout his career.

“We have been working with the Dunlop family and have already been able to source a number of iconic machines, but we want to create something special that has never been seen before and we are calling for anyone who is lucky enough to now own one of Joey’s race bikes to make contact with us to see if their machines can be included.”

Email iomtt@gov.im

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NEWS: SPITFIRE IN FLYPAST AT THUNDERSPRINT

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will again be sending one of its Spitfires to this year’s Thundersprint on Sunday, May 11.

The display will be particularly poignant because the Darley Moor circuit, near Ashbourne in Derbyshire, was originally an RAF airfield. Also, Darley is less than a minute’s flight from the historic Rolls-Royce factory in Derby where the Spitfire’s legendary Merlin engine was built.

Thundersprint organiser Frank Melling said: “The Spitfire display has been a key part of Thundersprint for many years and having one of these wonderful aircraft fly over an airfield, and area, where it has so many intense connections will be a very moving experience.

“The Spit will be with us as part of the lunch-time celebrations at Sunday’s Thundersprint so it will make a great start to the Masterclass.”

info@thundersprint.com

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