Mallory Park placed into liquidation

At a meeting of the creditors of Mallory Park (Motorsport) Ltd (MPML) on 19 November it was agreed the company should be placed into liquidation.

Sad times for Mallory

Administrator Ian Robert, partner at Kingston Smith & Partners, commented: “We received a good deal of interest in MPML from several parties within the motor racing industry. However, the decision of the landlord, Titan Properties Ltd, to refuse discussions with any potential purchasers has regrettably left no other option but for the company to be placed into liquidation.”

At the application of the majority creditor, Titan Properties Ltd, Mr M Chamberlain of Chamberlain & Co will be appointed Joint Liquidator, alongside Ian Robert, when the administration ends.

Robert added: “It is likely this process will lead to the landlord resuming control of the site and thus the future of Mallory Park and any further racing there will be in his hands.”

It was anticipated MPML would be placed into liquidation by 29 November.

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Rare Ducatis for sale in Vegas

Bonhams is to auction the Silverman Collection of rare Ducatis at its January Las Vegas motorcycle sale. The auctioneers have already announced that the Pierce Museum collection of Harley-Davidsons will headline the event.

Rare Ducatis up for grabs

Comprised of Italian thoroughbreds, the Silverman collection is renowned for having the best of the best. Like the world-famous Silverman collection of Native American artifacts, universally regarded as one of the best in existence, the collection of Ducati motorcycles is described as "second to none".

Following the owner’s passion for racing and, indeed, the DNA of the marque itself, most of the collection is built around competition models. For instance, featured is a 1973 750SS Imola Short Stroke. Based on the motorcycle that roared to victory in the 1972 Imola GP, capturing both first and second places with factory riders Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari, this is the model that launched the Ducati legend. As Classic Driver magazine once wrote: “With an engine note as moving as an opera by Verdi and curves as beguiling as Sophia Loren’s, it is the all-time favorite model from the Bologna manufacturer."

Then there is a rare 1974 750SS Green Frame Round Case – never sold new in the US – with its boisterous symphony, powerful motor and low production numbers. Bonhams says it represents one of the finest and most desirable of all Ducatis. And there's a 1978 Ducati 900 NCR, the same model that propelled legendary racer Mike Hailwood to a victorious comeback (after an 11-year hiatus!) at the Isle of Man and Mallory Park.

Perhaps most noteworthy, however, is the original-condition 1984 750SS TT1 campaigned by Pablo Real. In addition to being the progenitor of the successful four-valve Ducati racers that paved the way for world Superbike domination, TT1 models are rare and come up for sale very infrequently, let alone one with documented race history. Better still, not one but two TT1s are being offered!

Other multiple same-model machines from this astounding collection include two or more TT2s, F1 Desmos and F1 Montjuics, something that is practically unheard of, in addition to the many other fine examples from the group.

The Bonhams Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction will take place at Bally’s Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip on Thursday, 9 January.  The catalogue becomes available this month.
bonhams.com/vegas

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HONDA RCV1000R PROTOTYPE

Honda Racing Corporation has introduced the Honda RCV1000R prototype machine to be used from 2014 in the MotoGP "Open" Class (prototype machines with Magneti Marelli hardware and software, 24 litre tank and 12 engines per season). The goal of this new machine, which will be sold and not leased to the teams, is to compete in MotoGP with a reasonable budget. 

Nicky Hayden's 2014 ride

Together with HRC executive vice-president Shuhei Nakamoto, project leader Tomonori Sato presented the final machine to the world’s media. The RCV1000R chassis is based on the current RC213V prototype bike, as is the engine - a 90º V4 producing over 175KW of power at 16,000rpm, utilising spring valves and a traditional gear box.

The bike will be delivered with Öhlins suspension and Nissin brakes. 

Four riders will race on the RCV1000R in 2014, Nicky Hayden and TBC second rider (Aspar Team), Scott Redding (Honda Gresini Team) and Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Team). HRC test rider and two-time World Champion Casey Stoner has already tested the RCV1000R and provided positive feedback to HRC engineers.

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Bikers are ‘forgotten cousins’

Bikers are the Government’s ‘forgotten cousins’ when it comes to safety, despite the role of powered two-wheelers in cutting congestion, according to the AA.

Ed King - AA President

AA president Edmund King, addressing a major motorcycle conference in London on 11 November, (see additional story) said: "We have heard much lately about improving the safety of cyclists from the Prime Minister downwards, yet motorcyclists appear to be the forgotten cousins. This is despite the fact that motorbikes and scooters can play a vital role in helping to reduce congestion and enhance mobility in our towns and cities.”

King said: "We need to ensure drivers are much more aware of the presence and possible presence of motorbikes and, indeed, cycles on our roads. It is worrying that half of all drivers are often caught out by 'invisible' motorcycles seemingly coming out of nowhere. Motorcyclists also need to always be aware that they might not be seen.

"We need a step change in attitudes to provide a positive role for powered two-wheelers in our transport strategy. Safer, more fuel-efficient bikes coupled with serious inclusion of motorcycling within transport policy could bring benefits for all road users. All too often motorcycling is written off as deemed to be unsafe."
King made his call for a change in attitudes after he revealed a survey showed more than half of all drivers (57 per cent) are often surprised when a motorcycle appears from nowhere.



 

This finding comes at a time when provisional government figures show an 8 per cent increase in motorcyclists killed or seriously injured in the spring this year compared with spring last year.

King addressed the issue of "Sharing the roads: Changing attitudes" by highlighting a recent AA Populus poll of 21,165 conducted between 11-17 October 2013. The main findings were:
 

•     57 per cent of car drivers are often surprised when a motorcycle appears from nowhere. This increases to 63 per cent among females and drivers over 65 years of age. London is the region with the greatest percentage of drivers surprised by motorbikes appearing from nowhere (60 per cent).
•     92 per cent recognise that motorcyclists are vulnerable and always give them more space.
•     40 per cent believe that motorcyclists are inconsiderate. The number increases in London (46 per cent) and the south-east (44 per cent) and among females (43 per cent) and those aged 25-34 (49 per cent).
•     88 per cent of drivers say they always look out for motorcyclists. This increases to 90 per cent of 45-54 year olds who are perhaps the born-again bikers.
•     85 per cent admit that motorcyclists are sometimes hard to see. 88 per cent of females and those aged 24-34 believe this. The south-east is the region with the highest percentage admitting this (87 per cent).

King also pointed out that there was a considerable cross-over between drivers and those on two wheels, with some 18 per cent of AA members holding a motorcycle licence.

Interestingly, King said the survey showed bikers would be safer if there were more on the road. When the survey asked what people thought if there were a lot more motorcycles on the roads, it found:
 

• 54 per cent say they would be more aware of motorcycles
• 25 per cent would be more likely to consider motorcyclists as legitimate road users
• 13 per cent would personally consider using a motorcycle for their daily commute
• 35 per cent would make more concessions in their driving for motorcyclists
• 24 per cent would hope that more drivers took to motorcycles so they could benefit from reduced congestion.

King concluded: "We need to work in collaboration with others when looking at transport policy always to think once, think twice, think bikes."



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LUXURY TT ACCOMMODATION UP IN SMOKE

Members of the motorcycle trade, individuals or companies with bookings for next year’s TT at the four star Mount Murray Hotel and Country Club complex in Santon on the Isle of Man need to start an urgent search for alternative accommodation.

Sad news - Mount Murray Hotel & Country Club fire

The main hotel building was destroyed this morning (7 November) in one of the largest fires seen on the Island in recent years. Mount Murray had been a popular venue for business presentations and corporate hospitality events during the TT festival.

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COMMERCIAL SUCCESS FOR CLASSIC TT

Research by the Isle of Man Government Treasury Economic Affairs Division shows that its revamped 2013 Festival of Motorcycling in late August — headlined by the new Classic TT and incorporating the Manx Grand Prix races and a pair of two-day trials events plus the VMCC Festival of Jurby — proved a resounding success.

Classic TT - very much a success

A comparative study set against a previous survey based on the same format, carried out at the 2009 Manx Grand Prix, highlighted a 50 per cent increase in visitors to 13,407 over the intervening four years. Ferry passengers were up by 37 per cent and the number of people flying in through Ronaldsway Airport for the festival grew by 172 per cent.

The report says visitors spent £8.4m during the 2013 festival, up from £4.9m in 2009, and this yielded more than £1m in tax revenue for the Isle of Man Government.

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Motocross takes off across the country

Suzuki claims motocross is taking off as amateurs head off-road at weekend events across the country.


 

Motocross: Taking off

 “From kids participating in junior championships to seasoned veterans still plying their trade at club level, motocross brings a host of people together with a shared interest,” says the Japanese manufacturer, which features motocross machines in its model ranges.
Suzuki points out that star motocrossers the world over were once budding talents taken to weekend race meetings by their families, while even a lot of star road racers started out in the dirt of their local motocross track. Many, including Tyco Suzuki's British Superbike star PJ Jacobsen, still use motocross to train in the off-season.

When discussing the popularity of motocross at youth and amateur level, Neil Prince, a former British 125 champion and who is appointed manager of Team GB in the prestigious Motocross of Nations event, said: "Motocross is definitely a growing sport at both youth and amateur level, and that's great for the sport and individuals involved. But what's more important is the focus it gives young people in their lives, not to mention the skills learned too.

"As many communities right across the UK will testify, when young people are engaged and interested in a subject, the whole community benefits, helping to keep young people off the streets. I took part in local motocross before I moved to the British Championship and there was nothing like it; the paddock atmosphere and the friends you made, plus learning about the mechanics of the bike and the sport, made it an invaluable experience that taught me many life lessons early on."

For riders interested in trying the sport, Suzuki actively promotes the Motocross Challenge Project - a charity-based initiative that not only provides taster courses for riders of all ages, but also works with schools and local authorities, opening up the world of motocross and engineering to students.

For more information on the MXCP visit www.mxcp.co.uk , or contact the team on 01304 202244.

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