Motorcycle Blog

At 16.50 last Friday, less than a week before the Anglesey Bike Show was due to start, the plug was pulled. Once again, the Police had a quiet word with the showground owners, and without having to appear before the courts, or produce any evidence, ‘pursuaded’ the showground owners to cancel.

BE OUTRAGED

* There have never been any arrests at either of these shows in their history.

* This action was taken without ANY evidence being produced.

* This action was taken without recourse to the courts, as is normally required.

* This action was taken without ANY discussion with the show organisers.

* Steve Bennett, the organiser, may well be forced into bankruptcy, and he has done nothing wrong!

* Every single motorcycle show or rally that isn’t ‘lawyered up’ now faces closure and the risk of losing everything

Support Steve, and make whatever noise you can to stop this abuse of power.

If you would like to contribute to Steve’s legal ‘fighting fund’ you can do so here:

http://www.rag-cymru.co.uk/wms.html

For more information on the cancelled Anglesey Show and Welsh National Bike Show please click here:

http://www.welshmotorcycleshows.co.uk

Thank you for your support!

David Grist 

H-C Travel, 16 High St, Overton, Hants. RG25 3HA

tel. 01256 770775, fax 01256 771773, website www.hctravel.com  

TTA T7861, ATOL T7002, registered in England 4204028

Winner of the TTA Directors’ Award for Enterprise 2007 

Fulfilling your motorcycle dreams since 1994

Having recently relocated to Kidlington after 25 years based in Oxford, Kings Two Wheel Centre bring considerable knowledge to the Suzuki dealer network.

Upon being appointed to the authorised dealer network, dealer principal Steve Polden commented, “We are delighted to join Suzuki. It is great to be involved with such an iconic brand and especially exciting to combine this with retaining all existing staff, enabling us to start as strong as ever.”

Commenting on the new appointment dealer development manager, Ian Brown of Suzuki GB said, “I am very pleased to welcome Steve and his team to the Suzuki dealer network. With their 25 years of knowledge and experience the team is a great addition to our solus network.”

Kings Two Wheel Centre Ltd take on the Suzuki franchise with immediate effect and can be contacted at: Kings Two Wheel Centre Ltd, 139 Oxford Road, Kidlington, Oxfordshire. OX5 2NP, Tel: 01865 842144

In a bid to grab the attention of many more young scooter and motorcycle riders, North West road safety initiative Ridesafe BackSafe, has taken on a young star of the future in an ambassadorial role.

Chris Doney is a founder member of one of the UK’s leading freestyle trials teams – Zero Gravity Freestyle Trials – and performs some unbelievable stunts and tricks on trials motorcycles and mountain bikes at shows across the country. 20-year-old Chris from Hampshire, has already appeared at the RideSafe Rendezvous at Lytham St Annes this year and organisers noticed how much the younger audience warmed to the up-and-coming stunt rider. RideSafe BackSafe team member, Linda Sanderson, explains;-

“Chris is extremely talented and proved very popular amongst the thousands of young bikers that attended the free one day show in April. RideSafe BackSafe is a road safety initiative dedicated to working with bikers as vulnerable road users, so it might seem a little contradictory to bring in a stunt rider to promote our activities. However, Chris trains hard to develop his bike control skills and conducts himself in a mature, responsible and professional manner; these are attributes that we want all young bike riders to aspire to”.

Chris Doney will support a number of events organised or attended by the RideSafe BackSafe team, including a series of Young Rider Days. These events will provide education and information to college and university students on motorcycling and scooter riding.

More information about RideSafe BackSafe and Chris Doney’s appearances can be viewed on the website www.ridesafebacksafe.co.uk           

Grand Prix Legends
Belstaff ladies Pembrey vintage leather jacket from Belstaff’s Vintage range. However or whatever you ride Belstaff has the right gear for you. This high-tech ladies vintage leather jacket has real performance and real quality making this Belstaff range second to none.

Materials:
• Genuine cow leather.
• Mesh lining on body and sleeves.
• CE removable protectors on shoulders and elbows.
• Removable foam protector on back.

Inner Structure:
• 100% cotton quilted Belstaff tartan lining with 3m Thinsulate padding on body and sleeves.

Protectors:
• Removable protectors meet the requirements of European directive 89/686/CEE and of CE Technical Standard EN 1621-1:1997.

Pockets:
• Two side slit pockets closed by zippers with logo pullers.
• One inside front lapel slit pocket.

Features:
• Adjusting regulation buckles and snaps on sides.

Colours: Black and Green.

click here to learn more

Grand Prix Legends
The Halvarssons Road Killer gloves are constructed from goat’s nappa and features a large collar. The gloves have an adjustable strap across the wrist and leather stretch panels at the knuckles and fingers.
To learn more about Halvarssons technical fabrics and to view their sizing guide please click here.

Some sizes may take a little longer to get to you as they come direct from Sweden. Please allow 7-10 days for delivery.

click here to learn more

The Vitesse full face by NZI Helmets offers an incredible range of features, user options and colourways and yet still keeps its’ weight down. A Wireless Communication System is available as an optional extra and is one of the best and easiest-to-use on the market.

• Ultralight tri-composite helmet shell
• Detachable and washable Outlast fabric used for inner lining
• Adjustable titanium air intake vents (front, upper & side) and rear outlet vent are integrated within shell structure for ventilation control, negligible wind-resistance and low noise
• 3D mist-retardant homologated thermoformed visor - thinner, more flexible and virtually unbreakable.
• Micro-metric quick release chin strap system
• Nose protector / breath deflector
• GP-1 cheek pads
• Clear visor supplied, smoked visor available at £ 45.00

SIZES, COLOURS & PRICES

·         SIZES – Small shell – XS (54), S (55-56), M (57)

  Large shell – L (58-59), XL (60-61)

• Available in four multi graphic styles £ 199.00 (RRP)
• Also available in seven plain colours - Red, Silver, Matt Black, White, Gunmetal, Gloss Black and Blue £ 159.00 (RRP)

INTEGRATED WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

• Vitesse Bluetooth has pre-installed control buttons and is available in plain colours – Lime Green, Orange or Matt Black for £ 169.00 (RRP). These control buttons can be purchased separately (for £ 18.00) and added to all other Vitesse helmets
• For £139.99 the NZI Bluetooth communication system offers connectivity with mobile phones, GPS systems, other helmets fitted with the NZI Tech-Com system for intercom.

Visit www.nzi.eu   or   call (02380) 69 2008

Virgin Media Yamaha rider BJ Toal made his comeback to the Fuchs-Silkolene British Superbike Championship at Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire today (25 August).

Having broken his wrist after a heavy fall at Round 7 at Oulton Park, BJ felt that he was strong enough to get back in the saddle to make a late charge for his Championship campaign. BJ clearly struggled to get back to his true potential, qualifying in a very uncharacteristic 20th position, he had a lot of ground to make up to put his Virgin Media Yamaha in the points.

Although BJ made up a few places at the beginning of the race, he failed to make any real progress and tired quickly finding himself back in 20th position with a very sore wrist at the end of the 14 lap race BJ will continue to work on getting his wrist strong to make a comeback at Round 10 of the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship at Croft on 12-14 September.

BJ Toal: “That’s not the kind of results that we are looking for. My wrist hasn’t felt too bad through practice and qualifying but it has really shown in my results. I’m really sore now and need some more time to get it strong. I’ll work on my fitness before Croft and hope to be back up in the mix of it all then.”

Rob McElnea, Team Principal: “BJ’s results are disappointing but at least we know that it is because he is still struggling with his wrist. I’m sure we will see a different BJ in a few weeks time when he’s had some more time to heal.”

Race Result 1. Plater (Yamaha), 2. Richards (Triumph), 3. Webb (Honda), 4. Kennaugh (Yamaha), 5. Westmoreland (Honda), 20. BJ Toal (Virgin Media Yamaha)

Championship Standings 1. Richards - 177, 2. Kennaugh - 140, 3. Lowry - 128, 4. Westmoreland - 92, 5. Brogan - 85, 11. BJ Toal - 40 points

Derby’s Jon Kirkham extended his Championship lead as the ninth round of the Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup suffered two red flag incidents at Cadwell Park (25 August).
Kirkham muscled through from his seventh pole position to claim the holeshot ahead of the determined Ben Wilson and Sam Warren at the start of the 12 lap race. As Kirkham looked to extend his lead over Wilson, Gary Mason capitalised with superior drive out of Charlies to claim third from Sam Warren. Edging a clear section of tarmac behind him, Mason settled into a rhythm while Warren continued to hold off the constant pressure from Adrian Coates, Connor Cummins and Dan Hegarty.
With his lead up to almost three seconds, Kirkham was left with it all to do again as a Yaron Salinger spill at the Chicane saw first the safety car, then the red flag deployed on lap 4. The re-start would see proceedings settled over 8 laps with grid positions determined as of the culmination of lap 2.
Kirkham lined up on pole once again onboard the blue liveried Metzeler Championship leading R1, with Wilson and Mason rounding out the front row. Wilson made a hard-fought start from the lights stick for the holeshot into Coppice, but could not prevent Kirkham moving round for the lead mid-way through Chris Curve on the opening lap.
Sam Warren made a better start to the re-start, holding third until Gary Mason drafted past along the fast Park Straight on lap 5 Adrian Coates, Dan Hegarty and Connor Cummins battled throughout the race, jockeying for position into the chicane. Coates ran deep allowing Co-ordit Racing’s Hegarty through for fifth. As the front runners rounded Barn for the start of lap six, a Stuart Wilson crash at the Chicane brought the red flag out for the second time, offering Jon Kirkham his sixth victory of the year.
Darren Bellworthy, the newly crowned Derby Phoenix Club champion, made an instant impression on the series. The club racer finished in 8th ahead of a host of R1 Cup regulars, gaining 8 points. Bellworthy was joined by nine other new riders including two Hungarian riders, bringing an added international flavor to the series.
Although Jon Kirkham extends his overall lead in the series, Ben Wilson retains top slot in the Autumn Cup. The tenth round of the Championship moves to Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire in three weeks time (12-14 September).

Jon Kirkham: “Ben is just awesome on his starts, I don’t know how he does it! I managed to get past him on the re-start and get away again. I’m chuffed after my disappointment at Knockhill where I made a schoolboy error in the wet. I’ve got a good chance of picking up the Autumn Cup now but I still remain committed to the overall championship which looks good.”

Ben Wilson: “Jon has been on the pipe all weekend, he’s just on form at the moment. I’ve just got to try and keep winning and keep the focus on the Championship. I’m leading the Autumn Cup and I’m still in the running for the main Championship.”

Gary Mason: ”Adrain Coates helped me there cause he ran wide and I managed to get my head down and kept pushing. It helped having a re-start as it gives me more time on the R1, jumping off the Superbike onto the R1 and back on the Superbike is hard work but I’m really enjoying my racing.

Rob McElnea, Team Principal: ”Jon has ridden a faultless race today, he’s really picked his game up after the mistake he made at Knockhill. Another great result from Ben Wilson who is hungry for the Autumn Cup win. and the overall Championship. We have seen lots of new names come into the Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup this weekend and some impressive rides along the way. Stu had a pretty heavy crash which necessitated hospital treatment for an arm injury, our thoughts are with him for a speedy recovery.”

Race Result
1. Kirkham, 2. B.Wilson, 3. Mason, 4. Warren, 5. Hegarty, 6. Coates, 7. Cummins, 8. Bellworthy, 9. Cringle, 10. Rowbottom

Autumn Cup Standings
1. Wilson - 65, 2. Kirkham - 56, 3. Mason - 52, 4. Coates - 36, 5. Warren - 29

Overall Championship Standings
1. Kirkham - 175, 2. B.Wilson - 152, 3. Warren - 121, 4. Mason - 121, 5. Coates - 96

Reliant on a good start from his fourth row qualifying position, Joe fought hard for the duration of the 14 lap race with TT Champion John McGuinness and a gaggle of Supersport regulars. It was all he could do to maintain his 13th placed position in the mammoth battle that ensued amongst the seasoned riders that surrounded him.

The Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport race was shortened to a 14 lap race after an incident involving David Paton and James Dye that brought a race stoppage on the first lap. The race was re-run after a long interlude to enable James to be transferred from the circuit for further treatment.

Round 10 of the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship takes place in three weeks time at Croft, North Yorkshire(12-14 September).

Joe Dickinson: ”I’m a bit frustrated if I’m honest, I had a really good race with McGuinness and the guys around me but McGuinness was so strong on the brakes, every time I got past him he just came back on me. The bike felt great but I just couldn’t get out of the pack to get to into the next bunch, we caught them up but ran out of time to make any inroads on them.”

Rob McElnea, Team Principal: ”It’s another frustrating race from Joe if I’m honest, we know that the package is capable of consistent top ten finishes, so to finish outside of the top 10 is a tough call for us. Let’s hope for more at Croft and showcase what we know we are capable of.”

Race Result
1. Plater (Yamaha), 2. Richards (Triumph), 3. Webb (Honda), 4. Kennaugh (Yamaha), 5. Westmoreland (Honda), 13. Joe Dickinson (Trucklinks Yamaha)

Championship Standings
1. Richards - 177, 2. Kennaugh - 140, 3. Lowry - 128, 4. Westmoreland - 92, 5. Brogan - 85. =17 Joe Dickinson - 16 points

Rob Mac Racing arrived at their home circuit of Cadwell Park high on the success of a podium at the last time out at Knockhill, Scotland.A new qualifying format greeted the riders for Round 9 at the picturesque Lincolnshire circuit. Adopting an F1-style Qualifying, three timed sessions whittled the grid down to the 20 fastest riders, then the 10 fastest who finally battled it out for the best time and final starting positions. Karl Harris qualified his Rob Mac Racing Yamaha YZF-R1 through to the final session with an eventual seventh grid position, heading up the fourth row on the three abreast grid format.

As the flag dropped for Race 1, Karl had a tough task ahead of him to get away with the leaders. In the opening laps the ‘Bomber’ was pushing hard to move up the race order when he lost the front end at the bottom of the infamous ‘Mountain’, bringing an abrupt end to the race and an injury to Karl’s left hand that needed injections to ease the pain.

The brave Sheffield lad proved his true grit and determination as he lined up for the start of Race 2. With blood seeping through his left glove from the crushed left little finger, Harris joked to the television crew that it was only a minor injury.

A good start put Karl in contention as he got away in 10th place quickly picking up places over the next few laps. With the front five pulling away from the remainder of the field, it was all Karl could to do to progress up to sixth place with a huge 3.5 second gap ahead of him. As he got his head down Harris banked his fastest lap of the race as he crossed the line having completed Lap 5.

Although he maintained his fast pace and race position for the next 5 laps, Karl was struck yet again by the bad luck that has blighted his season to date. Struggling with a dramatic loss of rear end grip, Karl visibly slowed on the track and lost over 4 seconds a lap, dropping places as his progress slipped through his hands.

As the flag dropped Karl nursed his bike home to finish in a very frustrating tenth position, picking up a handful of points to salvage his weekend.

The team now move on to Round 10 of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Croft, North Yorkshire on 12-14th September.

Karl Harris: I’ve shattered a few bones and the nail has come off my little finger on my left hand when I hit the barrier. I’ve had a few injections in it so I thought it would be fine for race two. I got a good start and felt ok for the opening laps, I made some really good progress but then I just lost all my rear grip. I was really struggling to keep it going but I was determined to finish the race.”

Rob McElena, Team Principal: “From the high’s of Knockhill we are back down to the lows. Karl made a mistake in Race 1 that really cost us any chance of a good result this weekend. We had a problem with the tyre spinning on the rim in the latter half of Race 2, which just about summed up our weekend for us. Once again we will pick ourselves up and move on to the race at Croft.”

Race 1 Result
1. Haslam (Honda), 2. Sykes (Suzuki), 3.Byrne (Ducati), 4. Camier (Ducati), 5. Crutchlow (Honda), DNF - Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha)

Race 2 Results
1. Haslam (Honda), 2. Sykes (Suzuki), 3. Byrne (Ducati), 4. Camier (Ducati), 5. Rutter (Ducati), 10. Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha)

Championship Standings
1. Byrne - 364, 2. Sykes - 254, 3. Haslam - 249, 4. Crutchlow - 236, 5. Camier - 205, 11) Karl Harris - 75