· Culture, Communications and Creative Industries Minister, Ed Vaizey MP, to open new Museum

· £5 million modernisation project hosts new exhibits, including over 400 cars and motorcycles

· Three new exhibition halls; two modernised halls; interactive displays and virtual reality interpretation; Haynes Motorland Children’s adventure play zone, suite of function rooms, Café 750 and Museum shop, all to be opened

On 16 April 2014 Guest of Honour, the Hon Ed Vaizey MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, will officially open the new Haynes International Motor Museum, in Sparkford, Somerset showcasing some of the greatest cars from around the world.

After over ten years of planning, two and a half years of building work and a privately funded £5 million investment, the new Museum, which is an educational charitable trust, will be one of the UK’s top visitor attractions.

Three new exhibition halls

With three new exhibition halls – Minis and Micros, Century of Supercars, Motorcycle Mezzanine – the Museum offers a tour through time and geographies, with each room themed, from the American Room, Dawn of Motoring, Veteran, Vintage & Pre-War Classics, the famous Red Room, to some of our own classic British family cars in ‘Memory Lane’, the British Motorcycle Collection and the world’s largest collection of Speedway Motorbikes and memorabilia.

As well as having capacity to further grow the collection, the new Museum is increasingly interactive and modern with more functionality and displays than ever before, including a leading edge reality experience where visitors can ‘virtually’ re-spray a real Mini motorcar. The new façade gives an impressive glass s-shaped entrance foyer leading into the Museum where, beyond the exhibition halls, there is the new Haynes Motorland Children’s adventure play zone, and the well established workshops where the cars are kept in full working order. Off the new entrance foyer lies Café 750 with private dinning space and the ‘Engine Rooms’ suite of function rooms.

Speaking about the new development John H. Haynes OBE, Chairman of Haynes International Motor Museum, commented: “I could never have dreamed when I started out that, nearly thirty years on, we would be in a position to unveil what I believe is one of the greatest motoring collections. Now space is no longer an issue, I am looking forward to continuing to build the collection with more iconic cars and motorcycles from across the globe, shared with all age groups and backgrounds, whether enthusiasts, families or tourists. I hope the increased facilities will encourage guests to spend a day here and really enjoy the range’s breadth and the story behind each exhibit.”

Marc Haynes, Managing Director of Haynes International Motor Museum, added: “It is very exciting to be launching our new Museum. The whole Museum team is delighted with what has been achieved in this major project and looks forward to continuing to grow the interpretation and collections. This is also good news for the economy. We have used local contractors during the course of construction, already been recruiting new staff and expect the new Museum will bring additional tourism, not only to the local area but to the South West as a whole and even to the UK, not to mention making a great venue for a function, wedding or memorable event.”

www.haynesmotormuseum.co.uk

A life time dream

First established in 1985 by John H. Haynes OBE with just 33 cars, the new Museum will now house over 400 cars and motorcycles from around the world. These date from a remarkable exact working replica of the first production car ever made - an 1885 Benz - to the present day, from the mighty AC Cobra, elegant Rolls Royce Phantom Two Sedanca Deville, 1930 Morris Oxford Six Saloon to King Edward VII’s 1905 impressive Daimler Detachable Top Limousine.

As a charitable trust, John Haynes’ original goal – to share his private collection of historic cars for the enjoyment of anyone from anywhere in the world be they fellow enthusiasts, families, tourists, or schools alike, whilst also continuing to have an educational value giving insight into the historical development and evolution of motorcars and engineering – has remained at the forefront of this project.

Riders in the 2014 Michelin Power Cup have the chance to win a brand new bike – thanks to the backing of Suzuki. The keys of the GSXR 600 will go to someone who buys a Michelin tyre at a Hottrax Motorsport series.

To better the chances of getting their hands on the 600cc machine, racers can be entered into the draw more than once, as for each Michelin tyre purchased, riders will be given a voucher to enter. The more tyres that racers purchase, the more chances they will have to win!

For amateur racers (pro or novice) the Michelin Power Cup Championships provide the ultimate racing experience at extremely competitive prices. With all the drama and excitement of professional racing, riders will experience the same level of paddock camaraderie, expert advice, generous hospitality and prestigious podium trophy ceremonies.

Racing around some of Britain’s best tracks, the action kicks off at Brands Hatch on March 22 and moves on to renowned circuits including Cadwell Park, Donington and Snetterton.

At each of the nine rounds, riders are guaranteed a timed practice, four competitive races, plus long distance riding around the best of Britain’s professional circuits.

The 5th Michelin Power Cup is set to be bigger and better than ever before and now for the first time includes a separate ‘rookie’ championship designed specifically for novice racers.

Both pro and novice championships have two classes for 600 and 1000 superstock based machines, all racing with Michelin’s Power range of tyres.

Designed to set blistering times on the track, the range includes the championship’s namesake, Michelin Power Cup tyres. These are the ultimate in competition tyres – road legal and with superb track performance allowing for incredible grip in the corners and super-fast lap times.

James Dimmock, Marketing Manager for Michelin Motorcycle in the UK and Republic of Ireland, said: “We’re really pleased that Suzuki is getting behind the Michelin Power Cup and other Hottrax series in this way.

“The series already attracts support from across the industry, with sponsors including Alpinestars, Arai, Protyre and Fuchs Silkolene. Their support coupled with our passion here at Michelin for the Power Cup mean that the series is now in its fifth year of successful racing.

“The Michelin Power Cup is a unique series and being able to offer incentives like this just makes it all the more special.”

The prize draw for the GSXR 600 is in addition to a host of other incentives for competitors in the Michelin Power Cup, including cash prizes, sponsor prizes and hospitality.

The top three riders in the new Michelin Power Cup Rookie Championship will share a £3,000 prize fund, while pro championship racers can win £800 in Hottrax vouchers per round – making an impressive total pro championship prize fund of £7,200.

With some of the lowest prices in British amateur racing, entrants can get take their place on the grid for just £245 per round plus £35 yearly club membership.

Limited spaces are available. For anyone wanting to take part in the action, visit www.hottrax-motorsport.co.uk or call 08455 193 197 for more information.

To find out more about Michelin motorcycle tyres, visit moto.michelin.co.uk

Solo round the world rider Steph Jeavons embarks from Ace Cafe on her METZELER Enduro 3 Sahara equipped machine

Adventure tyre specialist METZELER announces support of both Ace Cafe London’s ‘Overland and Adventure Day’ (Sunday 23rd March) and round the World biker Steph Jeavons who will set off during the event on an epic two year trip.

Jeavons will attempt to become the first British woman to circumnavigate the globe via six continents (42 countries) by motorcycle. Her attempt is all the more impressive in that she will be avoiding main roads and riding a small trail bike Honda CRF250L (equipped with METZELER Enduro 3 Sahara tyres).

Where better for Steph to set off than from Ace Cafe London’s ‘Overland and Adventure Day’ supported by METZELER which will not only see the intrepid explorer on her way but will feature other seasoned travellers such as Sam Manicom, Lois Pryce, Austin Vince, Dom Giles and Graham Field, together with stands and displays by KTM, Jack Lilley Triumph, Brubeck UK, Adventure Peru, Tours on Two Wheels and James Cargo Services.

The event marks another chapter in the strong partnership between the tyre manufacturer and the iconic London cafe; including regular supported nights plus the launch of the METZELER Calendar and the company’s road racing activities last year.

METZELER is renowned for its strong presence in the all important Adventure sector with tyres such as the Enduro 3 Sahara, the KAROO™ 3 (for true on and off road grip) and TOURANCE™ Next (for long distance road adventures).

METZELER Product & Marketing Manager Jim Worland commented, “We are really pleased to be supporting the Ace Cafe’s Overland and Adventure Day. For METZELER, motorcycling is all about the journey and the theme of the day epitomises this. We will be on hand to talk to riders about anything tyre related and with our vast experience in extreme ‘Overland’ events such as the Dakar Rally with our KAROO™ Extreme tyre, supporting seasoned globetrotters such as Miguel Silvestre with the KAROO™ 3 and with the introduction of the new TOURANCE™ Next in 2013, we can really help when it comes to giving the right advice.”

METZELER are also running a Free MOT Promotion on many of their most popular tyres including the TOURANCE™ Next, rewarding customers with a refund on their annual MOT.

To view the entire range of Adventure tyres and the full product portfolio visit: www.metzeler.co.ukand to follow Steph’s progress visit www.onestephbeyond.com

For more info about what's on at the Ace:
www.ace-cafe-london.com

SUPERBIKE legends Carl Fogarty and James Whitman are set to make a pit stop in Solihull on the latest lap of their UK chat show tour.

Foggy and Whit have been revving up audiences across the UK for the last four years with their popular stage show ‘Foggy and Whit: Givin It Gas’.

The old rivals and best of friends compete in a hilarious, highly charged race down memory lane. Neither holds back and fans are treated to an evening of candid banter – live and uncut. Fuelled by the success of their 2014 January Tour, the pair will hit the road again for three extra dates in May, including a show at the National Motorcycle Museum. "We've never been to the National Motorcycle Museum before. I can imagine they’re pretty chuffed to get a couple of old relics like us!" jokes Whit.

The lads kick start their engines at The National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull on Tuesday May 13th.

And as an added bonus, any fans buying tickets for the show will also gain free entry to the museum, which contains the largest collection of British motorbikes in the world!

"It’s a win-win,” explains Foggy. “The National Motorcycle Museum is home to some of the most iconic racing bikes in the world so it’s the perfect venue for an event like this. The show itself is unscripted so even Whit and I never quite know what to expect, which is part of the fun! This is our fourth UK tour and we’ve never had one negative comment – bike fans seem to really love the format. It’s a chance to hear about some of the crazy stuff that happened off the track and never made the press.”

The show, featuring on-stage chat and questions from the audience, will last around two hours and feature a charity prize draw. Full bar & catering facilities are available at the Museum venue.

Tickets are priced at just £20 and for more details (including a great hotel offer) about how to purchase visit www.foggyandwhit.co.uk

Bikers from Shropshire and the wider Midlands area are invited to start the season off in style on Sunday 27th April 2014.

Bike4Life Fest is being held at RAF Museum Cosford in support for two local charities - the Midlands Air Ambulance and Royal Air Force Museum. The event is being run in collaboration with the Safer Roads Partnership and West Mercia Police and this year is being supported by radio station Planet Rock and is set to be the biggest organised biker gathering in the Midlands this year.

The event will feature various trade stands, bike dealers, arena displays, live music at the Planet Rock stage and refreshments with plenty to entertain the non bikers of the family! The popular Bike4Life Ride Out will also be taking place on the same day, and is expected to attract over 2,000 bikers. Leaving from Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, the 23 mile Ride Out will finish at the event at RAF Museum Cosford where all the bikers can enjoy the entertainment on offer at the Bike4Life Festival.

There will be the opportunity to speak to various local clubs and dealers, watch the activities on display in the arena and enjoy live music and food with fellow bikers. One of the main focuses of the event will be the opportunity to speak to The Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists (IAM), Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and other trainers to find out more about further training and additional courses that are out there to brush up on your biking skills.

Vicki Bristow from the Safer Roads Partnership says: “It promises to be a great day out for riders. It doesn’t matter if you’re thinking about buying a bike, just getting started, or have been riding for years and are an experienced biker there will be something there for everyone. Put the 27th April in your diary now so you don’t miss the event!”

With hundreds of bikers already signed up, organisers are expecting thousands will show their support on the day and join in the fun, so, if you’re a biker and you’re not already registered for the Ride Out or just want to find out more visit www.bike4lifefest.com or call the Bike4Life Festival team on 01902 376 252. Find us on Facebook by searching for Bike4Life Fest and follow us on Twitter @Bike4LifeFest.

The festival will run from 10:00am to 4:00pm and visitors of all ages, not just bikers are encouraged to come along. Bikers wishing to participate in the ride out MUST have a full licence as the route to the Museum will travel along the M54 motorway.

Bikers can find out more information on the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity by visiting www.midlandsairambulance.com or for more information on the RAF Museum Cosford visit www.rafmuseum.org.

Further details about the Safer Roads Partnership can be found at www.srpwestmercia.org.uk