RST has signed an exclusive deal to be the official safety partner of the inaugural Classic TT Races on the Isle of Man in 2013.

RST motorcycle clothing, which has been manufactured and distributed by UK based Moto Direct for over 20 years, will receive a series of high profile sponsor benefits including trackside advertising, programme, web and race guide ads, paddock and Classic TT VIP club branding. The company's sponsorship also includes title sponsorship of the Classic TT 'heroes' dinner, which will carry the 'in association with RST' credit.

The company will operate a temporary retail store from one of the retail units behind the main TT Grandstand as part of the sponsorship and RST are producing a special Ltd edition RST Classic TT safety partner T-Shirt that will be exclusively available from the RST temporary store.

The Classic TT has already achieved some high profile commercial and economic successes with a title sponsor signed up, significant media coverage confirmed including a two hour ITV4 show as well as international TV deals and a projected 17% year on year increase of motorbikes from the previous year's Manx Grand Prix Festival. Many of the leading TT Race specialists have confirmed entries and they will go 'head-to- head' against Classic Racing specialists in the three races.

Laurence Skelly, MHK, Political Member, Isle of Man Government Department of Economic Development for Tourism and Motorsport commented: "We are delighted to have the endorsement of a prestigious, high profile company such as RST in the Classic TT's inaugural year. Sponsors and partners are vital for us to secure the long-term future of the event."

Jonny Towers, RST commented: "When we first heard about the Classic TT we felt we had to be involved. The Isle of Man is a true icon in world motorcycling and the event features some of the most definitive machines in motorcycle race history. The event gives us the perfect platform to showcase RST, alongside our sponsored rider line up including TT champions and legends like Cameron Donald, to a knowledgeable group of bike fans."

 

While the rest of us have been skiving, Jim S has been hard at work making the website look shiny and adding a new sexy photo album.

Take a look at all the Stormin' Photos and see if you can spot yourself, if you have batches of photos you think we may be interested in using on the website, give us a shout or drop a disk off with them on this year.

Please put them in a file with the year, its a whole lot easier than playing guess the year on FaceAche ;-)

www.storminthecastle.co.uk

The British Superbike Championship headed back to Cheshire this weekend for an action-packed triple-header at the second Oulton Park round of the season. Ducati enjoyed another excellent weekend, with some superb racing in the TriOptions 848 Challenge, progress in the main BSB class and a second victory of the season for Tristan Palmer in National Superstock 1000.

Palmer continued his run of excellent form and proved beyond all doubt that the Panigale in the right hands is a formidable machine in the class. He blitzed the rest of the field on his Rapido Sport Racing machine in qualifying to go fastest on a 1:38.317s despite losing some valuable track time earlier in the day to a wheel-speed sensor failure. From pole Palmer made a clean getaway and held the lead in the all-important opening laps. He was unable to break away at the front, but controlled the pace brilliantly to hold off the attentions of Adam Jenkinson and Tommy Aquino by just 0.2s over the line after 14 laps. Tristan now moves into fifth in the championship standings – an amazing feat given that he has only contested half of the rounds so far this season.

Matteo Baiocco has been consistently faster in every session this weekend in the main BSB class. Progressing through to the second part of qualifying yesterday he could only manage 18th on the grid for race one which was staged late on in the afternoon. He made steady progress on the 1199 Panigale RS to finish three places ahead of where he started and in the points in 15th. With more track time came more confidence for the reigning Italian Superbike champion, and in race two he was able to battle his way through from 17th on the grid to cross the line 13th and well inside the points. Starting the final contest again from 17th, Matteo made up a place early on but couldn’t quite make it into the points, crossing the line 16th despite once again making progress in terms of lap time.

Dennis Hobbs celebrated a double win coming out on top in two thrilling TriOptions 848 Challenge races. In race one Hobbs took the honours ahead of Leon Morris and Marty Nutt following an exciting six-way scrap. In race two Hobbs was embroiled in a battle with Ben Field who was to push Hobbs all the way before crashing out on the final lap, leaving Morris and Nutt to again finish 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Tristan Palmer said:

“It was the perfect weekend to take pole and the race win. The Ducati worked great for the whole race, I lost a bit of grip near the end but I knew the guys were following me so I made it difficult for them by riding nice tight lines and not giving them any space to get past. I was trying to gap them for the first half of the race but realised it wasn’t happening, so I knew it would go right to the end. I didn’t want to let them past, and instead I stayed consistent and made them to all the work.”

Matteo Baiocco, Rapido Sport Racing Ducati said:

“My start was not so bad, but I lost places in the first two corners, I tried different lines but it was difficult, I have not been fast in these moments of the race, every time I start behind it is difficult especially at this track it is hard to overtake, but lap times were OK, I just need to start better in the first two corners. The bike was better than the first race (race 2), but the position was not so good, this race was better because we finish much closer to the top riders. I am happy because the bike is better but the positions were not, I tried my best and now we look forward to Cadwell.”

Steve Moore, team principal, Rapido Sport Racing said:

“The lap times are good now, much better than last year, but there is too much work starting from 17th on the grid. We are struggling with a lack of testing time at each circuit, we are still making changes between qualifying one and two and then testing again in warm up, if we qualified again at the end of the today we would be just outside the top ten. After the safety car went in in race three, Matteo was in 19th but lapping the same pace as the guys in sixth and seventh, so we know the pace is there. Points in two of the three races is not too bad.”

BMF Show organisers The Mulberry Group, announce line up of riders for the World Stunt Competition to be held at the BMF Tailed Show, 13-15 September, Peterborough Arena.

“Working with Vertical Trix, the audience at this year’s Tailend will see possibly the best riders in the World today competing throughout the whole weekend” said Martin Chick, Mulberry’s MD

“The line-up is spectacular and the crazy thing is that this Stunt Competition is available to everyone at the show once they’ve bought their ticket – no extras to pay, no additional ticket required and we’ve even installed grandstand seating so people get an even better viewing platform”

The riders competing will be: Rafal Pasierbek (Poland) - Monster energy rider, the Worlds No1 rider Wojciech Kozioł (Poland) – Triumph sponsored rider Ricky Salt (UK) Piotr Frąckiewicz (Poland) - Triumph rider. Florian Dernuet (France) Kane Friesen (USA / Canada) - Factory Kawasaki rider and Monster energy Jesse Toler (USA) - World record stoppie holder 150mph and 1500ft Oliver Schubnel (France) Mark van driel (uk) Lee bowers (uk) Jānis Rozītis (Latvia) Juanan Del Fresno Guillem (Spain / Italy) Damien Dam'stunt Van-theemsche ( France) Aras Gibieža (Lithuania) Winner at BMF Tailend 2012.  Redbull rider. Nico Koek (Netherlands) Romain Jeandrot (France) Julien Welsch (France) - Factory Triumph rider, Kim Van Hoeck (Belgium) Josh Turner (UK) Ernest Komorowski (Poland) Joe Ephgrave (UK) Marcin Glowacki (Poland) - Kawasaki rider Adam Liversidge (Uk) Piotr Piotrowski (Poland) Monika Koch (Poland/Uk) Baz Brittain (UK) Kevin Kafon Parussini (France) Paul Jennings (UK) Remy Desicy (France) Javi Almazan Lopez (Spain) Mark Fisher (UK) Jakub Kokoszka (Poland/Ireland) Lukasz Belz (Poland) Jurrien Hillen (Holland) Lukasz Madej (Poland) David Boyd (USA)

The World Stunt Competition in conjunction with Vertical Trix will be held at the BMF Tailend Show 13-15 September at the Peterborough Arena.

Tickets available now: www.thebmfshow.co.uk or call 0844 8845151

One of the highlights of this year’s inaugural Classic TT in association with Bennetts will be the Classic Racer Magazine Classic TT Lap of Honour which is set to take place on Bank Holiday Monday and with the entry packed with both legendary riders and iconic, and exotic, machinery to match it promises to be something very special indeed.

Reading like a who’s who of International road racing from the past 50 years, the line-up includes a combined – and staggering – total of no less than 42 World Championships, 304 Grand Prix wins and 98 TT victories. Never before has such an array of talent been assembled on the Isle of Man and it’s going to be a privilege for all concerned to witness such an amazing spectacle. It’s fair to say the words ‘not to be missed’ don’t do it justice. Here’s as selection of who’ll be taking to the Mountain Course:

John McGuinness (England)

The current King of Mountain, McGuinness has now taken a staggering 20 TT wins whilst he’s also achieved more podiums – 41 – than any other rider. The outright lap record holder will ride his own 250cc Honda, a replica of the machine upon which he won his first TT race in 1999.

Phillip McCallen (Northern Ireland)

McCallen was very much the man to beat in the big bike classes at the TT during the 1990s and won 11 race wins during his career, including four in 1996 and three in 1997. The Northern Irishman will take part in the parade on board one of his race winning RC45 Honda’s.

Ralf Waldmann (Germany)

German rider Waldmann made his name in the 125cc World Championship before going on to even greater success in the 250cc category. Twice runner-up to Max Biaggi, Waldmann won 20 GPs and stood on the rostrum 50 times and he’ll take part in the parade lap on the super exotic DKW taken to TT victory in 1938 by German rider Ewald Kluge, which is part of the Audi Tradition collection.

Carlos Lavado (Venezuela)

Venezuelan Lavado was one of the most naturally gifted 250cc and 350cc riders of the late 1970s and 1980s, going on to win two 250cc World titles in 1983 and 1986. In total, Lavado took 19 GP wins and 42 podiums and will ride a replica of his 1983 World Championship winning machine for the Yamaha Classic Racing Team, Yamaha OW47.

Freddie Spencer (USA)

American ace Spencer remains the youngest ever winner of the 500cc World Championship, which he took in 1983, and two years later created history by becoming the first – and only – man to win the 250cc and 500cc titles in the same season. He’ll ride a 500 NS Honda..

Kork Ballington (South Africa)

Ballington came to the fore in the 1970s when he was a formidable privateer in the 250cc and 350cc classes and it was that form that saw him snapped up by Kawasaki. Four World titles and 31 GP wins followed on the ‘green meanies’ and he’ll make his first appearance on the Isle of Man riding a 750cc H2R Kawasaki for Team Collins and Russell.

Manuel Herreros (Spain)

Like a number of his countrymen, Herreros was an expert in the small categories, with his greatest success coming on the Spanish Derbi machines. Nicknamed ‘Champi’, Herreros won the 1989 80cc World Championship and will ride that same machine here on the island.

Phil Read (England)

One of only two riders to win World titles in the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc categories, Read won 52 GPs and stood on the podium 121 times during his phenomenal career, the latter still the fourth highest total of all time. The 8-times World Champion will ride the 500cc RG Suzuki that he campaigned during the 1976 500cc World Championship for Team Classic Suzuki.

Steve Baker (USA)

The first American to win a motorcycle World Championship, Baker took the 1977 750cc title, also finishing second in that year’s 500cc series. Winner of the Daytona 200, Baker is back on the island riding a 1978 OW31 750cc Yamaha for the Yamaha Classic Racing Team.

Bruce Anstey (New Zealand)

Since making his TT debut in 1996, Anstey has gone on to become one of the greatest road racers not just of his generation but of all time too. With eight TT wins and 27 podiums to his name, the Kiwi will take to the Mountain Course on the incredible, and iconic, Britten V1000 machine.

Giacomo Agostini (Italy)

Still the most successful motorcycle rider of all time, Agostini won 15 World titles and 122 GPs during his illustrious career as well as 10 TT Races, the latter all achieved on MV Agusta. Ago will take to the Mountain Course once more on the Yamaha Classic Racing Team 350cc Yamaha OW16 that took him to the 1975 350cc World Championship.

Kel Carruthers (Australia)

Australian ace Carruthers took the 1969 250cc World Championship as well as TT wins on Benelli and Yamaha machinery before going on to become one of the finest GP technicians of all time, working with the likes of Kenny Roberts and Eddie Lawson. Will ride a replica of the Benelli machine that took him to that World title.

Ryan Farquhar (Northern Ireland)

A three times TT winner, no-one has won more Irish road races than Farquhar with the Dungannon rider having won a staggering 199 races! With ten victories at the Manx Grand Prix, the second highest total ever, Farquhar will ride the 500cc Paton that took him to five of those race wins.

Michael Dunlop (Northern Ireland)

Despite still being only 24, Dunlop has already taken 7 TT wins and 13 podiums as well as being the current holder of two lap records and a great, record-breaking career lies ahead of him. He’ll ride the 500cc RGV Suzuki that Kenny Roberts jnr rode in the 1999 500cc World Championship.

Chas Mortimer (England)

One of the finest road racers of the 1970s, Mortimer could ride – and win – on all classes of machinery although his greatest success came in the 125cc, 250cc and 350cc categories. An 8 times TT winner, Mortimer will ride a 350cc Yamaha in the Classic TT Lap of Honour.

Brian Reid (Northern Ireland)

Twice World Formula Two Champion, Reid was a road racer of the highest calibre right up until his retirement in 1994 and with 5 TT wins and 10 podiums, he’s still rightly revered amongst the racing fraternity. One of the famed ‘Dromara Destroyers’, Reid will ride a 500cc RG Suzuki for Team Classic Suzuki similar to what he raced in the 1980s.

Mick Grant (England)

A multiple British Champion, Grant rode for the factory Kawasaki, Honda and Suzuki teams during his career, winning no less than seven TT, also taking the outright lap record along the way. The Yorkshireman will contest the parade lap on board the same Team Classic Suzuki owned 500cc XR34 RG Suzuki that took him to victory in the 1981 Senior TT.

Steve Parrish (England)

A former British Champion, Parrish rode for the Heron Suzuki team in the 1970s before switching to Yamaha in the 1980s, going on to manage the official Loctite-sponsored British team. Now a well-known TT commentator, Parrish gets to ride the ex-Noriyuki Haga 750cc OWL7 Yamaha.

Steve Tonkin (England)

A formidable privateer throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Tonkin’s best days came during the 1980-82 period, winning three successive 250cc Vladivar Vodka Championships. He also took the 1981 Junior TT race on the Randle Armstrong before setting up firstly his own restoration business and more recently the production of café racers. This week will see the debut of the ‘Tonkin Tornado’.

Rod Gould (England)

Englishman Gould found fame as a privateer in the 1969s before being snapped up by Yamaha where he promptly won the 1970 250cc World Championship. A 10-time GP winner, the Oxfordshire rider then went on to become Yamaha’s European Racing Manager

Naomi Taniguchi (Japan)

Former GP rider Taniguchi created history in 1959 when he became the first Japanese rider to compete at World Championship level, finishing 6th in Honda’s very first Isle of Man TT race. He continued to ride for Honda up until 1965 and will ride a 250cc machine in the Parade Lap.

Stuart Graham (England)

Son of 1949 500cc World Champion Les Graham, Stuart rode for both the Honda and Suzuki factories during the 1960s, enjoying his best season in 1967 when he took third place in both the 50cc and 125cc World Championships. He won the 50cc TT race that year on the little Suzuki before going on to achieve success on four wheels.

Dave Roper (USA)

The first American to have ever won a TT, Classic race exponent Roper took the 1984 500cc Historic race and will be back on the island riding a 350cc 7R AJS for Team Obsolete.

With over 100 entries, other star riders include 1985 Production TT winner Mat Oxley (Yamaha R1), Finnish ace Pentti Korhonen (1972 250cc Yamaha), Malcolm Wheeler (250 RD05A Yamaha), Richard Quayle (Yamaha FZR750), Dan Cooper (500cc OW45 Yamaha), Steve Mercer (Yamaha OW01), Mark Miller (750cc OU45 Yamaha), Dan Kneen (Honda RC30), Ian Richards (Yamaha TZ250), South African Les van Breda (500cc RG Suzuki), Nigel Rollason (Yamaha TZ350), and John (Norton Metisse 850) and Derek Brindley (Yamaha TZ700).