Bennetts, the UK's No.1 Bike Insurance Specialist, has agreed a major multi-year deal to be the title sponsor of the new Classic TT Races, which will be held annually on the Isle of Man in August.

The event will be known as 'The Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts' and the deal underlines the company's commitment to bringing the motorcycling community and industry together.

Bennetts has recently enhanced its classic bike insurance cover, which is available directly from Bennetts.co.uk or from the Bennetts specialist call centre. Until recently Bennetts quoted models dating back 50 years but now, for the first time, motorcycles from 1900 onwards can be quoted online. Around 10 per cent of UK bikes* on the road today are classics and many classic bike owners also have a modern bike as well, which can be covered under one Bennetts multi-bike policy.

The Classic TT takes place over the Bank Holiday weekend in August, 23rd - 26th with three races held over the famous 37 ¾ mile TT Mountain circuit, the VMCC Festival of Jurby, a stunning Parade Lap and additional activity including period events, exhibitions of exotic racing motorcycles, legendary riders autograph session and air displays all add up to an incredible celebration of motorcycling nostalgia.

In the 'Bennetts 500cc Classic TT Race', TT 2013 victors John McGuinness and Michael Dunlop will meet once again racing alongside stars such as Bruce Anstey, Conor Cummins, William Dunlop, Guy Martin, Cameron Donald, James Hillier and Gary Johnson all of whom will be riding priceless machines from iconic marques such as Paton, Matchless, Norton, MV Agusta, BSA, Moto Guzzi, Ducati, Vincent, AJS, Aermacchi and the established Japanese manufacturers, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki while the world renowned Yamaha Classic Racing team will also be participating in their first and only competitive race meeting before being disbanded.

Away from the racing, a number of motorcycling legends and former World Champions are scheduled to appear in the Classic Racer Classic TT 'Lap of Honour' which will also feature in the two-hour ITV4 TV programme. Fifteen-time World Champion Giacomo Agostini will be involved in the Lap of Honour as well as recreating the 1967 TT in a special parade lap with John McGuinness.

Bennetts has a long association with the TT Races, which began in 2007 when the company was the title sponsor of the Centenary TT. In recent years Bennetts has been the official insurance sponsor of the TT Races, a partnership which has included title sponsorship of the Lightweight TT in 2012 when leveraging support BikerPetition.co.uk and in 2013 under the guise of BikeSocial.co.uk.

Commenting on the deal Hannah Squirrell, Marketing Director of Bennetts said: "Bennetts has over 80 years of heritage and with our recent classic bike insurance developments we are delighted to extend our association with the Isle of Man by becoming the title sponsor of the Classic TT. We believe that the event will have a great future and it has already generated significant interest and profile within the biking community."

Laurence Skelly, MHK, Political Member, Isle of Man Government Department of Economic Development for Tourism and Motorsport commented: "To have attracted the support of a major UK brand in Bennetts is a real boost to the event in its first year. The company is already a valued partner of the TT Races and we look forward to working with Bennetts at the Classic TT as well."

He continued: "Early indications are that we will see an increase in visitors to the Isle of Man as a result of this event as well as significant media coverage and stand alone revenue from our commercial partners which is hugely important for the event's long term success."

-- * 1.3m road legal bikes, 133k classics (older than 1973 and tax exempt

Heritage Motor Centre to host brand new "Classic post-war Motorcycle Show"

The Heritage Motor Centre is launching a brand new show this year for enthusiasts of postwar 1945 motorcycles.

The “Classic post-war Motorcycle Show” will take place on Sunday 25 August and is expected to attract over 700 bikes from a host of motorcycle clubs and private individuals. Although the HMC currently organises the annual nostalgic Banbury Run for pre-1931 motorcycles & 3 wheelers, it appeared there was a gap in the events calendar to showcase motorcycles from the post war era.

In addition to the display of these marvelous machines including BSA, Triumph, Matchless, Norton, Kawasaki and Yamaha, visitors can also chat about biking experiences with fellow bikers plus wander around a bike jumble and trade stands as well as enjoying refreshments and a live band.

Tom Caren, Show Manager for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “We are delighted to be launching a new show to showcase post-war motorcycles.  The post-war classic motorcycle scene is a popular area for enthusiasts of both British and foreign motorcycles. With over 700 bikes on display, these nostalgic machines will be a fantastic spectacle to admire plus being a great day out to meet other like-minded enthusiasts!”

Onsite camping is available on the Saturday night and visitors are advised to enquire at the time of booking. Motorcycle entries are £7 per person. Spectator prices are £12 for Adults, £10 for Concessions, £8 for Children (Age 5-16) and under 5’s are free. For advanced tickets please call 01926 645029.

www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

We are always looking for more marshals to work the gates, sort traffic, check campsites and showfields plus other duties. If you do 12 hours over the weekend (this may include some evening hours) you will get your ticket money refunded, a limited edition t-shirt, and fed for every 4 hour shift and an invite to the marshal party on the Sunday night. Application forms are available at

www.storminthecastle.co.uk

BMF Show organisers The Mulberry Group have said that as a result of a very successful Kelso Bikefest,(5-7 July)  the BMF Tailend Show (13-15 September) is looking very good.

“The Kelso weekend gave us a large increase on last year’s attendance” said Mulberry’s MD Martin Chick, “and the weather helped enormously, as a result, bookings for Tailend are now coming in thick and fast”.

Tailend will again feature a stunt competition throughout the weekend with over 30 riders from all over the world including the USA, Europe and hopefully Australia and organisers are hoping to install temporary grandstand seating to give visitors an even greater view of the action. 

The show weekend will also be the last chance for people to get their raffle tickets to win the trip of a lifetime with Riders for Health on one of their Experience Africa rides – the winning ticket will be drawn at the show on Sunday 15th September. The BMF Shows may not be back to the numbers of the mid/late 70’s, but things are definitely moving in the right direction and the Tailend Show will be a great party.

Keep up to date with full developments via www.thebmfshow.co.uk

Next Show date: Tailend 13-15 September, Peterborough Arena 

About the BMF Shows

The BMF shows have been running for over 38 years. The shows offer members and non-members the opportunity to meet other bikers and to learn more about the work of the BMF.

The May Show (17-19 May 2013) is the season ‘opener’ and held at the Peterborough Arena (formerly the East of England Showground).

It is one of Europe’s largest (if not the largest) motorcycle shows. The BMF Kelso Bikefest, (5-7 July 2013) held at the Union Borders Showground, is positioned to be accessible bikers in Scotland and the North of England and is the second show of the season. 

The final offering of the season is wrapped up with the Tailend Show, again in Peterborough, (13 - 15 September 2013) where, amongst other things a World Stunt Competition will be held.

About the BMF

The British Motorcyclists Federation was established in 1960 and was formed to represent all motorcyclists. The bmf's successful lobbying defeated such ill-conceived ideas as leg-protectors and the 100bhp limit restriction and continues to Promote, Pursue and Protect the rights of all motorcyclists.

www.bmf.co.uk

The Pata Honda pairing of Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam are preparing for this weekend’s (19-21 July) eighth-round World Superbike championship races at Moscow Raceway in Russia.

Following last season’s inaugural World Superbike event in Russia, this weekend marks the championship’s second visit to the tight 3.931km circuit which lies 80km to the west of Moscow, with Sunday’s opening 25-lap race marking the halfway point of the 2013 SBK season.

Rea is in good form, having enjoyed podium finishes at each of the last two rounds in Portugal and Italy, but the 26-year-old did not enjoy good fortune during his last visit to Moscow Raceway. Rea crashed out of race one last season and came home seventh in the second outing after being taken out by another rider.

Haslam, too, had his second race terminated by another rider last season and had only one sixth place finish to show for his efforts. However, the 30-year-old is feeling stronger in the left leg that is still recovering from an early-season fracture and he tested last week alongside his Pata Honda team-mate for the forthcoming Suzuka 8-hour race which takes place just one week after this weekend’s Moscow SBK event.

Leon Haslam

I was pretty sore after Imola and went straight into testing there on the Monday after the race, followed by the Suzuka test. But it all went well and Suzuka was actually a little easier and less physical with the lower power from the endurance bike. It was nice to get home though, and to enjoy some good weather. I’m really looking forward to Moscow despite disappointing results there last season with a couple of crashes. But we were at the sharp end and competitive and the circuit should be good for the Honda. Hopefully, I’ll be able to ride it a little more normally this weekend as I’m able to put some more weight through the pegs, even though it’s through my heel rather than the front of the foot. But it’ll definitely be better than at Imola.

Jonathan Rea

It’s been nice to have a few days relaxing in this good weather because it’s been pretty flat-out since Imola, with the test there and then a couple of days at Suzuka. Moscow’s a unique circuit – tight and twisty and not necessarily the favourite of many riders. But I think it could play to the strengths of the CBR, especially the first two sectors. We struggled a bit at the end of the lap last year, but I think we’ve got some ideas on how to deal with that. I’d be happy to continue the podium form we’ve had in the last couple of rounds but it’s important for us to string two good results together. At the last two races we’ve been strong in the first two days but then something’s gone wrong in one of the races. I’m confident that we’ve addressed problems that we faced earlier in the season, so I hope that will allow us two good results on Sunday.

2013 World Superbike championship, round eight

Moscow Raceway, Russia – weekend schedule (local times – GMT+4)