From July motorcyclists as well as drivers must carry breathalyser in France
 
Latest advice from European motoring body the FIA says that drivers of all motor vehicles, including motorcyclists, will have to carry a breathalyser kit in their cars when travelling in France.
 
The IAM previously reported that from 1 July this year all drivers would need to carry a breathalyser kit, as French drivers will have to, but new information dictates that this €11 fine is applicable to all road users including motorcyclists, but excluding mopeds.
 
With a start date for the new measure of 1 July 2012, the rules will apply to anyone travelling to or through France by motor vehicle in the summer holiday season, even just for a day trip. This measure won’t actually be enforced until the 1 November 2012, giving road users time to prepare for the change.
 
Single-use breathalyser kits will satisfy the requirement. The legal limit in France is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood, lower than in the UK (the UK limit is 80mg). They cost between £1 and £2 and they will be available at ferry and tunnel terminals for crossings to France. It is intended that people will be able to test themselves to check whether or not they are over the French limit.
 
The IAM is advising all road users travelling in France to have at least two breathalysers at all times, so that if one is used you still have one to produce for the police if you are stopped.
 
Anyone driving in France is already required to carry a warning triangle and a fluorescent safety vest to use in an emergency. Motorcyclists should carry extra bulbs. Additionally UK motorists and motorcyclists must display a GB plate, and cars should have their headlights adjusted to the right.
 
IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: “The new French rule is a genuine attempt to reduce the number of alcohol related-accidents. France’s lower limit means it’s very easy to be over the limit the morning after as well. As always, the best advice for road users is not to drink and drive at all.”

www.iam.org.uk 

For the second consecutive year, Ace Cafe London is to be a part of the annual ACU (Auto Cycle Union) National Road Rally, to be held over the weekend of Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July 2012.
  
First held in 1933, it's the UK's longest running such event, with over 500 entries.  It is also the largest motor sport event run on the public highway.
 
There are categories for every type of two or three wheeler motorcycles and entries are welcome from beginners to seasoned adventurers.
 
Volunteers are needed for various "checkpoints", including at the Ace.
 
If you are interested in either volunteering or taking part, contact:
John Riches, ACU Rally
[email protected]

www.nationalroadrally.co.uk

Hanging Out -Youth culture then and now - 7th May -  4th September 2012

Full Spectrum Productions presents “Hanging Out - Youth culture then and now” in the Sackler Centre at the Victoria and Albert Museum.  Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, this free display includes a selection of work created at the Hanging Out project’s volunteer training activities, oral history workshops and events since October 2010. The display will focus on youth culture during 1950’s and 1960’s London under the sub themes of fashion, film, music, sport, protests and entertainment.

The display will feature a wall mural produced by sixth form pupils at the Haverstock School in Camden, of an authentic 1950’s Café, based on the legendary Ace Cafe London.  They will use a variety of mediums to create the mural and include photographs by Frank Monaco.

There will be a 1960’s garment display which will present garments from Laurence Corner, the famous army surplus retailer, such as The Beatles Sergeant Pepper style jackets and a 1960’s press cuttings book. 1950’s style garments made by the project’s volunteers will also be shown.

To be viewed on video monitors, there will be a selection of short films by London Film Academy students, a film by Simon Friedberg about the closing of the Laurence Corner shop, music performed  by the Hanging Out project’s volunteers and photographs by volunteers from the Creative Editing Workshop which was held at the Museum of London.

A collection of work from the ‘Images of Protest’ exhibition, held at the Rich Mix Gallery in January 2012, will form part of the display, featuring such icons as Muhammad Ali, Angela Davis and Che Guevara, alongside protest t-shirts designed and printed by the project’s volunteers at the V&A screen-printing workshops.

As well as the display, the opening night at the Victoria and Albert Museum will feature the premiere of the Hanging Out project’s documentary and the launch of its publication. Two monologues, based on oral history interviews, will be performed by young people within the Ace Cafe mural.

www.hangingout.org.uk

As Ducati starts production of its latest Superbike, the 1199 Panigale, it also prepares to mark the 40th anniversary of Paul Smart’s 1972 victory in the Imola 200. 

The famous race win, and second place by teammate Bruno Spaggiari, literally kick-started Ducati’s participation in production-derived racing by proving Engineer Fabio Taglioni’s innovative 90° L-twin engine configuration and Desmodromic valve control.
 
The Imola 200 victory was to be the start of many more international race wins using Taglioni’s original design, including Mike Hailwood’s® win in the 1978 Tourist Trophy with a Ducati 900, the titles won by Tony Rutter and the 600 TT2 Pantah from 1981 to 1983 and the championships won by Virginio Ferrari and Marco Lucchinelli with the 750 F1 in addition to the Battle of the Twins in Daytona in 1986. From 1988 onwards, Ducati’s World Superbike supremacy ran throughout the 851, 888, 916, 996, 998, 999, 1098 and 1198 model generations, enabling Ducati to achieve an incredible 17 Manufacturers’ and 14 Riders’ titles and over 300 World Superbike wins.
 
Ducati.com now celebrates this important anniversary, retracing the events that led Fabio Taglioni to produce the original race bike design based on the 750GT road machine and its arrival on the starting grid at Imola with Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari. Proving to be more than a match for the man who was then considered to be the greatest racer of all time, Giacomo Agostini on his MV, the result not only returned Ducati to the forefront of national attention, previously only enjoyed during the Motogiro d’Italia days of the 1950s, but also to motorcyclists all around the world.
 
The Italian manufacturer is set to organise a Ducati Vintage Contest and special display dedicated to the historic Imola 200 race and 40 years of success with Ducati L-twin engines at the World Ducati Week (WDW) event, at Misano 21-24 June 2012, with Paul Smart himself in attendance.
 
For further information about the history of the Imola 200 as well as more details about World Ducati Week 2012, visit the WDW2012 and Heritage sections of www.Ducati.com 

Exciting young Northern Ireland rider Lee Johnston will make his Mountain Circuit debut in June when he competes in the 2012 Isle of Man TT Races, fuelled by Monster Energy.

The former National Superstock 600cc Champion will contest the Dainese Superbike, Royal London 360 Superstock and PokerStars Senior TT races on a 1000cc Honda Fireblade for East Coast Racing. Moving to the 1000cc category for the first time in his career, Johnston’s appearance adds further spice to the entry list and reaffirms the status, and appeal, that the races hold once more.

Affectionately known as ‘The General’, the Maguiresbridge rider shot to stardom when he dominated the inaugural National Superstock 600cc Championship in 2008, finishing on the podium in 10 of the 12 rounds, also winning the race at Knockhill. He scored points in every round, never finishing lower than 7th, as he ran out eventual Champion by a commanding 41 points.

He made his real road-racing debut in 2008, contesting both of the Supersport races at the North West 200. Despite only being 19 at the time, Johnston made a major impression as he took 11th and 18th in the two races, defeating a number of more experienced riders including Adrian Archibald, Chris Palmer and Mats Nilsson.

On the back of winning the Superstock crown, Johnston moved up to the British Supersport 600cc Championship where he has ridden for the last three seasons. 2009 saw him finish 12th overall with three 5th place finishes for Raceways Yamaha and a year later he took 13th, aided by four top-ten finishes for Gearlink Kawasaki and Oxford TAG Triumph.

Last season saw him join East Coast Racing where he was teammate to TT winner Gary Johnson on Honda machinery and the season got off to a brilliant start with 4th and 6th at the opening round. He was a consistent top 8 finisher for the first two thirds of the season, taking four top-six finishes in total before the team withdrew from the championship.

He also made his return to the public roads where, despite the inclement weather, he took a superb 9th place in the solitary Supersport race held at the North West 200, just one tenth of a second behind Guy Martin.

Now 23, Johnston is eagerly looking forward to his TT debut in June and commented:
“I’ve already been over to the Isle of Man and done a good recce of the course with the rider liaison officers which has really whetted my appetite but I can’t wait to get on the track for real at the end of May. Coming from Northern Ireland, TT has always been on my radar and I’m delighted to be getting the chance to race on this iconic course.

”Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Manager, Isle of Man Government commented:
“Lee already has a proven road racing and circuits CV and he looks like he’s going to be a star on the Isle of Man for many years to come. It’s great to see another leading circuit rider committing to road racing and he typifies the breed of talented young riders that are now opting for the roads.”