Dunlop heralds newly crowned 125cc World Champion Nico Terol (Bankia Aspar Team 125cc) who took his title in fine fashion with a podium finish at the Circuito de la Comunitat Valenciana yesterday.

Terol wins the 63rd and final 125cc World Championship as the category now comes to a conclusion, to be replaced next year by Moto3. The final race was won by Spaniard Maverick Viñales (Blusens by Paris Hilton Racing). It was Dunlop’s 133rd consecutive race win in the open tyre competition championship.

Spaniard Terol came into the event needing to finish in 11th position or higher to secure his title. He was handed a gift as his rival Johann Zarco (Avant-AirAsia-Ajo) fell on lap 3. Zarco needed to win the race with Terol finishing lower than eleventh for Terol to be denied his crown. The final standings saw Terol on 302 points from Zarco’s 262 with Viñales third with 248.

For Dunlop as well as motorcycle racing it is an end of an era. Dunlop tyres contested the very first 125 cc World Championship round in 1949 and as well as this final event. In between, there have been countless wins for Dunlop tyres. Despite open tyre regulations, the last time a tyre manufacturer other than Dunlop was represented on the top step of the podium was in 2003.

Next season, Moto3 makes its debut to replace the 125cc World Championship and Dunlop tyres will adorn every competitor thanks to Dunlop having been awarded the exclusive tyre supply contract for this exciting new series.

The first Moto3 test takes place today (Monday November 7) at the Circuito de la Comunitat Valenciana.

Quotes

Nico Terol - Bankia Aspar Team 125cc – 2011 125cc World Champion:
“Winning the championship for me is incredible and this moment is the best in my life; to be champion is amazing. Dunlop’s tyres were even better than they were last year in both rain and dry conditions. In the wet the tyres were more forgiving and in dry conditions the slick tyres are so good – perfect in tight corners and in fast corners incredible! For me, Dunlop’s tyres are perfect, so congratulations to Dunlop for all their hard work!”

Sharon Antonaros, Director Motorcycle PBU EMEA Motorcycle Business Unit:
“Firstly, I would like to thank all the Dunlop personnel who constantly strive for improved performance from our products and give their time and dedication both at the track and in our development and production departments. Our participation in the 125cc World Championship has been a vital part of Dunlop’s DNA to further our technological development. This has ultimately benefitted all riders who use Dunlop products, whether they be on the track or on the road. We say a fond farewell to the 125cc World Championship and look to Moto3 with expectation. Congratulations to Nico Terol and the Bankia Aspar Team for their title.

Stephen Male Dunlop Motorcycle Motorsports Manager:
“We say goodbye to the 125cc World Championship with a new and worthy champion crowned in Nico Terol. For Dunlop, it is an end of an era as we supplied tyres to the very first 125cc World Championship event, and now we have done so to the final. The final race winner, Maverick Viñales, won the 133rd race in this category on Dunlop tyres, despite the regulations allowing other manufacturers to compete. Although this was the last year of 125, we still introduced two new specifications showing Dunlop’s commitment to continuous evolution. Now we start the next challenge of Moto3.”

Alan Nicholls, Dunlop Motorsport, Senior Engineer:
"Congratulations to Nico and the whole of the Bankia Aspar Team. Nico has been consistently hard to beat all season. He has been a genuine star throughout the year and is a worthy final addition to the long list of 125cc World Champions. It is sad to say goodbye to the last of the original World Championship categories, but with the success seen in Moto2 we can only look forward to similar success and excitement in Moto3.”

BILLY CONNOLLY TAKES THE ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP

Billy takes the ultimate road trip as he travels the world’s most famous highway, Route 66.  Billy Connolly’s Route 66 drives onto Blu-ray and DVD on the 10th October 2011 from Universal Pictures (UK) Ltd.  Also available to buy and download from i-tunes.

From the all-new ITV1 series, produced by Maverick Television, Billy Connolly’s Route 66 sees Billy turn Easy Rider as he follows a lifelong dream and makes the iconic 2488 mile journey from Chicago to Santa Monica.

Route 66 is the embodiment of the American Dream. Millions have travelled its epic trail from the skyscrapers of Chicago and St Louis, through the Wild West badlands of Oklahoma and Texas, the Grand Canyon and deserts of New Mexico and Arizona, to the beaches of the Pacific and the excesses of LA. 

Set to a soundtrack of some of the best American music of the 20th century, Billy also brings his banjo along for the ride.  With his unrivalled ability to tell a great story, he brings to life both the big and small moments of American history: the world changing events and the comic asides. 

Billy says: “Travelling Route 66 has always been a lifelong ambition - It brings together some of my favourite things -my trike, my banjo and America.   The ultimate road trip”

On his way, Billy meets disciples of Route 66, from seasoned “roadies” to first-timers living the dream.  And he isn’t just passing through: anything could happen on the way... from swapping his Boom trike for a horse saddle in Texas, to soaring above LA in a helicopter with the city’s traffic patrol.

Includes over 40mins of exclusive, never been seen before, DVD extras - featuring Billy’s hilarious video diary from his road trip.

Billy Connolly’s Route 66 is the definitive DVD and Blu-ray, also available to buy and download from i-tunes this Autumn.

DVD Details

Billy Connolly’s Route 66

12 TBC

DVD/Blu-ray/i-tunes

RRP:  

DVD: £19.99

Blu-ray: £24.99

Following a thorough review of its activities, the British Motorcyclists Federation is to outsource the organisation and administration of its portfolio of popular shows.

Event specialists the Mulberry Group, organisers of all BMF outside events since September of 2009, will now take on all administration for the BMF Show, BMF Kelso Bikefest and the BMF Tailend Show.

The decision follows an analysis of BMF activities and the resources currently available. Although the organisation of BMF events has been outsourced since 2007, certain aspects of the administration and finance have remained in house and it is these that will now be included within the new arrangement.

Speaking on the announcement, Peter Laidlaw, BMF Director of Member Services said: “Our events have always been a means to an end, raising funds to support our primary role of representing the road rider and with Mulberry proving themselves to be a reliable and enthusiastic partner, this new arrangement will allow us to concentrate on that primary role.”

The Mulberry Group’s Managing Director Martin Chick said: "Since day one we have been committed to making the BMF’s shows a success and are delighted to have now been entrusted with the BMF’s whole event management package. As a motorcyclist, I want to see the BMF succeed in its role of representing motorcycling and we will do everything we can to assist them in fulfilling that aim by putting on top quality BMF events.”

www.bmf.co.uk

The IAM is calling for the government to pilot an 80 mph speed limit on a controlled and managed motorway to assess its practicality and safety, and road users’ reaction to it.
 
In September the government announced that the motorway speed limit could be raised to 80mph.
 
On uncongested motorways more than half of car drivers exceed the 70mph speed limit, and around a fifth exceed 80 mph*; it is rare for the police to prosecute drivers travelling between 70 and 80mph*1.
 
Road safety groups have raised a concern that legalising today’s tolerated, yet unofficial, 80 mph speed limit would simply create an unofficial 90 mph limit. If this happened average traffic speeds would increase, as would accidents and their severity – more people could be killed and seriously injured.
 
The IAM highlights the need for a full risk assessment of an increase in the speed limit, and believes strict enforcement is required to ensure greater compliance with the limit. For example driving at 82mph should risk a speeding ticket.
 
The IAM wants to see 80mph trialled initially on “Controlled Motorways” and “Managed Motorways” where variable speed limit technology is used. These have already been implemented successfully on the M25 orbital motorway in Surrey and the M42 in the West Midlands.
 
IAM CEO Simon Best said:  “A fifth of motorway-users already travel at this increased speed, and more than half exceed 72mph when they can, suggesting that a properly controlled 80mph limit may not show huge increases in carbon or road casualties. A detailed trial is needed to assess these risks though, and if they are shown to increase significantly, of course a better-enforced 70 limit may be a more appropriate system.
 
“Raising the motorway speed limit has been debated for many years, and the evidence is that the motoring public are ready for it*2. The transport secretary should now publish a consultation with firm proposals.”

www.iam.org.uk

After taking the Manufacturer World Title, it's a double win for the Italian brand in the 125's last season.

This makes the 38th world championship for Aprilia in Motorcycle Grand Prix racing. Aprilia has now won 49 World Championships in the various motorcycle disciplines.

Noale, November 6th, 2011 - With the second place earned today on the Valencia circuit Nico Terol was crowned 2011 World Champion in the 125 class.

This is a long sought after confirmation for the young Spanish rider, born in Alcoy on September 27th, 1988.

In the race which closed out the history of the 125 class, eleventh place would have been enough for Terol to take the title. But after Frenchman Johann Zarco crashed out in the beginning stages of the race - the only rival within reach of the title - Terol lost no time, even moving into first place ten laps from the end, and rode his Aprilia RSA to second place behind Maverick Viñales, also astride an Aprilia.

With confirmation Aprilia adds the 125 class rider title to the manufacturer title, already awarded four rounds before the end of the championship, and strengthens its record as the most victorious Italian and European manufacturer of all those active in MotoGP with 294 Grand Prix races won (151 in 125 and 143 in 250) and 38 championship titles (19 manufacturer titles and 19 rider titles).

Aprilia now has a total of 49 World Championships in their trophy case.

In fact, in addition to the 38 MotoGP titles, there are 9 titles in the Off Road discipline and 2 Superbike titles in the collection.

www.aprilia.it