Suzuki is set to welcome owners and enthusiasts to Cadwell Park on Friday 10 June for Suzuki Live, where the Japanese firm will celebrate both new and old models alike.

The day will bring together track sessions for bikes of all ages, test rides, special guests, classic bike displays, and a special parade lap for five of Barry Sheene’s iconic race bikes, recently restored by Suzuki’s Vintage Parts Programme.

Among others, celebrity special guests will include three-time British Superbike champion John Reynolds and World Superbike and EWC champion and MotoGP test rider-extraordinaire Sylvain Guintoli, and Danny Webb, who will be out on the RG500 he campaigned at the Classic TT for Team Classic Suzuki.

Key models from Suzuki’s on-road product range – including the new GSX-S1000GT sports tourer, GSX-S1000 naked, and third generation Hayabusa – will be available to test ride on the day on the stunning roads surrounding Cadwell Park. Those wishing to take a test ride must present a valid licence and produce a DVLA check code or National Insurance number.

A classic bike display will comprise a 1985 GSX-R750F, the TL1000s built brand new by the Vintage Parts Programme in 2014, a 1991 GSX-R1100L, and the Team Classic Suzuki Katana endurance racer.

Split into three groups, there are 111 track day spaces available on the day, costing £135 per person. However, access is free to those wishing to watch the action and the parades, or take a test ride.

Suzuki GB head of motorcycle marketing, Ian Bland, said, “It’s going to be a great celebration of Suzukis of all ages and at a circuit that is a firm favourite with many riders. Suzuki track days have been a regular feature of our events calendars in the past, however, for obvious reasons, they’ve been more difficult over the last couple of years. But this is shaping up to be a great event, with some great bikes and special guests too. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone and enjoying the action.”

Riders will be split into three groups on the day, based on their level of experience and the bike they are riding: Classic Novice for those new to track days or riding older classic machines, Classic Intermediate for those more familiar with track days or riding a classic model, and Open Advanced for the experienced riders on the latest Suzuki machinery.

Most motorcyclists know of the town and roads in and around Carmarthenshire and the small Drover’s Town of Llandovery. Many of us have stopped for a cup of coffee or a meal in one of the many biker-friendly cafes and restaurants in the town. However, a small group of residents recognised that there is more to offer than a swift brew and bacon butty and looked at ways to encourage people to stay for a bit longer.

So, what started as a small event to help the sustainability of the small Drover’s Town of Llandovery in Carmarthenshire has grown into an event attracting up to 5000 people over one weekend each year. The Llandovery Motorbike Weekend promotes road safety for all and provides a fun day for people of all ages. It is also partnered with the West Wales Motorcycle Club which was established with the support of a regional charity, West Wales Action for Mental Health. This active and inclusive club offers individuals the chance to learn about maintaining and restoring motorcycles in a fun and safe environment. The Llandovery Motorbike Weekend provides a platform for them to showcase what they do.

The Llandovery Motorbike Weekend takes place over the first weekend in July each year but has, due to the Covid Pandemic, not taken place since 2019. Launched by the Prince of Wales in 2016 the weekend has grown enormously and is one of very few “free to enter” events in the country. This is achieved partly due to the awards from the National Lottery, but primarily thanks to the various local and regional sponsors who support this event every year.

Established within the Mart (Market) in Llandovery, there are food and beverage vendors, bike clubs and other commercial organisations who encircle the central arena within which various activities take place. These have included motorcycle mobility circuits run by RoSPA and Blood Bikes Wales, demonstrations by the Emergency Services on incident management even a “Biker’s Town Crier” competition! Alongside the diverse catering outlets are many arts and crafts stalls which have proved a remarkable success for those bikers looking for that ideal gift to bring home to partners and friends!! Additionally, there are bike related equipment suppliers, information stands as well as live music interspersed with events in the central arena. For those people wishing to spend the weekend in this beautiful town there are a wealth of wonderful campsites, B&Bs, Hotels and Holiday Cottages in the area. These provide a base from which to explore the fantastic sights in this part of Wales along some of the most scenic and well-maintained roads in the country.

Many visitors display or show their motorbikes (with prizes on offer for winners) and others set up their Club stands to engage with members of the public and promote their various activities. Also on offer are a myriad of motorcycle training opportunities, much of which is offered free of charge!

Parking for vehicles in the town car park is free on the Saturday (bikes park for free anyway) and many bikes can park alongside the arena in the Mart allowing owners and visitors to wander along with a cup of coffee and engage with other owners and bike clubs. For those lingering in the town there are the well-known “biker cafes” of the West End Café and the Award-Winning Owl’s Nest Café and The Bear Inn where a warm welcome is assured.

If you haven’t visited Llandovery before, or if you are looking to go along, then consider booking a stay in the area over the 2nd and 3rd of July this year and become part of a growing event which has something for everyone. Rest assured, you will be supporting some worthwhile charities which this year include, Blood Bikes Wales and the Wales Air Ambulance.

www.llandoverymotorbikeweekend.co.uk

• Ben launches new Social Anxiety support program for Mental Health Awareness Week
• Launch forms part of a wider campaign to combat loneliness in automotive community
• Loneliness on the rise, with 1 in 3 automotive people admitting to feeling lonely

Today, May 9th, marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK and this year Ben, the automotive industry charity, is shining a light on one of the leading causes of mental health issues – loneliness.

Following two years of disruption and periods of social isolation caused by the pandemic, loneliness became, in itself, an epidemic. We were all separated for long periods of time from our wider circles of friends, family and work colleagues. And, even though we are now emerging from the depths of the pandemic, it is clear that many of us have found the social restrictions hugely challenging.

Social anxiety is playing a major role in the rise of loneliness. Naturally, now that COVID restrictions have eased, social interactions are returning to ‘normal’ – but for many, a sudden return to socialising is also a daunting prospect. Social anxiety makes it difficult for people to meet socially with others, to reach out for help and to maintain relationships – which, in turn, contributes to loneliness.

Ben’s recent Health and Wellbeing survey placed this issue in sharp focus – of those in the automotive industry who were surveyed, 31% confessed to having suffered from loneliness – a huge increase of 23% from the previous year. Loneliness saw a staggering increase in the over 45s, factory workers, and among those who have retired from the industry, while 1 in 2 automotive workers confirmed that they have issues managing their mental health – indicating that mental health struggles in the automotive industry are more prevalent than in the general population.

To support those who are struggling with social anxiety and loneliness, Ben has launched a new ‘Space from Social Anxiety’ program on the SilverCloud platform – designed specifically to help people find out about symptoms, understand its causes and develop coping strategies to manage their social anxiety.

The program, as with all of Ben’s SilverCloud programs, is completely free, easy to use and can be worked through at your own pace in your own time – using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques to develop coping strategies to help deal with life’s challenges.

Rachel Clift, Health & Wellbeing Director at Ben, said: “If you suffer from loneliness, you are not alone. Our recent survey highlighted the huge impact that COVID has had on the mental health of our community and loneliness and social anxiety have risen sharply over the past twelve months.

“Our industry is one of the most affected by mental health issues, so we want everyone in the automotive community to know that while they may feel alone, they aren’t. We are here, ready to help and support them through whatever challenges life may be throwing at them right now and in the future.

“Social anxiety and loneliness can be managed and we have a number of ways we can support people who are struggling, including our new SilverCloud program ‘Space from Social Anxiety. During Mental Health Awareness week, we want to reach out to our automotive family and offer them a helping hand. You don’t have to face loneliness or social anxiety alone.”

To sign up to the SilverCloud Space from Social Anxiety programme, click here or for more hints and tips on how to tackle social anxiety, visit www.ben.org.uk

When any member of our automotive family is struggling or in crisis, we all rally to support them.

Le Mans preview. MotoGP make its return to French soil, for what has become through the years a classic in the series. Enea Bastianini and Fabio Di Giannantonio will be racing at the home track of current championship leader Quartararo with very different goals, albeit both with ambitious goals.

The rider #23 wants to return to the time of form shown in the extra-European races earlier this year, even though the main goal is to find back that feeling with his Ducati machine that he was never able to get at Jerez a fortnight ago. The post-race Spanish test gave him some fresh confidence, with the Italian star eager to fly again – hopefully with some favourable weather.
For Di Giannantonio it is time to raise the bar and score his first MotoGP points. The base set-up he found with the team at Jerez may be a good starting point to well-perform in France already.

Historical recurrences: Le Mans is among the most challenging tracks on the MotoGP calendar, but Gresini Racing was able to secure several podium finishes at this track throughout the years. Two wins and a second for Sete Gibernau (in 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively) and a win and a second place for Marco Melandri in 2006 and 2007, but not only.

Both Enea Bastianini and Fabio Di Giannantonio have had their ‘podium taste’ with the Faenza-based team before: ‘Bestia’ managed to do so in 2015 as he finished second in the Moto3 class, while Diggia did the same two years later. This is their best career result in France, at least so far. 😏

ENEA BASTIANINI #23 (3º in the championship standings with 69 points)
“Le Mans is quite an unusual track, but a very good one nonetheless. Usually the track, and therefore track conditions, are a key variable, but let’s hope it will be different this time. I would like to find back that feeling with the bike that we kind of lost a bit at Jerez: let’s say being back to the one we had in Portimao, where only the result was unkind to us.”

FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49
“Le Mans is a tough track, temperature and weather wise. We always had very unique conditions, but we’re coming from a positive test in which we found a good direction to follow in terms of set-up, so I’m curious to see if it’ll work at this track.”

• Ducati UK announce new partnership with Silverstone bike track days
• Ducati supply a fleet of Panigale V4 motorcycles
• Partnership will include Ducati Riding Experience Racetrack Academy

Ducati UK are delighted to announce a new partnership with Silverstone bike track days. Ducati are joining forces with the home of British Motorsport to supply a fleet of Ducati Panigale V4 for the Silverstone Bike track days. For Ducati and Silverstone this is a natural partnership with Ducati UK based at Silverstone circuit and both brands sharing a similar goal of premium customer experiences.

There will be 20 Panigale V4’s made available to Silverstone and their experienced instructors.  The instructors will use the bikes for sighting laps, track guidance and 1-1 tuition. Track day customers will be able to see the Panigale V4 demonstrating its capabilities at first hand in its natural environment on Britain’s only MotoGP circuit.

This partnership will culminate in the Ducati Riding Experience Racetrack Academy, training courses that give expert Ducati tuition for those that want to enjoy the thrill of the track. Details and date will be announced in due course.

The new Panigale V4 is the latest evolution of the Ducati sports bike, continuously improved from the experience gained on the racetrack in MotoGP and WorldSBK. The heart of the bike is the 1,103 cm3 MotoGP-derived engine delivering 215.5hp. Improvements to aerodynamics, ergonomics, engine chassis and electronics has produced a more intuitive, faster bike, less demanding, offering a rewarding experience for all levels of rider.

Fabrizio Cazzoli, Managing Director, Ducati UK
“Since 2003, more than 20,000 motorcyclists from all over the world have chosen the Ducati experience to improve their riding. Now this experience is elevating to another level thanks to the partnership between Ducati and Silverstone. We together are synonyms of motorsport, performance, excellence, passion and a long history of success.

We will develop riding experiences specifically tailored for the skills of the participants and we will culminate with the Ducati Riding Experience Racetrack Academy, a program for those who want to feel the thrill of the track under the guidance of the best instructors in the world”.

Stuart Pringle, Managing Director, Silverstone
“Our Bike Track Days are renowned for offering riders the ultimate track experience and with Ducati powering these days, riders will have the chance to have a close look at the Panigale V4 and see how it can perform on track in the hands of our expert instructors. 
 
“We’re dedicated to delivering outstanding, thrilling, experiences and want to deliver the very best track days. We have a world class circuit for riders to enjoy on their own bikes and as the home of the MotoGP British Grand Prix we also have a unique positioning in the UK.  Now, with our Bike Track days powered by Ducati, we’re taking our track days to another level and adding even more value for riders.”

For more information on Silverstone Bike Track Days powered by Ducati visit: www.silverstone.co.uk/track-days/bike-track-days