• The Ducati prototype that will race in the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup from 2023 has completed its first laps on the track at Misano
• Michele Pirro, official Ducati rider and test rider, took part in the tests

Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 20 December 2021 - The Ducati MotoE bike took to the track for the first time at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, right where the agreement with Dorna Sports was announced in October. In fact, starting from the 2023 season, the Borgo Panigale motorcycle manufacturer will be the sole supplier of motorcycles for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup, the electric class of the MotoGP™ World Championship.

The electric motorcycle prototype, code-named "V21L", is the result of the joint work of the Ducati Corse team and the Ducati R&D engineers, led by Roberto Canè, Ducati eMobility Director, and was taken out on track by Michele Pirro, professional rider and Ducati test rider since 2013, who evaluated the technical characteristics and potential of Ducati’s first electric motorcycle.

Roberto Canè, Ducati eMobility Director:  "We are experiencing a truly extraordinary moment. I find it hard to believe it is reality and still not a dream! The first electric Ducati on the track is exceptional not only for its uniqueness but also for the type of undertaking: challenging both for its performance objectives and for its extremely short timescales. Precisely for this reason, the work of the whole team dedicated to the project has been incredible and today's result repays us for the efforts made in recent months. We are certainly not finished yet; indeed, we know that the road ahead is still very long, but in the meantime, we have laid a first important 'brick'."

Michele Pirro, Ducati test rider:  "Testing the MotoE prototype on the circuit was a great thrill, because it marks the beginning of an important chapter in Ducati history. The bike is light and already has a good balance. Furthermore, the throttle connection in the first opening phase and the ergonomics are very similar to those of a MotoGP bike. If it weren't for the silence and for the fact that in this test, we decided to limit the power output to just 70% of performance, I could easily have imagined that I was riding my bike."

The most important challenges in the development of an electric racing motorcycle remain related to the size, weight and range of the batteries. Ducati's goal is to make electric motorcycles that are high-performance and characterized by their lightness available to all FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup participants. The focus of the project are, in addition to better performance, the containment of weight and the consistency of power delivery during the race, obtained thanks to the attention in the development of a cooling system suitable for the objective.

Ducati's experience in the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup will be a fundamental support for product R&D. The goal is to create, as soon as the technology allows it, a Ducati electric vehicle for road use that is sporty, light, exciting and able to satisfy all enthusiasts.

There’s nothing like planning early, and as if you needed any more reason to visit Europe’s largest off-road show next autumn, it’s now been confirmed that Honda UK’s official stunt team, the Bolddog Lings FMX team, have signed up to provide plenty of thrills for the Telford crowd.

The International Dirt Bike Show is set for the Telford International Centre next October 28-30 (2022), and as the UK’s number one freestyle motocross team, and Lings Motors and Honda UK’s official UK stunt team, the Bolddogs base their show around the world’s largest and most sophisticated mobile landing system, performing death-defying freestyle motocross moves!

Appearing on our TV screens in the semi-final of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, the daredevil team, featuring the UK’s top ranked freestyle motocross riders, left viewers and judges open-mouthed during their time on the show.

Event manager Nick Mowbray said: “We’re thrilled Bolddog FMX Display Team are back for our 2022 event performing their mesmerising stunts once again. Their performance is guaranteed to leave crowds mind blown as they perform their daredevil tricks 35ft in the air!”

The International Dirt Bike Show will be held over three days next October (28-30) at a new venue for the event, Telford’s International Centre. Advance tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.dirtbikeshow.co.uk If you would be interested in booking a stand for the event, please contact our event team on 01507 529430.

The British Motor Museum is to host an exclusive evening for visitors to join the ‘Factor Us In’ exhibition team and delve deeper into the history of the West Midlands motor industry. This special evening takes place on 18 January, and is part of a series of Museum Lates running over the winter months. The exhibition, which opened in July and will run until summer 2022, is the culmination of a 2 year project to uncover the stories behind the British motor industry.

Visitors will be able to explore the exhibition and discover first hand from the Curator the stories about how the motor industry has impacted the surrounding landscapes, people and businesses of the West Midlands, with a focus on Canley in Coventry, Longbridge in Birmingham and Lode Lane, Solihull.

The evening also includes a fascinating look at The Evolution of the British Motor Industry with a history talk by Museum volunteers Robert Venn and Cameron Slater.  This will look into the issues that have made their mark on the British motor industry including new technologies, production methods, engineering advancements, globalisation, fossil fuels and long-term pollution. 

During the evening visitors will have the opportunity to chat to Curator, Catherine Griffin and the characters who are instrumental in bringing the exhibition to life, plus find out what inspired the team to bring the communities around the factories into the Museum's limelight. 

Catherine Griffin, Curator at the British Motor Museum said “We are delighted to be hosting this fascinating Museum Late around our insightful ‘Factor Us In’ exhibition. If you have an interest in motoring history or you have ever wondered how exhibitions are brought to life at the British Motor Museum, we're giving you an exclusive opportunity like never before to find out”.

A ‘works canteen’ style supper of stew and dumplings will be served as part of the evening. There will be a choice of Beef Stew and Dumplings with New Potatoes or Root Vegetable and Butterbean Stew with Herb Dumplings and New Potatoes (Vegan & Vegetarian) followed by a traditional Treacle Sponge with Custard.

Tickets cost £15 each or £10 for Members and free for Premium Members. As this event is outside normal Museum opening hours Annual Passes are not valid. Pre-booking is essential and there are limited places available so early booking is advised.

To find out more information please visit the website at https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/museum-late-fui or call 01926 641188.

All proceeds of the event will go towards the vital work of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust.

• Automotive community gathers for first major industry celebration since the pandemic.
• Over £96,000 donated to Ben to provide life-changing support to those in need.
• Industry leaders attending Ben Ball join forces to pledge support for Ben’s work in the community.
• Pledges on the night set to take Christmas Appeal fundraising past £500,000 target.

Ben Ball made a welcome return to London’s iconic Roundhouse for a spectacular comeback celebration on 8th December – bringing 600 automotive industry people together for the first time since the pandemic began and raising £96,500 in the process.

The Roundhouse was transformed into a spectacular winter ballroom for the evening, and guests were treated to stunning live entertainment from LED drum crew, Spark! and a thrilling performance from the aerial acrobatic circus troupe, Arctic Cirque.

There were many opportunities for guests to donate funds to Ben during the evening, including an exciting live auction hosted by TV auctioneer and presenter, Jamie Breese.

Ben also shared updates with guests on the charity’s forthcoming Industry Leader Challenge - which in 2022 will be an epic Kilimanjaro climb – and gave an insight into the vast increase in demand that Ben is experiencing, as more people than ever before are reaching out for help with their mental health and wellbeing.

As the evening’s fundraising efforts were totalled, the final figure has been confirmed as £96,500 - one of the highest donation totals ever at a Ben Ball and exceeding previous years’ results. The generosity of the industry during these high-pressure, post-pandemic times will allow Ben to reach more of those who need help and to better support members of the automotive community and their loved ones who are in crisis or struggling. Furthermore, pledges made from automotive industry guests at the event are expected to take the figure raised for Ben’s urgent Christmas Appeal past its £500,000 target.

Matt Wigginton, Director of Partnerships, Engagement & Income at Ben, said: “When I was told of the final total raised to help our friends and colleagues in need, I was so moved. During the pandemic, the number of people who have been reaching out to us for help has sky-rocketed and we need to be able to provide support right away – vital support that really does save lives. We rely on donations to be able to give this support and we knew that the 2021 Ben Ball would be more crucial this year than ever before.

“The industry responded more generously than we could ever have hoped. 600 friends and colleagues gathered in the Roundhouse, not just to celebrate the opportunity to be together again, but to stand with us, shoulder to shoulder, and show the automotive community that we care. That together we are committed to helping people to get through their darkest days. That no-one in our automotive family is alone.

“We want to thank all those who joined us for the Ben Ball. It was a fabulous night and we hope you enjoyed the chance to dance and celebrate this wonderful community we are a part of. The generosity shown on the night – not only to raise nearly £100,000 but also the further pledges in support of our recent rallying cry – was incredible. We promise to make it count.”

Ben Ball will return in 2022 – in the meantime to pledge your support to Ben, email [email protected] or to discuss further ways of supporting Ben, call Matt Wigginton, Director of Partnerships, Engagement & Income, on 07880 813051.

Motorcycle Live, in association with Bikesure Insurance has closed its doors for another year, and what a pleasure it was to welcome back visitors, riders, celebrities, manufacturers and retailers to The NEC.  

With over 66,000 visitors making their way through the doors, in the midst of a global pandemic, it underlines the dedication of our audience, the pull of our exhibitors and the desire to be immersed in their passion - motorcycling. 

Lisa Jones (Marketing Manager, Triumph UK) commented "Motorcycle Live is a key event in the motorcycling calendar, and it was fantastic to welcome back fans of Triumph to some familiarity and entertainment at the NEC. When we planned to reveal our iconic Triumph Tiger 1200 to our UK customers, Motorcycle Live was the perfect event to do so. With an abundance of key media, influencers and customers, it was a privilege to showcase the industry leading technology and all round ability of the Triumph Tiger 1200 range."

Motorcycle Live delivered an exciting, new, interactive electric feature which showcased the progressive and innovative manufacturers and products available for riders wanting to embrace electric technology.  

One of the trailblazers in this segment is Stirling Eco, who through world-class innovation combine artistic flair alongside leading technologies to create innovative, functional and environmentally friendly motorcycles.

Motorcycle Live, in association with Bikesure Insurance has closed its doors for another year, and what a pleasure it was to welcome back visitors, riders, celebrities, manufacturers and retailers to The NEC.  

With over 66,000 visitors making their way through the doors, in the midst of a global pandemic, it underlines the dedication of our audience, the pull of our exhibitors and the desire to be immersed in their passion - motorcycling. 

Lisa Jones (Marketing Manager, Triumph UK) commented "Motorcycle Live is a key event in the motorcycling calendar, and it was fantastic to welcome back fans of Triumph to some familiarity and entertainment at the NEC. When we planned to reveal our iconic Triumph Tiger 1200 to our UK customers, Motorcycle Live was the perfect event to do so. With an abundance of key media, influencers and customers, it was a privilege to showcase the industry leading technology and all round ability of the Triumph Tiger 1200 range."

Motorcycle Live delivered an exciting, new, interactive electric feature which showcased the progressive and innovative manufacturers and products available for riders wanting to embrace electric technology.  

One of the trailblazers in this segment is Stirling Eco, who through world-class innovation combine artistic flair alongside leading technologies to create innovative, functional and environmentally friendly motorcycles.