APPOINTMENT IN CATALUNYA FOR MOTOGP

NEW EXAMS FOR THE APRILIA RS-GP

Just a few days after leaving the Mugello Circuit, the MotoGP convoy heads to Barcelona, Spain, for the Catalunya GP. Another demanding track, made even trickier by weather which, if the forecast is right, will be anything but stable.

Aleix and Lorenzo will arrive comforted by a 2021 RS-GP that is proving to be extremely competitive in decidedly different conditions and layouts. So, it is a project that started well and where work is now focused on the details. A fundamental aspect in a fiercely competitive championship like MotoGP.

ALEIX ESPARGARO'
"My home track is always a special round. This is where my passion for motorcycling was born. Besides that, I think it’s an extremely fascinating track and I can’t wait to tackle it with the 2021 RS-GP. I had some concerns about my arm after what happened on Friday and Saturday in Mugello, but then in the race I didn’t have any problems, so that is comforting. We are consistently in the group of the best, so hopefully we’ll be able to take another step forward here."

LORENZO SAVADORI
"The last time I lapped in Barcelona was 2010 with the 125, so I won’t have any points of reference, also because the track has changed in the meantime. I’m curious to see what happens because the 2021 bike is proving perform extremely consistently on vastly different tracks, so we have the chance to grow and improve constantly."

• Steve Parrish won his first motorcycle championship in 1976, raced with Barry Sheene in 1976 and 1977 before taking championship honours in 1979, 1980 and 1981
• Steve also won the 1987 British Open Truck Racing Championship in 1987, the British and European championship in 1990 and went on to hold the British title for four years and the European for five
• Since retiring from racing, Steve has forged a career in motorsport commentary covering all manner of sports from motorcycle racing to Touring Cars and the Red Bull Air Race
• Steve also holds a Guinness World Record for the “Fastest Speed Achieved in Reverse” (105mph) using a Caterham.
• Steve will produce exciting content with the Hagerty media team, attend selected automotive events, and will take part in Hagerty’s successful online panel and seminar discussions

Northamptonshire: 28th May 2021

Hagerty is best known as a classic vehicle insurer but is also one of the world’s largest automotive lifestyle brands. 2021 has seen increased investment across all aspects of the Hagerty business, from content and events and data to client services, as Hagerty strengthens its global offering to the motoring enthusiast.

The latest announcement from Hagerty UK is a partnership with motorsport legend Steve Parrish. Steve will produce exciting content with the Hagerty media team, attend selected automotive events, and will take part in Hagerty’s successful online panel and seminar discussions.

Steve became a professional motorcycle racer at the age of 22 in 1976, winning the ACU Solo title in the British Motor Cycle Championship. In the same year he became team mate to Barry Sheene on a Suzuki and competed in the 1977 500cc world championship. Parrish finished fifth in the 1977 500cc world championship, before returning to British-based riding to become the 1978 500cc British Champion. He also won the Shell 500 title in both 1979 and 1980, and a Superbike title in 1981.

Parrish then started a successful truck racing career, winning the 1987 British Open Truck Racing Championship. Parrish took both the European and British Truck Racing championship titles in 1990, then held the British title for four years and retained the European title for five years driving for the BP-Mercedes Benz team. Parrish regained the prestigious European crown again in 1996 in Jarama. The most successful truck racer ever, he retired in 2002 at the age of 47.

In 1985, Parrish started commentating for BBC radio, before joining Sky television to commentate on Superbike alongside Barry Nutley He moved to the BBC in 1990 to commentate on the British 125 championship, before transferring to the BBC’s Moto GP coverage, currently undertaken with Charlie Cox. A qualified pilot, Parrish also a commentator for the Red Bull Air Race series for Channel 4. Isle of Man TT Races for ITV4 & NW200 for BBC NI.

Away from television, Steve regularly tests vehicles and writes for racing magazines, and holds the Guinness Book of Records world record for the “Fastest Speed Achieved in Reverse” (105mph) using a Caterham. Of course, Steve continues to race classic motorcycles today at various events, shows and meets around the world.

Speaking of the partnership Lee Mathewson, Managing Director for Hagerty UK, said “Steve is a legend in the world of motorsport, not only for his motorcycle and truck racing but also for the sense of fun he brings to everything he does. Hagerty exists to save driving and we’ve worked hard with our partners to provide flexible cover for all types of enthusiast vehicles, including motorcycles, and always encourage our clients and members to get on the road. Steve’s knowledge and influence within the motorcycle industry will be invaluable as we create content and activities designed to appeal to motorcycle owners and enthusiasts around the world.”

Bury St Edmunds based auctioneers, Lacy Scott & Knight, will be selling a collection of six barn-find motorcycles by auction on 12th June.

The collection was discovered during a probate valuation in deepest Norfolk, alongside various classic cars to include an Alvis and a Morgan.

The earliest of the bikes is a 1915 Norton Model 1 Big Four 6, which very much appears to be in good original ‘barn-find’ condition, and carries a pre-sale estimate of £7,000-10,000. Other bikes by Norton include a 1952 88 Dominator which is also complete and in good largely original condition. This bike probably once had a side-car and was originally sold by Colchester Specialists GBR Motors Ltd, it carries a pre-sale of £3,000-5,000. Another Norton featured is a 1957 Overhead Cam International Model 30, being largely complete and original but for recommissioning. This model was the first overhead camshaft from Norton, and was designed by Walter Moore and successfully used in the 1927 TT. Expectations for this bike are in the region of £7,000-9,000. The auction also includes a Norton 350cc Café Racer International, which appears complete but is for recommissioning.

Possibly the most valuable of the entries is a 1937 Velocette KSS 350cc; this being a fine example which was restored a few years ago and carries hopes of £8,000-12,000. The out-buildings also revealed a 1960 Excelsior 98cc Consort, and various motorcycle parts to include a 1948 BSA C11 complete restoration project.

The full catalogue listing can be found on the website.

www.lsk.co.uk

MOTOGP RETURNS TO MUGELLO FOR THE ITALIAN GP

APRILIA READY FOR THEIR FIRST HOME RACE

After the cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MotoGP is back to tackle one of the most attractive circuits on the calendar. In fact, riders and staff consider Mugello special asphalt, both because of its location and for its characteristics: fast direction changes, slops, a long straight with the iconic downhill at over 300 kph. This edition will be lacking the splendid choreography of the Italian fans - a painful but necessary choice.

For Aprilia, this will be the first home race. The Italian team is arriving after having demonstrated consistent growth in terms of performance, only slightly hindered by the disappointment in Le Mans. After the French race, Aleix underwent surgery to correct a problem with compartment syndrome and to be at full fitness for Mugello. A decision encouraged by his recovery which is proceeding without a hitch.

Good signals from Lorenzo Savadori, as well, fast throughout last weekend in less-than-optimum conditions. The Italian MotoGP rookie is tackling every race with the goal of reducing the gap behind the best, managing to maintain the trend thus far, and in his home race he’ll be looking for further motivation.


ALEIX ESPARGARO'
"Mugello is a demanding track, even from a physical point of view. Precisely for this reason, I decided to have surgery on my arm after Le Mans, taking advantage of the break for a full recovery. The operation was perfect and I’ll be at the first Italian race in good form. It is an important round for the team on a circuit that has never been our favourite. But now we can count on a decidedly competitive 2021 RS-GP and I can’t wait to see how it will perform in Mugello."

LORENZO SAVADORI
"Le Mans was definitely a good weekend, although the particular conditions preclude an accurate comparison. What counts for me is to continue reducing the gap, improving my confidence on the RS-GP and increasing my experience in this category. It is a path that takes time. Aprilia is supporting me with all of my requests and I am trying to speed up the learning curve. I can’t wait to race in Mugello. It’s a track that I know well, but I've never tackled it astride a MotoGP bike."