Ducati legend Carl Fogarty will be the guest of honour at the official launch of the Ducati franchise at the Sheffield Motorcycle Centre this weekend (15th and 16th May).

SMC has recently taken on the Ducati franchise and to celebrate their partnership with the Italian brand, has invited former four times World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty as their special guest on Saturday 15th May.

The Sheffield dealer is the newest addition to the Ducati UK family and is rightly proud to add such a premium motorcycle manufacturer to their portfolio and this weekend gives SMC the chance to showcase the latest 2010 Ducati range as well as some rare & exotic Ducati’s.

The legal action, brought by NTBPF, has gained massive rider support in London but if NTBPT lose, the bmf say that many councils across the UK, possibly starting with Birmingham and Manchester, will bring in similar Pay by Phone charges for motorcycles.

If this were to happen, the Tax Payers Alliance have calculated that annually, it would cost the UK’s motorcycling community a staggering £93,000,000 in parking charges.

Commenting Chris Hodder, the bmf’s Government Relations Executive said: “Let’s be clear, the stakes are high. It’s not an understatement to say that the only reason other Local Authorities haven’t followed suit yet is that they are waiting to see what the outcome of this case is.  If we don’t overturn the scheme in the courts, this could spell the end of nationwide free parking for motorcycles. We need motorcyclists to donate now or we could all lose out.”

1. Two days of motorcycle madness 18th to 20th June.

2. Situated on some of the best biking roads in Britain, Helmsley, North Yorkshire and Set in 100 Acer’s of the beautiful stately home of the Feathersham family Duncombe Park.

3. Excellent value for the third year running pre-book tickets @ £25 and Gate price @ £35. Children under sixteen go Free. Including Free camping

4. MAG members discount of £10 refundable on the day with beer and event products.

5. Four Free superb areas of music with over twenty bands and ten DJs.

Back Street Heroes Big Top.

Motorcycle News Rock and comedy marquee. Including Wet T-shirt and Strippers.

Rhythm and Blues marquee.

Hard House and Trance tent.

6. Back Street Heroes ride in custom show, with trophies and cash prizes.

7. 7 bars selling cheaper than pub price quality draught and real ales.

8. Twenty food outlets selling a huge variety of meals from across the world in a sit down food court.

9. Huge site down café with a full menu and a carvery.

10. 100 traders with loads of bargains.

11. Free Dyno Testing.

12. Free Rodeo Bull.

13. Free Bird of Pray Exhibitions.

14. Free Extensive show program on arrival.

15. Saturday ride out with clues competition, Free patch on completion.

16. Farmyards got talent competition with cash prize.

17. Pre-erected tent hire that sleep up to four persons.

18. Showers available.

19. On a budget! Bring your own drink. No glass on site but beer in cans is acceptable.

20. Locker stop facilities. For valuables storage, phone charging, hair drying.

By Bikers, For Bikers.

Bikes only!

www.farmyardparty.com

A car driver who moved his car to prevent a motorcyclist overtaking has been jailed for eight months for dangerous driving.

Father of two Andrew Sherratt, 32, forced 49 year old Andrew Morris, into the path of oncoming traffic and suffered multiple arm and wrist fractures, on Burtonwood Road in Warrington Road, Cheshire, on July 23, 2009.

The Rider went to overtake the vechicle as the road was wide enough for the motorcycle to overtake the car, even though there was some traffic coming in the other direction. The rider believes the defendant deliberately turned his vehicle into the centre of the road causing impact with the bike and forcing him across the central white line into the oncoming traffic.

However the driver has stated that he did not think there was room for the motorcycle to overtake him and so decided to block the gap. He now wishes he had done the opposite and moved towards the kerb and maintains that he was trying to decrease the danger rather than cause an incident.

The Judge, David Hale, at Warrington Crown Court, summing up mentioned that any time someone gets in a car they are taking control of half a tonne of lethal metal. His decision to block the rider had disastrous consequences.

Sherratt, from Warrington, was handed a two and a half year driving ban on top of his jail sentence on Tuesday.

This is a regular occurance to Riders and to many the sentence is not enough, however it is 'a sentence' and hopefully one which may put a stop to this behaviour and prevent further incidents.