Biker News - Regularly updated

Welcome to our News section, where articles are listed below and if relevant within the categories on the right, just to make it easier for you to find what you wish to read...

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  1. From the organisers:
     
    We receive these days many emails with questions regarding the current situation in Greece. Many people are afraid that there will be problems during their stay at the Super Rally and also during some days before/after the SR, which they would like to spend in Greece.

    Unfortunately there were problems during last week, because people made demonstrations with regards to the financial situation of Greece and understandably due to the fact that they fear personal consequences on their salaries, taxes, etc.

    This fact was picked up by the press and the TV stations in order to show “the situation in Greece”. As usual the media make things seem worse than they are, because the demonstrating people certainly did not want to get other people hurt.

    We want to inform you that currently there are no demonstrations and that we don’t see any signs for such further activities.

    We Greeks are very hospitable and this hospitableness did not change due to the present financial situation and therefore we can assure you that there will be no problems or even danger for the visitors of the Super Rally.

    We are looking forward to see you all in Patra and to celebrate a great Super Rally!

    Check our Website every now and then to see if anything new has happened. Our site is now in 6 languages (Greek, English, German, Italian, French and Russian) and will be frequently updated.
    We are looking forward to your comments in our Guestbook!
     
    Express yourself in our SuperRally 2010 Forum. Tips and criticism are welcome.

    See you all soon on the beach!

    Harley Davidson Club Hellas – Organizing Committee
     
  2. 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

  3. 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.

  4. East of England Showground, Peterborough, 15 -16 May 2010

    With less than two weeks to go until the 50th bmf show, major bike manufacturers are back at the bmf show in a big way!  

    As Europe’s largest outdoor motorcycle show, the bmf show is the traditional season-opener for thousands of motorcyclists and with the official presence of BMW, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Triumph, Norton, Victory, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, plus Ducati now on board, it’s a virtual who’s who of motorcycles!

    Test Rides

    But that’s not all, BMW, Suzuki and Kawasaki will all have their demo test fleets on site keen to let potential customers try what they have to offer. (Customers are reminded that they must produce both parts of their driving licence to meet manufacturers terms and conditions).

    Win-A-Bike

    There is a Win-A-Bike/Choose-A-Bike prize draw too! In a unique move, the winner can choose their bike from either a Yamaha XVS1300 ‘Midnight Star’ – Suzuki GSXR600 or a Honda CB1000R.  Tickets will be sold at just £1 each with proceeds going in aid of the bmf Foundation charity. The bikes will be on display at the show and the winner will be announced at 4 pm on the Sunday.

    Top Buys

    Amongst hundreds of trade stalls covering all aspects of motorcycling will be big names such as Hein Gericke, Frank Thomas, Oxford Products, George White and Biker’s World as well as the likes of M&P Direct, Powerbronze, Scott Leathers and a whole host of smaller traders offering virtually anything and everything for the keen rider.

    A first at any bike show, an on-site ‘Wrap it and Despatch it’ service, run by national courier company APC, means that no longer will riders have to laden their bikes (or even take a car) because now APC can wrap and despatch goods and guarantee to deliver to home addresses within 48 hours of the show finishing!

    Entertainment

    Meanwhile daily arena entertainment over the weekend features a stunning line up of performances from Jason Smyth – The Adrenalin Tour, The Stanage International stunt display team and of course, old favourites the madness that is Moped Enduro and the thrills of Short Track racing.

    Camping it Up

    For those camping, evening entertainment gets a new twist with live acts and league speedway both on offer! The ‘Smacked Arse Comedy Club’, featuring adult comedy from a range of stand-up comedians, appears for the first time plus there will be live music from Stingray, Trash Monkey, Hooker and headline acts, Boot Led-Zeppelin and Killer Queen. By special arrangement, those camping at the show will also have FREE entry to the grandstand for an Elite Speedway league race between Peterborough and Wolverhampton. The racing will run from 19.30 – 21.00.

    While the bmf show and camping is open to everyone, bmf members get special VIP treatment with reduced admission, a new ‘Fast Track’ entrance, a ‘members only’ area with its own refreshment facilities and discount vouchers for use at the show.

    Join and Win!

    In a special membership promotion, anyone joining at the show has the chance to win a Giacomo Agostini replica helmet! Their names will be entered into a FREE prize draw and one lucky person will win a signed X-Lite replica of the fifteen times world champion’s helmet.
     
    Whe re, when, how much:
     
    The bmf show, 15 –16th May, East of England Showground, Peterborough, open from 9.0 –5.0 both days, camping available from 14.00 Friday until 09.00 Monday.

    Advance:

    Public £14 (members £12); Family £30 (members £25); Seniors £10, Child £5.

    Camping:  £30 (members £22); Family £65 (members £50)

    On the day: £16 (£14 members); Family £35 (members £30)   Seniors £14 (£12 members)

    On the day Camping:   £35 (members £30)   Family: £75 (members £65)
     

    Advance:

    Public £14 (members £12); Family £30 (members £25); Seniors £10, Child £5.

    Camping:  £30 (members £22); Family £65 (members £50)

    On the day: £16 (£14 members); Family £35 (members £30)   Seniors £14 (£12 members)

    On the day Camping:   £35 (members £30)   Family: £75 (members £65)
     

      0844 884 5151

  5. The Twowheeltuning.com team had a tough third round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park.  

    Hinckley-based Australian David Johnson had an engine problem during first free practice, a second engine was sourced and fitted overnight leaving Johnson to run it in during final free practice. He then went out and qualified in a healthy sixth position aboard his GSX-R1000 Suzuki in the BSB-EVO class.

    Team-mate Michael Howarth had a slightly less eventful run up to qualifying but chatter problems still made life difficult for the former professional rugby player. He placed his Suzuki in 11th position on the Evo grid for race one.

    Race one took place in dry conditions and the Twohwheeltuning.com riders finished with Johnson seventh and Howarth in ninth. Just ahead of the second race the heavens opened and the BSB riders had to hit the track for a seven minute wet practice session. Once that was out of the way the second race took place in wet conditions. Some fast changes had to be made to the bikes for the rain-coated track.  Johnson battled to eighth and Howarth raced to tenth.

    Johnson said: “In race one I did the best I could considering the engine was standard and I only run it in yesterday morning. I tried to stay consistent and I had good grip throughout. In race two the change of conditions got everyone, we opted for a soft wet tyre and it lost all feeling after about five laps. Then at half race distance my gearlever snapped leaving me stuck in third gear. I was still passing people but it was very frustrating. I’m just going to look ahead to Cadwell Park now.”

    Howarth said: “It’s good to get some points. I was as fast on the first lap as I was in qualifying so a satisfying race one. For race two we made some changes but we went the wrong way with them plus it was a wet race so I didn’t get the result I had hoped for. It’s just typical of the British weather.”

    Dan Brill riding a GSX-R1000 in the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship made some headway this weekend. He had a tough qualifying which meant he had to take part in the shoot-out race to enter for the main race. However the extra track time was useful and the race, in which he finished third, was a learning exercise. He started from 33rd on the grid and raced to 26th.

    Brill said: “I didn’t really want to be in the shoot-out race again but it actually did me a favour as I found out a few more things about the bike, so the extra track time was useful. We made some changes ahead of the main race but I think we went a little too far with them as I struggled with grip. That said I made up quite a few places. I’m looking forward to getting to Cadwell in three weeks as I’ve had race wins there in the past.”

    Nikki Coates, who is contesting the Metzeler National Superstock 600 championship aboard a Yamaha YZF-R6, qualified in an uncharacteristic 19th place. He wasn’t getting enough drive out of the fast turns at Oulton Park and that is where he was losing ground. He was sure with a good start he could make up for it in the race.

    Unfortunately the race was short lived as Nikki was hit by another rider causing both to crash out on lap one, bringing out the red flags. Nikki hasn’t broken anything but is very sore from the crash. Due to time restrictions the race didn’t go ahead.

    Dave Tyson, Race Director, said: “It has been one of those weekends where we have just been up against it from the start. All the riders worked really hard, as did the team, and I take my hat off to them. However it just seems like the gremlins were out to get us. I’m glad Nikki is largely ok and will be back to full fitness by Cadwell Park in three weeks time. I’d like to thank DP Generators, AutoValet Supplies and Simon at Power Tech Exhausts Fleetwood for their assistance this weekend.”

    The Twowheeltuning.com team will be back in action at round four of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Cadwell Park on the 21st - 23rd May.

    www.twowheeltuning.com

    www.magicbulletracing.com

    www.addthemagic.com