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Category: Events and Shows
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Hundreds of lady bikers will be gathering at the Ace Cafe in North West London on 16th August 2015 in an attempt to create a new world record for the largest number of female motorcyclists meeting together in one place.
Between 400 and 600 women aged 24 to 65 years are expected to ride to the meeting, coming from as far afield as Ireland, North Yorkshire, Dorset and Wales. In September 2014, 221 Australian women on 190 bikes set a record for being the most women riding motorcycles at once.
The world-famous Ace Cafe London has agreed to host the event on their annual Ladies Day and confirmed sponsors include Circuit of Wales, Mike Dawson Racing, Oval Motorcycle Centre (OMC) and Woodridge Motorcycles. OMC and Mike Dawson Racing will be in attendance on the day. Mike Dawson and his team will be offering free suspension advice and basic suspension adjustments and the Team from OMC will be offering free 9 Point Safety Checks.
There will be a charity fund raising raffle, with prizes including Moto GP tickets, bike services, tyres, biketime suspension set up, workbench time, Motorcycle Maintenance training courses and Ace Café goodies. The charity to benefit from the day is The Hospice of The Valleys, whom Circuit of Wales support.
The meeting is the brainchild of bikers Nimisha Patel from London and Sherrie Woolf from Wales. They are keen to raise awareness of the increasing number of women riding motorcycles, particularly for bike and clothing manufacturers in the hope of seeing improved product ranges aimed at women. “When shopping for protective clothing, the female section is usually lacking in options and often the quality is lesser than the male counterparts. Sizing is also a huge problem that could be resolved with quite simple solutions. The assumptions are very frustrating with many ladies leather trousers not having the Velcro area to attach knee sliders. It’s time to realise that women are no longer just sitting on the back of the men’s bikes, we’re buying our own and using them for touring, off-roading, track days and commuting, just like the guys!” quotes Sherrie Woolf.
Karen Cole, Safety and Training Director at the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) and a long term rider herself explained: “We believe the industry’s Get On programme has been instrumental in bringing more women into motorcycling. 40% of people who took a free ride with Get On were women, according to survey replies from nearly 9000 people.
Get On made it easy for women to try motorcycling for the first time.*Social-media has surely played a part in bringing women riders together in the past few years. The proliferation of female biking groups on Facebook has meant women riders can easily find friends to ride out with locally. As a result, small informal groups have been springing up across the country, which obviously helps generate and sustain interest in riding.” Pages have been set up on social media sites to share news of the event and organise logistics. Even celebrity bikers are spreading the word, including James Whitham and Maria Costello, herself an ambassador for ladies in the sport of motorcycle racing. “We hope that even more women will hear about the record attempt in the lead up to the event so that we can get as many lady bikers together as possible on 16th August. It will be a great opportunity for women to meet, share information and hopefully encourage more ladies to get involved with bikes.”
For further information about the event, please contact Nimisha Patel and Sherrie Woolf on [email protected]
facebook event
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Entries open for the fifth annual Henry Surtees Challenge 2015
Wednesday 7th October 2015 at Buckmore Park Kart Circuit
The best of British young motorsport talent are invited to enter the ‘Henry Surtees Challenge’, which is taking place on Wednesday 7th October 2015 at Buckmore Park Kart Circuit, Chatham, Kent. This superb annual is organised by former F1 World Champion, John Surtees OBE and the Henry Surtees Foundation.
The Challenge, now in its fifth year, has become an essential fixture on the racing calendar for motorsport talent aged 15 years or over wishing to give themselves that vital edge in their preparation for the 2016 season John Surtees would like to invite kart and car racers that are currently progressing up the motorsport ladder, to compete in the karting event and have the unique opportunity to win a spectacular range of career enhancing prizes to help aid their race programme preparation for 2016. Drivers of the calibre of Alexander Sims, Scott Malvern, Ben Barnicoat, Oliver Rowland, Piers Prior, David Pittard have to name but a few, have all been very supportive and have benefitted from our unique prize content.
The event will see drivers battling it out, using the superbClub 100 Birel Karts . The top three drivers will be awarded with the prestigious Henry ‘H’ trophy title and exclusive prizes – considered to be the best prizes ever offered at a kart meeting last year stretched to tenth place! Prizes will be awarded for fastest lap, the most unlucky driver and a heavyweight prize for 80kg or above.
John Surtees said “the first Henry Surtees Challenge took place in 2010, and Buckmore Park seemed the natural venue to host it; it had it been the circuit where Henry first sat in a kart, at the age of 8, but also where he had gained success. Buckmore is renowned for being a superb training ground for future British World Champions. During its 52 years; the track has seen the likes of World Champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button hone their racing skills along with racers Johnny Herbert, Dan Wheldon and many others, and is a great venue to host the Challenge.
The 2015 Challenge will once again provide an excellent opportunity for talented young racers, to compete to win test drives, experiences and equipment worth thousands of pounds, in order to assist them with their racing season and enhance their motorsport career. I am delighted that the motor sport community are once again assisting this initiative”.
One of the 2014 winners, Jack Aiken said “I’d like to thank John and the Foundation for putting on such a great event for young drivers, the prizes are incomparable to any karting, or racing, competition out there.”
Another 2014 prize winner, Ross Gunn won a Formula Renault test experience. We caught up with Ross shortly after his trip to Jerez, and he said “it was such an honour to take part in the Formula Renault test. I can’t thank the foundation enough for what was a truly unforgettable experience. Manor MP Motorsport teams professionalism and work ethic was far beyond anything I have ever worked with. I would like to thank the Henry Surtees Foundation and the team at Renault UK and Manor Competition for the amazing experience and opportunity that this prize has given me. I will never forget the two days I had.”
Prizes for 2016 will shortly be confirmed but for 2014 comprised of the following:-
•Test day in the Ginetta G40 GRDC to one driver aged 16 or over, donated by Ginetta
•FIA Formula 4 Ford test: half day seat fitting and acclimatisation test in the UK, followed by one full day, with Falcon Motorsport, at their Spanish test, with the new composite-chassis car that will be on display at the event, donated by Falcon Motorsport
•BRDC Formula 4 test, donated by Hillspeed
•Formula Renault 2.0 two day test with Manor Competition at a Spanish circuit, donated by Renault UK and Manor Competition
•Tour of Carlin racing facility, seat fitting, simulator testing session with race engineer, Formula 3 Dallara Volkswagen test, donated by Carlin Motorsport
Race Support Equipment and Services
•A full kit of Puma race clothing - one suit, three pairs of gloves, two pairs of racing boots, one pair of running shoes and one pair of lifestyle shoes for the winner (in addition to their chosen prize), donated by Puma SE
•Two sets of gloves and underwear, one pair of racing shoes, one pair of running shoes and one pair lifestyle shoes for second place (in addition to their chosen prize), donated by Puma SE
•One set of gloves and underwear, one pair of racing shoes, one pair of running shoes and one pair of lifestyle shoes for third place (in addition to their chosen prize), donated by Puma SE
•Tour for two people of the Red Bull Racing facility, simulator session and evaluation by a race engineer, donated by Christian Horner
•An Arai GP-6S helmet in white finish, donated by Arai
•Full website package and online branding, plus a three month social media package, donated by 5G Creative
•A pair of custom-fit driver communication earpieces suitable for all racing formulas up to F1, supplied with a year’s support to ensure the wearer is fully equipped to hear vital communications for a full season of racing. A pair of custom-fit filtered noise plugs - to protect hearing. A complete hearing health check consisting of an ear examination using a video otoscope (see inside your own ears) and a comprehensive hearing test. Advice and information on protecting your hearing to assist with a motorsport career, donated by specialist in Formula 1 equipment, Hearing Electronics Limited
•A two hour training session at iZone Driver Performance, donated by Andy Priaulx
•A supply of Teng Tools to the value of £1,000, donated by Teng Tools
•A simulator session at the Ferrari Driver Academy and a Ferrari Racing Department factory tour for two people, donated by Ferrari. Air travel donated by Travel Places
•A full motorsport fitness assessment, donated by Porsche Human Performance
Fastest Lap: HSF Teamwear
Over 80kg: HSF Teamwear
Unluckiest Driver: HSF Teamwear
Cost of entry: £500
Entrants must be aged 15 years or over on or before 7th October 2015 and hold a current MSA or ACU licence or be a current Premier Sprint Class, Clubman Sprint Class member of Club100 or a Buckmore Park Elite Class driver.
To register your interest, please email: [email protected]
About The Henry Surtees Foundation
The Henry Surtees Foundation was inspired by motor sport legend John Surtees OBE, following the tragic death of his son Henry, killed aged just 18 years old whilst competing in Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch in 2009.
The Henry Surtees Foundation aims to raise funds to support accident care, with particular emphasis on head injuries, and help educate and train young people with motorsport-related programmes in technology, engineering and road safety instruction for two and four wheels. The worthwhile causes supported by the Henry Surtees Foundation include the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust and Great North Air Ambulance, and its regional Blood Bike groups.
There are numerous ways you can keep up to date with the Foundation news, events, products and donations. Please follow the foundation official twitter feed @HSF_Foundation or Facebook, and check out the website:
www.henrysurteesfoundation.com
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40 days to go... Shelsley Bike Festival, September 13th
If you've already booked - thank you for your support. Please tell your friends!
We've got a cracking Festival planned for you, here's some of the highlights •Your unique chance to run the historic Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb track
•Our very best Paddock Specials ever; the best in factory racers, unique builds, rare classics. Get up close and watch them take to the hill.
•Lunchtime Show 'n' Tell - interviews with the very best Paddock Specials
•End of season bargains and trade stands
•Manufacturer's Dealers
•Passenger Experiences - go up the hill in a choice of 2 or 3 wheels.
•Live Music and Burlesque
•Entertainment including stuff to keep the kids amused.
•Meet Zoe Cano (Adventure rider) and David Hailwood
•Team RepliCast, MiniGP UK and the Scott Redding Riders Academy - the best of motorcycle racing's young talent.
•Supermoto UK - top riders taking to the hill
•The UK launch of the new, electric Morgan Three Wheeler
•Plenty of good food and drink
•Club stands and so much more
Ticket Booking Office is here
Run the Hill entries are only £35 and include two runs up the famous hill, paddock spot and general admission plus (if you wish) Saturday arrival, camping and our Saturday Night Party. Run the Hill Pillion / Friend tickets are only £10 and they're also welcome to join you on Saturday evening. Only 180 Run the Hill places are available.
General Admission tickets (Sunday arrival only) are only £10 in advance saving £5 on the Gate Price.
Ticket Booking Office is here
We look forward to seeing you at Shelsley in September, check out the website for latest news. Gates open 8:30, track action starts at 9:30 and show closes at 17:00. Just 20 minutes from the Worcester junctions on the M5.
Best regards
Gordon
Festival Organiser
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The countdown is over! Tickets for Motorcycle Live 2015 go on sale today. This year’s show will fire up on Saturday 28 November at The NEC, Birmingham and run at full revs for nine days until Sunday 6 December, with four halls jam-packed with features that will see modern motorcycling come to life.
Top of every visitor’s list is new metal and this year will not disappoint, with over 30 of the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers showcasing their 2016 models in the UK for the first time.
The spectacular manufacturer stands will be surrounded with an enormous variety of live entertainment, interactive features and a range of opportunities to ride – for experienced motorcyclists, complete novices and kids – and there’ll be the usual chance to celeb-spot as a whole host of racing stars pay a visit to the show.
New-for-2015 is FMX Live. Visitors will be able to watch some of the world’s leading freestyle motocross stars whip and back-flip in a jaw-dropping display of aerial gymnastics, in a high octane quality show that will push the riders to their limits*.
Motorcycle Live takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 28 November to 6 December 2015. Advance tickets are on sale now, at just £17.50 per adult, £11 for Seniors and £7 for children aged 11-16** (kids ten and under accompanied by a paying adult go free). There is also a £20.50 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and a choice of Oxford neck wear worth £15. To book, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk
*Additional fee of £5.00 for visitors aged 17+
**Advance ticket price, closing date for advanced tickets 5.00pm on 27 November 2015 All information correct at the time of release.
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The first Shelsley Bike Festival, brought to you by the organisers of the established Prescott Bike Festival, will take place at the historic Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, Worcestershire, WR6 6RP on Sunday 13 September – just 20 minutes from the M5. A great day out for all motorcyclists and their families and all to raise funds for the Blood Bike charities.
There are lots to see and do:
Ride: the oldest continually running motorsport track in the world, the same one that Stirling Moss started his career and Guy Martin practiced on. Limited entries at just £35 so best to book now.
See: Get up close and personal with over 100 historic, modern and factory race bikes in our Paddock Special area. Stunning examples to get your attention! Lunchtime interviews in the Paddock with the riders and their bikes. Plus Club stands, Motorcycle manufacturers and more.
Do: Run the Hill with our unique Passenger Experiences. Try a racing sidecar outfit, the Morgan Three Wheeler, a Grinnall Trike or Scorpion and a Watsonian Squire Sidecar Outfit.
Buy: End of season bargains featuring the Blade Motorcycles Outlet Centre. Plus lots of trade stands!
Meet: Three times British Superbike Champion John Reynolds; Zoe Cano Motorcycle Adventurer; David Hailwood; the Scott Redding backed Team Repli-Cast UK Racing and its rising stars of Moto3, Charlie Nesbitt and Joe Thompson and top riders from Supermoto UK plus lots more! It’s not just motorcyclists either - come and meet your favourite Star Wars characters from the UK Garrison.
Hot News – the UK launch of the electric powered Morgan Three Wheeler
Plus
Live music from Josie & the Outlaw and guests
Burlesque (family friendly)
Plenty of good food, drinks and stuff for the younger kids too.
Save £5 on the Gate Price – general admission tickets are just £10 in advance.
Festival Organiser, Gordon Downie said, “We’ve built a good reputation for our Season Opener at Prescott and it seemed so natural to follow it up with a Season Closer and we are delighted to bring our Festival to Shelsley Walsh in September. Shelsley is the oldest motor sport venue in continuous use in the world and our event provides the unique opportunity for members of the public to take part and ride the historic hill climb course on their own bike. Run the Hill entries are limited, and are already selling fast, so booking early is essential”.
The Festival prides itself on its diversity, and is not just for modern bikes either, the classic marques are well represented with the likes of Bantam, AJS, BSA, Rudge, Royal Enfield, Douglas, Manxman, Ariel, Matchless and Norton to custom choppers. Whilst there are just too many to mention, here are a few to whet your appetite:-
Allen Millyard and his home-built ‘Flying Millyard’, this beast is powered by a gigantic 5.0-litre V-twin engine designed for an aeroplane!
MADMAX Race Team ‘Streetfighter’, the world’s fastest jet turbine street legal motorbike.
The experimental 1963 Norton Manx 348cc Reverse Head developed by Ray Petty and Derek Minter.
Plus the iconic 1962 BSA Rocket Gold Star 650cc (a genuine original) 1 of only 1370 built, a prototype 1927 Velocette KSS 350cc - affectionately known by enthusiasts across the world as ‘Spring-Heeled Jack’, the only one ever built at Hall Green, Birmingham 1945 and a Moto Guzzi Airone Corsa to name but a few!
Visit the Mike West Racing Paddock to see and hear an impressive array of famous and iconic race bikes.
Free parking, free motorcycle side stand puck and free helmet park for bikers
Gates Opens at: 08:30am, Track starts at: 09:30am, Festival closes at: 4:30pm.
For further information or to book advance tickets please visit: www.shelsleybikefestival.co.uk
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