Category: Random

1. Sheffield Indoor World Trial 2009

   Posted on 12:00am Monday 29th Dec 2008

   The city of Sheffield was once famous for its massive steel industry, but with the decline of its main manufacturing business in more recent times, it is the staging of a round of the Indoor Trial World Championship that has once again put the South Yorkshire destination back on the international map.

   Saturday 3rd January 2009 will mark the fourteenth edition of this great event, with the majority of the previous competitions hosted in Sheffield having also been part of the World series in its various disguises over the last ten years or so.

   Sheffield arena has the honour of opening the 2009 SPEA FIM Indoor Trial World Championship, which will mark the start of a new era for this specialised sport now under the full control of motorcycling’s World governing body, namely the FIM. Seven of the World’s best trials riders have been selected to do battle this time around, two of whom will be flying the home flag.

   
   Whilst Spanish sensation Toni Bou – Repsol Montesa HRC, who comfortably took the 2008 Indoor World title, may start as the obvious favourite, it will be Yorkshire’s own Dougie Lampkin – Beta who is sure to receive the loudest greeting from the patriotic and potentially eight thousand strong crowd.

   
   Despite having not recorded a victory inside his favourite stadium in more recent years, Lampkin remains the undisputed ‘King Of Sheffield’, having previously won this competition on no less than eight separate occasions during his great reign of the sport.

   Dougie finished as runner up to Bou at the last edition of this event, and will be hoping to go one better in what will probably be Lampkin’s last ever appearance both at Sheffield and in the World Indoor trials series as a whole.

   Twenty-one year old Michael Brown - Sherco is the other British rider looking to make the most of his home advantage and to follow up his fantastic Sheffield debut in late 2007. Add to this, the usual candidates of Adam Raga – Gas Gas, Albert Cabestany – Sherco and Takahisa Fujinami – Repsol Montesa HRC and then you can understand why Sheffield 2009, will be a opening battle to be remembered.

   SPEA FIM INDOOR TRIAL WORLD CHAMPIONHIP 2009

   Round 1 – Sheffield – England

   03 January - Saturday

   Round 2 – Marseille - France

   24 January – Saturday

   Round 3 – Barcelona – Spain

   08 February – Sunday - TBC

   Round 4 – Bolzano – Italy

   26 February – Thursday

   Round 5 – Milan – Italy

   07 March – Saturday - TBC

   Round 6 – Madrid – Spain

   14 March – Saturday

   
   2008 Final championship standings:

   1: Bou 48, 2: Raga 35,

   3: Cabestany 35, 4: Fujinami 27,

   5: Fajardo 20, 6: Lampkin 14,

   7: Dabill 9, 8: Oliveras 2, 9: Bethune 1

   
   For more information please visit:

    

   www.fim.ch

    

   Author: G2F

2. Wilson launches new motorcycle test

   Posted on 12:00am Thursday 4th Dec 2008

   A new driving test for motorcyclists was launched today by Environment Minister Sammy Wilson.

   In order to obtain a full licence, motorcyclists will, from 8 December 2008, have to pass three tests – a theory test, a motorcycle manoeuvres test and a practical on-road test.

   Previously motorcyclists have had to pass the theory test and an on-road test.

   Mr Wilson, a keen motorcyclist, welcomed the new manoeuvres test.

   The Minister said: “It is important that motorcyclists are fully equipped for the challenges they will face on the road. The new motorcycle manoeuvres test will enable examiners to test core skills in an off-road environment.”

   The manoeuvres test is being introduced by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) as a result of a European Directive.

   The new test will last approximately 30 minutes and will consist of the following exercises:

   A slow riding exercise, with the candidate riding alongside the examiner at walking pace.

   A slalom and figure of eight exercise.

   Walking and ridden ‘U’ turn exercises and use of the motorcycle stands.

   A curve, ridden in second or third gear at a minimum speed of at least 30 km/h (18.75mph).

   A combined avoidance and braking exercise at a minimum speed of 50 km/h (31.25mph).

   An emergency braking exercise at a minimum speed of 50 km/h (31.25 mph).

   The manoeuvres test will be available at the following DVA centres: Ballymena, Craigavon, Downpatrick, Londonderry, Mallusk and Omagh.

   DVA Chief Executive Brendan Magee said: “This new test aims to improve road safety through a reduction in the level of motorcycle collisions. Only candidates who demonstrate the ability to carry out these manoeuvres safely will be able to progress to the on-road test.”

3. London bus lanes to be opened to motorcyclists

   Posted on 12:00am Wednesday 29th Oct 2008

   Motorcycles will be allowed to use the majority of the capital's bus lanes, London Mayor Boris Johnson told the BBC - 'I believe they should be able to share our bus lanes successfully and safely'

   From 5 January, motorcyclists will able to ride in the lanes for an 18-month trial period. Transport for London (TfL) said it hoped the measure would cut accident rates and traffic in the capital. Pedal cyclists, who already use the lanes, have been against the proposals claiming it would not improve safety or reduce congestion. The change will only apply to TfL bus lanes. Motorcyclists have been advised to make sure they know which lanes are open to them.

   Mr Johnson, said: "I have long been staggered that while motorcyclists can use bus lanes in many other cities and some of our boroughs they were not allowed to use the TfL routes that criss-cross the capital. One of the ways we can ease congestion is by encouraging more people to get on their bike, whether pedal or powered, and I believe they should be able to share our bus lanes successfully and safely. "

   The idea was one of Mr Johnson's manifesto pledges, and in June this year the London Cycling Campaign (LCC) presented the mayor with a 3,000-name petition asking him to reconsider the plans.

   In a letter to the mayor, LCC's chief executive Koy Thomson said: "While we would support measures to make motorcycling safer, such as a 20mph speed limit, there is no clear environmental, safety or congestion reason for allowing motorcycles into bus lanes."

4. Biker surprise for Sydney robbers

   Posted on 9:03am Thursday 28th Feb 2008

   Two armed robbers who targeted a Sydney bar that was hosting a bikers' meeting must have "failed robber school", said the club's chairman.

   The men stormed the bar brandishing machetes and wearing balaclavas - unaware that 50 bikers were holding a meeting in an adjoining room. Alerted to the robbery, some of the bikers chased the men as they fled.

   One was caught after trying to escape through a back door. He was later treated in hospital for minor injuries. The other man ran off but was arrested by police in a street nearby.

   Southern Cross Cruiser Club chairman "Jester" told local media that the robbers had "picked the wrong night". The would-be bandits had entered the bar and ordered patrons to lie on the floor while they emptied the till.

   "I can't believe these guys were stupid enough to come into a club with 50 bikers having a bike meeting" - Jester

   But someone managed to run into an adjoining room where the bikers were holding their monthly meeting.

   "We were out there minding our own business and then these guys came to the bar here in the pokey (slot machine) area," Jester told the Sydney Morning Herald. "One of the guys took off... straight through a glass window, he didn't even bother pushing the button, he just ran straight through it."

   Jester said the police were delighted when they arrived on the scene.

   "They were really impressed that we caught these guys, because normally they get here and it's all over and done. But we caught the guys, still with their weapons, still in his balaclava and everything else.

   "It's a comedy of errors, I can't believe these guys were stupid enough to come into a club with 50 bikers having a bike meeting - just crazy."