Category: Other

1. Suzuki GSXR 600 revealed as headline prize for Michelin Power Cup draw

   Posted on 8:32am Monday 17th Mar 2014

   Riders in the 2014 Michelin Power Cup have the chance to win a brand new bike – thanks to the backing of Suzuki. The keys of the GSXR 600 will go to someone who buys a Michelin tyre at a Hottrax Motorsport series.

   To better the chances of getting their hands on the 600cc machine, racers can be entered into the draw more than once, as for each Michelin tyre purchased, riders will be given a voucher to enter. The more tyres that racers purchase, the more chances they will have to win!

   For amateur racers (pro or novice) the Michelin Power Cup Championships provide the ultimate racing experience at extremely competitive prices. With all the drama and excitement of professional racing, riders will experience the same level of paddock camaraderie, expert advice, generous hospitality and prestigious podium trophy ceremonies.

   Racing around some of Britain’s best tracks, the action kicks off at Brands Hatch on March 22 and moves on to renowned circuits including Cadwell Park, Donington and Snetterton.

   At each of the nine rounds, riders are guaranteed a timed practice, four competitive races, plus long distance riding around the best of Britain’s professional circuits.

   The 5th Michelin Power Cup is set to be bigger and better than ever before and now for the first time includes a separate ‘rookie’ championship designed specifically for novice racers.

   Both pro and novice championships have two classes for 600 and 1000 superstock based machines, all racing with Michelin’s Power range of tyres.

   Designed to set blistering times on the track, the range includes the championship’s namesake, Michelin Power Cup tyres. These are the ultimate in competition tyres – road legal and with superb track performance allowing for incredible grip in the corners and super-fast lap times.

   James Dimmock, Marketing Manager for Michelin Motorcycle in the UK and Republic of Ireland, said: “We’re really pleased that Suzuki is getting behind the Michelin Power Cup and other Hottrax series in this way.

   “The series already attracts support from across the industry, with sponsors including Alpinestars, Arai, Protyre and Fuchs Silkolene. Their support coupled with our passion here at Michelin for the Power Cup mean that the series is now in its fifth year of successful racing.

   “The Michelin Power Cup is a unique series and being able to offer incentives like this just makes it all the more special.”

   The prize draw for the GSXR 600 is in addition to a host of other incentives for competitors in the Michelin Power Cup, including cash prizes, sponsor prizes and hospitality.

   The top three riders in the new Michelin Power Cup Rookie Championship will share a £3,000 prize fund, while pro championship racers can win £800 in Hottrax vouchers per round – making an impressive total pro championship prize fund of £7,200.

   With some of the lowest prices in British amateur racing, entrants can get take their place on the grid for just £245 per round plus £35 yearly club membership.

   Limited spaces are available. For anyone wanting to take part in the action, visit www.hottrax-motorsport.co.uk or call 08455 193 197 for more information.

   To find out more about Michelin motorcycle tyres, visit moto.michelin.co.uk

2. Foggy & Whit "Givin It Gas" at the NMM!‏

   Posted on 11:28am Saturday 15th Mar 2014

   SUPERBIKE legends Carl Fogarty and James Whitman are set to make a pit stop in Solihull on the latest lap of their UK chat show tour.
   
   Foggy and Whit have been revving up audiences across the UK for the last four years with their popular stage show ‘Foggy and Whit: Givin It Gas’.
   
   The old rivals and best of friends compete in a hilarious, highly charged race down memory lane. Neither holds back and fans are treated to an evening of candid banter – live and uncut. Fuelled by the success of their 2014 January Tour, the pair will hit the road again for three extra dates in May, including a show at the National Motorcycle Museum. "We've never been to the National Motorcycle Museum before. I can imagine they’re pretty chuffed to get a couple of old relics like us!" jokes Whit.

   The lads kick start their engines at The National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull on Tuesday May 13th.

   And as an added bonus, any fans buying tickets for the show will also gain free entry to the museum, which contains the largest collection of British motorbikes in the world!

   "It’s a win-win,” explains Foggy. “The National Motorcycle Museum is home to some of the most iconic racing bikes in the world so it’s the perfect venue for an event like this. The show itself is unscripted so even Whit and I never quite know what to expect, which is part of the fun! This is our fourth UK tour and we’ve never had one negative comment – bike fans seem to really love the format. It’s a chance to hear about some of the crazy stuff that happened off the track and never made the press.”

   The show, featuring on-stage chat and questions from the audience, will last around two hours and feature a charity prize draw. Full bar & catering facilities are available at the Museum venue.
   
   Tickets are priced at just £20 and for more details (including a great hotel offer) about how to purchase visit www.foggyandwhit.co.uk

3. New Cross Border Alliance creates unique specialist representation across Scotland and North of England

   Posted on 1:29pm Wednesday 12th Mar 2014

   Two of the UK’s leading motorcycle accident law firms have joined forces to provide specialist cross-border legal expertise to motorcyclists injured in road traffic collisions in Scotland and the North of England.

   The strategic alliance between Motorcycle Law Scotland in Scotland and Hipkin & Co Solicitors based in North East England unites the market leaders in motorcycle accident representation and will see each firm refer clients when an accident happens in the other’s jurisdiction and where a different legal system exists.

   If a motorcyclist has an accident in Scotland but lives in England, their claim is subject to Scottish law and they therefore need to use the services of a Scottish firm. Likewise, if a Scottish motorcyclist has an accident in England, then they need to use a firm based in England or Wales as any claim is subject to the legal system of England and Wales.

   Brenda Mitchell, founder of Motorcycle Law Scotland with more than 25 years of experience as a personal injury lawyer, said: “By working together, both Motorcycle Law Scotland and Hipkin & Co Solicitors will ensure that cross-border clients will receive the best possible representation when claiming for often very serious injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents. So often these accidents need specialist knowledge and handling, and this will ensure our clients always receive the highest standard of advice.”

   The alliance also aims to highlight the need to instruct independent, specialist motorcycle accident lawyers to fight a victim’s claim, rather than accept a solicitor ‘appointed’ by an insurer.

   When a motorcyclist is involved in a road traffic collision as a result of a driver’s negligence, they are entitled to claim for their loss, injury and damage. In these circumstances, the choice of legal representation is up to the motorcyclist and not his or her insurer. However, because of the unique nature of motorcycle accidents, it is best to instruct an independent specialist motorcycle accident lawyer who understands motorcycling, rather than one “appointed” by an insurer.

   Mark Hipkin, Principal and head of Hipkin & Co Solicitors motorcycle department added: “Brenda and I have known each other for over 10 years. We share a common interest in bikes, biking and putting our biker clients first. Both of us go the extra mile for our clients and it’s our personal service and “never say die” attitude that gets us results. Our alliance is a natural step to helping bikers on both sides of the border – which is only 70 miles away from our office. I regularly enjoy the tremendous roads that Northumberland and the Borders offer bikers.

4. Cyclist killed after hitting pothole

   Posted on 12:40pm Monday 10th Mar 2014

   A 51-year-old cyclist was killed on a charity bike ride after riding over a pothole the council had failed to repair, an inquest heard.

   Martyn Uzzell died instantly when he hit the 4in deep pothole on a main road and was thrown into the path of a car. Only a month before the tragedy, the council sent workers to inspect the pothole after police said it was a hazard. But it was decided immediate repairs were not necessary.

   Coroner Rob Turnbull told the inquest at Skipton Magistrates’ Court there was ‘no doubt whatsoever that the condition of the road on that occasion was the cause of the incident’. He said the pothole, which surrounded a roadside drain, had ‘existed for some time prior to the accident’.

   Yesterday Mr Uzzell’s widow Kate,  48, revealed she was pursuing a  compensation claim against North Yorkshire County Council after his ‘entirely avoidable’ death. She said: ‘It is simply disgraceful that a pothole on such a busy road was allowed to go unrepaired. This should not have happened. My husband was an experienced cyclist and was out doing what he loved, while raising money for charities close to his heart, but it has cost him his life.’

   The tragedy happened in June 2011 when Mr Uzzell, a service engineer, was cycling with two friends from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money for a cancer and children’s charity. They were riding along the A65 road at Giggleswick, North Yorkshire, when Mr Uzzell hit the pothole and fell into the path of a VW Golf behind him. He suffered devastating head injuries.

   After the coroner ruled his death was the result of a road traffic accident, Mrs Uzzell, of Clevedon, Somerset, said she wanted to know ‘why something wasn’t done’ when the council had been warned about the pothole. Local authorities have a legal obligation to keep roads in a good state, but usually prioritise repairs according to how deep and dangerous potholes are. It is not known how deep the pothole was when inspected by council staff five weeks before the tragedy, the inquest heard. Police had called the council’s customer service team to report the pothole, but the operator did not pass the information on to the highways department, the inquest heard.

   However, a council inspection was carried out two days later and the hole was ruled not serious enough for immediate attention. A further inspection was made of the road before the accident and again no action was taken.

   Mrs Uzzell said: ‘I do not want anyone else to lose a loved one because the roads have not been properly maintained. ‘My life has been devastated, I have lost my best friend and soul mate, a lovely person, who bought joy to my life, I am lost and lonely without Martyn.  'And it isn’t just me, Martyn’s entire family is also suffering the loss of someone very special.’

   Police confirmed Mr Uzzell and his group had cycled competently, travelling at a reasonable speed with a good distance from one another and were wearing appropriate clothing. The Crown Prosecution Service decided the council failings did not constitute a criminal offence and refused to press charges. Mrs Uzzell said: ‘I was devastated when the CPS told me they would not be prosecuting. My husband has died yet no one is being held to account as to how this was allowed to happen.’

   North Yorkshire County Council said it would consider the coroner’s comments carefully and expressed sympathy. Potholes, made worse by harsh winter weather, cause millions of pounds of damage to cars each year but are especially dangerous to cyclists.

   Chris Peck, of the Cycling Touring Club, said: ‘They can cause injury and in some cases such as this, death.’

   Article supplied by Street Repairs

5. TV Series of an epic motorcycle journey from Scotland to Australia

   Posted on 9:00am Monday 10th Mar 2014

   This mostly solo trip started in Perth Scotland,through 19 countries across Europe, Asia and finishing in Perth Australia. It took approximately 4 and a half months to cover the 28,800 km. This 6 Part TV series tells the story of that adventure.

   Steven Kirk a long time resident in Perth reaches middle age and decides that the world has more to offer the keen motorcyclist. Inspired by pioneers who first arrived on Australian shores centuriesearlier, Steven tried to recapture some of that excitement by travelling on his own quest from theoriginal Perth in Scotland. Hoping to feel similar experiences of the long journey by land, taking him through the Middle East and across the top end of Australia before arriving home in Perth.

   The DVD initially aimed at motorcyclists has seen interest from the general public in looking at the different cultures and countries travelled through. Described as gritty and truthful, perhaps with some rough edges but with an interesting story of an ordinary bloke on an extraordinary journey.

   The DVD is available in Australia and UK via website purchase www.perthtoperth.com and selected motorcycle shops in Australia. 

   What started out as a hobby to record the trip has turned into an epic TV series, aimed primarily to inspire others, now supporting charities with the benefit of sales worldwide. In UK all profits go to Help for Heroes. Help for Heroes give practical, direct support to our current wounded

   Some comments from adventure motorcycle forums and emails:

   "One of the best and easiest to watch amateur films"

   "They really are fantastic, arguably one of the best produced and edited shows since Long Way Round"

   "Excellent. The presentation was superb. Top Bloke"

   "I hope you enjoyed the trip as much as I enjoyed watching it. Great adventure....some tense moments there in Pakistan"

   “Absolutely brilliant, great achievement”

   About Steven

   Originally from Scotland, now living in Australia for past 22 years, Steven runs a successful Fire Engineering consultancy in Perth. Motorcycling is in his blood, having ridden in several countries with famous names such as Charley Boorman [Long Way Round, Long Way Down, By any means, Worlds Most Dangerous roads] , Ross Noble comedian, Simon Pavey [Race to Dakar and Long Way Round], Ted Simon [Jupiter’s Travels] he has joined the list of many who partake in motorcycling adventures on a almost routine basis. Now he is planning the next big adventure, Alaska in USA to the Southern tip of Argentina later this year which will also be recorded for TV.

   www.perthtoperth.com