Category: Other

1. Michelin’s Ramette Dominates the Arenacross UK Finall

   Posted on 9:00am Saturday 8th Mar 2014

   Thomas Ramette, aboard his Honda CRF450R fitted with Michelin Starcross MS3 tyres, dominated the final round of the Garmin Arenacross Tour on Saturday evening, taking a flag-to-flag victory in the Main Event at London’s Wembley Arena.

   After gelling quickly with the Wembley track, the French rider also took impressive victories in both his earlier heats riding for Dave Thorpe’s Michelin-sponsored team. Taking first place in the first heat, Ramette was followed across the line by Italian team-mate Angelo Pellegrini, who finished in third place and Luke Arbon who came in fifth.

   In the second heat Pellegrini finished second behind Ramette, while Arbon recovered well from a first-corner crash to cross the line in fifth place once again. Ramette continued his domination of the evening in Wembley’s Main Event, while Pellegrini rode into fifth. The Michelin-sponsored team ended the series in fifth place overall. The squad will now focus on the opening round of the British Motocross Championship which kicks off at Landrake in Cornwall on 16 March.

   Thomas Ramette: "It was a great night as I won both my heats and the Main Event so it was perfect for me. The track was really slippery and you had to ride smooth, so I'm really happy to finish the season with a win."

   Angelo Pellegrini: "I'm not 100% happy, because I wanted to finish the season on the podium again like the last round. The track and the event was really good this evening and I hope to be able to come back in the future."

   Luke Arbon: "Today was a little bit of a let-down as I felt really good on the bike and qualified with a good lap time. I just suffered a little bit with the outside gate picks and struggled with my starts. The track was really slippery tonight, but I can't thank Dave and the team enough for everything that they have done."

   Dave Thorpe: "Tonight has been very good for the team and Thomas has fulfilled the potential that he showed at Sheffield. He is a quality rider in Arenacross and I'm pleased for him as he worked hard this week and is a great guy to work with. Angelo has also been great for us in this series and now just needs to focus on improving his starts. Luke is another great rider and has done so well on the smaller machine.”

   Find out more about motorcycling with Michelin at www.moto.michelin.co.uk

    

   Michelin, the leading tyre company, is dedicated to sustainably improving the mobility of goods and people by manufacturing and marketing tyres for every type of vehicle, including aeroplanes, cars, bicycles/motorcycles, earthmovers, farm equipment and trucks. It also offers electronic mobility support services on ViaMichelin.com and publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in more than 170 countries, has 111,200 employees and operates 67 production plants in 17 different countries. The Group has a Technology Centre in charge of research and development with operations in Europe, North America and Asia. 

2. New accredited qualifications for the motorcycle training industry

   Posted on 8:38am Wednesday 5th Mar 2014

   A specialist education centre has been set up at the MCI’s headquarters in Coventry, which has been awarded official accredited status, in order to provide a programme of new qualifications for motorcycle instructors and motorcycle training businesses.

   The Motorcycle Industry Accreditation Centre was officially approved by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) last year - to run new vocational courses for both instructors and Approved Training Bodies (ATBs), which will begin in April.

   Help for customers

   Customers currently have no means of distinguishing good from bad when choosing an instructor or ATB. This is particularly important when choosing where to do Compulsory Basic Training (CBT), as the quality of this initial training experience is far more likely to win converts to motorcycling when delivered well. Also, those who invest time and money into building a superior business have no concrete way to stand out from less scrupulous operators.

   Professionalising the industry

   Introducing qualifications for instructors and ATBs will allow the motorcycle training industry to professionalise ahead of any compulsory requirements to do so and before the car training industry has managed to do the same. 

   These vocational qualifications will be equivalent to level 3 (approximately A level standard) and though they are voluntary, they will demonstrate to customers that the instructor or ATB involved will far exceed any minimum standards.

   Vocational Qualifications are work based awards that are achieved through assessment and training, which require the candidates to prove that they have the ability to carry out their job to a required standard.

   Welcomed by the wider industry

   MCI members also agree that more structure within the training industry will allow them to choose training partners more easily and to develop fleet programmes with corporate clients who need greater quality assurances than are currently available.

   The individual instructor training qualification will start in January 2015, but the first ATB course will begin in a few weeks’ time in April of this year. 20 ATBs will be given the chance to be the first in the UK to take a qualification specifically tailored to them. This can be taken by owners, directors, managers or whoever has responsibility for the day to day running, as it concentrates on the business of running an ATB. Those seeking instructor accreditation next year will need to be part of an ATB which has gained MCIAC ATB accreditation.

   Steve Kenward, CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Association explained: “Driver and motorcycle training has been left behind other training sectors in introducing a framework of recognised qualifications. This move should help to change that. Motorcycles should be a natural choice as a means of personal transport and for fleet operators too, but both need clearer signposts when choosing quality instructors. We are particularly proud to be able to launch this ahead of anything similar in the car driver training industry and before any compulsory requirements to do so by government bodies.”

   Karen Cole, Director of Safety and Training at the MCI, who has been instrumental in leading the bid to get accredited status for the MCI added: “Many working in the motorcycle training industry agree that the industry has suffered from a lack of recognition and professional status for too long and that needs to change. Accreditation fits into a long term strategy to deliver a ‘route to safer motorcycling’ model, which is a shared aim for MCI members and the Motorcycle Industry Association Trainers Association (MCITA). We are sure that if we can improve rider safety and raise the professionalism and credibility of the industry overall, we can expect much more support from government, manufacturers and other key stakeholders.”

   Cost

   The ATB course will normally be £1575, although there is an introductory offer for an initial 20 ATBs, which can be paid for in instalments. The intro offer is only for MCITA members who take a place on either the April or June course. ATBs interested in finding out more should contact the Course Administrator Lynne Whitehouse on 02476 408036 [email protected]

   Instructor training will take place from January 2015 and anyone wishing to take part will need to be affiliated to an MCIAC accredited ATB.

   www.mcia.co.uk

3. Fancy doing something different in 2014?

   Posted on 9:41am Monday 3rd Mar 2014

   What about coming to see a large collection of engines, running... exactly as they used to, many years ago!

   Old engines, ranging from a massive 500hp Allen, to the humble Lister that was used on farms many years ago. Bring your children to see the engines being started, and the grand parents who will remember using, or seeing them, in their youth. A visit to the museum provides an opportunity to see, and remember, British machinery as it used to be. Large engines of vertical or horizontal construction will be running, some ticking over quietly and unobtrusively, providing an opportunity to experience the evocative sounds and smells of a working engine museum.
   
   Whether you come on normal open-day, or during one of the special weekends, it will be a memorable occasion, an enjoyable day out, providing a chance to see something different.

   The museum is a popular venue for enthusiasts with many travelling from all parts of the UK, and even from overseas. 2014 marks the 10th Anniversary year of the opening of the museum, an important milestone in any calendar, as it provides a unique opportunity to look back and thank those who have supported the museum since day one, as well as taking in what has been achieved. This year is very special; you are guaranteed to receive a very warm welcome.

   A visit presents a wonderful opportunity to see engines made by once famous British manufactures. Evocative names like Tangye, Petter, Crossley, Ruston & Hornsby, Lister, Allen, Blackstone, National, Bristol Siddeley, Pelapone, and many others, will be on view for your entertainment. Internal Fire Museum of Power provides, for the younger visitor, an educational glimpse of our industrial past, while older visitors can enjoy a trip down memory lane.

   First Event: Petter VJ Day, April 12th 
   
   Second Event: A full Easter venue.
   
   After Easter: open Wednesday to Sunday inclusive.
   
   Further details with opening times:
   
   www.internalfire.com

4. GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FOR MICHELIN STUNT RIDER

   Posted on 9:38am Friday 28th Feb 2014

   Mark Van Driel has ridden into the record books on a Kawasaki ZX6R 636 fitted with Michelin Pilot Road 3 tyres.

   Mark, from the Michelin-sponsored 2 Bros Racing stunt riding team, broke the world record for performing the most ‘switchback zero rotations’ in one minute.

   The feat was captured by national television as part of CBBC’s second series of Officially Amazing – the show that follows wild and wacky World Record attempts.

   Switchback zero rotations involve the rider sitting facing backwards, using only expert balance to steer the bike through full circles – if the hands touch the handlebars at any time, the attempt has failed.

   In spite of terrible weather, Mark managed 13 rotations in 60 seconds, beating the previous unofficial record of 12 rotations and earning himself a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

   Mark said: “With terrible weather on the day of the attempt, I wasn’t sure what we would be able to achieve. Fortunately my stunt bike is fitted with Michelin’s Pilot Road 3 tyres, offering superb grip and stability – even when riding a bike backwards on wet concrete! Safety is absolutely critical to me whether I’m performing stunts or just enjoying being on the road, and the Pilot Road 3s go a long way to ensuring that safety margins are maximised.

   “I was really chuffed with the result. It’s a great feeling having your name attached to a World Record.”

   Michelin has sponsored Mark and his teammate Ash at 2 Bros Racing for two years, and is dedicated to showing how world-class tyres can transform both safety and performance.

   The Pilot Road 3 is testament to Michelin’s Total Performance ethos – a commitment to constantly improve tyre performance across a wide range of criteria including fuel efficiency, wet braking, dry braking, longevity and noise.

   Find out more about motorcycling with Michelin at moto.michelin.co.uk

5. GETTING A BIKE DIRTY HAS NEVER BEEN THIS FUN!

   Posted on 8:25am Tuesday 25th Feb 2014

   Regardless of your skill level there's a Triumph Adventure Riding experience perfectly suited to you.

   The fun-filled courses are run by expedition specialists Trailquest whose expertise means you'll be in safe hands no matter how confident you are off the beaten track.

   Based in the Malvern Hills the Triumph Riding Experiences will give you a taste of riding off-road, through woodlands, over a variety of surfaces and teach you bike control when ascending and descending tricky terrain.

   For those after a more comprehensive experience intermediate and advanced courses are available - but however you're progressing the team will always tailor your day to suit your specific needs with specific attention on making it an entertaining and fun day!

   All our courses are run on the superbly agile Tiger 800XC, our ultimate option for serious off-road riding, but we'll also cater for those who choose to bring their own bike along.

   Courses are available from £240 including your loan bike - see our website for more information and a comprehensive list of course pricing. Alternatively, if the course is for someone else the team will be happy to provide gift vouchers to use at a later date.

   If you want a taste of the action without booking a full day's training make sure you join us at Triumph LIVE at Gaydon Heritage Motor Centre on July 12th where the Triumph Adventure Riding Experience will be providing trial sessions.

   Contact the Triumph Adventure Riding Experience team on 01531 650252 to book or visit www.trailquestadventure.com for more information on courses.