Category: Other

1. Roses are red, violets are blue, I love my motorbike, do you?

   Posted on 10:02am Friday 14th Feb 2014

   

2. Photographic memoir of John Surtees announced

   Posted on 8:45am Wednesday 12th Feb 2014

   John Surtees: My Incredible Life on Two and Four Wheels

   On the day of John Surtees’ 80th birthday, new motorsport book publisher EVRO Publishing announces that in June 2014 it will publish a photographic memoir by John Surtees.

   Containing over 250 photographs from Surtees’ own collection as well as from the world’s finest motorsport picture libraries, John Surtees: My Incredible Life on Two and Four Wheels will present a complete visual record of the life of the only man to have won World Championships on motorcycles and in cars. In motorcycle racing through the second half of the 1950s Surtees was in a class of his own, winning seven World Championships on Italian MV Agusta motorcycles. He was 500cc World Champion in 1956 and followed that with an incredible run of six titles – three each in the 350cc and 500cc categories – in the three years from 1958 to 1960.

   This year marks the 50th anniversary of Surtees becoming Formula 1 World Champion in 1964. Driving for Ferrari, Surtees achieved his unique accomplishment with outstanding wins in the German and Italian Grands Prix, as well as second places in three other races.

   John Surtees: My Incredible Life on Two and Four Wheels will show every great moment of his racing life as well as candid behind-the-scenes shots and personal photographs right back to his childhood. Accompanying the imagery will be Surtees’ own commentary, written in collaboration with leading motorsport journalist Mike Nicks.

   Royalties from sales of John Surtees: My Incredible Life on Two and Four Wheels will go to the Henry Surtees Foundation, which was set up to honour the memory of John’s son Henry, who was killed in a freak accident 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.

   John Surtees: My Incredible Life on Two and Four Wheels

   Published by EVRO Publishing, 19 June 2014

   Jacketed hardback • Price £50 • 304 pages • 295x240mm • ISBN 978 0 99282 092 3

   EVRO Publishing is a new motorsport book publisher set up by Eric Verdon-Roe (former Group Managing Director, Haymarket Publishing) and Mark Hughes (former Editorial Director, Haynes Publishing, Books Division).

3. Biker is buried in leathers astride his beloved 1967 Harley-Davidson in a transparent casket

   Posted on 9:21am Wednesday 5th Feb 2014

   Bill Standley spent many of his years travelling across America atop his 1967 Electra Glide and his wish was to be buried with his beloved Harley... and he has!

   The avid motorcyclist Bill was determined to take the bike with him when he departed and so with the help of his sons Pete and Roy, they created a customised 9ft x 11ft pexiglass box, where he sits astride his prized Harley-Davidson, dressed in his leathers and sunglasses.

   The idea came about many years ago, where he said about who would be left his bike “What am I supposed to do? I’ve got two sons, but only one bike”. His daughter said to him “Oh Dad, just be buried with it”. And so the plan was hatched.
   

   The family man had the casket stored for the past five years and would show off the casket to friends.  'He was proud of it,' his son Roy said.
   
   While his family agreed that the procession to the cemetery, during which the body was on display, may be shocking, they wanted to honor their father's last wish. 'He'd done right by us all these years, and at least we could see he goes out the way he wanted to,' said his other son Pete. His daughter, Dorothy, added that he was 'a quirky man'.
   

   Mr Standley, who used to work as a bareback rodeo rider, was be escorted to the ceremony on 31st January, 2014 at the Fairview Cemetery in Mutual, USA by a procession of bikers.

   Five embalmers prepared his body and secured him with a metal back brace and straps to ensure he will never lose his seat on his beloved bike. The casket was lowered into three burial plots, which are next to his wife Lorna.
   

   One funeral attendee said: ‘Some people walk through the pearly gates, some people ride.’

4. FULLER GETS ONBOARD A KTM

   Posted on 9:15am Sunday 2nd Feb 2014

   British Winter Olympic snowboarder Aimee Fuller takes to two wheels

   •22-year old Aimee Fuller - Team GB medal hope for Olympics
   •Completes CBT on 125 Duke before Games
   •‘Slopestyle’ Snowboarder used to race motocross
   •Planning on a 390 Duke and completing full test after Games
   •Watch the video of Aimee’s CBT here

   Winter Olympic snowboarder, Aimee Fuller, has taken the first steps in getting her motorcycle licence by completing the Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) on a KTM 125 Duke.
   
   One of the country’s most promising freestyle snowboarders, Fuller, 22, will represent Team GB in the ‘Slopestyle’ event in Sochi, Russia, on February 6. Originally from Kent but based in Holywood, County Down, Aimee needed two top 12 finishes in the last two World Cup events to represent her country at the games and did so with 11th and fifth, sitting eight overall in the world standings.
   
   No stranger to bikes or KTM, Aimee began riding on a 50SX and even competed in motocross for a number of seasons from the age of X. Earlier this winter she found time to head to Shires Motorcycle Training (Derby) and complete her CBT as the first stage to obtaining her full licence.
   
   Aimee Fuller said: “I’ve always wanted to get a road bike, but I’ve been so busy travelling and competing all over the world to find the time to do it. Fortunately, I was able to do my CBT with Shires on a 125 Duke. I’ve sold my car now, so once the games in Sochi are finished I’m going to complete my full test and get a 390 Duke.
   
   “Bikes will be a buzz for me when I’m away from the slopes and I’m planning a big tour through Norway in the summer taking in snowboarding, surfing and bikes – as long as I pass my test!”
   
   In 2013, the 125 Duke became the first bike in its class to be equipped standard with a two-channel (front and rear) ABS system and for 2014 it continues to be offered with free insurance* and 0% finance options.**
   
   Incredibly easy to handle, lightweight, torquey, comfortable and perfectly suited to everyday use alone or two-up, the Duke has also been tested and ergonomically designed for extreme manoeuvres and thrillingly fast cornering. The bike is supremely well equipped, robust, extremely economical, inexpensive to maintain and only £3,995 on the road in a choice of orange or white.
   
   Visit www.ktm.com for more information.

5. Brandon’s Harley Davidson wish fulfilled as 400 bikes ride out

   Posted on 7:36am Wednesday 15th Jan 2014

   It was a dream come true for Brandon Carter as he was whisked off for a ride on a Harley Davidson.

   Hundreds of bikers and pillion riders turned out in support of the 26-year-old. Mr Carter from Colley Gate has been diagnosed with terminal cancer but wanted to fulfil his wish of taking to the seat of his dream bike.

   Organisers had originally planned a small gathering but as word started to spread, more and more people wanted to join in and help raise money. And on Sunday 12th January 2014, around 400 bikes descended on Streetbike in Halesowen to set out on a ride to Quatt Cafe near Bridgnorth.

   The group which included several marshals set off at about 11am with police stopping the traffic to allow them to leave the site. They travelled to Stourbridge and then on to Enville and Six Ashes before arriving just outside Bridgnorth. Mr Carter, who was diagnosed with a melanoma in November, said he was ‘shocked’ by the huge turnout.

   “It was a surprise. I wasn’t expecting so many people. “I’m a big fan of Harleys from watching films” he added. 
   
   His uncle David Brenton said he was ‘bowled over’ by the turnout. “The number of bikes there was unbelievable. I am so grateful from the bottom of my heart. This is exactly what Brandon needs and hopefully will give him a bit of a lift.”

   One of the organisers, Stewart Boggild, 26, from Bridgnorth Bikers, said: “This is what bikers do. We are a family. We like to support each other. When word got out on Facebook about the event, we couldn’t believe the reaction. Before we knew it we had almost 280 people sign up. I’m the same age as Brandon and it was important for me to get involved because of what he’s going through,” he added.

   Streetbike director Gary Marshall said he was ‘delighted’ to support the event. “I don’t think bikers always get enough credit. It is a real community and an event like this shows how people pull together. I was very happy to be involved.”

   Collections were held at the event to raise money for Brandon and Macmillan Cancer Support.
   
   Article supplied by Express & Star