Category: Other

1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

    

   

5. 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.