Category: Other

1. National Motorcycle Museum 30th Anniversary Photo Competition & Pop Up Art Gallery

   Posted on 8:22am Thursday 29th May 2014

   To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the National Motorcycle Museum is holding a series of celebrations including a photography competition, from 1 August 2014 until the anniversary year culminates with the “free” open day, on Saturday 1st November 2014.

   The winning images will be those which most inspire admiration for the British Motorcycle & the British Motorcycle industry. At the free open day, Museum Director James Hewing plus a leading “classic” magazine editor and one of the star guests from the world of motorcycle racing will judge the photos and announce the winners. Shortlisted entries will be displayed at the Museum prior to final judging.

   First prize will be a weekend break at a UK Best Western hotel. Runners-up will receive a free visit to the Museum for up to five people, including a personal VIP guided tour and lunch at the Museum Restaurant.

   Each image must specify the make and model of British machine featured as well as the photographers name and location where the image was taken. Both professional and budding photographers are invited to contribute with copyright of all material submitted being granted to the National Motorcycle Museum.

   Contributions are invited by e-mail to [email protected] or by post from the following age groups & in the following categories-
   Age Groups- Under 12 Year’s. 12-18 Years. Over 18 Years.
   Categories- Best or Most Unusual Location. Best or Most Unusual Subject Matter. Humorous.

   Pop Up Gallery

   The National Motorcycle Museum is also running a pop-up art gallery; ‘A Celebration of the Motorcycle’ which opens on 1st July 2014. The gallery will feature a variety of works from different specialisms, including sculptures, paintings, photographs and alternative media art. The gallery will be held in the foyer at the museum, for visitors to view at no extra cost, until the 30th anniversary free open day on Saturday 1st November 2014.

   
   The National Motorcycle Museum
   
   Conveniently located in the heart of the Midlands Transport Network, with Birmingham International railway station just a five-minute taxi ride away. At over 1000 machines the National Motorcycle Museum is not only the largest collection of British Motorcycles in the World but also an award-winning venue with conferencing and events facilities. 

   www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk

2. Anniversary XX. Erzbergrodeo with Mitas as the official partner

   Posted on 4:35pm Wednesday 28th May 2014

   Prague, 28 May 2014 – Mitas announces the sponsorship of the anniversary XX. Erzbergrodeo, which will be held from Thursday, 29 May, to Sunday, 1 June 2014, in Erzberg, Austria. More than 1,500 off-road motorcycle riders from the world over will face the challenges of the Erzberg open-pit mine. Mitas will provide exclusive tyre sales and service at the race site.

   On Friday, 30 May, and Saturday, 31 May, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Actionzone of Erzbergrodeo-Arena, the Mitas One-On-One Rider Presentation will be held. The specially prepared Endurocross track will be the playground for Enduro world champions, X-Games medallists, Supercross icons, Trial legends, Dakar winners, FMX idols and ATV masters.

   Ksenija Bitenc, the managing director for Mitas Moto, emphasises the dedication of the Mitas brand to top extreme enduro events. ”With XX. Erzbergrodeo, we strengthen our loyalty and enthusiasm for top extreme enduro racing. We are proud that we are a part of it and that our tyres are appreciated by many extreme enduro riders all over the world.”

   Erzbergrodeo race promoter Karl Katoch describes the cooperation: "Mitas and Erzbergrodeo have a long and successful history in off-road motorcycle racing. The characteristics and philosophy of both brands fit together very well. World Xtreme Enduro Racing demands maximum determination from the riders as well as high-grade products from the industry. We are therefore happy to present Mitas tyres to the racers.”

   Erzbergrodeo facts and figures: - 45,000 visitors in four days - 1,500 competitors from more than 35 nations - 1,500 entries on the waiting list - 4,500 entourage - 300 staff - 200 tour guides - 100 emergency staff (Mountain Rescue Service, Red Cross & paramedics) - 6 helicopters - 30 camera operators - 400 journalists from more than 25 nations

    

3. RECORD VISITOR NUMBERS FOLLOWING LAUNCH OF NEW HAYNES INTERNATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM

   Posted on 11:39am Wednesday 28th May 2014

   · Museum sees a 246% increase in visitors following re-launch last month

   · Educational visits up 77%

   · Increase heralded as an “encouraging result” for the West Country economy

   Haynes International Motor Museum has announced an impressive 246% increase in its visitor numbers since its re-launch last month (period 16 April-21 May 2014) – a record in its history. It has also reported a 77% year on year increase in the number of educational visits.

   The Museum, which has a collection of over 400 of some of the greatest cars and motorcycles from around the world, last month saw over 500 guests come to see Culture Minister Ed Vaizey MP open the brand new facility and praise it for the prominent role it plays in the Somerset and West Country economy.

   The £5 million project included the creation of three new exhibitions halls, modernisation of three other halls, creation of Haynes Motorland for children, the development of new function room facilities, new shop, café and entrance foyer and also included the introduction of new interactive exhibits.

   Marc Haynes, Managing Director of Haynes International Motor Museum, said: “We are delighted to have welcomed such an increase in visitors over the last month since our re-opening. This is fantastic news for us and importantly also for the local economy, particularly after a difficult winter when the region was devastated by flooding. All our facilities are fully operational and we look forward to further establishing ourselves as a gateway destination for tourism in the region.

   We are also pleased to see the uplift in visitors for educational reasons. As an educational charitable trust, we have always prided ourselves on providing a fun experience, yet one where visitors can discover the evolution of the car and engineering through the generations, encouraging the young to take an interest in our heritage in an authentic interactive way. Our family friendly exhibits and the new ‘paint a car’ are proving to be particularly popular with our younger – and some of our older! – guests.”

4. Michelin to become MotoGP tyre supplier from 2016

   Posted on 4:37pm Saturday 24th May 2014

   Dorna Sports, promoter and organiser of the MotoGP World Championship, which is sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), has announced that Michelin will be the sole supplier of tyres to teams participating in the series from 2016.

   “Our policy of carrying over our technologies from track to street fits perfectly with the new technical regulations which are due to be introduced in 2016 and which will dictate the use of 17-inch wheels. That is why Michelin decided to submit a bid following the tender process instigated by Dorna Sports. We take this opportunity to thank the governing bodies for the confidence they have placed in us today. Their confidence recognises Michelin’s expertise and the 26 Riders’ world titles it has secured”, says MICHELIN Motorsport’s Director Pascal COUASNON.

   The MotoGP World Championship features the discipline’s most technologically sophisticated bikes, the power output of which exceeds 250hp. The level of performance they deliver both mechanically and dynamically is very high. The series also stars the world’s best riders and their efficiency is notably due to the confidence they have in their machines, particularly their tyres. The discipline consequently serves as an exceptional proving ground for the technological innovations of tomorrow.

   Thanks to the MICHELIN Total Performance concept, which consists of constantly and simultaneously pushing the envelope in all the areas that influence tyre performance, Michelin is geared to providing the riders with increasingly higher levels of grip in dry and wet conditions alike.

5. Anger over the state of Westbury’s roads

   Posted on 12:38pm Wednesday 21st May 2014

   Anger is mounting in the town over the state of Westbury’s roads and the growing number of dangerous potholes.

   The issue was aggravated by the wet winter and now there have been calls for Wiltshire Council to act. There are also concerns that Wiltshire Council have ‘cut corners’ with temporary repairs that only last a few days.

   New Westbury Mayor, cllr Christine Mitchell said, “The potholes are atrocious in Westbury, something needs to be done. The potholes can’t always be avoided, it is an accident waiting to happen. If there is water in the potholes then it is difficult for cyclists or motorcyclists to know how deep the hole is. I can’t say it is only Wiltshire though, it seems to be bad in other counties as well.”

   Wiltshire Council had 40 percent more potholes reported in the first two months of 2014 compared to 2013. This equates to more than 2,600 carriageway defects compared to around 1,900 last year. This led to the council investing an extra £250,000 at the start of 2014 to combat the problem.

   Wiltshire councillor Terry Chivers says he believes that Wiltshire Council cut corners when trying to fix the potholes. He said, “I’m receiving complaints that these temporary repairs are only lasting a few days and often only a few hours. It seems to me and to most people, that it must be much easier and cheaper to do a proper job than bodge it.”

   There is some good news on the horizon, though, after Wiltshire Council was awarded an extra £3million to repair potholes. This is part of the £168million Pothole Repair Fund the government has allocated towards fixing more than three million potholes across the UK to make roads safer and smoother for motorists, cyclists and other road users.

   However, the priorities for pothole repair have not yet been set and so it is unclear if Westbury will be benefitting from the Pothole Repair Fund.

   A spokesperson for Wiltshire Council said, “This money will be used to repair and resurface the worst affected stretches of road. Wiltshire Council are spending a huge amount of money on roads but the full programme for this has not yet been set.

   To report a pothole or a street problem to your council please CLICK HERE