Category: Other

1. Off-road biking legend Patsy Quick supports Riders for Health

   Posted on 12:01am Wednesday 6th Mar 2013

   The off-road motorcycle racer, most famous for being the first British woman to complete the gruelling Dakar Rally, is supporting Riders for Health at the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) Show 18th – 19th May at the Peterborough Arena (formerly east of England Showground).

   Patsy Quick became the first British woman to complete the legendary desert endurance race, the Dakar Rally, in 2006. Her incredible achievement came after three unsuccessful attempts, one of which cost Patsy her spleen. Prior to the Dakar, Patsy was both British and European Women’s Enduro Champion.

   Now Patsy is supporting other women who are achieving incredible feats with motorcycles. In Africa, Riders for Health trains female health workers to ride confidently and safely in the difficult terrain to deliver life-saving health care to remote rural villages. Riders also trains and employs local people as technicians to service the bikes on a regular basis so that they never break down, no matter how harsh the conditions.

   Patsy will lead a ride-in on behalf of Riders for Health to the BMF Show at Peterborough Arena (formerly the East of England Showground) on Saturday 18th May.

   There will be the opportunity for members of the public to join the ride en-route. Further details on how to book tickets and the route will be released nearer the time on the BMF and Riders for Health websites.

   ‘I think that the work Riders for Health does is vital to the continued health of people in developing countries,’ explained Patsy. ‘It’s amazing to think how many lives in Africa have been saved by a motorcycle.’ At the May BMF Show, Patsy will be helping Riders for Health to promote their off-road fundraising ride to Zambia, Experience Africa.

   Experience Africa is more than an off-road motorcycle tour. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the inspiring work being done in Zambia by Riders for Health and see how motorcycles are saving lives in Africa. What’s more, the money raised from the ride helps to support their humanitarian work.

   Riders for Health are running a raffle at all of the events that they are attending this year to give away a free place on one of the 2014 Experience Africa rides. For your chance to win this incredible prize worth £4,800, visit Riders for Health’s stand in the NEW Adventure and Overland area at the May BMF Show or at the BMF Tailend Show (14th – 15th September) and buy a ticket for just £1.

   You can also buy tickets at The BMF Kelso Bikefest, British Superbikes races, Day of Champions and the British MotoGP and World Superbike races at Silverstone. The winning ticket will be drawn at the Tailend Show on Sunday 15th September at Peterborough Arena.

   Show organisers, The Mulberry Group’s, Managing Director Martin Chick commented “We are really excited about having Patsy at the Show and we hope as many people as possible will be able to join her on the ride-in”. The New Adventure and Overland Touring area at the show will give everyone the opportunity to meet Patsy and the Experience Africa team as well as seeing some great presentations”.

   Riders for Health is the official charity of MotoGP™ and the Fédération Internationale de Motorcyclisme (FIM). The organisation provides health workers in Africa with motorcycles so that they can reach remote villages with vital health care.

   Patsy now runs her own off-road motorcycle school, Desert Rose Racing, helping other riders to achieve their rally dreams.

2. Racing dreams from SHARK

   Posted on 12:01am Tuesday 5th Mar 2013

   SHARK Helmets has introduced a brand new helmet into its extensive collection. The Race –R PRO CARBON has been developed from the Race –R PRO and will be worn by SHARK racers in MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3, World Superbike and British Superbikes during the 2013 season.       

   Sitting at the top of SHARK’s Racing Division, the Race –R PRO CARBON has a significant noise reduction of 4.5db(A), compared with the Race –R PRO. The helmet benefits from its lightweight carbon/aramid shell construction and has superb aerodynamics thanks to its shape and rear spoiler. It also features SHARK’s brand new bamboo comfort fibre interior.      

   SHARK has its own safety laboratory where helmets are pushed to their limits and strict safety tests are carried out, to ensure these helmets meet the five-star levels of protection achieved by the Race -R PRO.      

   The Race –R PRO CARBON is available in a variety of colours, which all show a section of the carbon/aramid fibre that makes up the helmet, and is priced at £479.99.

   www.shark-helmets.com

3. Engineer Filippo Preziosi resigns from Ducati Motor Holding

   Posted on 12:01am Friday 1st Mar 2013

   For reasons of poor health, Filippo Preziosi has taken the decision to resign his position.

   The company thanks him for 19 years of outstanding professional service. The now vacant position of Ducati Motor Holding Director of R&D to be announced

   Borgo Panigale, (Bologna, Italy) 28 February 2013 - Engineer, Filippo Preziosi, has communicated his intention to resign from his position at Ducati Motor Holding.

   Declaring reasons of poor health related to his particular physical condition, Preziosi’s resignation was accepted by Ducati, saddened and disappointed to lose such an accomplished and strategic member of staff. The company respectfully acknowledges the 45-year old Italian’s decision and thanks him for his significant contribution during his 19 years with Ducati, 12 of which were within Ducati Corse.

   Previously occupying the role of General Manager of Ducati Corse, Preziosi, was appointed Director of Research and Development of Ducati Motor Holding at the end of 2012 and was to start his new role after a period of rest. An announcement of the successor to this strategic role, now left vacant by the resignation, will be communicated in due course.

4. Furygan introduces new generation D3O protection

   Posted on 12:01am Friday 1st Mar 2013

   French manufacturer Furygan is introducing a new generation of D3O limb protectors into its products, which meet the new CE standard introduced this week. The T5 EVO Pro protectors pass level 2 of the new CE standard across ambient, wet and cold (-10ºC) conditions and pass level 1 when tested in hot conditions at 40ºC.

   The soft and flexible protectors are for hips, knees, shoulders and elbows and will be fitted as standard in all Furygan’s leather and textile jackets and pants (excluding the Genesis Range). They are lightweight and breathable, offering greater protection without compromising on comfort. Existing Furygan textile products that are equipped with D3O’s T5 Pro level 1 protectors can be fitted with the new T5 EVO Pro version.      

   D3O is the first company to market a solution that exceeds the highest level of performance in all tests for the new standard EN1621-1. It uses a unique patented technology, which produces a superior shock absorbing material. In standard conditions, the material’s molecules flow freely allowing the material to remain soft and flexible, but on impact, they lock together to absorb impact energy and reduce the force transmitted. The molecules instantly return to their flexible state.      

   By introducing the new D3O range into its products, Furygan is reinforcing its already superior offering in terms of protective clothing. The company’s in-house Motion Lab testing facility already ensures that every garment produced is constructed from leather or textile material that not only meets, but in some cases exceeds current European regulations for motorcyclist protection. Together, Furygan and D3O aim to deliver the highest level of protective performance in the motorcycle apparel market.      

   www.nevis.uk.com

   www.D3O.com

5. Barbour returns to motorcycling roots

   Posted on 12:01am Wednesday 27th Feb 2013

   Barbour has announced the launch of the Barbour International Authentic Motorcycle range, marking a welcome return to motorcycling for the British clothing manufacturer.
   
   The wax cotton International jacket has been a mainstay of Barbour’s range since its original introduction more than 75 years ago. It has now been redesigned to accommodate CE-approved elbow and shoulder armour, and a Level 2 back protector as standard.
   
   Manufactured in an 8oz wax cotton, Barbour’s International motorcycling jacket features a near identical specification to the original International, albeit with a new waterproof tartan lining and a reflective belt.
   
   The jacket also features a dark red satin zip-out thermal liner, which can be removed on warmer days and, naturally, the International’s distinctive diagonal chest pocket, originally introduced in 1951 for quick access to maps.
   
   To offer increased protection for motorcyc lists, Barbour has also developed wax cotton over-trousers that zip together with the International motorcycling jacket. The trousers also feature CE-approved armour in the knee and hip areas, as well as a waterproof lining.
   
   Following its original launch in 1947, the International quickly became a firm favourite amongst motorcyclists, and in the 1954 International Six Day Trial more than 70% of competitors wore the jacket.
   
   Ten years later, the International was worn exclusively by the American ISDT team, featuring Steve McQueen and Bud Ekins, the stunt rider who performed McQueen’s famous fence leap in The Great Escape.
   
   Steve Buck, managing director of Barbour, said: “In recent years, traditional and classic motorcycles have become increasingly popular. Many of our customers told us that they prefer to wear traditional motorcycle clothing when out on their bikes, but that it needed to include protective armour. We have listened to our customers and we have created the Barbour International Authentic Motorcycle range that not only looks the part but also offers significantly enhanced levels of protection for the rider. The jacket and trousers are almost identical in design to those originally worn by riders from the 1940s through to the 70s, so our motorcycling heritage has been incorporated into these garments for a truly authentic look.”

   The Barbour International Authentic Motorcycle jacket will be priced at £399.99, including elbow and shoulder armour and a Level 2 back protector. The trousers will be priced at £239.99 and will incorporate knee and hip armour. All the armour has been produced specifically for the Barbour collection by Forcefield.  Both pieces will initially be available exclusively through MotoLegends and will be on sale at the beginning of March.

   www.motolegends.com