Indianapolis (USA), 9 August 2015 - An extremely demanding weekend for the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini has just come to an end where they found a stubborn adversary in the American Indianapolis track. The characteristics of the Indy track penalised the RS-GP, especially in the second half of the race when tyre wear kept Alvaro Bautista from battling for a finish in a position that would have earned him championship points, where he had been hanging on, and it kept Stefan Bradl from holding onto the positions he had gained after a good start. The German rider also had to deal with pain in his recently operated right wrist, but he is leaving the United States with good sensations after his debut on the Aprilia.

At the start Alvaro Bautista was unable to find his way through to move up in position through the first turns, finding himself stuck in a thick group of riders. Bradl, on the other hand, got off the line well, even moving up to thirteenth position at the beginning of the race. However, both riders suffered a drop in grip which was particularly penalizing in right-handers. Alvaro finished his race in 18th place, whereas Bradl crossed the line in 20th.


ROMANO ALBESIANO (Aprilia Racing Director)
“We had some difficulties with the rear tyre in a way that we had never experience before, especially on the right side, so much that both riders at a certain point were forced to slow down significantly. For Stefan the pain in his operated right wrist added to the problems, so both riders lost a bit of their edge toward the end of the race. The fundamental problem, which was closing out turns, has an impact on the grip and that is where we need to work. Thanks to Bradl’s comments, which add to the great job Alvaro is doing, we may have identified some new solutions that we’ll be testing in the next race at Brno."

FAUSTO GRESINI (Team Manager)
“This was a difficult race in terms of the result which was certainly not the best, but I should point out that we did a good job with both riders throughout the weekend and this is important in view of the coming rounds. Alvaro rode a good race, but when the tyres began to wear he struggled a lot to maintain a good pace, whereas in the final phases of the race Bradl was feeling the pain in his injured right race and he crossed the finish line under a lot of stress.”

ALVARO BAUTISTA
“This was a really hard race. We had the same difficulties that had come up in practice. At the start I struggled because on the first turn I found myself stuck in a group of a lot of riders and wasn’t about to gain any positions. From there on I tried to set my pace and I was in the zone to be able to battle for fifteenth place and a points finish, but I had trouble keeping up with the others. This track posed some difficulty for us, especially when we started feeling the tyre war. In right-handers I was losing a lot of time. In any case, we finished the race and collected some more fundamental information for 2016. I’d like to thank the team for their hard work this weekend.”

STEFAN BRADL
“After spending three days on the track I expected to have problems with my right wrist today. Already this morning in the Warm Up session I started feeling some pain and after the midway point of the race I wasn’t able to control the bike as I would have liked at a lot of places on the track. In any case, we gave it our all and I consider this first weekend for me on the RS-GP as a positive one. I learned a lot about the bike and together with the team we made a lot of changes in the little time we had available, doing a good job. I wasn’t used to riding the entire race distance on this bike and if you add my injury to that obviously I wasn’t able to be as fast as I would have liked. For the moment we are satisfied anyway and we are looking forward to Brno where we’ll try to take a step forward.”

The Ulster Grand Prix in Northern Ireland drew to a close yesterday with Honda Racing’s Conor Cummins taking a second podium finish on his Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP.

The final Superbike race of the day took place in wet weather conditions and saw the race reduced to four laps of the 7.4-mile Dundrod circuit. Cummins, 29, started the race from 11th and quickly moved up into the lead group. 

By the end of the second lap Cummins had slotted into second place and had started to close the gap on the race leader. A close finish across the line saw the ‘Ramsey rocket’ take second place, just behind race winner Peter Hickman.

Earlier in the day Cummins placed fifth in the first Superbike race. A strong start saw the Manxman running with the top six, but a red flag on the fifth lap saw the race stopped and results declared from the fourth lap. The race winner was Bruce Anstey with Padgetts Honda.  

Conor Cummins

I love the Ulster GP and this week has been great with two podium finishes, I think in the first Superbike race yesterday I had the pace to push for another podium finish but unfortunately the red flag came out and put pay to that. The Fireblade has been faultless all week and I have really enjoyed riding it round here for the first time, it suits the circuits fast flowing nature so well and I hope I’ll be back next year for another go!   

Neil Tuxworth   Overall it’s been a positive meeting for Honda Racing and Conor, we’ve had two-second place finishes and a solid fifth with the Fireblade. Conor was very strong in all races and I am sure would have finished higher in the first Superbike race, but due to the red flag the results were taken from the fourth lap. The second race was fantastic for Conor and he just lost out on the win by half a wheel, another lap and I am sure he could have taken the win.  

This year's Classic TT presented by Bennetts will have added poignancy as Bruce Anstey will ride in the Classic Racer Magazine Lap of Honour in a tribute to six-time TT winner Geoff Duke OBE. The bike will also be on show for all of the Classic TT weekend and Geoff's son, Peter Duke, will ride it at Festival of Jurby.

Anstey will ride a 1950 'Works' Norton owned by Mr Peter Bloore and restored in New Zealand by Ken McIntosh and McIntosh Racing, This is the only 1950 'works' Norton in original condition that exists in the world.

The Kiwi's 108.110mph lap in last year's Classic TT was achieved using a completely standard, original spec Manx Featherbed frame, which is essentially the production version of the 1950 McCandless design.

The name 'Featherbed' was coined by 1949 Senior TT winner Harold Daniel who is reported to have said: "It was so comfortable it was like riding on a featherbed." Duke described it as the "best handling motorcycle I ever rode." With a fine-handling Norton perfectly suited to his riding style and streamlined one-piece leathers, Duke and the Featherbed became the unbeatable combination.

The 'Featherbed' Norton was unique as it changed motorcycle racing from a 'horsepower' contest to a 'roadholding' contest. The entire chassis and suspension was designed and built, hands on, by Rex McCandless and his small team from Belfast with Artie Bell, McCandless' business partner and the winner of the 1948 Senior TT on a Works Norton. He was responsible for the testing and development of the prototype 'featherbed.'

The new frame and a small increase in power gave Norton a clean sweep in 1950 with a first race win at Blandford followed by a TT Junior/Senior 'Double' and first, second and third places as well as lap and race records in both classes. Duke graduated from being a new and junior member of the Norton 'Works' team to being the leader in a week after second place in the Junior TT behind Artie Bell, and then dominating the Senior TT including smashing the lap record, set by Harold Daniel in 1938.

The Norton Featherbed became a production motorcycle using McCandless' design and patents, for which in the early years the McCandless and Bell partnership were paid a £1 royalty for each machine sold. The Featherbed frame continued to be the standard by which all other machines were judged until the 1970s.

The only surviving 1950 'Works' Norton was rebuilt by McIntosh Racing in New Zealand using the only original 1950 'Works' frame found at Beaulieu Autojumble by the owner, Peter Bloore and his subsequent 30 year search for the missing parts.

Many of the original 1950 parts had seen further service in the later 'Works' bikes and were very difficult to acquire largely because the eight 1950 'Works' Norton's were all broken up at the end of 1950, the parts being used to build the updated 1951 team bikes. The only survivor in modified form was Eric Oliver's 1951 World Championship winning sidecar outfit, which was based on a 1950 'Works' 500.

As a result, the bike Anstey will ride took over 2000 hours labour to restore, as every part is special. No 'Manx Norton's' parts are the same as the 1950 'Works', although nearly every part forms the prototype for the production 'Featherbed Manx' which was made for the next 12 years, until 1963.

Bruce Anstey will lead the Lap of Honour away joined by Geoff's son Peter who will ride a replica of the 500cc Gilera he won three World Championships on in the 1950's.

David Cretney, the Isle of Man Government's political member with responsibility for Tourism and Motorsport said:

"Geoff Duke is undoubtedly one of the true TT icons and despite his multi world championship wins he will forever be remembered for his exploits on the Isle of Man - not least his remarkable achievements on the works Norton and the Gilera. It is entirely fitting that we pay tribute to Geoff and I am very grateful for the support that we have had from the bike's owner Peter Bloor, Ken McIntosh of McIntosh Racing and the Duke family in creating this tribute."

MotoScotland is delighted to announce, for the first time in the UK, that their off road training has been recognised by motorbike insurance specialist, Devitt Insurance Services Limited as advanced rider training.

Further to the shift in perception of this type of training, Devitt has been the first company to announce an insurance premium discount for riders who complete MotoScotland’s Level 2 course. Having insurance discounts for people who complete their training is another UK first for MotoScotland - Scotland’s only off road motorbike training centre.

Managing Director for Devitt, William Hughes said: “We’re delighted to be working with MotoScotland and offer a discount on our motorcycle insurance to recognise the benefits of off road training. We want our customers to be as safe as possible on public roads and we believe that this type of training can help bikers to stay in control of their motorcycle on potentially hazardous surfaces.”

Uniquely, MotoScotland train their off road skills in a way that not only helps riders stay in control of their bike in off road conditions, but also helps riders use these skills to dramatically improve their road safety.

MotoScotland recognises that there are a whole host of “potentially dangerous riding surfaces” on the public highways, including loose gravel, diesel, wet mud, tar over banding, smooth surfaces, moss, grass, metal, leaves, etc.. For some riders, understandably, the thought of riding their bike in these conditions causes a feeling of dread, fear, etc..

With a clear focus and interest in rider road safety, MotoScotland identified these legitimate concerns and for over two years have been helping riders overcome these feelings by training the skills needed to safely and competently steer / stop and control a motorbike in these slippy conditions.

Some of the key safety benefits that riders can learn include: 

· How to steer a motorbike (e.g. in tight circles) at walking speeds without dropping the bike – invaluable skills for safe U-turns on the public highways.

· How to gain additional grip through tyres on slippy surfaces, e.g. gravel, leaves, mud, diesel, etc. – critical skills when a rider encounters these surfaces unexpectedly, e.g. when cornering!

· How to ride safely on slippy surfaces – subjects like bike angles, throttling and braking are summarised for control on surfaces like painted lines, wet metal surfaces, e.g. manhole covers, etc..

· How to safely arrive to and set off from junctions – badly planned junction arrivals can lead to a bike being dropped; unplanned junction set offs can lead to the bike going wide, potentially into oncoming traffic!

· Managing bike controls better – so that the rider is more pro-active than re-active.

· How to achieve better balance whilst anticipating changing conditions – one of the most fundamental riding skills that can be learned.

· Which brake to use on which slippy surface and how to stop safely, under control – critical safety skills to avoid running into other vehicles, etc..

· How to identify an over-braked front wheel, recover it and avoid falling off – an absolute must for road safety.

· How to identify an over-braked rear wheel, recover it and avoid falling off – an absolute must for road safety.

The Department For Transport latest accident statistics reveal a 4% rise in road deaths (1775) in 2014 compared to 2013. The number of motorcyclists seriously injured rose 9% to 5628. Overall motorcyclist casualty numbers also rose by 9% to 20,366 (source BDN 13/7/15). MotoScotland believes that their specific style of training could help reduce accidents and improve road safety.

MotoScotland Chief Instructor/Centre Manager, Clive Rumbold is an advocate for all motorbike riders to take advanced rider training, e.g. IAM, Bike Safe, RoSPA, etc., to have the right skills to stay in control. He also believes that riders need to keep refreshing these skills to avoid bad habits developing which could lead to danger.

Anyone trained in off roading can confirm the benefits to their improved control of a road motorbike. With MotoScotland’s training now being recognised by Devitt as “advanced rider training”, an important and significant gap in rider training has now formally been bridged.

Riders can now be better informed on the choices of training they can undertake to improve their riding skills and safety. This includes new riders who have a CBT licence for a 125cc motorbike or a higher motorbike license.

Entries open for the fifth annual Henry Surtees Challenge 2015
Wednesday 7th October 2015 at Buckmore Park Kart Circuit

The best of British young motorsport talent are invited to enter the ‘Henry Surtees Challenge’, which is taking place on Wednesday 7th October 2015 at Buckmore Park Kart Circuit, Chatham, Kent. This superb annual is organised by former F1 World Champion, John Surtees OBE and the Henry Surtees Foundation.

The Challenge, now in its fifth year, has become an essential fixture on the racing calendar for motorsport talent aged 15 years or over wishing to give themselves that vital edge in their preparation for the 2016 season John Surtees would like to invite kart and car racers that are currently progressing up the motorsport ladder, to compete in the karting event and have the unique opportunity to win a spectacular range of career enhancing prizes to help aid their race programme preparation for 2016. Drivers of the calibre of Alexander Sims, Scott Malvern, Ben Barnicoat, Oliver Rowland, Piers Prior, David Pittard have to name but a few, have all been very supportive and have benefitted from our unique prize content.

The event will see drivers battling it out, using the superbClub 100 Birel Karts . The top three drivers will be awarded with the prestigious Henry ‘H’ trophy title and exclusive prizes – considered to be the best prizes ever offered at a kart meeting last year stretched to tenth place! Prizes will be awarded for fastest lap, the most unlucky driver and a heavyweight prize for 80kg or above.

John Surtees said “the first Henry Surtees Challenge took place in 2010, and Buckmore Park seemed the natural venue to host it; it had it been the circuit where Henry first sat in a kart, at the age of 8, but also where he had gained success. Buckmore is renowned for being a superb training ground for future British World Champions. During its 52 years; the track has seen the likes of World Champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button hone their racing skills along with racers Johnny Herbert, Dan Wheldon and many others, and is a great venue to host the Challenge.

The 2015 Challenge will once again provide an excellent opportunity for talented young racers, to compete to win test drives, experiences and equipment worth thousands of pounds, in order to assist them with their racing season and enhance their motorsport career. I am delighted that the motor sport community are once again assisting this initiative”.

One of the 2014 winners, Jack Aiken said “I’d like to thank John and the Foundation for putting on such a great event for young drivers, the prizes are incomparable to any karting, or racing, competition out there.”

Another 2014 prize winner, Ross Gunn won a Formula Renault test experience. We caught up with Ross shortly after his trip to Jerez, and he said “it was such an honour to take part in the Formula Renault test. I can’t thank the foundation enough for what was a truly unforgettable experience. Manor MP Motorsport teams professionalism and work ethic was far beyond anything I have ever worked with. I would like to thank the Henry Surtees Foundation and the team at Renault UK and Manor Competition for the amazing experience and opportunity that this prize has given me. I will never forget the two days I had.”

Prizes for 2016 will shortly be confirmed but for 2014 comprised of the following:-

•Test day in the Ginetta G40 GRDC to one driver aged 16 or over, donated by Ginetta
•FIA Formula 4 Ford test: half day seat fitting and acclimatisation test in the UK, followed by one full day, with Falcon Motorsport, at their Spanish test, with the new composite-chassis car that will be on display at the event, donated by Falcon Motorsport
•BRDC Formula 4 test, donated by Hillspeed

•Formula Renault 2.0 two day test with Manor Competition at a Spanish circuit, donated by Renault UK and Manor Competition

•Tour of Carlin racing facility, seat fitting, simulator testing session with race engineer, Formula 3 Dallara Volkswagen test, donated by Carlin Motorsport

Race Support Equipment and Services

•A full kit of Puma race clothing - one suit, three pairs of gloves, two pairs of racing boots, one pair of running shoes and one pair of lifestyle shoes for the winner (in addition to their chosen prize), donated by Puma SE

•Two sets of gloves and underwear, one pair of racing shoes, one pair of running shoes and one pair lifestyle shoes for second place (in addition to their chosen prize), donated by Puma SE

•One set of gloves and underwear, one pair of racing shoes, one pair of running shoes and one pair of lifestyle shoes for third place (in addition to their chosen prize), donated by Puma SE

•Tour for two people of the Red Bull Racing facility, simulator session and evaluation by a race engineer, donated by Christian Horner

•An Arai GP-6S helmet in white finish, donated by Arai

•Full website package and online branding, plus a three month social media package, donated by 5G Creative

•A pair of custom-fit driver communication earpieces suitable for all racing formulas up to F1, supplied with a year’s support to ensure the wearer is fully equipped to hear vital communications for a full season of racing. A pair of custom-fit filtered noise plugs - to protect hearing. A complete hearing health check consisting of an ear examination using a video otoscope (see inside your own ears) and a comprehensive hearing test. Advice and information on protecting your hearing to assist with a motorsport career, donated by specialist in Formula 1 equipment, Hearing Electronics Limited

•A two hour training session at iZone Driver Performance, donated by Andy Priaulx
•A supply of Teng Tools to the value of £1,000, donated by Teng Tools

•A simulator session at the Ferrari Driver Academy and a Ferrari Racing Department factory tour for two people, donated by Ferrari. Air travel donated by Travel Places

•A full motorsport fitness assessment, donated by Porsche Human Performance

Fastest Lap: HSF Teamwear
Over 80kg: HSF Teamwear
Unluckiest Driver: HSF Teamwear

Cost of entry: £500

Entrants must be aged 15 years or over on or before 7th October 2015 and hold a current MSA or ACU licence or be a current Premier Sprint Class, Clubman Sprint Class member of Club100 or a Buckmore Park Elite Class driver.

To register your interest, please email: [email protected]

About The Henry Surtees Foundation

The Henry Surtees Foundation was inspired by motor sport legend John Surtees OBE, following the tragic death of his son Henry, killed aged just 18 years old whilst competing in Formula 2 race 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 and Great North Air Ambulance, and its regional Blood Bike groups.

There are numerous ways you can keep up to date with the Foundation news, events, products and donations. Please follow the foundation official twitter feed @HSF_Foundation or Facebook, and check out the website:

www.henrysurteesfoundation.com