After all of the closed door pre-season deals and negotiations have been completed, fans can now enjoy the star-studded Official Launch of the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy, which this year takes place on Tuesday 17th March 2015

As has now become tradition, the launch event will take place on the Isle of Man at the Villa Marina, hosted by TT TV commentators James Whitham and Steve Parrish who will tease and probe indiscreet answers out of the riders.

This year's evening will see a number of riders with new teams and manufacturers. Leading the way, as he does on the track, will be Michael Dunlop, who will be discussing his third manufacturer deal in three years as he explains his switch to the factory backed Milwaukee Yamaha effort.

Michael's old team-mate at Honda Racing John McGuinness, now firmly back on the road to full fitness after last year's injury will be revealing his ambitions for 2015 while Conor Cummins will be outlining how he plans to make the final step up to a TT race win after last year's double podium. Also with a new machine, Michael's brother William will be talking about TAS Racing's high profile switch from Suzuki to BMW.

TT winners Gary Johnson and Dean Harrison also have new rides this year while outright lap record holder Bruce Anstey and will be talking about how he will be looking to add to his list of titles in 2015.

In the sidecar class Dave Molyneux will be introducing new passenger and fellow Manxman Ben Binns while fellow race winners Ben Birchall/Tom Birchall and Tim Reeves/Patrick Farrance, Conrad Harrison/Mike Aylott and John Holden will also outline their plans on attempting to return to the top step.

High profile TT newcomers who will be introduced for the first time on the Isle of Man include former World Supersport rider Robbin Harms and Ireland's Derek McGee, who will be able to pick up tips from last year's sensation Peter Hickman, the fastest ever newcomer, who will share his thoughts on building on last year's success.

Doors open at 7.30pm with tickets priced at £5 available from the Villa Marina box office.

Fans unable to see the event live can still tune in to the TT's Official YouTube channel (Official Isle of Man TT) with a live stream of the event available worldwide. You can also tweet your questions to your favourite riders via the TT official twitter account @ iom_tt

A UK study by the Transport Research Laboratory into the prevalence of illegal mobile phone use while driving has been released this morning (1).

The TRL said the data would give them a greater understanding of who is using mobile phones while driving and for what purpose, and how this can then be used to support future policy development.

Today’s figures show in 2014, 1.1 per cent of drivers in England and Scotland were observed holding a phone in their hand with a further 0.5 per cent observed holding the phone to their ear – this equates to more than 470,000 motorists.

A higher proportion of drivers in England and Scotland were observed using a hand-held mobile phone when stationary (2.3 per cent) than in moving traffic (1.6 per cent).

The figures show that more men than women use a hand-held phone, and that van drivers were the most likely group to be seen doing it at 2.7% - almost twice the rate for car drivers. 5.2 % of young drivers aged 17 to 29 were seen holding a mobile phone making them by far the biggest group by age.

Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and research, said: “The results are very disappointing but not at all surprising. Campaigners routinely talk about the inherent dangers of the distraction caused by mobile phone usage, but drivers never believe they will be caught.

“Campaigns run by THINK! and the Department for Transport need to be revived and invigorated with stronger messages for new drivers and van users. Mobile phone usage at the wheel can kill – there’s no two ways about it.”

He added: “Tackling mobile phone usage must be a government priority for 2015. People must have the fear of being caught increased as we believe this is the only viable deterrent, but that needs an increase in visible policing.”

Neil also called for a technology-based answer for this modern-day problem.

“Technology has caused this problem, so it should come up with a solution too. There are phones that have sensors within them which detect the motion of a car, and can then immediately shut down calling and texting functions. This should be universal."

He added that hands-free and Bluetooth devices were no better as an alternative.

“Taking a call is still a major distraction to the important task of driving. Safe driving is everyone’s responsibility, drivers, those calling them and most importantly those employing them. The horrendous figures for van users show that fleets and companies must have clear and consistent mobile phone policies that are enforced. If using a phone while driving is against company policy then disciplinary action must follow.”
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All roads lead to Rome! Ace Cafe London is delighted to be returning, with stand, display and opportunity to "Taste the Ace", to the prestigious annual MotoDays, Rome 5th – 8th March.

This not to be missed early Spring show, held at Rome's Fiera, attracts thousands of riders checking out the new bikes, trends and gear on display and includes feature zones for vintage, street, adventure and overland, custom and a 'Go Green' as well as outdoor arena's featuring stunt shows, FX & MX action, the MotoDays 'Riding Experience' with test and demo rides. The show's special track star guests includes from both MotoGP and SuperBike racing.

The Ace presence includes with authentic "Taste the Ace" breakfast with British Bacon and Ace Sausages being especially available close by the Ace stand and display, with it's array of Ace Cafe, Rockers and StoMoCo items, to include the critically acclaimed book 'Ace Times - Speed thrills and tea spills, a cafe and a culture', the Ace 75th anniversary CD "Ace Cafe - The Rock n' Roll Years". Mark Wilsmore, MD of Ace Cafe London Ltd, will be on hand and available to sign copies of the books.

Ace will be in Hall N7: Stand C1

Stop by and say hello!

www.motodays.it

For more information about Ace Cafe London and what's on, check out: www.ace-cafe-london.com

First Aid For Riders the safety initiative set up by Right To Ride to provide a tailored First Aid Course for riders of all Powered Two Wheelers (PTWs) is now recommending B.I.K.E.R.S. Training, home of the First Bike on Scene (FBoS) – Emergency Response Skills (ERS) to deliver their courses to riders.

Set up in 2011, B.I.K.E.R.S. Training aims to contribute to the road safety of motorcyclists by providing them with immediate care skills in the event of coming across a road traffic collision, involving another biker.

It is their hope to take away the fear from approaching and dealing with an accident scene, while potentially making a huge difference to the injured person.

The courses are run by Rodge Byrne and Nick Coward of B.I.K.E.R.S. Training, both qualified healthcare professionals and motorcycle enthusiasts, they are acutely aware of the daily risks bikers face on the road.

In the last two years they have trained over 400 riders and motorists across Ireland and the UK.

They are a commercial initiative but are delighted to be working in close partnership with the FBoS UK Ltd, the Police Service of Northern Ireland Bikesafe Team and MAG Ireland – The Irish Motorcyclists’ Association.

In Ireland and Northern Ireland

B.I.K.E.R.S. Training are the only provider of the ‘First Bike on Scene’ (FBoS) Course in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Officially approved by FBoS UK Ltd in the UK, the course is a specifically designed first aid course for bikers, with the aim of providing a wide range of skills and knowledge on how to deal with a road traffic collision.

‘First Bike on Scene’ (FBoS) providers use a sophisticated set of ‘Immediate Lifesupport Skills’, designed to enable motorcyclists or motorists to “Make a Difference”, to an injured person.

The course contents include safe approach and management of an accident scene, mechanism of injury, first aid and cpr, protocols for head and neck (c-spine) injuries, log roll, safe helmet removal, control of bleeding, recognition of catastrophic bleeding, snatch rescue in specific situations, Irish Heart Foundation Adult CPR with Automated External Defibrillator.

The course certificate is valid for 3 years and issued by the ‘Quality Casualty Care Alliance’, UK.

At Right To Ride we believe that a First Aid Course for motorcyclists is beneficial not just for riders but also for other road crash casualties, even if not directly involved in rendering First Aid, but to be able to comfort/reassure conscious casualties and to help in giving confidence to stay calm at a crash scene.

You could be making the difference!

www.bikerstraining.com

www.firstaidforriders.org

www.magireland.org

Issued by

www.righttoride.co.uk

Following its two increasingly successful sales in 2014, Anglia Car Auctions is holding three motorcycle sales in 2015, the first being on Saturday 7th March. The auction begins at 12noon, with memorabilia going under the hammer first, followed immediately afterwards by the motorcycles themselves.

The spring sale, on 7th March, has already seen some superb entries and ACA are looking for even more - all makes, models, ages, conditions, colours and creeds will be considered, plus of course those spares and memorabilia items you want to clear out.

Entries already include a superb 1930 500cc Sunbeam Model 9 Sports (estimate -£11,500/£12,500), an original ex RAF 1952 Triumph TRW side valve twin, complete with canvas saddle bags et al (est - £3800/£4400), and an immaculate 1976 50cc Yamaha FS1E (est - £3250/£3750).

There’s also a cult 1976 Honda 400/4 (est - £2200/£2500), and a very smart 1957 Velocette Venom (est - £7000/£8000). Staying with Velocette, there’s an equally smart 1936 250cc MOV (est - £5500/£6000), a fantastic looking 1958 Harley Davidson Duo Glide (est - £10,000/£12,000) and a rare, road going Cheney framed Triumph (est - £3000/4000).

Based in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, not only does this family owned concern have highly competitive commission rates, but they also offer a thoroughly professional and comprehensive service to both buyer and seller.

Well know and respected in the classic (and modern) car world, ACA saw a desperate need for classic motorcycle enthusiasts to be able to buy or sell their machines without being crippled by the further expense of high commissions. So they set a very reasonable 5% seller’s premium and 7.5% buyer’s - which undercut most of the established classic auction houses quite considerably, though unfortunately there’s nothing can be done about the dreaded vat!

What’s more, having put a tentative but successful toe in the water early last year, ACA followed it up with a second classic motorcycle auction in the Autumn, which proved to be even more popular, with a combination of excellent prices and plenty of bargains.

For a regularly updated entry list, with photographs, check out the website at www.angliacarauctions.co.uk. Motorcycle entry fee is £25 including vat with seller’s commission is 5%, buyer’s commission at 7.5%, with a minimum £50 plus vat on both.

Gates open at 9am. Admission is £5 by catalogue with free entry for motorcyclists and secure parking. To enter a motorcycle or automobilia into this sale, please call Guy Snelling 01553 771881 or 07701084692 or email at [email protected].