Official crash protection supplier to the 2015 BSB Championship

• R&G becomes official crash protection supplier to BSB
• Creation of R&G Newcomers Trophy across all classes
• Paddock-based race service at each round
• Increased retail presence throughout Championship
• Amplified branding in and around circuits and TV coverage
• Arrangement extends to MSV Track Days (MSVT)

R&G has become the official crash protection supplier to the 2015 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship as part of multi-structured deal with MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR).

Founded in 1999, Hampshire-based R&G quickly became the leading manufacturer of crash protection products for motorcycles, thanks to its innovative designs and model-bespoke fitments. During these 16 years, the Company has expanded into products that defend a motorcycle from damage caused from everyday riding, as well as offering a huge range of bike-related accessories.

In addition to becoming the official crash protection supplier: R&G will have a massively increased presence within MCE BSB, supporting riders and teams with a race paddock service, ACU discount, amplified branding in and around the circuits, more televised coverage, and the introduction of the R&G Newcomers Trophy. Spectators will also be able to take advantage of a dedicated retail shop at each round.

The agreement with MSVR also extends to MSV Trackdays (MSVT), with R&G products being used on the instructors’ bikes and promoted at the events.

MCE BSB Series Director, Stuart Higgs, said: “R&G is a recognised and award-winning brand, focused on protecting motorcycles, ultimately saving riders money, and I’m really excited that we’ve been able to increase our working relationship within the MCE British Superbike Championship and also to cover MSV Trackdays.
“The cost of racing is never likely to drastically reduce, but we’ve seen many times that fitting top quality, strategically-placed protection can make a huge difference to a bike in a crash and reduce delays caused by oil spillages, particularly on track days.”

R&G Managing Director, Simon Hughes, said: “I’m delighted to reach this deal with MSVR and for R&G to become more closely aligned with such a prestigious championship that reflects the same values as our brand. Racing is at the core of R&G and a large part of how we develop our expanding product ranges. We’ve always invested back into the sport and this agreement with MSVR should only help to reinforce that.

Secondary engine covers are a mandatory product at MCE BSB, to help prevent oil contaminating the track from a crashed bike, potentially causing further incidents. R&G’s Engine Case Covers were approved for use in all classes within the Championship in 2014 and were exclusively used by every bike competing the 2014 TriStar R&G Triple Challenge, as well as being trusted by Team WD-40 and Gearlink Kawasaki, among many others.

R&G will also be announcing its sponsored teams and riders for the 2015 season in both national and worldwide championships in due course.

Sarah’s mission will be to improve driving and riding skills and to campaign for legislation to improve road safety.

Sarah Sillars, OBE and Hon FIMI, joins London-based IAM next month. The IAM is one of the most regarded and well-established bodies in British motoring.
Sarah takes up her role on 5 February having overseen the commercialisation of Semta, the sector skills council for engineering and advanced manufacturing.

Sarah said: “I am delighted to be back playing a significant role in the automotive sector. The IAM has played a unique part in lowering the numbers of people killed and injured on UK roads. I am very proud to be appointed their Chief Executive.”

“Many thousands of people have reason to be grateful to the IAM and its passionate volunteers for their advice, guidance and training over the decades.”

She continued: “With more than 1,700 deaths and 21,000 serious injuries a year on our roads there is still much work to be done.

“My intention is to ensure that we consolidate our experience and expertise, and then change up a gear – to further build on the excellent and vital research, training and lobbying activities that we carry out.

“We will change opinions, driving habits and legislation.”

The IAM, which was formed more than 50 years ago, has more than 90,000 members, all intent on improving their own motoring skills or driving through reform to improve road safety. It provides independently audited driver and rider training, including the advanced test.

IAM Chairman Alistair Cheyne OBE said: “Sarah is the perfect person to drive the IAM into a new era. She has the skills, background and experience to help the IAM achieve its goal of becoming the best provider of post-licence driver and rider training in the UK.

“The challenge ahead is a large one, but I am now confident that we will see growth for an IAM that attracts more of the UK’s drivers and riders.”

Sarah has a long and illustrious career within the automotive sector, having been CEO and Executive Chair of the Institute of the Motoring Industry (IMI). They made her an Honorary Fellow and Vice President on her departure in 2012.

Awarded Industry Personality of the Year 2004 and Outstanding Achievement Award 2006 by automotive magazines AM and Motor Trader respectively, Sarah was listed in the UK motor industry’s most influential top ten and the ‘most powerful’ female executive, according to the 2007 AM Power List.

In September 2008 Sarah was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award by Bodyshop Magazine in recognition of IMI’s work with ATA in the body repair sector.

She was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June 2008 for services to skills training and the retail motor industry.

Sarah has more than 25 years of experience within the motor and retail industries, having begun her career with Marks & Spencer, managing stores in England and later as Operations Director at automotive management consultancy Anne Gray Associates.

THE newly branded Putoline Classic Dirt Bike Show is ramping up the celebrations for 2015 as its new owner brings together exhibits and star guests marking some of off-road and road racing’s most memorable moments.

The event, held at Telford’s International Centre, takes place across the weekend of February 21-22 with highlights including 40th anniversary celebrations of both Martin Lampkin being crowned world trials champion and Mick Grant claiming his second of seven TT wins, a race in which he beat Mike Hailwood’s long-standing lap record.

Mick, who is the event’s guest of honour, will be in attendance throughout – chatting with showgoers, presenting the show’s awards and speaking at the Classic Dirt Bike dinner on the Saturday evening.

Leading off-road motorcycle journalist Tim Britton said: “With his glittering career as a road racer, trials rider, development engineer and raconteur, Mick Grant has spent most of his life at the sharp end of motorcycle sport.

“He’s also been a team manager and rider manager and has picked up a wealth of tales from the road racing and trials scene. He’ll provide much value as a guest of honour and it’ll be a real treat for visitors to the show who get to rub shoulders with him.”

What has since become known as the Manx Decade of International Six Days’ Trials will also be remembered with 2015 marking 50 years since the first ISDT on the Isle of Man and 40 since the last.

Following on the Manx theme, a display of racing Nortons through the ages will form part of a special exhibit from the National Motorcycle Museum which will showcase the marque’s rich history on the Island.

A series of luminaries from the off-road world, including Bill Brown and Sammy Miller, will also be in attendance along with road racing stars Olie Linsdell and his father Steve – the latter being a TT rostrum man. The Linsdells will be at the show as part of the new Classic Racer Paddock where visitors can witness the roar of famous race machines, the highlights of which are a TT winning Works Patton and the world’s fastest Royal Enfield.

An ex-John McGuinness 2000 TT Vimto Honda SP1 and a 1996 Terry Rymer Old Spice Ducati 955, both part of Mike West’s collection, are also set to appear.

Throw in several halls packed with stunning display machines, superb club exhibits and all manner of trade and autojumble stands and this popular Telford weekend looks set to deliver once again.

Event planner Richard Graham commented: “As new organisers of the Putoline Classic Dirt Bike Show we are working closely with former owner Alan Wright to ensure that all the usual elements that everyone loves are included while also aiming to bring our own brand of excitement to proceedings.

“The addition of the racing paddock should do exactly that and there are so many important anniversaries in motorcycle history to celebrate.

“It’s going to be a top weekend for all two-wheel enthusiasts.”

A one-day adult ticket to this action-packed weekend event is just £11 when bought in advance. Tickets on the gate are £13 with under-12s admitted free. Further details can be found at www.classicbikeshows.com or by calling 01507 529529.

Jyl Oldham a winner of tickets to The Adventure Travel Show 2015

The Isle of Man Government, the licence holder for the Isle of Man TT, is inviting expressions of interest for an independent Promoter to organise and commercialise the Isle of Man TT Races and Classic TT Races and develop a global Isle of Man TT Series.

The Isle of Man TT is one of the world's oldest motorsport events. It started in 1905 as the British trial round for the fledgling European car racing championship, the precursor to modern day Formula 1, with motorbikes introduced in 1907.

The races take place on a 37¾ mile circuit of closed public roads and feature seven bike classes: Superbike, Supersport, Superstock, Senior, Lightweight, Electric and Sidecar.

The Isle of Man, which is a UK crown dependency in the British Isles, hosts the annual two week festival in late May and early June, annually attracting over 43,000 visitors.

In 2014, the Isle of Man TT was televised in 130 countries and produced 402 hours of global TV coverage. The event reached an audience of almost 26 million and delivered a clear media value of over £13 million.*A new event, the Classic TT, building and leveraging the event's heritage, was established in 2013. It takes place over the three days of the Aug bank holiday weekend,

Building on this global and diverse growth, an independent Promoter will now have the unique opportunity to develop and implement new TT road race events around the world as part of a 'TT Series'. Ultimately, the Promoter will develop a global series that will see the stars of the TT competing in locations across the globe, culminating in the series champion being crowned at the Isle of Man TT itself.

Under the proposed scope of services, the Isle of Man Government will license all commercial aspects of the TT events to an independent Promoter, including: domestic and international television and broadcast rights, sponsorship, licensing, hospitality, event ticketing, merchandising and retail sales.

The Promoter will be responsible for delivering the operational aspects of the Isle of Man TT and Classic TT jointly with the Isle of Man Government. The Promoter will also be responsible for independently contracting with individual host cities to deliver the TT Series events across the world.

Matt Wilson, Director of Consulting at 'The Sports Consultancy' who are managing the process on behalf of the Isle of Man Government, commented:

"The Isle of Man TT Races is one of the world's truly great sports properties combining iconic heritage with state of the art machinery and strong brand values. We believe that it has huge untapped global commercial potential and on behalf of the Isle of Man Government are looking to identify a Promoter who shares the Government's vision, will develop the event to the next level and deliver enhanced commercial value to the Island."