British Superbike Championship front-runners GBmoto Racing will be undertaking a Kawasaki backed campaign on the 'road' circuits in 2015, with Isle of Man TT winner Gary Johnson. The team is building Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R race bikes in Superbike and Superstock specification to attack the Isle of Man TT Races as well as the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix events.

Following their debut season as an officially supported Kawasaki team in the MCE British Superbike Championship in 2014, GBmoto are further strengthening their relationship with the Akashi based manufacturer by supporting their Road Racing programme. Signing the talented and ever popular Gary Johnson, the team will be building and running a new high spec ZX-10R Superbike, as well as a Superstock version for the three 'international' events. The team will undertake a full testing programme supported with Japanese technical personnel.

Having previously ridden for the GBmoto Racing outfit in the final two rounds of the National Superstock 1000 Championship in 2011, Gary has gone on to establish himself as one of the strongest road racers in the world. After winning the 2005 British Supersport Cup Championship, he made his debut 'between the hedges' in 2007 - taking his first Roads podium just two years later with a stunning ride to third in the blue riband Senior TT, before following it up with a second place in Superbike race at the Ulster Grand Prix.

Gary joined the illustrious list of TT winners in 2011, when he claimed his first win, taking the second Monster Energy Supersport race while further podiums came in the Superbike TT and Superstock race at the Ulster Grand Prix. A fuel problem prevented him from taking a second TT Supersport win in 2012, but he was able to secure two second places at the Ulster.

2013 would prove to be his most successful season to date, with podiums coming at the North West 200, Isle of Man TT, Ulster Grand Prix and the Macau Grand Prix. He started 2014 even stronger, with two podiums at the North West 200, a second TT victory in the Supersport class, before a crash in the RL 360 Superstock race saw him break a collarbone, shoulder, and vertebrae. Bouncing back just five months later, Gary took a remarkable fourth place in the Macau Grand Prix.

GBmoto are currently undergoing negotiations with existing and new sponsors to come on board for the 2015 Road Racing campaign, which will be a separate effort from their British Superbike team. Gary will get his first ride on the Kawasaki supported ZX-10R's when he joins James Ellison and James Westmoreland at their pre-season tests, which begin at Cartagena on the 5th March.

Speaking from the new World Superbike circuit of Chang in Thailand after signing with GBmoto Kawasaki, Gary Johnson said,

"This is a fantastic opportunity to be working with such a great team and so closely with a major manufacturer, I'm really happy.  I rode for GBmoto in 2011, they were one of the most professional teams I've ever worked with and they've obviously stepped up again since then. To see what they did this year in BSB by changing manufacturers and immediately getting podiums was incredible. Their infrastructure, bikes and kit is all mega and although this is their first time at the TT I know they will put all the right pieces in the right places, to be successful.

He continued:

"Hopefully I can bring my own experience to the team from both the events side and with a good reference point from riding a Kawasaki. I have to thank the guys who have worked so hard to help me in the last few years, it's because of them that I've been put in the shop window for this opportunity. With the support of GBmoto and Kawasaki and their testing schedule I'm the most confident I've ever been going into the TT Races and the other events, so bring it on!"

GBmoto Racing Team Principal Mark Smith-Halvorsen added,

"This is another big step forward for GBmoto and I'm incredibly proud that Kawasaki have chosen us to be a major part of their Road Racing campaign. The North West, Isle of Man TT and Ulster GP are three huge events in the world of motorcycling and ones I have followed closely, so I'm really excited to be heading there as a team next year.

Gary was a natural option for the team. He has ridden for us before and we have enjoyed a good relationship that has grown ever since. He's proven that he is capable of beating the best on the roads and I believe if it wasn't for his injury this year then he would have added even further wins to his tally, so I'm confident with the level of support we will have that he can battle for victories in what is now a super competitive field.

This was not a decision we've taken lightly and we want to arrive at the North West in the best possible shape. We have a full testing programme planned for Gary, which kicks off in March. In order to give him the best possible chance, we will be providing him with his own crew for the roads which will act independently of our BSB team. We are now liaising with the race organisers of the North West, TT and Ulster to ensure we are logistically prepared and can put on the professional show that people expect from GBmoto."

To learn more about the team, visit www.gbmoto.com

-          Participants challenged to restore a 1969 MG Midget to MOT standard using iconic Haynes Manuals

-          Haynes Mechanix will run its innovative scheme at Prospex youth club, Islington, for the next 10 weeks

-          All participants will be working towards Edexcell qualifications in car mechanics and personal development

London, 8 December 2014: Haynes Publishing has launched its second Haynes Mechanix project following a successful pilot in early 2014.

The project will see a group of 8 young people aged 15-25 with no prior car mechanic experience challenged to bring an out of commission 1969 MG Midget up to the level to pass its MOT using iconic Haynes manuals as their guide.

The pilot scheme ran from April to August 2014 and saw the 12 participants bring “Percy” the Volkswagen Polo through his MOT and achieving a City and Guilds Qualification in Employability and Personal Development. Two of the participants are now considering a career in mechanics as a result of the scheme.

The second edition of the programme will also have an educational aspect with the students working towards gaining a certificate from Edexcell in car Mechanics and another in personal development.

The ten week programme is taking place at Propex Youth Club in Islington in cooperation with Hyde Housing Association and Draper Tools and is designed to give the participants practical skills in car maintenance while providing a valuable qualification to take into the job market.

Speaking at the launch event, Haynes Publishing Chairman J Haynes said: “The primary purpose of the Haynes Mechanix educational programme is to give young people belief in themselves. Participants achieve this by developing an understanding of mechanics, and then applying that knowledge in a practical way. In addition to the confidence that comes with developing practical skills, those taking part have the opportunity to gain qualifications that improve their employment prospects while also learning essential life skills.  The pilot project was a great success, and Haynes is currently looking at ways we can partner with more organisations and youth clubs to extend the reach of this programme.”

Richard Frankland, Youth Services Manager at Prospex said: “It is exciting to be starting this second project to build on the success of the pilot; we hope that this will become a rolling programme for young people in Islington. The MG will be a challenge as it has sat unstarted for a number of years but that makes it more satisfying when they get it working.”

Clive Richardson, Marketing Director at Draper Tools: “After the success of the first Haynes Mechanix initiative, we were delighted to learn that there was a second one in store. It is such a worthwhile project and we’re very happy to be continuing our involvement with the supply of tools to kit out the workshop. It feels very rewarding knowing that our tools will be used to help young people to acquire useful skills for life and earn a valuable qualification.

“If the Haynes Mechanix pilot is anything to go by - we’re sure this second project will be a huge success and enjoyed by everyone involved, especially the team of young people. We can’t wait to see their efforts and witness the MG Midget’s transformation.”

About Haynes Publishing

Haynes Publishing Group is the worldwide market leader in the production, publication and sale of automotive and motorcycle repair manuals. Floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1979, Haynes serves two distinct markets – the DIY customer through its Owners Workshop Manual and the automotive professional repair market through HaynesPro.

All manuals reflect the same ‘hands on’ and personal approach – the in-house Haynes team takes extensive photographs and notes, describing the process, whilst also telling the truth about how hard or easy the full procedure is. For a car manual, it takes three to six months from the start of a project to the final publication; writing the text alone takes 20 to 30 man weeks.

www.Haynes.co.uk

The former Superbikes champion, was named the winner of the 2014 competition.

The Lancashire-born sportsman feared the shoulder injury that forced him to quit racing in 2000 would mean he struggled in Bushtucker trials, however he showed sheer strength and determination throughout, with his fellow campmates hailing him as Tarzan of the jungle, Crocodile Dundee and a real man!

Foggy was overwhelmed by the support from those who voted him to be King of the Jungle and described the win as 'The best thing that's ever happened to me'!

Speaking after winning the competition, Foggy said: "I just think it's all a dream. I think someone's playing a joke on me!" 

The Motorcycle Industry Association and Association of Chief Police Officers are launching a landmark policy document today, to encourage greater use of motorcycles on UK roads, which should improve road safety as a result.

Realising the Motorcycling Opportunity; A motorcycle safety and transport policy framework was jointly devised by police and industry, in response to the slowdown of reductions in rider casualties.

Though rider safety has improved considerably since 2000, motorcyclists are currently over represented in road fatality statistics (1% of traffic, 19% of fatalities). This could be reduced with government support.

Both police and industry agree traditional road safety policies directed at motorcycling will only partially deliver more positive outcomes for motorcycle safety beyond those already achieved. However, encouraging rather than discouraging motorcycling, should contribute to better safety outcomes.

The document, which will be unveiled at a Parliamentary Reception hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Motorcycle Group on Monday 8th December, calls for motorcycles to be included in mainstream transport policy and sets out a framework of practical recommendations addressing how this might be achieved.

Why should government and transport planners take note?

Two-wheeled transport offers an antidote to congestion. Motorised two-wheeled transport is particularly effective at keeping traffic moving. A Belgian study*, which modelled a shift from cars to motorcycles on one of the most congested roads in Europe, found that when just 10% of car drivers swapped to a powered two wheeler, then congestion was reduced for all road users by 40%. When 25% of drivers swapped, congestion was eliminated altogether.

Over the coming years, it is likely increasing numbers of people will opt for two-wheeled vehicles, whether bicycles, fully motorised two-wheelers, or a cross between the two. It is also likely some cyclists will migrate to motorised forms of two-wheeled transport and vice-versa. The Government has an opportunity to tackle safety issues faced by all vulnerable road users in an integrated and therefore more cost effective way.

Why encourage motorcycle use?

The idea that more motorcycles on the road improves rider safety was initially based on European data, which shows that when a greater percentage of traffic is made up of motorcycles, mopeds or scooters, riders are less likely to be involved in an accident.

With around 50 per cent** of motorcycle accidents initiated by other road users, an effective programme to raise awareness of all road users could considerably reduce the number and seriousness of incidents.

There is a growing body of evidence which shows that if more people started their road careers on a motorcycle, scooter or moped, this would lead to improvements in driver behaviour towards all vulnerable road users. It is also acknowledged that motorcyclists make better road users when driving cars.

The friends and relatives of motorcyclists are also more aware of vulnerable road users – a psychological factor, which forms the basis of successful road safety initiatives.

Some of the measures called for in the paper include:

Education for all road users

One theory test for all road users (motorcyclists have to do a different one to drivers)
Compulsory road user awareness lessons within the school curriculum
A culture of post-test training for all vehicle modes
Perception

· More comprehensive breakdown of motorcycle accident statistics

· Encourage a ‘two-wheel paradigm’ to embrace all two-wheeled transport and stop excluding motorcycles

· Include motorcycle use as core part of overall transport policy, along with walking, cycling and public transport.

Incentives

Grants for electric vehicles to include electric motorcycles not just electric cars (cars won’t help reduce congestion)
Training and safety

Continue progress made in setting new standards in motorcycle training through the Motorcycle Industry Accreditation Centre (MCIAC)
Training upgrade for those who hold a licence for a smaller bike, but want to upgrade to a larger one.
Develop coherent and appropriate clothing and equipment standards
Promote the use of Motorcycle Guidelines, recently updated by the Institute of Highways Engineers
· Nationwide utilisation of the BikeSafe voluntary assessment programme

· Greater use of the RIDE scheme (a course for motorcyclists displaying anti-social behaviour)

Quotes

Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick, Motorcycling Lead for the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) explains why they have joined forces with the MCIA: “Over recent years, the number of motorcycle casualties has reduced which is encouraging. However, this reduction seems to be slowing, with the emphasis moving away from progress in safety and too many motorcyclists are still being killed and injured on the roads. After taking over as the ACPO Motorcycling Lead, I wanted to ensure that casualty reduction was still a priority and I am pleased that these views were shared by MCIA and that we have been able to work together to build this framework which should see some real advancement in improving road safety, particularly for motorcyclists.

“Through this joint work, we hope to make some sustained changes to see improvements for motorcycle safety and a greater recognition of the wider impacts of increased powered two-wheeler use. The framework places education at the heart of it with some proposed transformations to improve the theory test and greater recognition and use of BikeSafe and the RIDE scheme. These are changes that I hope to see make some really positive steps towards reducing the numbers of casualties on our roads.”

Steve Kenward, CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) is clear that inclusion in transport policy is the only way forward to improve safety: “For too long, the Government, local authorities and transport planners seem to have deliberately avoided talking about motorcycle use, a practice which will increasingly fail as a method of reducing rider accidents. Motorcycles need to be treated as a legitimate form of transport, which can save time, space and money for commuters, whilst having the added benefit of reducing congestion for all road users.”

Steve Baker MP, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Motorcycle Group, which is hosting the Parliamentary Reception, gave a personal view of why motorcycles should be encouraged: “It’s time for officialdom to stop seeing motorcycling as a problem. Increased motorcycle use offers affordable access to personal transport and an antidote to congestion. As a lifelong motorcyclist myself, I have first-hand experience of the benefits that commuting by motorcycle can bring. I would be delighted to see the Government adopt a more encouraging approach to motorcycle use. 

“If we want to reduce congestion and improve the quality of people’s lives, we need to embrace all forms of two-wheeled transport. This document gives a clear framework as to how that can be achieved while improving safety for all road users.”

The MCIA represents around 90% of the supply side of the UK motorcycle industry. Members include manufacturers and importers of motorcycles, clothing and accessories, as well as insurers, finance providers and road safety partners.

· BikeSafe is a workshop offered by many police forces, which helps riders appraise their own riding and directs them towards post test training.

· * Study was commissioned by the Belgian Automobile Federation, Febiac, and conducted by research company - Transport and Mobility Leuven. Report title: Commuting by Motorcycle; Impact analysis of an increased share of motorcycles in commuting traffic (September 2011)

· **Figures supplied by insurance aggregate based on over 65,000 quotes.

Figures released today show this is the eleventh month in a row that the industry has seen a rise in new registrations. 

Nearly a third of all new powered-two–wheelers sold this year have been scooters. 29,614 have been registered since the beginning of January; likely to have been bought for commuter use.

Among motorcycles, the ‘naked’ style remains popular, with new registrations 32% up on the same time last year. 

Touring bikes too have increased 12%, with sales of larger bikes between 651cc and 1000cc up 18.8% and bikes over 1000cc up 13.8%.

Attendances were 10% up at the MCIA's flagship show, Motorcycle Live, which took place last month at the NEC.  Motorcycle Live attendances are generally seen by manufacturers as a barometer of success for the coming year, so 2015 looks like being equally promising.

Steve Kenward, CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Association is delighted with the news:

"The more motorcycles on UK roads, the better. They save time and money, take up less space on the road and to park and small motorcycles meet ultra low emission requirements. The MICA is working with police and government to make sure roads get safer for motorcyclists, who can make a valuable contribution to keeping traffic moving on UK roads”.

www.mcia.co.uk