Biker News - Regularly updated

Welcome to our News section, where articles are listed below and if relevant within the categories on the right, just to make it easier for you to find what you wish to read...

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  1. From 1st October 2014, the paper tax disc will no longer need to be displayed on a vehicle.

    Vehicle tax changesIf you have a tax disc with any months left to run after this date, then it can be removed from the vehicle and destroyed. 

    What this means to you

    To drive or keep a vehicle on the road you will still need to get vehicle tax and DVLA will still send you a V11 or V85/1 renewal reminder when your vehicle tax is due to expire. This applies to all types of vehicles including those that are exempt from payment of vehicle tax or have a nil rate of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).

    In brief you still have to pay, however you will not get a piece of paper to prove you’ve done it.

    See more here

     

    On the 1st October, the paper tax disc will be axed after 93 years on our windscreens and in a holder/tube on our motorbikes to be replaced with an electronic system and never again will the words 'It's in the post officer' have any meaning!

    Further reading - Shake-up will see discs abolished and drivers can pay monthly

  2. At the 37th Le Mans 24 Hours Endurance World Championship final this weekend – Michelin’s team, the N°94 Yamaha (GMT 94/Michelin) came second to clinch the 2014 EWC title.

    SERT, the only official team not to suffer a fall this weekend, picked up its 11th win at the Le Mans 24 Hours, its first since 2008. The N°1 Suzuki team completed 810 laps to beat the N°94 Yamaha by just two laps.

    The N°94 Yamaha was hit by another bike under braking for the first corner of lap one and was forced to pit for repairs before re-joining, practically in last position, three laps adrift. However, the team’s three riders bounced back to produce a polished performance. By midnight on Saturday they were on the podium and they then eased into second place during the early hours of Sunday.

    GMT 94 dealt perfectly with the mixed conditions that greeted teams at sunrise, and made some judicious tyre choices for the Michelin-equipped R1 to close the gap to the leader from five to two laps. After that, David Checa, Kenny Foray and Mathieu Gines kept a cool head to collect second overall and make sure of GMT 94’s second world title.

    “Our tyres proved competitive in changeable conditions and we succeeded in ensuring that the Yamaha was always on the right rubber at the right moment. Congratulations to everyone at GMT 94 and thanks for helping us to claim our 15th world title in endurance racing. We are delighted to have played a part in the team’s second place this afternoon” said Piero Taramasso, manager of Michelin Motorsport’s two-wheel programmes.

  3. BBC Televisions Great British Bake Off star Paul Hollywood is to open this...at Buckmore Park, Kent, on Wednesday 8th October and shall also be taking to the iconic karting track for a few laps ahead of the event!

    Over 30 of the finest young British motor racing talent have so far signed up to compete in the unique charity and career enhancing competition, organised by former F1 World Champion John Surtees OBE and the Henry Surtees Foundation, which invites young drivers to battle it out using Club100 Birel karts for the chance to win the best prizes ever offered at a kart meeting and the top three drivers a prestigious Henry ‘H’ trophy.

    2013 Challenge winner David Pittard shall be joined by colleagues including 2011 event winner, ex-team mate of Henry’s and BMW driver Alexander Sims; 2012 event winner and current Fortec Motorsports Eurocup driver Jack Aitken and his team mate, Caterham Young Driver, Matt Parry; 2014 ‘Henry Surtees Foundation Team Challenge’ winning team member, Esmee Hawkee (Ginetta Junior Championship driver); recently crowned Formula Renault NEC Champion Ben Barnicoat; six times Buckmore Park Champion, Piers Prior; Bobby Thompson, Scott Malvern, Oliver Rowland, Jack Barlow, Seb Morris and Laura Tillett are just a few of the best of British talent who have signed up to compete again this year. The event seeks to attract drivers from all classes of motorsport, who are in their 15th year and over, but spaces are limited and the field is already 90% complete.

    Also on display at the event, after its global media launch this Saturday, will be the new ‘MSA Formula Certified by FIA Powered by Ford EcoBoost’ Mygale car - the UK variant of FIA Formula 4 which replaces the British Formula Ford Championship from next season. The new series adopts the world governing body's blueprint for a universal junior formula open to drivers aged 15 years and over.

    John Surtees, OBE: “Paul Hollywood and I have recently had an adventure at Brands Hatch when he tested my 1960 MV Agusta World Championship model motorcycle. When Paul isn’t baking or judging others he is a great two and four wheel enthusiast with his Ducati motorcycle and Aston Martin. He is enthusiastic about karting and will be joining us for the Henry Surtees Foundation charity event at Buckmore Park on Wednesday 8 October. This is targeted at Britain’s finest young up and coming drivers. He will put on a race suit and do a few laps to open the circuit. The same circuit where Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton learnt their skills”.

    Now in its fourth year the Henry Surtees Challenge offers a spectacular and unique range of prizes that will accelerate the careers of young drivers and aid them in their race programme preparation for 2015. Prizes for fastest lap, the most unlucky driver and highest finisher 80kg or over will also be awarded.

     

     

    All funds raised by the Henry Surtees Challenge 2014 will support the Henry Surtees Foundation, registered charity number 1137388.

    The funds raised from this event have in the past helped the Henry Surtees Foundation equip the Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance with blood transfusion equipment, and create a new centre at the head injury unit of Headway Tunbridge Wells.

    www.henrysurteesfoundation.com

    Mission Statement - To assist people with accidental brain and physical injuries, provide education and training in technology, engineering and fitness. Advance young people by developing their skills and capabilities so that they can participate in society as independent and responsible individuals.

    Henry Surtees Foundation

  4. All American Cruise-In & T'Bird Special

    Followed by the regular monthly Rhythm n' Cruise Rockin' Record Hop with DJ Jimmy Guntrip, 7pm - 11pm, there are some great prizes up for grabs at the cafe's regular monthly All American Cruise-In, Saturday 27th September, from 4pm - 11pm close, to include the recently published "Rockin Wheels & Chicks" 2015 events calendar, copy of UK Rock n' Roll magazine, and a pair of tickets to attend the cafe's next annual Billy Fury Tribute Night, on Saturday 11th October, with Pete Hutton & The Beyonders.

    Spend £5 or more over the counter from 4pm and receive a raffle ticket. Draw to be held at 9pm.

    www.ukrock.net
    www.rockinwheelsandchicks.com

    www.ace-cafe-london.com

  5. J & S Accessories is one of the UK's leading motorcycle accessory retailers and so they understand that your motorbike is more than just about being able to get from A to B.

    There is nothing quite like getting out on the open road and just enjoying a great ride - but finding an awesome route can be easier said than done. This is why they have put together a list of their 11 favourite motorcycle routes in the UK so you can take them on... either on your own or with friends!

    Bellow Hill Newark

     

    Dunster Swindon


    From Wickham to Ullapool, Dunster to Dersingham, this selection of excellent motorcycle routes takes in sights from around the whole of the UK.

    All you need to do is select one of the routes from the drop down menu to view it on the map, and because it has been built using Google Maps, you can even switch to Street View to get a first person preview of the route itself.

    Please note this list has now been removed (2016)