17-year old Joe to make Silverstone Moto3 debut for Redline

British Motostar race winner, Joe Irving, will make his first appearance at a MotoGP event when he lines up for the Moto3 race at Silverstone on August 31.

The 17-year old from Holmfirth has been a consistent force in British Motostar - the national equivalent of Moto3 - on KTM RC 250 R machinery, taking two wins and nine podiums in 2013 and is currently battling for the championship lead after five rounds of the 2014 season, with two wins and two other podiums.

Trainee chef Irving will be aiming to impress the partisan crowd at the Northamptonshire circuit when he lines up on his familiar British championship machine, supplied and run by Loughborough-based KTM dealer, Redline Motorcycles.

With the next Motostar race at Thruxton on August 3, Joe and the team still have a further two British championship races after that at Oulton Park and Cadwell Park to get through before the Grand Prix, with little time for rest.

On hearing the wildcard entry was confirmed, Joe Irving said: “Honestly, I’m so excited – it’s a dream come true. I can’t believe I have this opportunity and Silverstone is a circuit I really love.

“I can’t thank Tim Walker from Redline Motorcycles enough, but there’s a lot to be done to be ready for the Grand Prix, let alone trying to fight for the British championship. I’m under no illusions that lining up against the best riders in the world will be tough, but I’m more than ready for the challenge.”

With the huge costs associated with running at Grand Prix level compared to the National championship, Joe will be holding a fundraising event very soon to make sure this dream opportunity can be properly committed to. More details to follow.

5 weeks to find the brand new roadster fitted with MICHELIN Pilot Road 4 tyres hidden somewhere in Europe.

Michelin, in partnership with the agency Stratégie One, recently launched a Europe-wide treasure hunt that will last until the middle of the summer. Every Friday, at the same time for five weeks, Michelin will post clues on a special website to indicate where the motorcycle with the MICHELIN Pilot Road 4 tyres is hidden. Follow the clues to get your hands on the roadster first! 

Introduced in 2014, the MICHELIN Pilot Road 4 on-road tyre is available in Standard, GT and Trail versions and covers most categories of road motorcycles of more than 600cc. 

The new tyre brakes 17%* shorter on wet roads than its closest competitor and delivers 20%** more total mileage than its predecessor. The MICHELIN Pilot Road 4 is a tangible reflection of the MICHELIN Total Performance strategy, which is designed to drive continuous, simultaneous improvement in several areas of tyre performance.

Sign up at www.motohunt.michelin.com

*Braking tests conducted on wet and slippery surfaces in July 2013 by the DEKRA Test Center, an independent testing company.
** In-house tests conducted in 2013.

Well, we finally had some good weather for Farmyard Party this year and what a difference it makes - happy customers enjoying a great a rally.

We have had some excellent feedback and some constructive comments - yes, we will take on board what you have said for next year! It was also great to see lots of new comers to the event - this means we will continue to support MAG UK and the work it does on our behalf for riders' rights.

So, Yorkshire Pudding will be held at Escrick Estate for a second year - 1st to the 3rd of August. Last year was an absolute blinder and we have made every effort to ensure it is another. Band and comedian line ups are listed below. Don't forget to bring a towel for the free showers that will be available.

Tickets for Yorkshire Pudding will be available by post until the 18th of July and the 25th for online purchases. After that they will only be available on the gate.

As always, our events are held on behalf of Riders' Rights throughout UK and Europe.

No Cars, No Vans, No Pedestrians, No Excuses

A survey by Britain’s leading road safety organisation has shown that more than a quarter of those taking a car or motorbike into Europe on holiday will travel without having their transportation checked or serviced in any way. 

The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) points out that as we reach the height of the holiday season, tens of thousands of people will be heading into mainland Europe to enjoy the delights of sun, scenery and a week or two away – without realising that if their car or bike breaks down, they could be in line for an expensive repair bill, several days (or more) off the road and disruption of that hard-earned break.

The findings come from an online survey conducted by the IAM of people who have either taken a European driving or riding break in the last two years, or are considering doing so.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “A breakdown is inconvenient at the best of times, but to have that occur while on holiday is even more upsetting. Even with comprehensive travel insurance, there will be huge disruption to your holiday if you have a breakdown – and factoring in the extra expense of getting your car or bike back to the UK.”

“It is vital that your car or bike is in good condition to cope with the distances and demands of European driving. The roads will be unfamiliar so it is essential your brake pads, lights and tyre pressure levels are all in proper working order. Simply don’t leave yourself open to the risk of an unnecessary breakdown or even an accident.”

The IAM survey also found seventy-eight per cent of respondents feel that regulations about the equipment that you have to carry in Europe have become more complicated in recent years.

Respondents felt that unforeseen circumstances (33 per cent) and cost (17 per cent) are the biggest disadvantages when thinking about going on a driving or riding holiday.

Of those who have been on a riding or driving holiday, forty four per cent of those drove and twenty per cent rode or drove from the UK. Forty-one per cent prefer to drive their own car abroad. Thirty five per cent of respondents would like to go on holiday for two weeks.

Forty-three per cent of respondents favour France as a riding/driving holiday destination closely followed by Spain and Germany.

Top reasons for a driving holiday are increased experience and exposure to local people and customs at destination (44 per cent) and adventure (28 per cent).

Eight-five per cent of respondents always travel with full breakdown cover as well as full medical cover emphasising that respondents are taking necessary precautions for their health and safety abroad.

Other findings include:

•Thirty seven per cent of respondents have been on a driving holiday

•Nineteen per cent have been on a riding holiday

•Forty-eight per cent of respondents stay at hotels when on driving and riding holidays

The breathtaking Drag Race by Tudor between Ducati riders on Diavel Carbons was won by Regis Laconi • WDW2014 is set to be a winner. Tomorrow is the last day and we’ll soon have all the “data” to see just how successful this eighth edition of the Ducati gathering has been. • A flood of Ducatisti from 56 countries and five continents has arrived to make this a truly memorable edition.

Misano Adriatico, July 19, 2014 – It’s been yet another day of gusto, shows and thrills for the thousands of Ducatisti who, since Friday 18 July, have peacefully invaded the Romagna Riviera and the “Marco Simonceli” Misano World Circuit to launch WDW2014, the fabulous bi-annual rally that brings together everyone from the worldwide Ducati Community.

The Misano paddock is packed with motorcycles and Ducatisti who have come to the Riviera from 56 countries and 5 continents, all sharing the same passion for Bologna-built Ducati motorcycles.

The event is now getting ready for the last of the three days and WDW2014 is lined up to be a huge success, with attendance likely to exceed the 65,000 of the previous edition, clear confirmation of the brand’s strong appeal and the loyalty and fervour of its fans.

In addition to the numerous activities in the event programme, today’s highlight was the Drag Race by Tudor which brought the track day to an end and saw Ducati Riders (MotoGP and SBK) and legendary names from international competition battle it out on powerful Ducati Diavel Carbon motorcycles. A unique, head-to-head showdown, made up of simple yet thrilling ingredients to quench the fans’ burning thirst for speed.

Following yesterday’s first round heats, which saw the Superbike official test rider Matteo Baiocco and the ex Superbike rider Regis Laconi clinch a place in the finals, today the stopwatch declared the absolute winner. As expected, the competition came alive as soon as the riders involved in the Diavel Drag Race by Tudor were out of the pits. Troy Bayliss, Pierfrancesco Chili, Andrea Dovizioso, Carl Fogarty, Davide Giugliano, Yonny Hernandez, Andrea Iannone, Michele Pirro and Manuel Poggiali held nothing back and gave it their all to put on a stunning show for the crowds in the paddocks and grandstands at Misano.

The qualifying heats were followed by the final round in which Laconi and Baiocco produced a thrilling clash that saw Laconi winning the duel against the Italian, stopping the clock at a time of 6”681 to score a photo-finish victory. Andrea Dovizioso, who signed the renewal contract with Ducati Team for a further two years, won the fight for the third position against Michele Pirro, the Ducati MotoGP test rider.

After the intense day on the track, thousands of Ducatisti stayed around to enjoy the tasty “Rustida”, an awesome barbecue over 200 metres long organised on the track by the lifeguards who work along the Riviera. After this welcome break to refuel with food, it was time for the sensational Racetrack Show. The circuit provided a perfect stage for the terrific stunt riders show and a ride-past of motorcycling legends, past and present. To end the evening there was a late-night firework display, closing out the day in a crescendo of colour and sound.

The grand finale is set for Sunday July 20 with thousands more enthusiasts expected to arrive from all over the world, plenty of on-track events, great shows, partying, fun and above all, genuine Ducati passion of the sort that only real Ducatisti know how to express and share at events like these.