The National Motorcycle Museum will host the launch of a new book “The Six Day Affair” by John Bradshaw on Saturday 2n August.

Held in the Museum Foyer the author will be available to sign copies and discuss this fascinating new title which concerns the 1939 ISDT which was underway in Austria the week prior to the outbreak of WW2. 

Following the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, the ISDT was seen by Hitler as being another opportunity for Nazi dominance and the 1939 ISDT was unexpectedly held in Austria, riding through the mountains surrounding Salzburg. Half way through the event, with the British teams once again doing very well indeed, they received a telegram from the British Embassy telling them to get out immediately. WWII started just a week later.

The book is the story of how the British riders – men and women, army and civilian – successfully made it away through Switzerland with the help of their friendly German escort has so far only been mentioned in magazine articles, but extensive research has revealed much new material about this fascinating and exciting event in history.

Costing £12.00 the book will be available to purchase from the Museum shop or online via www.thenmmshop.co.uk following the event on 02/08/14

WD/ISDT/Trials Machines “Ride-In” & Display.

To coincide with the launch of this book whose main themes are both WW2 & ISDT we are inviting owners of WD/Military or ISDT/Trials machines to ride in or bring them along to display in front of the Museum Entrance on 02/08/14. Riders displaying these machines will receive half price entry to the Museum collection.

In keeping with both the anniversary of the start of WW1 as well as the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings we will be delighted to see as many WD machines as possible to help commemorate the brave servicemen & women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The National Motorcycle Museum Supports the “Pilgrim Bandits” charity which helps ex- service personal. The Museum will be making a donation to Pilgrim Bandits for each WD/Military machine that is displayed on the day.

www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk

Charlotte-based motorcycle racer Aaron League is set to become the youngest American to tackle the IMGold Manx Grand Prix next month. The 23-year-old will join Lancashire-based Rea Racing to pilot a Suzuki SV650 in the Newcomers B and Supertwin classes.

League will make his debut on the Isle of Man at this year’s IMGold Manx Grand Prix ahead of a planned assault on the 2015 Pirelli National Superstock 600 Championship, as he bids to break onto the British short circuit racing scene. He began racing in the US Championship Cup series at the beginning of 2013, and so far this year has racked up 12 podiums and six race victories in the Lightweight division, and is currently the points leader of the GTL class on a Suzuki SV650.

However he has always wanted to tackle the gruelling 37.73mile Isle of Man Mountain Course, and this year has been given the chance to contest the event. The IMGold Manx Grand Prix runs as part of the Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling which includes the Classic TT which this year will feature some of the biggest names in road racing including Michael Dunlop, John McGuinness and Bruce Anstey.

“I’ve been wanting to race on the Isle of Man for years now, and I finally created the right opportunities to make it happen,” said League. “It’s not going to be easy, and the work is going to continue full-stick until the very end of the fortnight, but I am absolutely up for the challenge. Huge thanks go out to Ben Rea and Rea Racing for setting me up with a top-notch Supertwin. With a great machine under me, I’ll be able to focus solely on learning the course and getting around quickly and safely.”

Following the IMGold Manx Grand Prix, League will be pursuing a ride in the UK’s National Superstock 600 Championship. Considered by many to be a hotbed of upcoming superbike talent, his aim is to break into what he believes is the best domestic racing series in the world.

“The Manx is my priority at this point, but I do want to use this as a potential springboard into the British series because I think the UK’s racing scene is the best in the world, and as I still plan on pursuing the short circuit route, racing in the UK is vital to the direction I want my racing career to go. I want to take this opportunity to thank my sponsors for the continued support and guidance - Cornerspeed/Cornerspin, Willow Downs Performance, Spyke, LS2 Helmets and Zoeburn.com.”

The Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza, now in its 40th year, will take place once again at South Cerney Airfield, Cirencester.

From Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd August 2014 the extravaganza will attract more than 15,000 visitors and raise money for local and national charities. The show has grown dramatically in recent years and is now widely regarded as one of the biggest and best Steam, Vintage and Countryside events in the UK. Attracting thousands of exhibits from all corners of the British Isles, as well as some from further afield - it really is a nostalgic road trip into bygone years.

The show was originally conceived for steam enthusiasts, but the range of exhibits has grown year on year. It now boasts a huge array of vintage transport, from buses and coaches, commercial vehicles, classic cars and motorcycles through to military vehicles, tractors, engines and historic caravans. A live action arena will be an integral part of the show with interactive demonstrations taking place every day. 

This year the show celebrates its 40th year, an amazing feat and we want to celebrate with everyone especially those born on 6th or 7th September 1975 - the weekend of the very first show. If you were born on that weekend, we will send you one complimentary ticket for the show. (DOB ID will be required). Please contact: [email protected]

The popular motorcycle display features more than 130 models representing manufacturers from England, Italy, Japan, India, the USA and other countries. Among the marques on display is Honda, Yamaha, Harley Davidson, Moto Guzzi, HRD, AGS, James, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Rudge, Baker, BMW, Norton, Velocette, BSA, Panther, Francis Barnett, Matchless and Greeves. The popular Ken Fox Wall of Death, one of the last original Wall of Deaths dating back to 1929, will make a welcome return to wow the crowds as they perform tricks, acrobatics and high-speed chases on their 1920’s Indian motorcycles. The classic car section alone features over 600 vehicles, showcasing veteran, pre-war, post-war, American to modern classics. Alongside regular exhibits are rare and remarkable stories of restoration projects and histories to be told. 

Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza is packed full of exhibits, displays and curiosity stalls to keep the whole family entertained for hours with displays of Victorian memorabilia ranging from antique sewing and knitting machines and model dolls houses to vintage garden tools and 1940s to 1950s home wares. Alongside the hundreds of vintage vehicles, there will be the popular steam driven vintage fun fair, 'electric yachts', waltzer, big wheel, steam-driven 'gallopers', face painting, dodgems and traditional arcade games, plus an Animal and Countryside area with poultry, Shire Horses, rare breeds, Alpacas and Ferrets with an arena demonstrating Horse Logging, Falconry and dog agility.

There we will also be a vintage tea dance which will include lots of cake! If you are a lindy hop dancer, why not join us! A prize will be awarded for the best dancers, performing in vintage clothes. Lindy Hoppers to receive free tickets if taking part, please contact: [email protected]

The Chairman of the Stroud Vintage Transport and Engine Club, Martyn Slater, says: “The Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza is the biggest of its kind run entirely by volunteers and I am proud to be involved. As well as raising money for local and national charities, our aim is to provide a safe and happy environment for everyone to celebrate our unique transport history, in hope that we can inspire future generations to get involved in the preservation of historic vehicles.”

The Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza is a great day out for all the family.

Admission Information: Show opens at 10 am.

Ticket prices Pre Sale On the day

FRIDAY Adult £5.60 Junior £3.20 Adult £6.00 Junior £4.00

SATURDAY or SUNDAY Adult £8.00 Junior £4.00 Family £20.00 Adult £10.00 Junior £5.00 Family £25.00

WEEKENDER Adult £12.00 Junior £6.00 Family £28.00 Adult £15.00 Junior £8.00 Family £35.00

Family tickets Includes two adults and two children. Juniors (Age 5-15)

Weekender tickets: Includes entry to all three days but no overnight camping.

Discounted tickets are available to buy online at www.glossteamextravaganza.com or from Cirencester Tourist Information Centre, located next to the Corinium Museum. Public enquiries contact T: 01453 890891

A free vintage bus service will be operating around the perimeter of the show site, and to and from Kemble railway station throughout the show to connect with selected First Great Western Trains.

The Gloucestershire Steam & Vintage Extravaganza, South Cerney Airfield, Cirencester

Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd August 2014

New Classic TT Trophies, named after four of the greatest names in TT history, have been created for this year's Isle of Man Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts.

The illustrious riders - Joey Dunlop OBE (26 wins), Geoff Duke OBE, (6 wins), Mike Hailwood MBE (14 wins) and Phil Read MBE (8 wins), have accumulated a total of 54 TT Race victories between them.

The trophies will be awarded to recognise class wins within the races where there is more than one class competing in the race and fastest single cylinder machines in a race.

'The Joey Dunlop Classic TT Trophy' will be awarded to the rider of the first 750cc machine to finish the Motorsport Merchandise Formula 1 race on Monday 25th while 'The Phil Read Classic TT Trophy' will go to the first 250cc machine in the Monday's Okells 350cc Classic TT Race.

The other awards - the 'Mike Hailwood Classic TT Trophy' and the 'Geoff Duke Classic TT Trophy' will be awarded to the first single cylinder 500cc machine in the Bennetts 500cc Classic TT race and the first single cylinder 350cc machine in the Okells 350cc Race respectively.

Tickets are now on sale and selling fast for the 2014 Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts. VIP experiences, Grandstand tickets, Classic TT Heroes Dinner and Classic TT Party tickets can be purchased from www.iomtt.com or by phoning 00 44 (0)1624 640000.

Travel and accommodation packages to suit all budgets and requirements are available from Official Classic TT Travel Agency Regency Travel on +44 (0)1624 694456 or [email protected] 

Mitas announces the sponsorship of the 11th Red Bull Romaniacs, which will be held from Tuesday, 15 July, to Saturday, 19 July 2014, in Sibiu, Romania.

A total of 350 off-road motorcycle riders hailing from 33 nations will compete in the world`s toughest Hard Enduro Rally. As a tyre partner, Mitas will provide tyre sales and service at the race site every day of the race.

At the Red Bull Romaniacs Mitas will support three riders: Wade Young, Ben Hemmingway and Lars Enöckl. Mitas will provide them with tyres for the Hard Enduro discipline -- EF-07 Super Light and C-19 Super. “The EF-07 features the latest type of tread pattern for sport Enduro, developed with top Enduro riders. The tread pattern provides optimal riding properties over a great variety of terrains,” said Karel Špaňhel, Mitas' product manager for motorbike tyres.