Entries for the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy, closed at the end of February with a strong, high quality field confirmed for the 2014 meeting

The Dainese Superbike, Royal London 360° Superstock, Lightweight and Monster Energy Supersport categories were all over-subscribed and a star-studded group of riders will line-up at the end of May while the Formula Two Sidecar class will see over 60 outfits on the grid.

An impressive sixty-six of this year’s solo riders have already lapped at more than 120mph promising not only strong competition at the front of the field, with all the leading riders confirmed to take part, but also strength in depth. It also meant for any rider being awarded an entry they’d be in possession of a coveted and prized asset and gave organisers the tough decision of having to turn down a number of riders who may previously have received an entry in years gone by.

The entry contains eleven former solo race winners with a collective 57 wins between them whilst riders from all corners of the British Isles, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Austria, Italy, USA, France, Hungary, Portugal, Brazil, Belgium, Finland, Czech Republic and Argentina are represented.

All of the current road racing contenders have entered with strong teams including Honda Racing, Padgetts Motorcycles, BMW Motorrad / Hawk Racing, Milwaukee Yamaha, Tyco Suzuki, Quattro Plant Muc-Off Kawasaki, SMT / Wilcock Racing, RC Express Racing by MSS Performance, Lincs Lifting Ltd, Wilson Craig Racing, Lloyd and Jones PR Kawasaki, Penz13.Com BMW Racing Team and Norton Motorcycles whilst new outfits on the entry include Tsingtao Racing, Team Traction Control and Riders Motorcycles BMW.

Familiar names including current Mountain Course maestro John McGuinness, Michael Dunlop, Guy Martin, Bruce Anstey, Ian Hutchinson, Conor Cummins, Gary Johnson, Michael Rutter, James Hillier, William Dunlop, Dean Harrison, Dan Stewart and David Johnson are all back for more with Steve Mercer, Dan Kneen, Ben Wylie and Ivan Lintin some of the leading privateers tackling the famous 37 and ¾ miles of tarmac in June.

Leading newcomers, and exciting talent, of recent years – Josh Brookes, Simon Andrews, Lee Johnson, Horst Saiger, Jamie Hamilton, Daniel Cooper, Karl Harris, Gavin Hunt and Jimmy Storrar – have reaffirmed their affinity with the TT, with impressive new names for 2014 set to include British Superbike Championship contenders Martin Jessopp and Peter Hickman, former Moto 3 Grand Prix front runner Danny Webb, road race regulars Callum Laidlaw and Alan Bonner and overseas stars including Belgians Vick de Cooremeter and Laurent Hoffmann, Canadian Dan Kruger and Frenchman Franck Petricola.

A number of riders make welcome returns to the TT including former front-runners, and now team-mates, Ryan Farquhar and Keith Amor. American ace Jimmy Moore, who lapped at close to 125mph in 2010, Stefano Bonetti, Michael Russell, Scott Wilson, James Edmeades and Roger Maher also return while a strong influx of talent from the Manx Grand Prix, most notably James Cowton, Michael Sweeney, Colin Stephenson, Stephen McKnight, Rab Davie, Connor Behan, Christopher Dixon and Alexander Pickett, have decided to make the step up to the TT.

The renaissance of the Formula Two Sidecar class on the Island continues with an entry again numbering over 60, nine of whom will be newcomers. Having missed out on victory last year 16-times winner Dave Molyneux, again with Patrick Farrance in the chair, will be eager to add to that tally.

Last year's first time race winners, former World Champions Tim Reeves and Ben Birchall, who will again be partnered by Dan Sayle and Tom Birchall respectively, will be looking to at least double their haul whilst John Holden and Andy Winkle will be hoping to add to their solitary success in 2011.

Conrad Harrison and Mike Aylott, perennial bridesmaids, are back for another attempt following their podium last year, as are Gary Bryan/Jamie Winn, Karl Bennett/Lee Cain and Frank Lelias/Paul Knapton. Ian Bell, Nigel Connole, Carl Fenwick and Vince Biggs are four high quality drivers to make returns to the Mountain Course after a long absence, while the strong tally of 9 newcomers include Alan Founds/Tom Peters, John and Jake Lowther and the Australian father and son pairing of Dwight and Noel Beare.

The lightweight class, for Supertwin machines, has again seen an increase in entries with over 80 received, including former race winners Hillier and Farquhar, Harrison, Rutter, Michael Dunlop, Lintin, Hamilton, Johnston, Guy Martin and Amor. Gary and David Johnson and Dan Cooper should make stronger impressions on the Chinese WK machines while Cowton, Olie Linsdell, Wylie, Hunt and Rider Liaison Officer John Barton should also feature prominently as should Roy Richardson who makes his return to the TT after a two-year absence.

Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Development Manager, Isle of Man Government, believes that the entry list will see records tumbling again - "Not only do we have an increasingly impressive entry list at the front of the grid, with all the leading contenders competing and significant commitment from the leading manufacturers but we also have a incredible strength in depth throughout the field.”

He continued: "120mph plus laps are fast becoming the minimum benchmark at TT in the 1000cc classes with high calibre newcomers quickly demonstrating their ability on the roads. I expect this year's races not only to again have thrilling finishes with races decided by split seconds but to also see solid performances from a talented group of newcomers. It's also encouraging to see such strong entries for both the Sidecar and Lightweight Races.”

The principle for bikes on the farm is to produce an outdoor, licensed, festival type event for the opening crowd of 5,000 people from different motorcycle back grounds and become an annual event. The event will be just south of Chichester.

The key goal for the event is to become established and recognized among the motorcycle community as a good event to attend and to become a key date in the UK motorcycling calendar. Clear objectives for the event are to provide increased revenue for local business through the expected attendance at the event. The event is marketed and open to motorcyclists from a multitude of genres and styles and open to all, we do not offer an affiliation to any motorcycle club or group and we hope to break down the stereo types among the motorcycle world. 

We have over 40 live acts playing on our stage in our main arena and up to 40 traders pitches available. The bar has a huge selection of real ales, ciders produced on the farm and lagers all at just £3.50 a pint. Also a manufactures display area, have a go wheelie machine, Dyno run rolling road. Supporting the SERV Sussex blood runners charity, and Kent Sussex and Surrey air ambulance.

Thursday 31st July - 16.00 to 00.00

Friday 1st August - 12.00 to 00.00

Saturday 2nd August - 12.00 to 00.00

Sunday 3rd August - 12.00 to 00.00

Pump Bottom Farm, Birdham Road, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 7EH

Advanced tickets just £35 for all 4 days including camping. The event is over 18's.

www.bikesonthefarm.com

Two of the UK’s leading motorcycle accident law firms have joined forces to provide specialist cross-border legal expertise to motorcyclists injured in road traffic collisions in Scotland and the North of England.

The strategic alliance between Motorcycle Law Scotland in Scotland and Hipkin & Co Solicitors based in North East England unites the market leaders in motorcycle accident representation and will see each firm refer clients when an accident happens in the other’s jurisdiction and where a different legal system exists.

If a motorcyclist has an accident in Scotland but lives in England, their claim is subject to Scottish law and they therefore need to use the services of a Scottish firm. Likewise, if a Scottish motorcyclist has an accident in England, then they need to use a firm based in England or Wales as any claim is subject to the legal system of England and Wales.

Brenda Mitchell, founder of Motorcycle Law Scotland with more than 25 years of experience as a personal injury lawyer, said: “By working together, both Motorcycle Law Scotland and Hipkin & Co Solicitors will ensure that cross-border clients will receive the best possible representation when claiming for often very serious injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents. So often these accidents need specialist knowledge and handling, and this will ensure our clients always receive the highest standard of advice.”

The alliance also aims to highlight the need to instruct independent, specialist motorcycle accident lawyers to fight a victim’s claim, rather than accept a solicitor ‘appointed’ by an insurer.

When a motorcyclist is involved in a road traffic collision as a result of a driver’s negligence, they are entitled to claim for their loss, injury and damage. In these circumstances, the choice of legal representation is up to the motorcyclist and not his or her insurer. However, because of the unique nature of motorcycle accidents, it is best to instruct an independent specialist motorcycle accident lawyer who understands motorcycling, rather than one “appointed” by an insurer.

Mark Hipkin, Principal and head of Hipkin & Co Solicitors motorcycle department added: “Brenda and I have known each other for over 10 years. We share a common interest in bikes, biking and putting our biker clients first. Both of us go the extra mile for our clients and it’s our personal service and “never say die” attitude that gets us results. Our alliance is a natural step to helping bikers on both sides of the border – which is only 70 miles away from our office. I regularly enjoy the tremendous roads that Northumberland and the Borders offer bikers.

Following on from ‘National Heart Month’ in February, the Heritage Motor Centre has installed a defibrillator and trained all 16 of their first aiders in life-saving CPR. Visitors are now safe in the knowledge that if they suffer a cardiac arrest on site then their survival rates are significantly increased. Survival rates out of hospital are currently only about 10%. Survival rates reach as high as 75% when patients get the right care quickly enough.

A defibrillator can be used to deliver an electric shock to the heart when someone is having a cardiac arrest. Last month, researchers examining the use of defibrillators across England said knowledge about them and their use was "disappointingly low". Experts found that fewer than 2% of people suffering a cardiac arrest were treated with the device before an ambulance arrived. The British Heart Foundation estimates that 60,000 cardiac arrests occur out of hospital every year across the UK.

Tom O’Reilly, Operations Manager at the Heritage Motor Centre stated "We are really pleased to be able to offer life-saving CPR in the event of anyone suffering from a cardiac arrest whilst on-site. Having this equipment can significantly cut the amount of time a cardiac arrest sufferer has to wait for life-saving support and therefore gives them the best possible chance of survival."

For more information about the Heritage Motor Centre please visit www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk or call 01926 641188

A 51-year-old cyclist was killed on a charity bike ride after riding over a pothole the council had failed to repair, an inquest heard.

Martyn Uzzell died instantly when he hit the 4in deep pothole on a main road and was thrown into the path of a car. Only a month before the tragedy, the council sent workers to inspect the pothole after police said it was a hazard. But it was decided immediate repairs were not necessary.

Coroner Rob Turnbull told the inquest at Skipton Magistrates’ Court there was ‘no doubt whatsoever that the condition of the road on that occasion was the cause of the incident’. He said the pothole, which surrounded a roadside drain, had ‘existed for some time prior to the accident’.

Yesterday Mr Uzzell’s widow Kate,  48, revealed she was pursuing a  compensation claim against North Yorkshire County Council after his ‘entirely avoidable’ death. She said: ‘It is simply disgraceful that a pothole on such a busy road was allowed to go unrepaired. This should not have happened. My husband was an experienced cyclist and was out doing what he loved, while raising money for charities close to his heart, but it has cost him his life.’

The tragedy happened in June 2011 when Mr Uzzell, a service engineer, was cycling with two friends from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money for a cancer and children’s charity. They were riding along the A65 road at Giggleswick, North Yorkshire, when Mr Uzzell hit the pothole and fell into the path of a VW Golf behind him. He suffered devastating head injuries.

After the coroner ruled his death was the result of a road traffic accident, Mrs Uzzell, of Clevedon, Somerset, said she wanted to know ‘why something wasn’t done’ when the council had been warned about the pothole. Local authorities have a legal obligation to keep roads in a good state, but usually prioritise repairs according to how deep and dangerous potholes are. It is not known how deep the pothole was when inspected by council staff five weeks before the tragedy, the inquest heard. Police had called the council’s customer service team to report the pothole, but the operator did not pass the information on to the highways department, the inquest heard.

However, a council inspection was carried out two days later and the hole was ruled not serious enough for immediate attention. A further inspection was made of the road before the accident and again no action was taken.

Mrs Uzzell said: ‘I do not want anyone else to lose a loved one because the roads have not been properly maintained. ‘My life has been devastated, I have lost my best friend and soul mate, a lovely person, who bought joy to my life, I am lost and lonely without Martyn.  'And it isn’t just me, Martyn’s entire family is also suffering the loss of someone very special.’

Police confirmed Mr Uzzell and his group had cycled competently, travelling at a reasonable speed with a good distance from one another and were wearing appropriate clothing. The Crown Prosecution Service decided the council failings did not constitute a criminal offence and refused to press charges. Mrs Uzzell said: ‘I was devastated when the CPS told me they would not be prosecuting. My husband has died yet no one is being held to account as to how this was allowed to happen.’

North Yorkshire County Council said it would consider the coroner’s comments carefully and expressed sympathy. Potholes, made worse by harsh winter weather, cause millions of pounds of damage to cars each year but are especially dangerous to cyclists.

Chris Peck, of the Cycling Touring Club, said: ‘They can cause injury and in some cases such as this, death.’

Article supplied by Street Repairs