Railton and Nutt go all-out for victory in front of a packed Donington crowd.

The race for the third Ducati TriOptions 848 Challenge crown hotted up this weekend at Donington Park as the series once again provided some scintillating racing. Marty Nutt took victory in race one after pole-sitter and pace-setter Dennis Hobbs was forced into retirement with a broken gear lever early on.

Crucially from a championship perspective, Jonathan Railton appeared to have a turnaround in both confidence and pace over the course of the weekend, setting a front-row worthy lap time in race one to give himself a great opportunity in the second contest.

The Boast Plumbing-backed rider looked on it from the very first lap, and had soon moved into second place behind Marty Nutt with the pair pulling a big gap to the chasing pack running a blistering pace that saw the lap record broken three times. The pair were inseparable for most of the 10 lap race, but it was an incredible move around the outside of Nutt from Railton on the penultimate lap that handed the young rider victory and kept him in the hunt for the title with four races left to run in 2013.

Railton said, “It was a fantastic race and I really enjoyed it. I had to push so hard to catch Marty and to get past was very rewarding. We’ve had a dry run of podiums recently and I’ve had a lack of confidence, but that win has certainly helped fix that.”

In National Superstock 1000 both Tristan Palmer and Robbie Brown raced hard to fly the Ducati flag in a class recently dominated by Japanese machinery. Palmer has been something of a revelation aboard the 1199 Panigale, but started out this weekend on the back foot with his competition having raced in support of the World Superbike Championship round at Donington earlier in the season before the midlander signed to ride for Rapido Sport Racing. Track time was further reduced with Friday’s running lost to rain, but Palmer still managed to run top ten pace during the race and finished in the points in 12th across the line.

Palmer said, “It’s not been the best weekend – we started out on the back foot as everyone else raced here earlier in the season and I didn’t. We did improve the bike in the two dry sessions we had before the race, but we just didn’t have enough track time to close the gap on the front guys. I wrecked my tyre trying to come through the field which made life difficult at the end of the race. Silverstone is a good track for me, so we’ll just get on with it and get back to the front there.”

It was a tough weekend in the main superbike class for Rapido Sport Racing and rider Matteo Baiocco. After topping a very wet free practice session on Friday, Baiocco couldn’t replicate his pace in the dry on Saturday and Sunday. 20th position in qualifying made the job even harder, and the reigning Italian Superbike champion was forced to retire from race one with set-up issues after just eight laps. Race two proved a little more successful for the rider from Osimo, posting his fastest times of the weekend and crossing the line just outside the points in 17th.

The Isle of Man's economy is heading for a healthy real growth rate of between three and four per cent in 2013/14, according to the Government's latest quarterly economic report, continuing it's success of 28 years of economic growth.

The report, produced for the Council of Ministers by the Treasury's Economic Affairs Division, covers the three months up to the end of June this year. It provides positive updates and outlooks for various sectors including manufacturing, e-business, shipping, aircraft registration, clean tech and tourism. Welcoming the report, Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK commented:

"The continuing growth of the Isle of Man economy is the result of a number of factors, including our policy of diversification, the partnership approach between Government and the private sector, and our competitive, reputable business environment. It is a testament to the professionalism and quality of service that the Island offers to customers around the world.

To read the Chief Minister's full comments, please view the recent news release.

Sun 29th Sept 2013 @ Uttoxeter Racecourse, Uttoxeter, Sta­ffs, ST14 8BD

We are sure to see some truly stunning vehicles at the show with around 100 booked in to display. There will be club displays from the Potteries Capri Club,  North Baam Classic Car Club and the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club.  In addition to this, around 80 private entries will represent all the popular manufacturers such as Triumph, MG, Ford, Singer, Buick, Vauxhall & Austin to name just a few. This show also attracts a good number of classic bikes such as BSA, Norton and Matchless etc.

The show itself will take place on the hard standing outside next to the grandstand, as well as inside the tote hall. There will be an all day concours competition with expert commentary throughout the day, catering options and a range of trade and autojumble stands where enthusiasts can purchase parts and spares for their vehicles.

​Admission Prices £6 per Adult £2 per Child (7-14yrs) Under 7's free

​Opening Times 10am - 3.30pm

Directions: Situated just off the A50 between Burton on Trent and Stoke on Trent the racecourse is clearly signposted from the A50, A515, A518 and Uttoxeter Town Centre.   Additional Information​: FREE Parking Dogs welcome on lead Catering   Cars that have not pre-booked are still welcome to display and can take part in the concours competition, however all vehicle occupants will be charged the normal admission price on arrival.

www.classicvehicleevents.com

Visitors to Motorcycle Live 2013 will benefit from reduced car parking costs as a result of an initiative by the show organisers to subsidise The NEC’s standard fee.

The cost of parking a car for one day at The NEC during Motorcycle Live will now be £8 per vehicle, representing a £2 saving on the venue’s normal fee, which was increased to £10 per vehicle in 2012. For visitors arriving at the show by motorcycle, secure, indoor parking remains free of charge.

“Over the past few years we have worked hard to provide a show experience that provides excellent value-for-money,” explains Finlay McAllan, Managing Director of show organisers MCI Exhibitions. “We offer our visitors over 200 exhibitor stands and 16 live features, including eight opportunities to ride a bike, all within the ticket price. In our 2012 feedback, car parking fees set by The NEC were cited as the biggest bugbear for visitors and therefore, as part of our ongoing aim to provide value-for-money, we’ve taken the decision to do what we can to alleviate those costs by offering a £2 subsidy.”

Motorcycle Live takes place at The NEC from 23 November to 1 December. Every major manufacturer will be present, showcasing the 2014 model launches in the UK for the first time. There will also be a daily dose of famous biking faces and racing stars from MotoGP, World Superbike, British Superbike and the Isle of Man TT, all taking part in fan meet-and-greets and on-stage game shows and Q&As with racers-turned-broadcasters Steve Parrish and James Whitham.

Advance tickets for Motorcycle Live 2013 are just £17 per adult, £11 for Seniors and £7 for children aged 6-16* (kids under five accompanied by a paying adult go free). To book you tickets, call 0844 581 2345 or visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

Rob Guiver looks for a top ten finish at Donington Park

After their best finish of the season at Cadwell Park, the Ace Cafe T3 Racing team are moving the goal posts and aiming for a top ten finish.

The team are now leading the Cup class by 56 points and are in a strong position for the rest of the season. Combined with two top 12 finishes at Cadwell Park and the knowledge that he broke the lap record at Donington Park in the Triumph Triple Challenge last year, confidence is running high.

 Guiver spoke to us about his aim for the weekend:

“I’m looking forward to Donington, I love the place and after a good weekend at Cadwell I’m hoping to build on that and hopefully be able to fight for a top ten finish! My aim is to win the Cup race too, just keeping my fingers crossed that the rain stays away!”

There was a new found confidence from Guiver at Cadwell Park and it was reflected out on track. The team have been working hard to find the winning formula for him and it has paid off. Team Principal of the Ace Cafe T3 Racing team Tony Scott commented:

“We’ve been working so hard this season, at times it felt like it was one step forward three steps back, but to see it all come together has been fantastic for all the team. We knew before that a top twelve finish was possible but the way Rob’s riding and the way the bike is going, I think he’s definitely got a top ten finish in him.”

Guiver will be out on track for the British Supersport races at 15.40 on both Saturday and Sunday. You can see more of the team by dropping into the Ace Cafe T3 Racing awning or check out the races live on Eurosport 2.

For more race updates and information follow us on twitter @T3Racing or find T3 Racing on twitter. Alternatively you can head to www.t3-racing.co.uk or www.ace-cafe-london.com