BILLY CONNOLLY TAKES THE ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP

Billy takes the ultimate road trip as he travels the world’s most famous highway, Route 66.  Billy Connolly’s Route 66 drives onto Blu-ray and DVD on the 10th October 2011 from Universal Pictures (UK) Ltd.  Also available to buy and download from i-tunes.

From the all-new ITV1 series, produced by Maverick Television, Billy Connolly’s Route 66 sees Billy turn Easy Rider as he follows a lifelong dream and makes the iconic 2488 mile journey from Chicago to Santa Monica.

Route 66 is the embodiment of the American Dream. Millions have travelled its epic trail from the skyscrapers of Chicago and St Louis, through the Wild West badlands of Oklahoma and Texas, the Grand Canyon and deserts of New Mexico and Arizona, to the beaches of the Pacific and the excesses of LA. 

Set to a soundtrack of some of the best American music of the 20th century, Billy also brings his banjo along for the ride.  With his unrivalled ability to tell a great story, he brings to life both the big and small moments of American history: the world changing events and the comic asides. 

Billy says: “Travelling Route 66 has always been a lifelong ambition - It brings together some of my favourite things -my trike, my banjo and America.   The ultimate road trip”

On his way, Billy meets disciples of Route 66, from seasoned “roadies” to first-timers living the dream.  And he isn’t just passing through: anything could happen on the way... from swapping his Boom trike for a horse saddle in Texas, to soaring above LA in a helicopter with the city’s traffic patrol.

Includes over 40mins of exclusive, never been seen before, DVD extras - featuring Billy’s hilarious video diary from his road trip.

Billy Connolly’s Route 66 is the definitive DVD and Blu-ray, also available to buy and download from i-tunes this Autumn.

DVD Details

Billy Connolly’s Route 66

12 TBC

DVD/Blu-ray/i-tunes

RRP:  

DVD: £19.99

Blu-ray: £24.99

Following a thorough review of its activities, the British Motorcyclists Federation is to outsource the organisation and administration of its portfolio of popular shows.

Event specialists the Mulberry Group, organisers of all BMF outside events since September of 2009, will now take on all administration for the BMF Show, BMF Kelso Bikefest and the BMF Tailend Show.

The decision follows an analysis of BMF activities and the resources currently available. Although the organisation of BMF events has been outsourced since 2007, certain aspects of the administration and finance have remained in house and it is these that will now be included within the new arrangement.

Speaking on the announcement, Peter Laidlaw, BMF Director of Member Services said: “Our events have always been a means to an end, raising funds to support our primary role of representing the road rider and with Mulberry proving themselves to be a reliable and enthusiastic partner, this new arrangement will allow us to concentrate on that primary role.”

The Mulberry Group’s Managing Director Martin Chick said: "Since day one we have been committed to making the BMF’s shows a success and are delighted to have now been entrusted with the BMF’s whole event management package. As a motorcyclist, I want to see the BMF succeed in its role of representing motorcycling and we will do everything we can to assist them in fulfilling that aim by putting on top quality BMF events.”

www.bmf.co.uk

The IAM is calling for the government to pilot an 80 mph speed limit on a controlled and managed motorway to assess its practicality and safety, and road users’ reaction to it.
 
In September the government announced that the motorway speed limit could be raised to 80mph.
 
On uncongested motorways more than half of car drivers exceed the 70mph speed limit, and around a fifth exceed 80 mph*; it is rare for the police to prosecute drivers travelling between 70 and 80mph*1.
 
Road safety groups have raised a concern that legalising today’s tolerated, yet unofficial, 80 mph speed limit would simply create an unofficial 90 mph limit. If this happened average traffic speeds would increase, as would accidents and their severity – more people could be killed and seriously injured.
 
The IAM highlights the need for a full risk assessment of an increase in the speed limit, and believes strict enforcement is required to ensure greater compliance with the limit. For example driving at 82mph should risk a speeding ticket.
 
The IAM wants to see 80mph trialled initially on “Controlled Motorways” and “Managed Motorways” where variable speed limit technology is used. These have already been implemented successfully on the M25 orbital motorway in Surrey and the M42 in the West Midlands.
 
IAM CEO Simon Best said:  “A fifth of motorway-users already travel at this increased speed, and more than half exceed 72mph when they can, suggesting that a properly controlled 80mph limit may not show huge increases in carbon or road casualties. A detailed trial is needed to assess these risks though, and if they are shown to increase significantly, of course a better-enforced 70 limit may be a more appropriate system.
 
“Raising the motorway speed limit has been debated for many years, and the evidence is that the motoring public are ready for it*2. The transport secretary should now publish a consultation with firm proposals.”

www.iam.org.uk

After taking the Manufacturer World Title, it's a double win for the Italian brand in the 125's last season.

This makes the 38th world championship for Aprilia in Motorcycle Grand Prix racing. Aprilia has now won 49 World Championships in the various motorcycle disciplines.

Noale, November 6th, 2011 - With the second place earned today on the Valencia circuit Nico Terol was crowned 2011 World Champion in the 125 class.

This is a long sought after confirmation for the young Spanish rider, born in Alcoy on September 27th, 1988.

In the race which closed out the history of the 125 class, eleventh place would have been enough for Terol to take the title. But after Frenchman Johann Zarco crashed out in the beginning stages of the race - the only rival within reach of the title - Terol lost no time, even moving into first place ten laps from the end, and rode his Aprilia RSA to second place behind Maverick Viñales, also astride an Aprilia.

With confirmation Aprilia adds the 125 class rider title to the manufacturer title, already awarded four rounds before the end of the championship, and strengthens its record as the most victorious Italian and European manufacturer of all those active in MotoGP with 294 Grand Prix races won (151 in 125 and 143 in 250) and 38 championship titles (19 manufacturer titles and 19 rider titles).

Aprilia now has a total of 49 World Championships in their trophy case.

In fact, in addition to the 38 MotoGP titles, there are 9 titles in the Off Road discipline and 2 Superbike titles in the collection.

www.aprilia.it

MotoGP star Dani Pedrosa will head up a star-studded roll call of racers attending this year’s Motorcycle Live at The NEC Birmingham from 19-27 November. The Repsol Honda rider will appear on Monday 21 November as a guest of Arai, joining a long list of riders already confirmed for the nine-day show.
 
The World Superbike stars will be out in force with Castrol Honda’s Jonathan Rea, BMW Motorrad’s Leon Haslam, Kawasaki's Tom Sykes, newly-signed Crescent Suzuki rider Leon Camier and Effenbert Liberty Racing’s Sylvain Guintoli all making an appearance. Rea will attend on Sunday 20 November, Haslam will make a two-day visit on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November, Sykes and Camier will appear on Saturday 19 November and Guintoli will be present on Monday 21 November.
 
The Brits in the opening day line-up will take part in a celebration of the best of British racing talent to open the show, alongside 2011 World Supersport Champion Chaz Davies, 2011 British Superbike Champion Tommy Hill, Moto2 star Bradley Smith and MotoGP star Cal Crutchlow, who will be firing up his Yamaha M1 live on the Blackhorse Stage at 10.30am on Saturday 19 November.
 
Other stars to appear throughout the nine-day show include 125GP title contender Johann Zarco (Monday 21 November), young Brits Sam and Alex Lowes (Monday 21 November), road racing favourites John McGuinness (Sunday 27 November) and Guy Martin (Sunday 20 November) and MX stars Zach Osbourne and Arnaud Tonus (Saturday 26 November).

A full listing of riders attending the show can be found at www.motorcyclelive.co.uk/visitor-information/celebrities
  
The ticket price for Motorcycle Live 2011 is completely all-inclusive, meaning visitors can enjoy everything the show has to offer at no extra cost. Tickets are £16 in advance* for adults, £10 for seniors, £6 for children aged 6-16 and  kids 5 and under accompanied by a paying adult go free. Visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk or call 0844 5812345. Visit www.facebook.com/motorcyclelive or follow @motorcyclelive on Twitter.