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Presentation of the ROSA Project at Jerez
Source: News RSS on motogp.com - The Official MotoGP Website - Saturday, 1st May 2010, 10:53 GMTCoinciding with the start of the Gran Premio bwin de España on Friday, the initiative to reduce motorcycling accidents in the European Union was presented at the Spanish circuit. Read article
Arai Hayden Replica RX-7
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » New Products - Friday, 26th March 2010, 12:16 GMTNicky Hayden starts his second year racing for the Ducati MotoGP team with high hopes for the 2010 season and a brand new paintjob on his Arai RX-7 GP. The popular 29 year-old American from Kentucky, who won the MotoGP Championship in 2006 riding for Repsol Honda, has been a career-long Arai devotee and his replica helmet is a firm favourite around the world. Underneath the sleek new paintwork, designed by Italian Roberto Marchionni of Starline Graphics is Arai’s RX-7 GP, a racing helmet considered by many as the benchmark against which all others are measured. Featuring a peripherally belted Structural Net Composite (SNC) shell, with hyper ridge strengthening in its lower section and wider aperture (plus larger visor) for better vision the RX-7 GP is the most technologically advanced motorcycle helmet Arai has ever produced. A triple density inner shell adds to the RX-7 GP’s security, while the fully removable/washable Dry Cool interior gives real comfort – even under the stress of MotoGP conditions. Arai has long been known for its helmet venting technology and a combination of the RX-7 GP’s Air Intake Stabiliser Diffuser, which increases airflow through the helmet, Airflow Spoiler and visor brow ventilation ducts ensure suitable climate control for any situation. The five-position Air Wing reduces drag, turbulence and buffeting. Launched in late 2008 the RX-7 GP exceeds ECE Regulation 22-05 and the new SNELL M2010 standard. ECE 22-05 represents the legal minimums for helmets in road use throughout the European Union while Snell M2010, introduced in October 2009, demands protective standards well beyond these legal minimums. The RX-7 GP easily surpasses ECE 22-05 and is the first (and only) helmet to meet Snell M2010, offering far superior head protection for motorcyclists. The Arai RX-7 GP Hayden replica is available in sizes XS–XXL and has an RRP of £589.99. For more information on the RX-7 GP Nicky Hayden replica and the whole Arai Range, please visit www.whyarai.co.uk to find your nearest dealer. Read article
Former TT boss fears over Marshals
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash - Saturday, 13th February 2010, 4:18 GMTThe former chairman of the Isle of Man TT Marshals Association has claimed that the future of the race is at risk with the ending of a reciprocal health agreement between the island and the UK. Bill Carden has claimed that volunteer marshals from the UK could be discouraged from attending future TTs if the cost of healthcare and insurance proves prohibitive, putting the event at risk. At present, an agreement agrees between the governments of the UK and IOM that UK citizens can continue to access free healthcare in, and on their return from, the Isle of Man, with a similar agreement in place for Isle of Man citizens in the UK. That agreement comes to an end on 1 April 2010 and, as the IOM is not a member of the European Union, the European Health Insurance Card that allows UK citizens to access free health treatment in the EU is not recognised. That has raised concerns for Carden, who believes that the TT may struggle to find the 508 marshals that it needs every year to man the 37.3 mile course. “The TT races and Manx Grand Prix rely heavily on volunteer marshals making the journey to the island. A journey which is already expensive,” he told BBC Isle of Man. “In 2010 we expect over 50% of the marshals to be from the UK or further afield. “I don’t yet know exactly how much the travel insurance will cost but it all adds up and without these people there is no event.” Read article
Bans recognised across borders
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash - Friday, 29th January 2010, 9:11 GMTNew laws come into force today that will ban motorists who have been disqualified in the UK or Republic of Ireland from taking to the roads. Under the new law, any motorist who has been disqualified in either the UK or Ireland will see that disqualification enforced across the border as part of a new co-operative agreement between the British, Irish and Northern Ireland transport authorities. It means that UK drivers disqualified for serious offences in the Republic of Ireland will not be able to drive on their return to the UK until their disqualification expires. Similarly, Irish licence holders who commit an offence in the UK will see their disqualification enforced in Ireland. The agreement comes as part of a scheme to ensure that driving offences and penalties are uniformly recognised across the European Union. “We’ve cut the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads by 40% since the mid-1990s - that’s more than 19,000 fewer deaths or serious injuries in a year and means we now have some of the safest roads in the world,” said Road Safety Minister Paul Clark. “But we need to continue to work to make our roads even safer and if a UK driver commits a serious offence while in Ireland it is right that their ban should still apply when they return home. “From today this new law will ensure that disqualified drivers are not able to escape their punishment and so keep dangerous drivers off the roads.” Read article
Pictures from Portimao
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash - Monday, 25th January 2010, 11:03 GMTThe 2010 World Superbike Championship officially opened this weekend with the first official test of the season in Portugal. With the first race of the season in Phillip Island just five weeks away, the weekend was an ideal opportunity for some to see how far they have progressed from 2009 whilst for others, it was an ideal opportunity to get to grips with their new machines. It was a good weekend for the Brits, with five of the top six being made up of riders who will carry the Union Flag in 2010 with Jonathan Rea coming out on top in the end. The cameras were out in Portimao and this is what they captured: Jonathan Rea was the quickest over the weekend, comfortable with the bike that came on so strongly in the latter part of 2009. For new teammate Max Neukirchner however, it was a case of getting used to the Honda. Leon Haslam, Neukirchner’s replacement at Alstare Suzuki, also performed strongly with the second fastest time. Cal Crutchlow was fourth fastest as he completes the move up from World Supersport. His teammate James Toseland switched back to WSB from MotoGP with a sixth fastest time. Another ex-MotoGP rider, Chris Vermeulen, had a slightly tougher time on his Kawasaki. As did Tom Sykes, the lowest ranked Brit, who has moved from Yamaha. But Shane Byrne was perhaps the surprise package of the weekend, beating both factory Ducati’s to third fastest. Read article
