Friday February 3, 2012
This week sees the return of the ‘What’s on Weekly’ features as the 2012 season starts to kick into life. Here is a selection of just a few events taking place around the country this weekend and next week.
Trials
The 2012 Luscombe Suzuki Leeds British Sidecar Championship kicks off on Saturday in the Isle of Man, Hosted by the Peveril MC & LCC Ltd. This year will see both last year’s winner and last year’s Champion missing, so last year’s series runners up Rupert and Chris Kimber will start the event as favourites, but a strong local challenge may see the trophy staying on the Island.
The Clubman class is as usual the best supported with a good mix of locals and regular Championship contenders from the mainland. Always one of the best events, the action kicks off early Saturday morning from the St John’s on the Old TT Course on the Isle of Man.
Also taking place this weekend on Sunday is the opening round of the ACU Normandale Traditional Championship. The first event of the season is being hosted by the Castle Colchester MCC starting at the Cammack’s Haulage Yard. The event will be starting at 9:30am on Sunday morning with the first group of sections being laid out in the Haulage Yard, before the riders set off on a 20 miles lap consisting of nearly 40 different sections.
Motocross
Northampton Motorcyclist Club will be hosting the opening round of their 2012 Club Championships at the Long Buckby National Track on 12 February. The meeting includes classes for Experts, Juniors, Clubmans, Under 40, Over 40, Over 50 and 2 Stroke. The event will allow for riders to enter as many different classes as they are eligible for no extra cost. This meeting is open to all ACU licence holders and Day Licences will be available on the day of the event. Anybody wishing to enter the event should contact Giles on 01604 711463 or visit http://www.nmcc.co.uk. The club would also like to mention that any riders who supply a marshal will be refunded £20 for the day.
Enduro
The opening rounds of the 2012 Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship takes place Nr Aldershot, Hampshire on February 11/12. Racing starts at 9.30am both days. A sighting lap (starts 9.00am) and four timed laps will take place during the morning session before a 30-minute break and paddock autograph signing session. A three-lap afternoon session will then take place. In recent weeks GMC Events have been busy signing both US racer Ricky Dietrich and Poland’s Endurocross star Taddy Blazusiak will take their places on the start line at the series opener in Aldershot. On Sunday the event will end with a prize giving ceremony.
The event is situated off the A323, Fleet Road GU11 2HL. Follow event signs to the start/finish and parking areas. Adults £10.00 each, Under 14 year olds free and Overnight camping is £10.00. For more information visit www.enduro-sprint.com
If your club is running an event in the coming weeks and would like to be a part of this feature please contact Richard Blyth on pr@acu.org.uk with details of your event.
Friday February 3, 2012
The Scottish ACU Motocross re-vamp gains pace, following the de-affiliation of some motocross based clubs to an alternative organisation and the appointment of three-times Scottish Champion, Stuart Flockhart; the sport’s Scottish governing body has reformed their motocross committee in time for the 2012 racing season.
The Scottish ACU (SACU) which celebrates its centenary next year has re-affirmed its’ plans to run their Scottish Motocross championship for adults, which it has done since 1955 and youth since 1975.
32 year old Flockhart offered his services to the SACU in early January, after he was made aware that some former SACU officials had engineered a move to another organisation and felt the time was right to get more involved in the organisation of Scottish motocross.
Flockhart, a former world MX championship points scorer, said: “Throughout my 20 years racing career in Motocross I have always been happy with the support the SACU has given me. At the turn of this year when hearing the news that some clubs were withdrawing from the SACU, I immediately felt the time was ripe for me to step up to the mark and help them out, for the good of the sport which I love”.
He continued: “I have had some thoughts about how to improve the Scottish Motocross scene for some time and wondered how it would be possible to put these into practice. This is now a great opportunity for me to get involved and I am very happy to be helping the continuation of the SACU Scottish Motocross Championships”.
Having lost some motocross committee members, the SACU quickly contacted affiliated clubs and arranged a meeting on 21st January which was well attended and a ‘caretaker’ motocross committee was formed comprising of new and existing SACU members. A great deal of business was discussed and a few new initiatives were quickly introduced to enable the continuation of the annual Motocross championships and easing of some regulations to make entering an event a little less formal.
The Motocross committee which now looks after Youth Motocross and adult has now appointed Stewart Campbell (Mid Argyll MC) as Chairman with Stuart Flockhart as Vice-Chairman and Motocross Consultant.
The Scottish Motocross Championship dates for 2012 are:
March 3rd / 4th at Leuchars – GYMCC
April 28th / 29th at Cardenden – FCOMC
June 2nd / 3rd at Lochgilphead – Mid Argyll
July 7th / 8th at Tinto – Rigside MXC
August 18th / 19th at Venue T.B.C – Bon Accord
September 1st / 2nd – Reserved Date.
Championship entry fees will be a flat rate of £30 for Youth riders on the Saturday only and £40 for Adults racing on Sunday only.
One event licences have now been extended to both youth competitors and championship events with immediate effect; this was agreed by the directors of the SACU at £10 per One Event Licence, all classes.
SACU MX Chairman, Stewart Campbell pointed out: “While the One-Event licence is good value at £10, if a rider wishes to do all championship rounds they would benefit greatly from buying a full SACU licence at £43 as this also allows for riding at Enduros, Hare & Hounds and club motocross throughout the season”.
As the Youth classes’ structure has proved to be successful in the past few years the format for Youths will not be changing for 2012 apart from now running on Saturday only. There will be an Open Adult non-championship support class alongside the Saturday Youth races with an entry fee of £40.
The new format for the Scottish Adult Championships will now see MX1 and MX2 classes each running three motos on the Sunday.
The SACU are also pleased to announce the introduction of the brand new ‘Scottish Veterans’ and ‘Scottish Clubman’ Motocross Championship classes.
Prize money per moto will be presented as follows, for both MX1 & MX2 classes:
1st – £100; 2nd – £75; 3rd – £50; 4th – £35; 5th – £25; 6th – £20
The top 6 in every other class will be presented with trophies.
SACU Chairman, Archie Shedden added: “We appreciated that issues in early January caused much confusion, we at the SACU had to respond quickly and in a responsible manner as the motocross season begins early in Scotland. The Scottish Motocross Championship dates for 2012 have now been revised with detailed improvements made, at venues that have been made available to the SACU clubs. Riders early concerns had to be addressed, so that they knew which licences were required to keep racing. All this has been done to every-ones’ satisfaction and I am indebted to those members of SACU management and the new ‘caretaker’ motocross committee that became involved at an early stage”.
Scottish Motocross Adult & Youth Championship entry forms will be available as a download on the SACU website:
http://www.sacu.co.uk/core_files/mx_info.htm News of SACU Club Motocross events and further enhancements to the championships events will be announced shortly.
Friday February 3, 2012
‘I, SUPERBIKER – THE SHOWDOWN’, the no-holds barred full length follow up to 2011’s runaway success ‘I Superbiker’ will be released in over 100 cinemas across the UK on February 21st with additional screenings on March 1st.
The 21st February premiere event will be beamed live into over 100 cinemas across the UK and Ireland. Omniverse Vision will stage the live satellite broadcast, which will include a 30 minute Q&A with British Superbike Champion and star of the film, Tommy Hill, together with fellow showdown riders Shane Byrne and Michael Laverty. Joining them onstage will be British Superbikes series director Stuart Higgs and film director; Mark Sloper. The host for the evening will be ex-champion and TV commentator James Whitham
Following on from 2011’s ground-breaking ‘I Superbiker’ – the original in a succession of motorbike movies that year which included ’TT3D’ and ‘Fastest’ - the film is being distributed by Omniverse Vision, in association with MCE Insurance sponsored British Superbike Championship (BSB) and Motorcycle News (MCN). ‘I Superbiker – The Showdown’ is the high octane, all action, nail-biting wheel to wheel story of the 2011 British Superbike season which saw the most exciting final race in its history – arguably the most exciting motorcycle race of all time.
A new electrifying format for 2011, which left only 6 riders competing for the title in a series of dramatic showdowns:
- Japanese Ryuichi Kiyonari reigning champion, - beset with personal problems as he attempts to defend his crown.
- Bad boy Australian Josh Brookes - runner up in 2010 and determined to battle his way to the top, no matter what.
- Ex BSB champ, Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne - fans’ favourite and all round good guy, desperate to regain the crown for prides sake.
- Michael Laverty - the Irish Flyer aiming to put his stamp on the title for his country.
- Ex Moto GP star John Hopper Hopkins - back to racing after overcoming his personal demons and substance abuse problems, is the first American with a realistic chance of winning the title.
- British hero Tommy Hill - who so spectacularly lost the title in 2010 by one small error, and absolutely determined to prove himself the British Superbike champion.
As well as capturing stunning on-track action, ‘I SUPERBIKER – THE SHOWDOWN’ goes behind the scenes to follow the unfolding drama among wives, girlfriends, teammates and managers. Everyone wants their rider to win and passions are aroused when things go wrong. The film’s writer, producer and director Mark Sloper of 400 TV commented: “I wanted to capture the emotion and passion of motorcycle racing and the drama of the new showdown format – a classic motorcycle racing film that might be set in the 2011 season but with a classic story that can still be fresh in years to come”. He added, "I also wanted it to appeal to people outside of the motorcycle industry and fan-base. And I wanted to try and change outsiders’ perceptions of motorcycling”.
BSB champion Tommy Hill commented, "British Superbikes is motorcycle racing at its very best and this film shows that brilliantly. It's amazing to see BSB on the cinema screen. It's a massive sport with a great following - now hopefully people who don't know it that well can see what an incredible event it is”.
"We are very excited to bring this soon to be biking classic to cinema screens in the UK and internationally. After our success with Fastest, it is clear that there is a significant audience for motor-sport features in many countries and and we look forward to building on the initial success that Mark (Sloper) and his team, created with the I Superbiker last year," Grant Calton, Omniverse Vision CEO.
Presented in stunning 2k digital cinema, with an original film score by David Vanian of the Damned and music by Phil Collen of Def Leppard and Manraze. ‘I, Superbiker – The Showdown’ will be shown in cinemas nationwide on February 21st (with live Q&A via satellite) and March 1st 2012. Tickets are due to go on sale shortly. Full details of the nationwide screenings can be found at www.ISuperbiker.com.
What the press said about ‘I Superbiker – The Showdown’
‘All the drama and emotion of the unforgettable last race is there.’ Cara Sloman - The Mail on Sunday
'The race of the decade brought to life in a an epic heart-pounding drama' – Marc Potter, MCN
"A day of sport they'll talk about for a hundred years explodes on the screen - truly spectacular" – Matt Kelly, The Mirror
Watch Trailer Here! For Tickets Visit
www.isuperbiker.com
Friday February 3, 2012
Thursday February 2, 2012
This is the normal meeting held each year to which Organisers, Riders, Importers and Press have always been invited as well as those with any specific interest in this Championship.
The format of the forthcoming series will be on the agenda with such things as classes, practice, results, registration, promotion and so on and the format with regard to laps and number of sections, severity etc
It is categorically not to discuss the method of marking, which has already been established in this Championship as TSR 22 B – No-Stop for 2012.
We hope this clears up any confusion that some may have had.
Trials & Enduro Committee
Thursday February 2, 2012
The 2012 Luscombe Suzuki Leeds British Sidecar Championship kicks off on Saturday in the Isle of Man, Hosted by the Peveril MC & LCC Ltd. This will see last year’s winner and last year’s Champion will both be missing, so last year’s series runners up Rupert and Chris Kimber will start the event as favourites, but a strong local challenge may see the trophy staying on the Island.
A class entry of twenty four starters assemble for the opening event in the ten round series which ends in November in the Derbyshire hills. Six crews will ride the championship class where Rochester son and father Rupert and Chris Kimber start favourites but don’t discount Isle of Man contenders Jonathan Kelly and Ealish Baxter or Adrian and Aaron Smith. Lee Granby could be a threat if Harriet Shore can keep control of the Derbyshire extrovert. Peter Dale travels with Barry Pocock but Daryl Dale misses the fun. Mark Bimson and Jane Birchall will be in the mix.
The clubman class is as usual the best supported where the fourteen strong clubman class is wide open. Ali Haigh and daughter Amelia will be up against Dave Nourish, Mark Kemp, Dave Christian and a quartet of Manx contenders including Craig Baxter, Dougie Christian, Brian Christian and Martyn Kissack. Always one of the best events, the action kicks off early Saturday morning from the St John’s on the Old TT Course on the Isle of Man.
Clubman ? yellow plates
51 Craig Baxter & Ross McCann
52 Brian Bedford & Stuart Bedford
53 Nigel Scott & Jay-Ashley Hall
54 Chris Dellow & Kathryn Dellow
55 Dougie Christian & Scott McVey
56 Mark Kemp & Bob Chapman
57 David Nourish & Andy Wright
58 Dave Haynes & Wendy Haynes
59 Gerry Hannay & Paul Watterson
60 Brian Christian & Lauren Christian
61 Ali Haigh & Amelia Haigh
62 Kevin Whiteway & Daniel Woods
63 Martyn Kissack & Nigel Woods
64 Andy Abraham & Fiona Neale
Intermediate ? red plates
71 Mark Bimson & Jane Birchall
72 Wayne Wardell & Lee Wardell
73 Peter Dale & Barry Pocock
74 Andy Scrivens & Martin Lawford
Expert ? white plates
81 Rupert Kimber & Chris Kimber
82 Lee Granby & Harriet Shore
83 Bernard Chambers & Malcolm Chambers
84 Jonathan Kelly & Ealish Baxter
85 Adrian Smith & Aaron Smith
86 Gary Flowers & Antony Smith
Scorpa
Sherco
Beta
Beta
Gas Gas
Jam Beta
Gas Gas
Montesa
Beta 4RT
Gas Gas
Gas Gas
Montesa
Gas Gas
Sherco
Sherco
Gas Gas
Beta
Montesa
Beta Stick
Gas Gas
Sherco
Kely Blinds Beta
Gas Gas
Gas Gas
Thursday February 2, 2012
As part of their ongoing drive to encourage and develop the future stars of the British enduro scene, GMC Events are delighted to announce that former four-time Enduro World Champion and 17-time International Six Days Enduro gold medal winner Paul Edmondson will be on hand at all BSEC events during 2012 to offer ‘track walk guidance’.
Aimed at the younger riders competing in the championship, but free to anyone who wishes to participate irrespective of class or machinery, Paul will be on hand to advise and aid riders with line choices and riding as well as bike set-up tips. With the track walk planned to commence at approximately 2.00pm on Friday before each event, it’s hoped competitors will have ample time to arrive at each venue in readiness for the ‘Fast Eddy track inspection’. Paul will also be pleased to answer any questions riders might have throughout each event.
Paul Edmondson: ‘I’m more than happy to offer advise to some of the younger riders we have in enduro today. When I was starting out I often found it difficult to judge how some sections of a special test could be ridden. I hope I can use my experience to give support and build confidence to those that may find particular sections of the track challenging.
I hope that by being able to give feedback to the rider’s questions I’ll be able to give some of the youth riders the confidence to put in better special test times throughout each day. We have some great young riders coming through the ranks at the moment and I’m excited to be able to work with them. Hopefully we’ll see some positive results as the season progresses.’
2012 Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship
Round 1: Saturday, February 11th – Eelmoor, Aldershot, GU11 2HL
Round 2: Sunday, February 12th – Eelmoor, Aldershot, GU11 2HL
Round 3: Saturday, March 10th – Llangrove, Monmouth, NP25 5RT
Round 4: Sunday, March 11th – Llangrove, Monmouth, NP25 5RT
Round 5: Saturday, April 7th – Saints Well, Powys, LD1 6PT
Round 6: Sunday, April 8th – Saints Well, Powys, LD1 6PT
Round 7: Saturday, May 19th – Adstone, Northants, NN12 8DT
Round 8: Sunday, May 20th – Adstone, Northants, NN12 8DT
Round 9: Saturday, June 16 – Canada Heights, Kent, BR8 8DX
Round 10: Sunday, June 17 – Canada Heights, Kent, BR8 8DX
Thursday February 2, 2012
On the 15th April the West Devon MCC will be playing hosts to the opening round of both the British Quad Motocross Championship and British Sidecar Cross Championship at the sandy Mepal Circuit near to Ely. The Club has decided to introduce a lineup of 80 Solo riders to the event. The Solo class will be an Open Class for both Expert and Junior graded riders.
This is a unique chance to race at such a high profile event, alongside not one but two British Championship Classes. The Mepal Circuit is a long and demanding sand circuit featuring a number of long sweeping straights and corners. All Solo riders will get a practice session and qualification session with the top 40 riders across both groups going into the A Group. Both the A and B classes will receive three 16 minute plus 1 lap races during the course of the day. The event will also be using Mylaps transponders, allowing rider’s access to their personal lap times and race results.
The entry fee for all Solo riders will be just £40 plus a £10 Transponder hire charge (if required). Entries are limited to just 80 places and can be obtained via Sonia Goggin at the ACU on 01788 566404 or Sonia@acu.org.uk.
Entry Forms can be downloaded from here
Event Regs Here
Wednesday February 1, 2012
Unfortunately due to lack of interest the Timekeeping Forum scheduled to take place at ACU House on Sunday 5th February 2012 has been cancelled.
The ACU Timekeeping Panel apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Should you have any queries please contact Michelle Haynes – ACU Timekeeping Panel Secretary via e-mail michelle@acu.org.uk or by telephone 01788 566405.
Tuesday January 31, 2012
Hot on the heels of the recent announcement that US racer Ricky Dietrich will contest the 2012 Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship, organisers GMC Events are pleased to announce that Poland’s Endurocross star Taddy Blazusiak will also take his place on the start line at the series opener in Aldershot on February 11/12.
Blazusiak, the reigning AMA Endurocross champion and run-away leader of the FIM SuperEnduro series, will use rounds one and two of BSEC series as part of his preparation for the forthcoming 2012 AMA Endurocross championship. Taddy, who has dominated the indoor enduro racing scene throughout the past 24 months, has also indicated that, schedule permitting, he will contest as many rounds of the BSEC series as possible.
Taddy Blazusiak: ‘I had a great time when I raced the first rounds of the 2010 sprint enduro series in the UK and have wanted to come back ever since. Now that my schedule allows me to do that I’m really looking forward to competing in the British Sprint Enduro Championship again. The sprint format really works for me as great training as each special test is about the same length as an Endurocross race. In the States I race against a lot of riders from motocross backgrounds, so I have to constantly keep working on my speed. The sprints are a great place for me to do that. I know there’re a lot of really fast riders in the UK so I’m excited to get in amongst them and do my best. I also have a lot of fans in the UK so to get the chance to come back and race in front of them is something I’m really looking forward to.’
Jonty Edmunds – BSEC Events Director: ‘Having Taddy sign up to compete in the BSEC opener is a major boost for the series. He last rode in the championship two years ago and since then has always stayed in contact with us. He’s had a phenomenal 24 months, winning just about every race that he’s entered with his hard charging riding style that’s always exciting to watch. Adding both Taddy and Ricky Dietrich to the entry list adds a great international flavour to what is going to be an explosive start to this year’s championship.’
The opening rounds of the 2012 Husqvarna ACU British Sprint Enduro Championship take place Nr Aldershot, Hampshire on February 11/12.
Spectator info
Directions:
The event is situated off the A323, Fleet Road. Follow event signs to the start/finish and parking areas.
Postcode: GU11 2HL
Entry Fee:
Adults £10.00 each. Under 14 year olds free. Overnight camping £10.00
Parking:
Vehicles will be parked on a generous, flat parking area joining onto the rider’s paddock and start/finish area.
General info:
Racing starts at 9.30am both days. A sighting lap (starts 9.00am) and four timed laps will take place during the morning session before a 30-minute break and paddock autograph signing session. A three-lap afternoon session will then take place. On Sunday the event will end with a prize giving ceremony.
For more information visit www.enduro-sprint.com