Motorcycling Archives - TBNI - The Official TBNI World Blog

Update 10/03/2019 : VIDEO ADDED to #WAWIn1Week : Wild Atlantic Way In 1 Week : Day 2 – Kenmare to Ballybunion.

March 19, 2019 by TomBoyNI

It’s better late than never, and this whole video editing lark is a lot harder and more time consuming that I initially would have anticipated, however after far too long a wait here is the footage from Day 1.

I literally had to trawl through hours of footage but the fact that it is over a year old is pretty irrelevant, the route itself is still very much there, it took 10,000s of years to for the earth to make the coast, hopefully it has millions more years left for us to enjoy, so once again apologies it took so long, and apologies for the fact I am a supreme novice when it comes to video editing, however hopefully you can enjoy the scenery, (and the soundtrack) and maybe even be inspired to pop over to Ireland to experience this epic route!

The remainder of the videos are coming and will be uploaded as soon as I can piece them together, if you want to make sure you get notifications when they are available make sure to follow this blog or me on Twitter or Facebook.

Thanks…

Check out the ride report of Day 2 of the Wild Atlantic Way here : https://tbni.blog/2015/09/13/wawin1week-wild-atlantic-way-in-1-week-day-2-kenmare-to-ballybunion/

The rest of the ride report is available here : http://tbni.blog/motorcycling/

NI Motorcycle Festival 2019

February 9, 2019February 9, 2019 by TomBoyNI

The NI Motorcycle Festival returns this weekend (8th – 10th February 2019) to the Eikon Centre, Lisburn. In it’s fourth year at the Eikon it is touting itself as Northern Irelands’ Biggest Motorcycle Show and it promises a weekend full of action and bikes.

So what has changed from last year and does it deliver on these promises?

In case you missed it here are my thoughts on the 2018 Show : http://tbni.blog/2018/02/07/ni-motorcycle-festival-2018-motorcyclefest-eikon-centre-lisburn/

Truth be told, very little has changed. It is still like a big showroom, with a load of stalls in the back.

As you can see in my previous 2018 review I tried my best to find the positives in the show and to be honest I really hate being negative about such things – especially things that involve bikes, a show – and Northern Ireland trying to bring itself on par with events and exhibitions, but sometimes – when there is negativity it just shines through in the truth.

I am not going to paint this one through rose tinted glasses – I hoped things would have improved but alas here it is – the NI Motorcycle Festival 2019 Review.

NI Motorcycle Festival 2019 : Kawasaki H2

2019 Isle of Man TT Schedule : Practice and Race Programme

January 28, 2019January 28, 2019 by TomBoyNI

THE ISLE OF MAN TT RACES 2019 :

2019 will see the return to the Mountain Course of the 2018 record breakers: Dean Harrison and Peter Hickman. In perfect conditions they pushed the lap record to over 134mph and finally to 135.452mph – making the Isle of Man TT the fastest road race on the planet. Can they go faster in 2019? Can John McGuinness, Michael Dunlop or Ian Hutchinson handle their pace? With the countdown underway, the answers draw closer!

Peter Hickman Breaking Records at the 2018 Isle of Man TT

The TBNI.Blog has been updated to contain the latest race schedule – click here to learn more and subscribe for free!

2019 Isle of Man TT Festival : SATURDAY 25TH MAY – FRIDAY 7TH JUNE 2019 :

2019 Practice Sessions :

Qualifying runs each evening from Saturday 25th May to Friday 31st May 2019 (Excluding Sunday 26th)

2019 Race Sessions : (Subject to Change at very short notice – follow iom_tt on Twitter to stay up to update on the day).

2019 Isle of Man TT Schedule

Saturday 1st June 2019 :

12:00 Superbike TT Race (6 laps)
15:00 Sidecar TT Race 1 (3 laps)

Monday 3rd June 2019 :

10:45 Supersport TT Race 1 (4 laps)
14:15 Superstock TT Race (4 laps)

Wednesday 5th June 2019 :

10:45 Supersport TT Race 2 (4 laps)
13:45 Lightweight TT Race (4 laps)
16:25 Zero TT Race (1 lap)

Friday 7th June 2019 :

10:30 Sidecar TT Race 2 (3 laps)
12:45 Senior TT Race (6 laps)

For details on the 2019 Manx Grand Prix Schedule Click Here.

2019 Road Racing Calendar

January 16, 2019January 16, 2019 by TomBoyNI

2019 Road Racing Calendar Updated

Warning : Some dates are still to be confirmed and all dates are subject to change - make sure to check before you leave home!

The full 2019 Road Racing Calendar has now been updated – a few dates are still to be confirmed, but it is looking like it’s going to be a great event packed summer of 2019.

Make sure to subscribe to the completely free TBNI.Blog Road Racing iCal Calendar – that way you won’t miss a thing!

2019 Road Racing Calendar Updated (28th November 2018)

November 28, 2018 by TomBoyNI

A load of the Northern Irish and most of the Isle of Man Road Racing Schedules have now been confirmed and added to the TBNI 2019 Road Racing Calendar.

Take yourself over to the Calendar Page for the latest dates – or just take the hassle out of everything by subscribing to the TBNI iCal Road Racing Calendar.

The iCal Calendar is :

Free
Updates automatically on your iCal compatible device
Is subscribed to with one click
Needs no access to any of your personal information (all you are doing is subscribing to a feed – so your device never gives out info – ever).
Has all the details to make sure you never miss another meeting

Full details as of the 28th November 2018 are available here : http://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/

Motorcycle Live 2018 : Birmingham NEC

November 27, 2018 by TomBoyNI

Motorcycle Live 2018 ran this year from 17th – 25th November, so now that is over I can post up a few photographs along with my thoughts on the show and what I saw this year without having to issue a spoiler.

This year saw 4 halls filled with the current (and upcoming) offerings of 40 manufacturers along with a chance to test ride numerous machines both on the road and on the ever popular Adventure course where you can test on the most popular adventure bikes on a well thought indoor track. It’s not taxing, not difficult at all, but it is fun.

The Live Arena was also present and what was previously a showcase for Arena Cross this year was taken over by Moto Cirque and what these guys can do on such a small stage really is spectacular. If you get that the chance to see their show in full, take it.

Other than that it is all about the bikes and I have composed a gallery of over 100 photos for your viewing pleasure but first I am going to point out a few of my highlights…

2018 Macau Results : Motorcycles

November 18, 2018November 18, 2018 by TomBoyNI

2018 Macau Results : (Motorcycles)

The 2018 road racing season officially ends at the Macau Grand Prix. With bikes, supercars and race cars all battling (of course not at the same time) on one of the most extreme and dangerous circuits on the planet.

Check out the official website here : https://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo/en/

Here you will find all the practice sessions, qualifying sessions, race results and timings from the 52nd Suncity Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix (2018) :

When reading the results below the following format applies :

Position : Rider Number : Rider Name : Nationality : Team : Motorcycle : Race Time : Laps Completed : Fastest Lap Average Speed (km/h) : Best Lap Time : Best Lap Number

Race

Best Lap: 2:25.005 (151.9 km/h), (No 88) Peter Hickman

1 88 Peter Hickman GBR Aspire-Ho by Bathams Racing BMW S1000RR 00:19:31.386 8 – 151.9 2:25.005 4

2 8 Michael Rutter GBR Aspire-Ho by Bathams Racing Honda RC213V 00:19:32.181 8 0.795 0.795 151.8 2:25.130 8

3 40 Martin Jessopp GBR Tak Chun Group by PBM Ducati Panigale 1199 00:19:38.820 8 7.434 6.639 150.7 2:26.139 3

4 99 Danny Webb GBR MGM by Penz13 BMW Penz13-1 00:19:39.554 8 8.168 0.734 151.0 2:25.841 2

5 7 Gary Johnson GBR Briggs Equipment Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX10-RR 00:19:40.498 8 9.112 0.944 150.6 2:26.253 4

6 50 Horst Saiger AUT Saiger-Racing Yamaha R1 00:19:49.598 8 18.212 9.100 149.3 2:27.540 2

7 20 David Johnson AUS PR Racing BMW S1000RR 00:19:54.125 8 22.739 4.527 149.3 2:27.514 2

8 82 Derek Sheils IRL MGM by Penz13 BMW Penz13-I 00:19:59.114 8 27.728 4.989 148.1 2:28.704 8

9 74 Davey Todd GBR PuraGlobe Syntainics Racing Oil by Penz13 BMW Penz13-1 00:20:00.128 8 28.742 1.014 148.7 02:28.1 2

10 4 John McGuinness GBR Tak Chun Group by PBM Ducati Panigale 1199 20:03.9 8 32.564 3.822 148.0 2:28.833 7

11 45 Marek Cerveny CZE Wepol Racing BMW Penz13-1 00:20:15.785 8 44.399 11.835 146.3 2:30.536 4

12 62 Sam West GBR PRL/OHA Motorsport BMW S1000RR 00:20:16.153 8 44.767 0.368 146.9 2:29.888 5

13 65 Michael Sweeney IRL Martin Jones Racing BMW HP4 00:20:28.681 8 57.295 12.528 145.4 2:31.427 7

14 22 Paul Jordan GBR Dafabet Devitt Racing Kawasaki ZX10-RR 002029.107 8 57.721 0.426 145.1 2:31.840 4

15 34 Ben Wylie GBR Bimota Racing/ Amore Moto Bimota BB3 00:20:29.334 8 57.948 0.227 145.6 2:31.286 5

16 77 Phillip Crowe GBR Handtrans JCR Racing BMW S1000RR 002029.939 8 58.553 0.605 145.8 2:31.068 6

17 38 Emo Kostamo FIN Markka Racing by Penz13 BMW S1000RR 00:20:34.110 8 1:02.724 4.171 145.0 2:31.939 7

18 44 Rob Hodson GBR JGH Racing BMW S1000RR 00:20:34.514 8 1:03.128 0.404 145.6 2:31.239 7

19 14 Andre Pires PRT Team FastBike/Beauty Machines Yamaha R1 00:20:46.364 8 1:14.978 11.850 143.3 2:33.723 8

20 67 Dominic Herbertson GBR Dafabet Devitt Racing Kawasaki ZX10-RR 00:20:49.429 8 1:18.043 3.065 143.4 2:33.563 8

21 104 Daley Mathison GBR Wepol Racing BMW Penz13-1 00:20:52.904 8 1:21.518 3.475 142.8 2:34.252 8

22 182 Xavier Denis FRA PerformanX Racing BMW S1000RR 00:21:07.621 8 1:36.235 14.717 140.7 2:36.576 3

23 54 Steve Heneghan IRL Reactive Parts.com Ducati Panigale V4 00:18:27.595 7 1 Lp 1 Lp 142.5 2:34.533 5

24 9 Craig Neve GBR C N Racing BMW S1000RR 00:21:01.109 7 1 Lp 2:33.514 141.8 2:35.299 5

NOT CLASSIFIED (Requirements : Must cross the finishing line or 75% of number of laps of leader = 6 laps)

71 Davy Morgan GBR DM71 BMW S1000RR 00:08:38.166 3 5 Lp 4 Lp 133.1 2:45.503 2

26 26 Didier Grams DEU G8G Motorsport by BMW Matorrad BMW S1000RR 00:05:55.030 2 6 Lp 1 Lp 0

Best Lap: 2:25.005 (151.9 km/h), (No 88) Peter Hickman

Qualifying Session 2

1 88 Peter Hickman GBR Aspire-Ho by Bathams Racing BMW S1000RR 14 2:23.904 11 153.1 2:23.872

2 8 Michael Rutter GBR Aspire-Ho by Bathams Racing Honda RC213V 13 2:25.044 12 1.140 1.140 151.8 2:25.002

3 40 Martin Jessopp GBR Tak Chun Group by PBM Ducati Panigale 1199 14 2:25.356 14 1.452 0.312 151.5 2:25.118

4 7 Gary Johnson GBR Briggs Equipment Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX1ORR 14 2:25.733 12 1.829 0.377 151.1 2:25 525

5 99 Danny Webb GBR MGM by Penz13 BMW Penz13-I 14 2:26.352 11 2.448 0.619 150.5 2:25.770

6 50 Horst Saiger AUT Saiger-Racing Yamaha R1 15 2:27.247 14 3.343 0.895 149.6 2:27179

7 20 David Johnson AUS PR Racing BMW S1000RR 13 2:27.545 9 3.641 0.298 149.3 2:27.439

8 4 John McGuinness GBR Tak Chun Group by PBM Ducati Panigale 1199 14 2:27.601 12 3.697 0.056 149.2 2:27.454

9 82 Derek Shells IRL MGM by Penz13 BMW Penz13-I 13 2:27.814 12 3.910 0.213 149.0 2:27.429

10 62 Sam West GBR PRL/OHA Motorsport BMW S1000RR 15 2:28.690 13 4.786 0.876 148.1 2:28.415

11 74 Davey Todd GBR PuraGlobe Syntainics Racing Oil by Penz13 BMW Penz13-1 11 2:29.423 7 5.519 0.733 147.4 2:28.988

12 26 Didier Grams DEU G8G Motorsport by BMW Motorrad BMW S1000RR 12 2:29.448 9 5.544 0.025 147.4 2:28.955

13 45 Marek Cerveny CZE Wepol Racing BMW Penz13-I 12 2:29.985 9 6.081 0.537 146.8 2:29.362

14 65 Michael Sweeney IRL Martin Jones Racing BMW HP4 14 2:30.577 13 6.673 0.592 146.3 2:30.479

15 34 Ben Wylie GBR Bimota Racing/ Amore Moto Bimota BB3 13 2:30.776 11 6.872 0.199 146.1 2:30.502

16 38 Emo Kostamo FIN Markka Racing by Penz13 BMW S1000RR 14 2:30.993 14 7.089 0.217 145.9 2:30.596

17 22 Paul Jordan GBR Dafabet Devitt Racing Kawasaki ZX10-RR 13 2:31.195 12 7.291 0.202 145.7 2:31,106

18 44 Rob Hodson GBR JGH Racing BMW S1000RR 13 2:31.767 12 7.863 0.572 145.1 2:30.938

19 77 Phillip Crowe GBR Handtrans JCR Racing BMW S1000RR 14 2:32.027 10 8.123 0.260 144.9 2:31.771

20 54 Steve Heneghan IRL Reactive Parts.com Ducati Panigale V4 11 2:32.162 7 8.258 0.135 144.7 2:32.064

21 14 Andre Pires PRT Team FastBike/Beauty Machines Yamaha R1 15 2:33.841 11 9.937 1.679 143.2 2:33.221

22 9 Craig Neve GBR C N Racing BMW S1000RR 13 2:34.517 10 10.613 0.676 142.5 2:33.950

23 67 Dominic Herbertson GBR Dafabet Devitt Racing Kawasaki ZX10-RR 12 2:34.819 10 10.915 0.302 142.3 2:33.994

24 104 Daley Mathison GBR Wepol Racing BMW Penz13-I 11 2:35.973 10 12.069 1.154 141.2 2:35.181

25 71 Davy Morgan GBR DM71 BMW S1000RR 14 2:37.958 10 14.054 1.985 139.4 2:37.958

NOT CLASSIFIED (Requirements : 110% of best lab of leader = 2:38.294)

26 182 Xavier Denis FRA PerformanX Racing BMW S1000RR 15 2:38.469 13 14.565 0.511 139.0 2:38.067

NO TIME

27 49 Raul Torras ESP Raul Torras Racing by Martimotos Yamaha R1 0 – 0

28 55 Andrew Dudgeon IMN VRS Racing BMW S1000RR 0 – 0

Qualifying Session 1

Best Lap: 2:25.429 (151.4 km/h), (No. 88) Peter Hickman

1 88 Peter Hickman GBR Aspire-Ho by Bathams Racing BMW S1000RR 15 2:25.429 12 151.4. 2:24.896

2 8 Michael Rutter GBR Aspire-Ho by Bathams Racing Honda RC213V 14 2:26.378 6 0.949. 0.949 150.5. 2:25.913

3 99 Danny Webb GBR MGM by Penz13 BMW Penz13-I 14 2:28.010 8 2.581. 1.632. 148.8. 2:27.480

4 40 Martin Jessopp GBR Tak Chun Group by PBM Ducati Panigale 1199 12 2:28.746 4 3.317. 0.736. 148.1. 2:28.258

5 7 Gary Johnson GBR Briggs Equipment Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX10-RR 14 2:28.829 9 3.400. 0.083. 148.0. 2:28.299

6 50 Horst Saiger AUT Saiger-Racing Yamaha R1 15 2:28.885 14 3.456. 0.056. 147.9. 2:28.762

7 20 David Johnson AUS PR Racing BMW S1000RR 14 229.28.8 12 3.859. 0.403. 147.5. 2:29.221

8 82 Derek Sheils IRL MGM by Penz13 BMW Penz13-I 11 2:29.358 10 3.929. 0.070. 147.5. 2:29.325

9 4 John McGuinness GBR Tak Chun Group by PBM Ducati Panigale 1199 14 2:29.571 13 4.142. 0.213. 147.3. 2:29.342

10 26 Didier Grams DEU G&G Motorsport by BMW Motorrad BMW S1000RR 14 2:31.146 12 5.717. 1.575. 145.7. 2:31.146

11 62 Sam West GBR PRLIOHA Motorsport BMW S1000RR 15 2:31.685 11 6.256. 0.539 145.2. 2:30.781

12 74 Davey Todd GBR PuraGlobe Syntainics Racing Oil by Penz13 BMW Penz13-I 13 2:32.676 13 7.247. 0.991 144.3. 2:32.508

13 45 Marek Cerveny CZE Wepol Racing BMW Penz13-I 13 2:33.193 5 7.764. 0.517 143.8. 2:32.629

14 65 Michael Sweeney IRL Martin Jones Racing BMW HP4 14 2:34.137 6 8.708. 0.944 142.9. 2:33.423

15 22 Paul Jordan GBR Dafabet Devitt Racing Kawasaki ZX10-RR 14 2:34.633 14 9.204. 0.496 142.4. 2:34.311

16 34 Ben Wylie GBR Bimota Racing/ Amore Moto Bimota BB3 10 2:35.159 8 9.730. 0.526 141.9. 2.34.473

17 38 Emo Kostamo FIN Markka Racing by Penz13 BMW S1000RR 13 2:35.564 7 10.135. 0.405 141.6. 2:35.303

18 77 Phillip Crowe GBR Handtrans JCR Racing BMW S1000RR 13 2:35.801 13 10.372. 0.237 141.4. 2:35.655

19 54 Steve Heneghan IRL Reactive Parts.com Ducati Panigale V4 14 2:35.908 8 10.479. 0.107 141.3. 2:34.898

20 14 Andre Pires PRT Team FastBike/Beauty Machines Yamaha R1 12 2:38.028 12 12.599. 2.120 139.4. 2:37.710

21 44 Rob Hodson GBR JGH Racing BMW S1000RR 14 2:38.339 14 12.910. 0.311 139.1. 2:37.728

22 104 Daley Mathison GBR Wepol Racing BMW Penz13-I 12 2:38.767 12 13.338. 0.428 138.7. 2:38.374

23 182 Xavier Denis FRA PerformanX Racing BMW S1000RR 16 2:38.997 16 13.568. 0.230 138.5. 2:38.959

NOT CLASSIFIED (Requirements: 110% of best lap of leader = 2:39.971)

24 67 Dominic Herbertson GBR Dafabet Devitt Racing Kawasaki ZX10-RR 12 2:40.042 11 14.613. 1.045. 137.6. 2:39.689

25 9 Craig Neve GBR C N Racing BMW S1000RR 15 2:41.549 14 16.120. 1.507. 136.3. 2.41.308

26 71 Davy Morgan GBR DM71 BMW S1000RR 12 2:41.554 11 16.125. 0.005. 136.3. 2:40.269

NO TIME

27 49 Raul Torras ESP Raul Torras Racing by Martimotos Yamaha R1 –

28 55 Andrew Dudgeon IMN VRS Racing BMW S1000RR 0 –

Free Practice Session

1 8 Michael RUTTER GBR Aspire-Ho by Bathams Racing Honda RC213V 9 2:29.232 8 – – 147.6 2:29.059

2 88 Peter HICKMAN GBR Aspire-Ho by Bathams Racing BMW S1000RR 8 2:30.434 7 1.202 1.202 146.4 2:30.052

3 40 Martin JESSOPP GBR Tak Chun Group by PBM Ducati Panigale 1199 8 2:30.535 7 1.303 0.101 146.3 2:30.226

4 50 Horst SAIGER AUT Saiger-Racing Yamaha R1 7 2:32.415 7 3.183 1.880 144.5 2:32.183

5 20 David JOHNSON AUS PR Racing BMW S1000RR 8 2:32.513 7 3.281 0.098 144.4 2:32.156

6 99 Danny WEBB GBR MGM by Penz13 BMW Penz13-I 8 2:32.704 8 3.472 0.191 144.2 2:32.704

7 99 Danny WEBB GBR MGM by Penz13 BMW Penz13-I 7 2:32.964 7 3.732 0.260 144.0 2:32.964

8 45 Marek CERVENY CZE Wepol Racing by Penz13 BMW Penz13-I 8 2:34.036 7 4.804 1.072 143.0 2:33.797

9 62 Sam WEST GBR PRL/OHA Motorsport BMW S1000RR 7 2:35.719 7 6.487 1.683 141.4 2:35.719

10 26 Didier GRAMS DEU G&G Motorsport by BMW Motorrad BMW S1000RR 8 2:36.314 7 7.082 0.595 140.9 2:34.496

11 4 John MCGUINNESS GBR Tak Chun Group by PBM Ducati Panigale 1199 8 2:36.422 7 7.190 0.108 140.8 2:34.406

12 65 Michael SWEENEY IRL Martin Jones Racing BMW HP4 9 2:36.504 6 7.272 0.082 140.7 2:36.289

13 7 Gary JOHNSON GBR Briggs Equipment Kawasaki Kawasaki ZX10RR 7 2:37.167 6 7.935 0.663 140.1 2:36.468

14 14 André PIRES PRT Team FastBike/Beauty Machines Yamaha R1 8 2:37.543 8 8.311 0.376 139.8 2:37.543

15 34 Ben WYLIE GBR Bimota Racing/ Amore Moto Bimota BB3 8 2:37.988 8 8.756 0.445 139.4 2:37.880

16 74 Davey TODD GBR PuraGlobe Syntainics Racing Oil by Penz13 BMW Penz13-I 6 2:38.145 6 8.913 0.157 139.3 2:38.145

17 54 Steve HENEGHAN IRL Reactive Parts.com Ducati Panigale V4 8 2:38.252 7 9.020 0.107 139.2 2:38.011

18 22 Paul JORDAN GBR Dafabet Devitt Racing Kawasaki ZX10-RR 7 2:38.894 5 9.662 0.642 138.6 2:38.058

19 71 Davy MORGAN GBR DM71 BMW S1000RR 9 2:40.991 8 11.759 2.097 136.8 2:40.871

20 55 Andrew DUDGEON IMN VRS Racing BMW S1000RR 2 2:41.291 2 12.059 0.300 136.5 2:41.291

21 77 Phillip CROWE GBR Handtrans JCR Racing BMW S1000RR 8 2:41.761 8 12.529 0.470 136.2 2:41.303

22 182 Xavier DENIS FRA PerformanX Racing BMW S1000RR 8 2:44.904 8 15.672 3.143 133.6 2:44.548

23 104 Daley MATHISON GBR Wepol Racing by Penz13 BMW Penz13-I 7 2:47.281 7 18.049 2.377 131.7 2:47.281

24 44 Rob HODSON GBR JGH Racing BMW S1000RR 9 2:47.588 9 18.356 0.307 131.4 2:46.785

25 67 Dominic HERBERTSON GBR Dafabet Devitt Racing Kawasaki ZX10-RR 7 2:47.639 5 18.407 0.051 131.4 2:46.525

26 9 Craig NEVE GBR C N Racing BMW S1000RR 8 2:48.57 6 19.338 0.931 130.6 2:47.664

27 49 Raul TORRAS ESP Raul Torras Racing by Martimotos Yamaha R1 3 2:51.856 2 22.624 3.286 128.2 2:51.381

28 38 Erno KOSTAMO FIN Markka Racing by Penz13 BMW S1000RR 0 NO TIME 0 – – – –

Iron Butt Association Ireland : 2018 Photo Rally : A Bridge Too Far

December 5, 2018November 9, 2018 by TomBoyNI

Iron Butt Association:

Have you ever thought that you fancy trying something other than the usual Sunday run out on the bike, along the same route, with your head down and bum up?

If so have you ever considered long distance motorcycling?

That is what the Iron Butt Association is all about. Safe, enjoyable long distance motorcycle riding that gets you out and about to places you probably haven’t seen before, or take routes or challenges that you probably had never even thought of before.

“The 60,000+ members of the Iron Butt Association are dedicated to safe, long-distance motorcycle riding. Although based in the United States, we have thousands of enthusiastic members throughout the globe! One of our more popular slogans is, “The World Is Our Playground.”

Check out out the IBA Website here : http://ironbutt.com

Check out the IBA Ireland Website here : https://www.ibaireland.org

Check out the IBA UK Website here : https://www.ironbutt.co.uk

A Bridge Too Far :

Having been a member of the Iron Butt Association for a few years now I thought I would give their 2018 Photo Rally a go.

The info on their site sums it up pretty well :

Iron Butt Association Ireland Photo Rally 2018

The locations are spread all over the island of Ireland and the route between them amounts to many thousands of miles.

I’m sure you could plan a route and tackle every location across a few days (reducing the mileage), but personally I used my free time over the summer months and probably took about 5 or 6 individual day trips to gather up all the checkpoints.

Some of those days trips were very long. For example my final trip took in the far west and south west of Ireland coming from Northern Ireland that specific trip, which took in 4 bridges started at 7.00am and finished at 1.30am and consumed about 780 miles.

But long mileage is all part of the Iron Butt Challenge, so if you enjoy full days in the saddle, seeing parts of the country (world even) that you probably didn’t even know about Photo Rallies are a good way to go about it and there are plenty of them about. Most motorcycle clubs, and the bigger Internet forums all offer Photo Rallies, so now that winter is here have a good look about and see what may take your fancy for the next year.

2019 Manx Grand Prix Race Programme

January 28, 2019October 31, 2018 by TomBoyNI

Press Release : Manx Grand Prix – Race Programme for 2019

Following the success of the 2018 MGP races, the organisers, The Manx Motor Cycle Club, will retain the same programme for 2019. This will see things kick off with the Newcomers’ race on bank holiday Monday 26th August 2019.

Wednesday of race week will see the Junior MGP Race with the first of the two Lightweight/Ultra-lightweight races in the afternoon. Friday features the second Lightweight/Ultra-lightweight races in the morning, followed by the grand finale of the Senior MGP Race bringing the event to a close in the afternoon.

Once again, the Lightweight race will feature the popular 650cc twin cylinder machines, and the Ultra-lightweight race, the 400cc, 125cc and Moto 3 bikes.

The club has decided to buck the trend and retain the class for 400 and 125cc bikes at a time when many race organisers have dropped the category.

Manx Motor Cycle Club chairman, Peter Maddocks said: ‘We felt it was appropriate for us to retain the smaller capacity class as it offers an opportunity for younger new riders to enter the event and get them interested in competing on the Mountain Course.’

Any newcomers wishing to be considered for the 2019 event should register their interest by email to heather@mgp.co.im

Practices for the 2019 Manx Grand Prix start on Saturday, August 17th and the event finishes with the Senior race on Friday, August 30th.

Subscribe to the TBNI Road Racing Calendar to ensure you stay up to date with all the important road racing events and any changes that may occur. Read more about the TBNI Road Racing Calender Here.

For details on the 2019 Isle of Man TT Schedule Click Here.

2019 Southern 100 Press Release : Ultra Lightweight Class Dropped from Meeting

October 26, 2018 by TomBoyNI

Southern 100 Racing, organisers of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Southern 100 International Road Races are to make a number of changes to their racing classes for the 2019 event which takes place Monday to Thursday 8th – 11th July.

The main change is the dropping of the ‘Ultra-Lightweight’ 125cc/400cc class from the programme along with the discontinuation of the Support races.

However, with the increasing number of entries being received for 600cc machines, the organisers are to include an additional race for this class.