2020 Cookstown 100 :
The only road racing event on the island of Ireland is now only 1 week away (or less)!.
The 2020 Cookstown 100 is a TICKET ONLY event.
Please DO NOT attend if you do not have a ticket – you will be refused entry.
The 2020 Cookstown 100 is now SOLD OUT.
Wilson Craig Racing gets New Owner :
On the first anniversary of the passing of one of Irelands most popular road race team owner, Wilson Craig, it has been announced, that the team will continue to grace the road scene, albeit with a new owner!
With the blessing of Mrs Craig, the team will be run under the guidance of Darren Gilpin, Darren has worked with Wilson for the past seven years.
With the WCR machines having been based at Darren’s own workshop, it was an easy decision to make, and for road race fans, we will continue to see the iconic red and silver machines grace the road circuits.
However, for the new-look team, it will be a completely different approach, as the team will be concentrating on supporting a newcomer to the roads, who will compete in the Senior Support class, along with the Moto 3 class.
Having competed on short circuits, with the KDM Hire Cookstown 100 pencilled in for his road race debut, Antrim rider Stephen Smith is relishing the new challenge.
Stephen will have the use of two brand new Hondas, 600CBR, and 250 NSF Machines.
2020 Oliver’s Mount Barry Sheene Classic Results :
To the joy of road racing fans the world over we have actually had some racing in 2020! From 14th – 16th August Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough held the Barry Sheene Classic. A day of practice and qualifying followed by two days of flat out non stop racing.
The Oliver’s Mount events are ones that I do not normally cover, mainly because I have no chance of getting any where them but this year I did follow them quite intently on Twitter and on the live timings site and have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the coverage, tweeting and online content that I could find.
UKClubSport have done an excellent job in putting the results together for every qualifying session and race. You will find every result from the 2020 Oliver’s Mount Barry Sheene Classic here :
It brings me great pleasure to say that Northern Ireland’s own Lee Johnston shone to make it a perfect four out of four in the Supersport category.
Dean Harrison also brought his A-game and made it a superb five from five in the Classic Superbike races.
What a packed weekend that event was with a huge 31 races ran over the two race days. That really makes me want to make the trip over.
Oliver’s Mount next event is scheduled to be the Gold Cup due to run on the weekend of the 11th – 13th September 2020. Unfortunately that clashes directly with the planned dates for the rescheduled 2020 Cookstown 100.
The Oliver’s Mount Racing Official Site is available here : https://www.oliversmount.com
The Official Oliver’s Mount Twitter Account is Here : https://twitter.com/MountOlivers
The Official Oliver’s Mount Facebook Page is Here : https://www.facebook.com/oliversmountraces/
The TBNI Road Racing Calendar can be found and subscribed to (for free) here : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/
You will also find new information as soon as it is available through the TBNI Facebook Page and TBNI Twitter Feed.
Important News for 2020 KDM Hire Cookstown 100 Spectators
To let all Spectators know in advance, below is a list of instructions from government departments which must be adhered to, so you the Spectators can attend.
Further information also is that all Spectators must be in their areas for 11 am on Friday at the latest.
On Saturday everyone must be in their areas for 930am at the latest.
All Spectators must enter the course via main Orritor Road from Cookstown, or the Drummearn ROAD (From lough fea Road) as all official car parks are on these two main routes.
Security will be at all other entrances and surrounding areas.
Please understand that these measures are not ideal for anyone, but we must work together to ensure we get this event to take place and we see some road racing in 2020.
Official Press Release: https://www.cookstown100.org/index.php/news/468-important-news-for-kdm-hire-cookstown-100-spectators
Keep up with all the latest News on the Official Cookstown 100 Facebook Group, the Official Cookstown 100 Twitter Feed and the Official Cookstown 100 website.
As this situation evolves and affects more events TBNI.Blog will endeavour to keep you up to date.
The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/
You will also find new information as soon as it is available through the TBNI Facebook Page and TBNI Twitter Feed. So Follow those also.
Oliver’s Mount Barry Sheene Classic 2020 :
Although not part of the Irish / Northern Irish / IOM Calendar, and therefore not usually or easily covered by TBNI.Blog, Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough has some great road racing events of its own.
And the good news is one of these events is this weekend! Yep that’s right, there is some real life actual road racing this weekend!
2020 Cookstown 100 : Press Release
Working towards the race
The Cookstown & District Motor Cycle Club have confirmed, that, the postponed race meeting, will now take place on Friday and Saturday 11th/12th September.
Following the recent COVID 19 updates, the club is now in the position to put the final touches to their plans for what will be the Only road race to take place in 2020.
For the event to take place, the Club has taken a sensible and responsible approach, working with Sport NI and other various bodies, which will result in some significant changes.
Spectator numbers will be restricted to 1000 on Friday and 1600 on Saturday, and will only be allowed in designated areas.
The KDM Hire Cookstown 100 will be a “Closed Event”, a successful online Booking system has been in operation, which has enabled the organizers to follow the strict guidelines put in place by Department for Communities & NI Sports Forum.
A race programme which will include a unique wristband will be posted out to everyone who has used the Booking system
Only those with a Wristband will gain access
There will be 10 designated spectator areas located around the 1.7 mile circuit. These areas will allow a maximum number of spectators in each so that any regulations in respect to mass gatherings in one area can be maintained and managed.
Isle of Wight Road Race : The Diamond Races – Coming October 2021
The Diamond Races is set to take place on a 12.4 mile-long course in the south of the Isle of Wight.
Shining a spotlight on the Island’s natural beauty, the road-race boasts a course through the villages of Chale, Kingston, Shorwell and Brighstone as well as a fast five-mile coastal stretch along the Military Road.
The new race meeting will be run under the strict event regulations stipulated by the sports’ governing body, the ACU (Auto Cycle Union), through which all UK motorcycle sport is administered.
With road safety at the heart of the Diamond Races, the organisers will strive to highlight the paramount importance of safe road use, with attention paid to the safety of riders, spectators and officials, whilst incorporating a strategy to promote road safety.
This event has been developed in lockstep with the local Isle of Wight council and experts from the motorcycle racing fraternity, and both the Diamond Races team and the Isle of Wight council are excited to confirm the planned road race event will take place from in October 2021, with two practice days on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by the time-trial feature races staged on a Saturday.
MCUI(UC) Press Release – 24th July 2020
MCUI UC MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE STATEMENT UPDATE ON COVID 19 RESUMPTION OF MCUI UC COMPETITION 23rd JULY 2020
Basically we can go racing again!
The Directors of the MCUI UC (the Management Committee) wish to update all our licence holders, clubs and members of the current situation regarding a return to competition as the NI Executive are easing restrictions on an increasingly frequent basis.
We have received permission from the Department for Communities and Sport NI to resume competitive motorcycle racing again, including spectators (as long as they can be controlled).
This is extremely welcome news. However, it is vitally important that everyone complies with the social distancing and hygiene measures outlined in our guidance document (click here) and track and trace protocols.
Event promoters will be required to complete an event specific COVID 19 Risk Assessment that outlines the measures they will put in place to respond to these exceptional circumstances.
The MCUI UC would like to thank everyone at SportNI, Department for Communities and NI Sports Forum for their assistance during this emergency.
We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding in these extraordinary times, we are making progress together, but remember please, stay safe.
John McClure
Chairman MCUI UC
Check out the MCUI (UC) Website here : https://www.mcui-uc.org.uk
Honda Super Cub Cover : Oxford Aquatex Review :
There is no doubt the Honda C125 Super Cub is a thing of beauty. The throw back to the original Honda Super Cub is obvious and it has an iconic styling that has stood the test of time.
In continuous manufacture since 1958 with production surpassing 60 million in 2008, 87 million in 2014, and 100 million in 2017,[2] the Super Cub is the most produced motor vehicle* in history.[3] Variants include the C100, C50, C70, C90, C100EX and C70 Passport, as well as the Honda Trail series.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Super_Cub
So, you have the iconic bike, with the iconic styling, now it is up to you to make sure you keep it looking as iconic as possible and protect it from the elements as best you can.
For most people that will mean one of two things, keeping the bike protected from the elements outside, or protecting it whilst stored inside.
Personally I am lucky enough that I need the protection for the bike whilst it is being stored in my garage. So the commentary on this post will refer mostly to keeping the bike inside.
That is obviously a much less harsh environment than what the raw elements could throw at it, but even if you bike is stored in a garage it is definitely worth considering keeping it under cover whilst inside.
In my case the garage is basic, the bike is not in a bubble, there is no dehumidifier, no heating, no climate control. It is a basic standalone brick garage. The temperature variations are pretty big as are humidity levels. In winter the temperature can reach a few degrees above freezing, in summer it can reach the mid 20s. Last week alone the humidity levels have ranged between 53% and 91%.
Not only that but it is a working garage. Other appliances are in there so there is foot traffic as well as the fact that my go to BMW is in there too.
So for me a cover offers an additional level of protection, over what the garage already offers from the elements. It protects from dust and debris in the garage, protects from anything brushing against the bike and protects from the temperature range in the garage which during the cooler periods of the rear could result in condensation. All of this protection comes in below £20GBP.
Hyperion Sports Kit Spray : Review
In February 2020 I bought myself a new helmet as a sort of ‘me to me’ birthday present. As a child of the 80s when the latest colourways for the Shoei NXR were announced I knew what my next lid was going to be…
More will follow on the Shoei NXR Zork, including an unboxing gallery and why I have moved away from Arai, but I will hold off until I have actually completed some miles with it. As yet I have completed zero miles, because shortly after buying this lid the world basically went into Covid-19 Lockdown.
But as we slowly started to move out of lockdown and get back to a bit of biking I thought I would get the Shoei NXR Zork ready.
But what do you mean ‘ready?’ It’s a helmet, surely it comes ready, you just put it on your head and secure it under your chin, right?
Well, you could, but a few years ago I added another step to getting my kit ready and that is Hyperion Sports Spray.
This is not an affiliate post, I was not asked to write a review, I purchased this spray myself, and have been using it for a number of years. I am simply sharing my experience and hopefully spreading a little knowledge in relation to the product.