Business news
From left: Keith Huewen, Angie Hemmings, Steve Hemmings, Tim Abbott, Tracy Jones and Aubrey Manning
SHORT CUTS DUNLOP
GERMAN MOTORCYCLE magazine PS has declared Dunlop as the top brand in its comparison test of slick track tyres. Using a Honda Fireblade SP fitted with Dunlop KR106 and KR108 tyres at the Circuit de BarcelonaCatalunya the PS test crew were able to lap the circuit up to 3.126 seconds faster than with other tyres tested. PS also declared Dunlop as the best tyre for stability, precision, grip, braking and behaviour at the limit.
SHED AND BURIED RETURNS
THE NATION’S FAVOURITE SHED SUPREMOS Henry Cole and Sam Lovegrove are back on TV, searching for yet more automotive treasure lying dead in the nation’s sheds, outbuildings and garages. In ten brand new 30-minute episodes, Henry and Sam travel across the country on a quest to find neglected motoring gems on two, three and four wheels, as well as automotive memorabilia, which they hope to fix up and sell for a tidy profit. Shed & Buried series 3 started on screen on Quest on Tuesday 8 June, but fans can catch up or binge watch all ten episodes on Discovery+.
MOTONOVO FINANCE
SILENCE, THE LATEST ELECTRIC POWERED TWOwheel brand to enter the UK market majoring on the 4-11kW (50-125cc equivalent) sector, has selected MotoNovo Finance as its consumer credit partner to fund sales of its scooter-style range of four models. According to Silence UK founding partner Mike Rose, affordability is a central part of his company’s proposition and he was keen to ensure that point-of-sale finance was part and parcel of this. “More than 90% of new cars rely upon POS funding and the situation for us is no different,” says Rose. “As the first finance provider to introduce a risk-based pricing approach, MotoNovo is our ideal partner. With risk-based pricing, we aim to help most of our customers to access affordable finance tailored to their credit status.”
Hemmings’ last lap N orthampton dealer and road racer the late Mick Hemmings completed his final lap of Silverstone, his local circuit, in a coffin in the back of a private ambulance on Friday 4 June. At the wheel of the black Transit was Hemmings’ best friend from the world of shooting, Tim Abbott, accompanied by Hemmings’ son Steve and former MotoGP commentator and British road race champion Keith Huewen. Thirty years ago Hemmings and Abbott made a pact at a clay shoot that the first to go would be taken for a final lap of Silverstone. Abbott, Steve Hemmings, and Mick’s wife Angie were keen that this pact should be fulfilled. Getting the lap organised was another matter, and so they asked fellow Northamptonshire resident Huewen for help and advice. The former Suzuki factory rider, Hemmings’ customer and friend since the 1970s, used his influence and network of contacts to set up the lap.
Silverstone staff were more than helpful. The lap was organised by motorsport co-ordinator Jo Ikin who granted permission for use of the full GP circuit. And Kevin Matthews Funeral Services of Northampton agreed the use of their private ambulance for the lap, driven to the circuit by Aubrey Manning. Before the lap started celebrant Tracy Jones said a few words in tribute to Hemmings who had made his Silverstone debut more than 50 years before and had won races there spanning 1971-2002. Angie Hemmings flagged the foursome off and, as an unexpected bonus, they were able to complete two full laps. “I still can’t believe it happened,” said Abbott, a specialist in vintage car engine and gearbox preparation, plus the odd motorcycle engine. “It’s a good job we’re all mad,” added Angie Hemmings. Thanks to the generosity of Silverstone and Matthews Funerals it was an amazing final fling for the former Suzuki and
British bike dealer-racer who had opened his first motorcycle shop in Northampton in 1974. The funeral took place at Northampton Crematorium on 7 June, what would have been Hemmings’ 77th birthday. Those attending included Velocette specialists Ivan Rhodes and Manx GP winning son Grahame, former Suzuki GB works rider Stan Woods, nine times Manx GP winner Bill Swallow, former Motor Cycle News head of advertising Peter Archer, and Terry Potter of Precision Motorcycles, Newport Pagnell. Eulogies were given by Peter Wright, who raced Manx Norton powered cars, and Keith Huewen. Said Huewen: “When Mick opened his shop it became a hub for race talk and cups of tea in an atmosphere heavy with cigarette smoke and the smell of Castrol R. He had the sharpest wit and an instant comeback. He was a unique friend.” See BDN June 2021 for Mick Hemmings obituary and BDN June 2018 for feature looking at Mick Hemmings’ career.
Industry relevance key to TT revival PLANS FOR THE RETURN OF ISLE OF MAN TT racing in 2022 major on encouraging competitive involvement from a wider range of manufacturers. Although an at-a-glance programme for the 2022 event spanning 29 May to 10 June contains the usual roster of eight races, significant content changes to promote industry relevance have been made to two of them. The Lightweight TT, which has been dominated by Kawasaki and Kawasaki-engined Patons in recent years, gets a new name – the Bennetts Supertwin TT – and a new rulebook. Regulations will now permit twin-cylinder machines up to 700cc, such as the Aprilia RS660, Yamaha MT-07 and Yamaha YZF-R7. So both Aprilia and Yamaha products will be able to
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compete in this category for the first time. Furthermore, Sidecar TT contenders will be permitted to use 900cc parallel-twin engines such as those currently found in the KTM 890 Duke and BMW’s F900R. In what will be the biggest shake-up in the class for three decades, these powerplants will run alongside the 600cc four-cylinder and 675cc three-cylinder motive power that has long been the mainstay of sidecar racing on the Island. Additional changes proposed for 2023 feature a ten-race programme. There will be a pair of Superstock TT events, enhancing long-held status as the industry’s favoured showcase for superbike models running in close to normal street trim in a real-roads sporting environment. The Supertwin TT will also double its presence.
And following the British Supersport Championship’s forthcoming move away from purely 600cc fours and 675cc triples to encompass other machines graded on a comparable “power to weight ratio” basis, we are likely to see a similar approach to Supersport TT rules in the near future. Again, this will potentially create an opportunity for more manufacturers to participate. The Isle of Man Government’s Department for Enterprise, as TT promoter, is also making a concerted effort to build a truly global fan base through the launch of its own digital TV channel, streaming live race coverage online to a worldwide audience – accessible to nearly four billion internet users – plus documentary material throughout the year.
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