Think! Motorcycle Academy Launched For British Superbike Season By Road Safety Minister, Race Stars And Road Safety Experts.
The Bennetts British Superbike Championship kicked off at Brands Hatch over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend along with the activities of the THINK! Motorcycle Academy; an interactive mobile road safety unit which motorcycling fans can visit to meet their racing heroes and receive advice about road safety from experts.
Road Safety Minister Dr Stephen Ladyman was on hand for the opening of the on-site Academy, as well as presenting the first race rider trophies to the top three finishers; Gregorio Lavilla, Leon Camier and Jonathan Rea. He said:
“I had a fantastic day at Brands Hatch over the Bank Holiday weekend. It was a great honour to present the winning riders of Race 1 with their trophies – you have to marvel at the skill they display. Despite owning a motorcycling licence for over 36 years, and being a bike enthusiast myself, I know there is no way I would ever to be able to keep pace with them.
“Riders are a highly important group for us to communicate with. We know they face different safety concerns to other road users, but they also need to take responsibility for keeping themselves – and others – safe. That’s why we have dedicated £1.5M this year to encourage drivers to stop and take longer to look for bikes and also to appeal to riders to investigate further training that will help them give their bike the skills it deserves.”
THINK! ambassador and former British Superbike Champion John Reynolds made several appearances at the on-site Academy during a sun-kissed weekend which saw a total of 41,000 fans visit the historic circuit. Reynolds was joined by Virgin Yamaha riders Tommy Hill, James Haydon and Hawk Kawasaki’s local Kent racer Scott Smart.
Of the newly launched THINK! Motorcycle Academy, Reynolds commented, “It’s great to be back at the THINK! Motorcycle Academy with the Bikesafe team, meeting fans and listening to their experiences. I’m really looking forward to the whole season where I’ll continue splitting my time between my old team Rizla Suzuki and the Academy unit.”
Motorcycle industry Road Safety experts from prestigious companies including Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Alpinestars, Arai, Shoei, Metzeler and Knox will continue throughout the season to give their expert opinions both over the microphone and for one-to-one advice at the THINK!
Motorcycle Academy’s ‘THINK! TANK’ at each British Superbike round.
Race fans can also see the new 2007 superbike machines, test their skills on the Honda Rider Trainer simulator, use interactive web stations and ask advice on riding tips and training from dedicated Bikesafe officers.
Moreover, on the morning of each British Superbike race day this season two pairs of lucky THINK! Motorcycle Academy on-site visitors will be drawn to “GO VIP” and be upgraded to a VIP hospitality unit for the rest of the day.
The THINK! Motorcycle Academy will be open on both Qualifying and Race day at every Championship round on the mainland, with its presence at Mondello, Ireland still to be confirmed.
The next Bennetts British Superbike Championship round takes place this weekend at Thruxton in Hampshire.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
THINK! Road Safety is an official sponsor of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship 2007
THINK! is the Department for Transport?s Road Safety campaign
THINK! encourages motorcyclists to GIVE YOUR BIKE THE SKILLS IT DESERVES with information, advice, training and safety tips
Motorcyclists can engage and benefit from THINK! through the THINK! Motorcycle Academy online at www.thinkmotorcycleacademy.co.uk