Buying Arai - why the UK is the only way..

Like everything in life there are ways to get things cheaper. Look on the Internet, bet you can find what you would usually buy from your trusted supplier for less money.

But, saving yourself a few pounds now may not always be wise- Here's 10 reasons why you should always buy your Arai helmet from an authorised UK dealer, points 3 and 4 are particularly sobering:

1. Over 60 Dealers nationwide
2. Full Arai range in-store
3. Guaranteed genuine UK helmets – models imported from other countries have no UK warranty so a helmet would have to be returned to the country of origin for any warranty issues
4. Helmets purchased through internet sources could be imported from the US or Asia and therefore will be manufactured to different standards and will be have a different internal shape e.g. US will be larger inside and Asia fit will be smaller and rounder inside.
5. At least 1 Arai technician per store
6. Free custom fitting on new purchases – not available from internet purchases
7. Free maintenance kit and service card with any Arai helmet purchase
8. Free 6 month service
9. Special offers and promotions
10. Access to our exclusive Arai 5 star clothing range

To find out more information, more Arai racing news, dealer lists etc visit www.whyarai.co.uk

Amor-vellous weekend

Arai racer Keith Amor's winning streak continued on Saturday when he took two victories at the demanding Skerries 100 road races, near Dublin, Ireland. The Wilson Craig Honda rider crossed the line first in both the Open and Grand Final races on his Superbike machine and backed this up with a solid third in the Supersport 600cc race.


After lapping comfortably inside the lap record during dry qualifying, Keith was feeling strong heading in to the races but a rain shower saw him settle for third in the damp Supersport 600cc race, his opening ride of the day. The circuit had dried up in time for the Open race though and Amor led from the off and was still leading on the sixth lap when the red flag came out due to an incident.

The result was subsequently taken at the end of the fourth lap so Amor got the verdict by 0.615s from Ryan Farquhar. That just left the Grand Final where Amor again led from the start and despite coming under extreme pressure from Farquhar he held on throughout and got the verdict at the end of the 9 laps by 0.421s. The duo also broke the outright lap record.

"It's been a good day for me here at the Skerries and we got the small handling issues with the Superbike sorted out, which allowed me to push that little bit harder," said the Scotsman.

"I felt really comfortable on the big bike and it's nice to get back to winning ways in the Superbike class. I felt really strong in the 600cc class too, where we had the 2009 bike at our disposal once more, but when the rain came down I got a couple of slides so backed off a little bit as the conditions weren't really for me."

"It's a shame the weather spoilt that race but, overall, it's been a really enjoyable day's racing. I'm really looking forward to Walderstown now and although I've never been there before, I'll be looking to give a good account of myself whilst it will also be the perfect build-up for the Kells meeting the following weekend."

Story from www.bikesportnews.com

Visit www.whyarai.co.uk to see the full range of Arai Helmets available in the UK

Maria Costello MBE - some interesting facts

We've seen the official release about Maria's MBE, thoroughly deserved. Here's some interesting facts about ace rider Maria however that you may not know:

1. The former Veterinary nurse's passion with bikes began when she used a Yamaha TZR125 as her mode of transport. Being involved in an accident whilst travelling to work did nothing to deter the Northamptonshire based biker, in fact she used her compensation cheque from the accident to buy her first race bike, a Suzuki RGV250.



2. Winning races in her first year of competition was unexpected. Maria didn’t enjoy competition at school, choosing to slow down during her favourite P.E. class of cross country running so that she didn’t have to compete for her county.



3. In her first season of racing she was approached by Sandra Barnett (and her husband) to be part of an all female motorcycle team. Sandra Barnett was the fastest woman to lap the Isle of Man TT course. Bridget McManus, Sandra and Maria competed on short circuits and Bridget and Maria raced at the Manx Grand Prix for the first time in 1996.



4. In 2004 she became the fastest woman to lap the TT course (Padgetts Suzuki GSXR750 K2) and received a Guinness World Record for this achievement (this record was recently broken by Jenny Tinmouth at the 2009 TT races).



5. Maria then went on to make history when she became the first female solo rider to finish on the podium in a race around the TT course, finishing third in the Ultra Lightweight MGP class on a Honda RVF400.



6. Her achievements in racing have led to many varied opportunities off the track including being the focus of an hour long documentary for Anglia TV.



7. She was at the centre of the ‘Girl Racer’ TV series which was the spin off from another TV show about the TT called ‘TT Heroes’.



8. Presenting TV programmes such as ‘Fran’s Angels’ was another role she felt at home in as well as appearing as a panellist on ‘Top Ten Bikes’ and in the Discovery channels ‘Big Big Bikes’ program.



9. Highlights of her career away from the race track include stunt doubling for Tamsin Outhwaite in an ITV drama, and more recently in a movie called ‘Penelope’ for Oscar winning actress Reese Witherspoon.



10. Her career is far from over and despite many broken bones (over 22) the passionate motorcyclist Maria, or Elvis to her fans, wants nothing more than to regain the female TT lap record and pursue other personal goals in this extreme sport of motorcycle racing.



11. Maria works in many roles within the world of motorcycling and the media. Her titles include RideSafe BackSafe ambassador, ambassador for motorcycle clothing brand BERING and has been a patron for the Women’s Sport Foundation and one of Sport England’s Sporting Champions and in between all the racing she earns her living as a PR Agent.

Haslam relishing home race opportunity

Arai sponsored rider LEON HASLAM is aiming to return to the podium in Sundays ninth round of the World Superbike Championship at Donington Park, GB after a troubled run of races in the last four rounds.

Haslam is sixth in the Championship and knows the Donington Park circuit as well as anybody after working on his father Rons Race School at the circuit in the past 10 years.

"I only live up the road from Donington so its more than just the home round for me, its like being in my backyard", said Haslam. "The last four rounds have been on circuits Ive never raced on before or where Ive visited just once so we knew it would be a tough few weeks.

The Stiggy team has been working extremely hard to get us back on the pace and hopefully back into the top three like we were in Australia and Holland. Last weekends Misano round was messy with the wet weather and problems with our machine but its moved us a step forward.

This remains a learning year for the team and myself and that means a lot of hard work. Im just so pleased that the team owner Johan Stigefelt has put the right people in place around me to deal with that work."

Haslam is one point behind the fifth-placed rider, factory Aprilia-mounted Italian Max Biaggi, and is optimistic of climbing the standings even further in the final six rounds.

"As a new team weve been searching for consistency all year but now theres a genuine feeling that were just about there. Id like to get that under way with a good qualifying run and two good finishes at Donington on Sunday.

There are 15 factory machines out there so do what we have been doing as a relatively private operation is good but its not good enough, we can do better. Sixth place in the Championship would probably have been acceptable at the start of the year but after coming so close to winning in Holland the race victories have to be our target now."

For more news, events, latest helmets etc please visit www.whyarai.co.uk

Archibald Lifts Inaugural Martin Finnegan Trophy

Adrian Archibald lifted the inaugural Martin Finnegan Trophy for the fastest Irishman at this year’s TT Races.

The trophy is a solid bronze replica of Martin’s famous Arai helmet complete with the Lusk man’s trademark flames, and was presented to Archibald by Finnegan’s wife, Brenda, at the TT prize presentation. The trophy also comes with a brand new Arai RX-7 GP helmet and a cheque for €1000.

Archibald’s lap of 128.883mph in the Dainese TT Superbike race was enough to hold off competition from Ryan Farquhar and Michael Dunlop to secure the three-times TT winner the award. Martin Finnegan was a true star of road racing on and off the bike and was tragically killed, aged 29, whilst competing in the Tandragee 100 races in May 2008. This award was created in his honour by his supporters club.

More news / events / latest helmet designs see http://www.whyarai.co.uk/

Michael Dunlop Wins His First TT

Michael Dunlop followed in the footsteps of father Robert and Uncle Joey by winning the Relentless Supersport 2 race on Wednesday June 10.

Heavily delayed due to the weather conditions, the 21-year old stole an early advantage in the damp conditions and was never headed, coming home 31 seconds ahead of fellow Arai rider, Bruce Anstey (Relentless by TAS Suzuki) and Manxman Conor Cummins (McAdoo Kawasaki).

As a tribute to TT legends Robert and Joey, Michael wore a helmet that featured elements from their distinctive designs on route to victory on his privately entered Street Sweep/Marlow Construction Yamaha.The win came 11 years after father Robert’s last win in the 1998 125cc race and 9 years after Joey’s win in the same class in 2000.

More news / events / latest helmet designs see www.whyarai.co.uk

Leon Haslam's new tattoo

Ouch!

Here's an exclusive pic of Leon Haslam having a new tattoo, sent to us by his lovely Fiancee Olivia Stringer.

Did he cry? Not at all!

The letters, R A L E Z stands for family members Ron, Ann, Leon, Emma and Zoe and the 'O' at the top is for Olivia. There's space below for future Haslams as well!

More news / events / latest helmet designs see www.whyarai.co.uk