One in the bag for the Wizard

Superb start to the racing season for Arai sponsored rider and thoroughly nice chap Alastair 'Wizard' Seeley. Pictured below, Ally finished 1st in the BSB Supertstock 1000 over the Easter Weekend at Brands Hatch.

29 year old Ally's hometown is Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland and he has a son Lewis by Fiancee Helen. He races for Yamaha team JMF Millsport and You can find out more about him by visiting the website www.alastairseeleyracing.co.uk

We wish Alastair, whose racing heroes are Joey Dunlop, Kevin Schwantz & Steve Hislop all the best for round 2 at Oulton Park and for the rest of the season!

Britain's got talent

The BBC are screening a series hosted by Natalie Cassidy ('Sonia' from Eastenders) all about young Britons inspired by subjects close to their heart. There was a SUPERB episode recently all about single-dad and motorcycle stunt ace Marc 'Sparky' Chennell.

I didn't see the show, and when the link 'pinged' into my inbox I settled down with a cuppa to have a look. By the time I'd watched the Sparky story I'd experienced lumps in my throat, admiration, awe and the hairs standing up on the back of my neck.

So, we want to share this with you now! Check out the link below and it will play the episode via the BBC website's i-Player, free.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00jkfx9/Natalie_Cassidys_Real_Britain_Episode_5/

You have to respect Sparky in many ways, see his website http://www.ukstuntpro.com/ . Enjoy the show! I did.

Stat attack!

I've just been looking through the 'chronology of motorcycle legislation of Britain' on the Thames Valley Motorcycle Action Group's pages.

Inetersting stuff- Motorcycles were invented in 1883, by 1905 21,521 units were registered. Today that figure stands at about 1.5 million. Speed limits were introduced in 1934 and 60 years later marked the 100th installation of our friend the Gatso.

1980 saw the highest ever figure for new registrations - over 315,000. The government decided to promptly spoil the fun and by 1983 they'd introduced the two-part test, implimented an 86 decibel noise limit and restricted learners to 125cc!

BUT! we can now use bus lanes (in some places), don't pay congestion charges and can park for free. Question is, when are they going to abolish road fund licences for bikes?

To see all the history (which is interesting, seriously..) follow this link:

History of motorcyle legislations

have a safe weekend and remember- 'ride to Araive'

Arai at Facebook

Now, come along and join us on Facebook. We've created a group for Arai owners to meet up, share tips, custom paint job pictures, discuss racing, the weather, bike meets - you name it!

Whyarai at Facebook

Click on the link and be one of the first to join. We want this to be the biggest online club for Arai owners in the UK, World, and beyond..

Latest Newsletter

We've just launched the latest Arai UK newsletter, full of news, offers and tips!

You can read it online here: Latest Arai Newsletter

Now- if you'd like to sign up for it each month you can do so at: www.whyarai.co.uk

Reward for finding our lid-lifters

On the evening of Tuesday 24th February, 2009, the premises of Phoenix Distribution, (official importers into the UK of Arai Helmets) in Newcastle-under-Lyme were broken into and 5 irreplaceable helmets were stolen including a signed Barry Sheene replica.

There is a reward available to any information that leads to the direct recovery of the helmets. 100% confidentiality is assured. The missing helmets are:

Arai NR 3 Barry Sheene replica (signed)
NR3 Freddie Spencer replica (signed)
NR3 Randy Mamola replica
Quantum Joey Dunlop replica
GP-5K Lewis Hamilton replica

Please email whyarai@phoenixnw.co.uk or call 01782 569800 with any information. Thanks!

Welcome- lots to come. We can assure you!

Hello and welcome to the WhyArai blog- from Phoenix Distribution, the UK's official importer of Arai Helmets into the UK.

There will be lots happening here, behind the scenes footage from the races, exclusive racer interviews, new Arai helmets showcased and we'll showing pictures and videos sent to us by Arai owners.

It's going to be informative and a LOT of fun so why not subscribe to the blog, make it one of your favourites or at least keep checking back.

Meanwhile, have a look at our websites: For Arai- www.whyarai.co.uk and for Phoenix Distribution (Yoshimura, Kappa, VentureShield, Pinlock, Abus, Shift-It and Fine Vision - www.phoenixnw.co.uk