Classic Racer: news in brief

• Geoff Duke's birthday
A very special man, Geoff Duke, has a very special birthday on March 29, so we’ve created what we hope is a special birthday in the current issue of Classic Racer. Happy birthday Geoff, from all the Classic Racer team.  

• Dunlop in Shoei
Michael Dunlop will use Shoei helmets during the 2013 season, which includes the Classic TT. Twenty-three-year-old Dunlop will be wearing the best-selling Shoei X-Spirit II, with a modern twist on his classic design by British design firm Rage Designs.

“We’re delighted to have this opportunity to work with Michael and believe it’s something of a coup that he has chosen us. Michael will be providing us with great feedback on our racing helmet’s performance,” confirmed Steve Clifford, sales director.

• IHRO dates confirmed
The dates for the 2013 IHRO season have been confirmed. The Oschersleben date is with the sidecar festival, so the decision has been made to run a second race for GP two-strokes up to 1984, broadly in line with ICGP rules, but with the addition of a 500cc class. This will be open to non IHRO riders.

The dates are: Schleiz, June 21-23; Oschersleben, June 29-30; Chimay, July 19-21; Gedinne, August 24-25 and Magny Cours, September 13-15.

• MOTORCYCLING HONOURS
Three of motorcycling’s largely unsung heroes received well deserved credit in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

Wyn Evans MBE
The Isle of Man’s Wyn Evans received the MBE for her services to motorcycle racing in the Southern 100, Manx Grand Prix and TT races, where she serves as welfare officer, a position she has held for over 30 years, and is one of the most challenging roles in the sport. It is only when things go wrong that Wyn becomes involved.

Wyn’s husband Des was himself a competitor and later a travelling marshal at the TT, MGP and Southern 100 for 32 years.

Colin Appleyard MBE
Yorkshire car and motorcycle dealer Colin Appleyard also received a very well-deserved MBE for services to motorcycle sport.

A regular hard working clubman, Colin has been involved organising off-road events going right back to the 1950s. He was also a competitor in his own right; eventually going on to race sidecars, until a bad accident in the 1969 TT ended his career.

Colin has poured countless amounts of money into the sport, including helping his son Robin to win five British 125 Championships and compete at the highest level with starts in 92 Grands Prix.

Agnes Cadger BEM
Long serving secretary of the Scottish Classic Racing Club, Agnes Cadger, has been awarded the BEM for her services to motorcycle racing.

Agnes, well known and liked in classic racing circles, is the organiser of one of the best classic meetings of the year, the Bob Mac Memorial meeting.

Everyone at Classic Racer sends warm congratulations to all three.