Two-time 250SX East champion recovers from broken collarbone.
Image: Supplied.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Zach Osborne will make his debut in the 450SX category this weekend at Arlington’s seventh round of the 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.
The two-time 250SX East champion suffered a broken collarbone in the lead up the Anaheim 1’s season-opener, prompting him to miss the first six rounds.
He was initially scheduled to return last weekend at Minneapolis, however a suspected crash ahead of the first east coast stop further delayed his return.
Head of innovation’s Zampieri confirms developments currently in place.
Image: Supplied.
Production electric-powered motorcycles are in the sights of premium Italian manufacturer Ducati, according to the company’s head of innovation, Pierluigi Zampieri.
Development of electric motorcycles has increased across a number of manufacturers, with Ducati certain to enter the market at some stage in the future, as timing and demand are ultimately the determining factor.
“We’re still developing our production bikes with the aim of being the best on the track,” Zampieri explained to MCN. “But with electric the difficulty is a compromise between weight and performance or range. “Today the whole package is not as good as we would like it to be, because the energy density that you can store is not high enough. The main challenge, technically, is reaching our performance and weight targets.”
“Being a company that is usually state of the art, we could arrive [with a product] that’s state of the art or even better than all of our competitors. The problem is – is now the right moment? It’s a small market and we’re still trying to understand when it’ll be ready for such innovation.”
“The V4 choice was similar – we had a lot of discussions about whether our customers would appreciate it or not. Now we are having similar discussions. You try to push the customer but need to know if they like it or not. Would our customers appreciate an electric bike? Is it the right moment for them?”
With a fanatical and loyal following, Ducati faces the challenge of maintaining the renowned characteristics of its bikes, such as the unique sound and ferocious yet rewarding power, all of which are almost impossible to replicate in an electric motorcycle. However, Zampieri is confident of delivering an electric bike that’s true to Ducati’s character.
“It is a challenge, but I’m confident we can make an electric bike that’s pure Ducati with pure Ducati character,” he continued. “And if we look outside, Harley-Davidson for example, they’re starting from a situation that’s probably worse. If they’re able to shape a product and give it character, I’m confident we can do the same or better.”
Continuing the tour of the Piaggio Museum with a look at the Gileras. The company’s Gilera collection is displayed on the mezzanine level. Gilera became a part of the Piaggio Group in 1996.
The 1909 VT 317 was the first model produced by Giuseppe Gilera. This one has engine number 25. The 317cc single made 7hp at 3,000rpm and had a top speed of 105km/h.
Piaggio Museum – A 1909 VT 317 engine, #25.
The sole example of a 500cc sidecar made by the factory (others were built by privateers). It won both the 1956 & 1957 Nations GP held at Monza, with 65hp at 10,500rpm.
Piaggio Museum – A 500cc sidecar racing outfit
One of the two Bimota GB1 race bikes built in 1993 using the RC750R engines (two of only nine made) from the 1992 Gilera desert racer. Indeed when Bimota first received the motors, sand from the ’92 Pharaohs Rally had to be cleaned from them!
Piaggio Museum – Bimota GB1
Twin 38mm downdraught Mikunis are fitted. The frame is closely based on that of the DB2. By the 4th round of the ’93 Italian Supermono Championship the bike had been developed enough to claim victory from the works Ducati Supermono by some 20 seconds. 78hp at 8,500rpm. Weight (no fuel) 119kg.
Piaggio Museum – Bimota GB1
Gilera returned to GP racing in ’92 with this 75º V-twin 2-stroke. It featured electronically controlled exhaust valves and a twin beam alloy frame. Ruggia only finished 17th in the championship with 6 points.
Jean-Phillipe Ruggia’s 1992 250GP bike
The 1957 175 Bicilindrica (centre) was based on the previous year’s 125 twin GP bike (left) specially for Italian Formula 2 class. 23hp at 11,200rpm offered a top speed of 170km/h.
Piaggio Museum – 1957 175 Bicilindrica (centre)Piaggio Museum – 1957 175 BicilindricaPiaggio Museum – 1957 175 BicilindricaPiaggio Museum – 1957 175 Bicilindrica
Originally designed in 1947, the 500/4 was extremely successful – winning the 500cc World Championship six times between 1948 and 1957, before Gilera quit GP racing. However the factory resumed competition in 1963 (until ’66) with much the same machines, but now fitted with full failings instead of the banned dustbin type. 70hp at 10,500rpm. Top speed 250kph.
A detail of the 1963 500/4
Gilera’s 500cc single, the Saturno, was employed in many bikes. The first pic shows a 1950 Saturno Sanremo. The second a 1952 Saturno Cross (left) and a 1952 Saturno Piuma (right).
Piaggio MuseumPiaggio Museum
The 1944 Marte used the company’s last 500cc side-valve engine. Originally designed for military use it entered production in 1942 and featured a shaft drive. A civilian version (seen here) followed in 1944. 222 of these were constructed from spare parts and 158 from converted military bikes. 14hp at 4,800rpm. Top speed 78kph.
Piaggio Museum
To finish here is a photo that shows a different side of Piaggio’s output. The company designed and built both aircraft (from 1915) and aero engines. The engines ranged from 370hp to 1500hp. This 1936 P.XI RC40 was an air-cooled, 14 cylinder radial that had an output of 1000hp at 4,000m and was fitted to many Italian aircraft.
I’ve been lucky enough to have had the run of the Piaggio Museum twice – once soon after it opened, in 2000 and again in 2015, after it had been remodelled. Most of the images here are from the most recent trip although I have included a few shots of individual machines from my first visit.
Phil returns to the Piaggio Museum in 2015, following a visit in 2000
The museum opened in March 2000 in what used to be the company tool shop in the factory in Pontedera, near Pisa. The 3000 square metres of floor space displays just about every Vespa model ever built plus a range of Gileras and other Piaggio items such as the Treno MC2 de 54 electric rail locomotive from 1936 (Piaggio was the first company in Italy to build stainless steel rail stock, in the 1930s).
Piaggio Museum
One particularly nice touch is the way the company archives are housed. You literally are able to walk through the company’s history!
Piaggio Museum
Piaggio Museum
Two famous bikes greet the visitor inside the entrance. The record-breaking 1937 500 Rondine Carenata and the 1939 500 Rondine GP (click here for the full feature). The Carenata used one of the six bikes acquired from CNA in 1936 as its basis.
Piaggio Museum – 1937 500 Rondine Carenata
A longer frame, modified wheels and the fully enclosed fairing (developed in Caproni’s wind tunnel) were fitted. In October 1937 Piero Taruffi set an absolute speed record of 274.181kph with the bike, then in 1939 a one hour record of 205kph.
Piaggio Museum – 1939 500 Rondine GP in the background
A re-creation (using the original furnishings) of Corradino d’Ascanio’s studio – including the MP6 prototype.
Piaggio Museum
Some overall views of the museum interior.
Piaggio Museum
Piaggio MuseumPiaggio MuseumPiaggio MuseumPiaggio MuseumPiaggio Museum
The 1943-44 MP5 prototype designed by engineer Renzo Spoiti. Known as the “Paperino” (Donald Duck) the MP5 saw very limited production (about 100) before it was superseded by the first Vespa (the MP6 prototype in the background).
Piaggio Museum – M5 prototype and Vespa M6 prototype
Possibly the most valuable scooter in the world! In 1962 two Spanish students embarked on a trip from Madrid to Athens on their Vespas. At their first stop, in Cadaquez, they met Salvador Dali – who proceeded to decorate their scooters!
Piaggio Museum
This 125cc green machine, piloted by three riders, set 17 world records at the Mothlery circuit in France in April 1950. They included: 1 hour – average speed 134kph, 100 miles – average 129.7kph, 500 miles – average 123.9kph, 1,000km – average 124.3kph and 10 hours – average 1,094km.
Piaggio Museum – The 125cc ‘green machine’ took 17 world records in 1950
One of my favourite shapes! The Siluro was designed in 1951 to break the standing kilometre world record. In February on the Rome-Ostia motorway, rider Dino Mazzoncini broke the record with a time of 21.4 seconds and an average speed of 171.1kph. The very organic design (by Corradino d’Ascanio) used a 125cc water-cooled 2-stroke with twin horizontally opposed pistons that made 17.2hp at 9,500rpm.
Piaggio Museum
Piaggio MuseumPiaggio MuseumPiaggio MuseumPiaggio MuseumPiaggio MuseumPiaggio Museum
The single example of the Vespa Alpha was built for use in the 1967 film “Dick Smart, Agent 2007”. A 180 Super Sport was modified by Piaggio and the British Alpha Willis firm to not only be roadworthy but to also fly and operate underwater!
Piaggio Museum – Vespa Alpha
The very large scale model built in 1977 to promote the launch of the “New Line” models at the Paris Show.
Piaggio Museum – A large scale Piaggio model for the 1977 model unveiling at the Paris Show
Traffic getting too much for you? You need one of these! The Vespa 150 T.A.P. (Truppe Areo Portate) was built by Piaggio’s French licensee (A.C.M.A.) to meet a French specification to equip paratroop and Foreign Legion units.
Piaggio Museum – Vespa 150 T.A.P.
Approximately 600 were constructed between 1956-9. They were fitted with a 75mm recoilless cannon with 6 rounds, 2 jerrycans and a small trolley. (2000)
An Ape used as a fire fighting unit.
Piaggio Museum – Fire-fighting Ape
A couple of competition scooters. L: 1947 Vespa 48 Circuito. R; Vespa 48 Corsa.
Piaggio Museum – Competition Vespa scooters
Off road scooters! 1951 125 Sei Giorni (Six Days). One of nine factory entries that won Gold at the 26th ISDT held at Varese.
Piaggio Museum – Off-road scooters too
1985 T5 Paris-Dakar.
Piaggio Museum – 1985 Vespa T5
1955 Vespa moped prototype.
Piaggio Museum – A Vespa moped prototype
Vespa trophy cabinet.
Piaggio Museum – Plenty of trophies to the Vespa name
If you have been following Australian road racing there is an excellent chance you would have heard of Tayla Relph, an extremely gutsy and talented young lady from Queensland, and arguably Australia’s finest and fastest lady racer.
For a number of years, Tayla has been a regular in the paddock, first in the Moto3 category, and more recently during the last two seasons contesting the Yamaha R3 Cup and Australia Supersport 300 Championship on a Yamaha.
Tayla Relph in 2016
You may also know that she is one of the toughest competitors that one could meet. Over the seasons, Tayla has had some monumental accidents but is known for a determination to bounce back and get straight back on the horse, more often than not for the very next race.
Tayla is one very tough nut in a very tough game.
This came to the fore again at the start of last season during the opening round at Phillip Island. During a normal close proximity, shoulder-to-shoulder battle for the lead, hooking through Turn One a front brake rotor on a competitor’s bike tore through the leathers and flesh of her left leg, tearing a massive deep gash just above her knee.
Medical advice was to sit out the next race and take time to recuperate before the next round a few weeks later. Not Tayla. Heavily bandaged, and completely undaunted, she was out the next morning in the helter-skelter class for the final race of the weekend.
Tayla Relph in 2018 – Image by TBG
Tayla is just as competitive as every rider out there and is another of the fairer sex (can I write that anymore), that proves that the race track is a level playing field for both genders, as once you don the helmet and riding kit, you are just another rider!
In her first year in the Yamaha R3 Proddie ranks in 2017 she finished sixth, and last year ended up seventh, coincidentally scoring the same amount of points in both seasons – mirroring how close the completion is. Last season Relph also raced in the even more competitive Supersport 300cc class and finished a very impressive equal seventh with another rapidly rising youngster, Harry Khouri.
Tayla Relph on the podium at Phillip Island in 2018
If you haven’t heard of Tayla, keep an eye out for as she enters her third year in the production-based class. This year she will have the support and guidance of the Kawasaki BCPerformance Team, for whom she will ride alongside fast young gun Callum O’Brien in the same class.
MCNews.com.au had a quick chat with Tayla Relph at the recent ASBK official pre-season test.
Tayla Relph Interview
MCNews.com.au: Well Tayla, how was the test now that you’re with the Kawasaki BCPerformance Team?
Tayla Relph: “It’s definitely a different feeling being backed by a factory team, so being on the Kawasaki BCPerformance team for 2019 is definitely a good feeling. It gives you an automatic confidence boost coming into the championship.
“We just finished our first official weekend with the team, it was just a weekend spent just getting used to the bike, adapting to it, and all the changes. Obviously it’s a lot different to riding the R3, I’ll have to get used to riding the Dunlop tyres, as well as the stock suspension, as well as all the other restrictions.”
Tayla Relph – Image by TBG
MCNews.com.au: I presume the bike has more power but with the stock suspension, how does it handle when it gets hot after hard riding for a few laps?
Tayla Relph: “It’s hard to really say as we’re still at the early development stages, Obviously there’s nothing we can do about it, so we have to just… adapt to it.
“If you look at all the times, the R3s are still very competitive with the 400s. I think most of the riders up the top were still on the R3s, so clearly there isn’t too much of a speed comparison between the two. Obviously the restrictions do make it a little bit harder for us, but in saying that, it also makes it another challenge.”
MCNews.com.au: How much harder do you need to ride, to get the same performance out of the Ninja 400, that you were getting out of the R3 last year?
Tayla Relph: “Without a doubt you do need to ride the Ninja 400 a lot harder, but in saying that the Kawasaki is a much nicer bike to ride than what the R3 was. The Kawasaki is just so smooth and consistent with the power, where with the R3 we had a lot of issues with it last year. We had a lot of issues with the engine. It’s good to be on a bike now where you can trust the engine, trust everything about the bike and it gives you a lot more confidence when you’re out on track.”
MCNews.com.au: This is now your third year in the 300s.
Tayla Relph: “Obviously the championship is quite competitive, it’s pretty much any rider in the top 15 could get it, it’s very easy to come 15th with just a small mistake. So that’s something we were working on [last year]. We did end up finishing the last race of the season in second place, so that was really good for us, and just another confidence boost. It is hard to get a podium.
Tayla Relph and Tom Bramich – Image by Rob Mott
“The injury in my leg was definitely a large set back for the beginning of last year, obviously I did a little bit more damage because I raced a lot sooner than what the doctors said I was allowed to. We just made sure we did a lot of physio and a lot of good physio on it to make sure even though I was riding a little earlier than I was supposed to be, it still wasn’t doing much more extra damage to my leg.
“It was more just having the confidence in myself and I did crash the first time I got back on the bike, after surgery, so that was a little bit scary, and did a little more damage to my leg. But obviously towards the end of the season we were getting there and it didn’t take too long.”
MCNews.com.au: Coming off the Moto3 and jumping onto the R3, it’s slower, doesn’t handle like Moto3, how can you quantify how much your racecraft has improved? In Moto3 you weren’t really learning racecraft. Here you have to learn it.
Tayla Relph: “Something that I definitely had to learn very quickly was racecraft because I definitely didn’t learn it in the Moto3, just because we went from having four riders in the whole field, and then we’d go over there and my first years in the Supersport 300s we were battling about 35 riders in the field. It was definitely different and that’s why I believe my results weren’t exactly the best in my first year, in the production class.”
Tayla Relph battling it out in the highly competitive 300 field – Image by TBG
“I wasn’t an aggressive rider and if someone showed me the front wheel I’d let them have it, just because I wasn’t used to racing in such a competitive class. Now that we are used to it I’ve definitely gotten a lot more aggressive with my riding style and everything else, and I think I’ve grown a lot as a rider since being in the production class. Jumping off the Moto3 and onto the production bike was definitely the best decision I’ve ever made in my whole career. I just wish, knowing what I know now, I just wish I did it a lot sooner, instead of wasting my money on the Moto3. I could have just been developing the production class a year earlier.”
MCNews.com.au: So what has that done to your tenacity level?
“Tayla Relph: It’s definitely made me a lot more aggressive as a rider, but that’s really the only way you can get a podium in the 300 class. If you’re aggressive and you get your elbows out and pretty much show no mercy out on track, you can’t have any friends when you’re out there.
“Obviously all the moves have to be safe, but you have to have a lot of confidence in yourself and your own ability, as well as your bike, which I think that’s something we can take as a positive for this year. I have already on my first day on the Kawasaki, I have a lot more confidence on the bike, just from riding it for two days, than I ever did from the R3 for the whole year.”
Tayla Relph – Morgan Park 2018 – Image by TBG
MCNews.com.au: On the other side of the coin, you’re a lady in the field, you’re getting more aggressive, how much has the respect for you gone up on the track?
Tayla Relph: “I’ve been racing in the ASBK field for quite some time and I’ve always just set out not to be known as a female out on track. I just want everyone to be the same and that’s what I love most about racing, they don’t treat me any differently. They’ll do just as much of an aggressive move on me as they will on everyone else, if not even more aggressive, as no one really wants a female beating them *laughs*.
“It’s hard to say though, I don’t know what it’s like to be on the other end though, but I’ll always be an aggressive rider, because obviously I want to be on a podium just as much as the next guy.”
2019 ASBK Calendar
Official ASBK Test – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC February 2 – 3
Round 1- WSBK – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC February 21 – 24
Round 2- Wakefield Park Raceway – Goulburn NSW March 22 – 24
Round 3- The Bend Motorsport Park – Tailem Bend, SA April 26 – 28
Round 4- Morgan Park Raceway – Warwick, QLD July 5 – 7
Round 5- Winton Motor Raceway – Benalla, VIC September 6 – 8
Round 6- Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC October 4 – 6
Round 7- Sydney Motorsport Park – Eastern Creek, NSW November 1 – 3
Febvre and Seewer to pilot Yamaha YZ450FM this season.
Image: Supplied.
Yamaha has unveiled its look for the 2019 MXGP World Championship, launching both the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MXGP and Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha MXGP squads.
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing MXGP will field former world champion Romain Febvre – his fourth year with the outfit – and newcomer Jeremy Seewer, with the duo both piloting the YZ450FM.
Strengthening Yamaha’s 2019 efforts, Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha MXGP has retained Arnaud Tonus for a third season. In addition, the team has welcomed a familiar name back to the Yamaha damily in the form of Gautier Paulin.
“I feel we have a very strong line up in MXGP this season,” said Yamaha Motor Europe MX racing manager Erik Eggens. “This year Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP will have Romain Febvre and Jeremy Seewer under the awning. We drafted Jeremy into the factory team because I saw some great potential last year with the Wilvo team in terms of his determination, motivation and consistency, so I felt he deserved the opportunity to compete on the YZ450FM alongside Romain.
“And of course Romain is a rider that I think has the speed to win races. This year he is going into the new season following a fantastic winter. He missed some races at the end of last year and took the time required to recover fully, which he has done and I believe that he will come back even stronger than before.
“We are confident we will see some excellent racing from both Romain and Jeremy, and also from our Official MXGP team, Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha MXGP who also have a fantastic line up with Gautier Paulin and Arnaud Tonus. Both Gautier and Arnaud have an enormous amount of potential. Both riders look very comfortable on the YZ450F and have had a great off-season with everything going to plan thus far.”
The opening round of the 2019 MXGP World Championship is scheduled for 3 March at Neuquen in Patagonia Argentina.
Link International brands strengthen support of Superbike series.
Image: Foremost Media.
The Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) has announced Motul and Pirelli will become naming rights partners of the series for the 2019 season.
Link International, the Australian distributor of the two brands, has bolstered its backing of the ever-growing series in which it’s initially backed from 2015, while also further strengthening its support of motorcycle sport in the country as it holds the naming rights to the Pirelli MX Nationals – Australia’s premier motocross championship.
“The 2019 Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship promises to be one of the biggest and best seasons yet, and we are proud to have supported the series through its recent growth to become an internationally recognised brand within the motorcycle racing community,” said Link International CEO Brenden Stoeckert.
“Both Motul and Pirelli are brands associated with excellence, passion, and technology. The ASBK is a perfect fit to help us tell the story of these brands to motorcyclists across Australia. We can’t wait to bring this racing spirit to the ASBK once again in 2019.”
Motorcycling Australia CEO Peter Doyle added: “We are proud to announce the new partnership between MA, Motul and Pirelli. Motul and Pirelli have supported the ASBK for a number of years now, and it’s fantastic to have their increased participation in 2019.
“The fact that they have moved into the naming rights sponsor’s role really speaks to their commitment to the ASBK, and we thank them for enabling us to continue to grow the championship.”
The opening round of the ASBK is scheduled for 21-24 February at Phillip Island in Victoria, which will run in conjunction with the FIM Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) opener.
Honda have announced the new 2019 CRF250F arrives this month at a competitive MLP of $6,499. The affordable and realiable trail bike is nower powered by an all-new 250cc four-valve SOHC long-stroke; air-cooled engine with Keihin electronically controlled fuel injection.
2019 Honda CRF250F – Arriving for $6,499 MLP
The mass-centralisation philosophy of the next generation CRF MX line up has been carried over to the new CRF250F, with the muffler positioned closer to the centre of mass. The aims to provide riders with a lighter feel, intuitive responsiveness, and confidence-inspiring handling, especially on corner entrances, making for a great learning platform while also providing capability that many riders will never outgrow.
Mass centralisation ensures an easy and responsive ride
Pro-Link rear suspension system puts the smooth power to the ground and the Showa 41mm fork works with the new frame’s steering geometry provide maximum front-wheel traction.
Pro-Link suspension joins Showa forks
Braking is handled with new petal-style rotors for improved modulation, heat transfer and mud clearing and the CRF race-inspired aggressive, compact bodywork allows improved rider/machine interface.
Boasting Honda reliability, the CRF250F is designed to suit a wide range of riders
The 6L steel fuel tank contains an internal fuel pump with a reserve level sensor; a bar-mounted “low fuel” indicator light means no more reaching down to switch the tank’s petcock to reserve.
For those after the safety of a real motorcycle jacket, in a stylish yet casual cut, the Ixon Camden offers the ideal solution, not looking like a riding jacket, but boasting a waterproof membrane and CE Level 2 armour.
Ixon Camden Jacket – Khaki
Looking more like a softshell casual jacket, the Camden is completely CE approved, giving you the assurance that it has been built to protect you while remaining discreet about it.
Waterproof, breathable, flexible and comfortable, the Camden pushes the boundaries of motorcycle style and safety combined, with features like reflective stripes, cord tighteners are the cuffs and bottom and plenty of pockets.
Ixon Camden Jacket – Khaki
The Ixon Camden is available for $299.95 RRP, in Navy and Khaki colour options, in sizes Small through to 3XL. See your local Ixon stockist, or see www.ficeda.com.au (link).
Ixon Camden Jacket features
Waterproof and breathable Drymesh fixed membrane
Softshell outer material
Retractable reflective stripes
High zipped collar
Knitted cuffs with cord tightening + stopper
Knitted bottom with cord tightening + stopper
Two external pockets, three internal pockets, one waterproof wallet pocket
Motorcycles may soon be coming to the rescue of crash victims and broken-down vehicles on tollways around Australia to keep traffic moving.
It follows the Australian-first trial of a motorbike response crew on the Logan and Gateway motorways in Brisbane.
The trial is being run by Queensland tollway company Linkt, which is owned by Transurban that also operates CityLink in Melbourne and six tollways in Sydney.
Trial results
Trial results are expected in mid-2019.If it is deemed a success, it may be expanded to other cities.
“As part of an Australian-first trial, experienced motorbike responders will get to breakdowns and incidents sooner, providing much needed assistance to affected motorists during periods of high congestion, and helping to keep traffic moving,” Linkt says.
What makes motorcycles quicker to respond is their ability to legally filter through slow or stationary traffic.
So motorists will have another reason to be grateful for more motorcycles on our roads!
Motorcycle paramedics have been used in other states before, but this is the first by a private tollway company.
Linkt say their motorbike response crews are first-aid trained and equipped with “fuel, water, jump kits, and more”.
Logan Motorway
Trial crew
Incident Response Supervisor Paul Hillman, who is an ex-paramedic and part of the motorcycle trial, says the crew have more than 20 years’ motorcycle experience.
“To ensure their safety, motorcycles will only be deployed during daylight hours, during peak times and when incidents result in congestion,” he says.
“Breaking down on the motorway can be a very scary experience for people, so when we arrive on the scene to provide assistance, they are very grateful.”
Linkt say they respond to about 1000 traffic incidents each month across Transurban’s roads inBrisbane, including breakdowns, out-of-fuel and debris clean-up.
“Research has shown that the rate of crashes on Brisbane’s toll roads is 53% lower thanon similar roads,” they say.
Keeping traffic moving
Transurban Queensland General Manager Operations David McLoughlin says their incident response fleet is the largest in Australia with four trucks fitted with crash cushions, two tow trucks and four utes.
“Since 2017, our average incident response times on these motorways has reduced to just over eight minutes and we expect this trial will result in further benefits for motorists,” he says.
“To ensure the highest safety standards are met throughout the trial, we have been collaborating closely with Queensland Police, who currently use motorcycles as part of their own fleet.”
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