News

Triumph To Attempt To Break Motorbike Land Speed Record

triumph Triumph Motorcycles, whose bikes have held numerous land speed records over the years, is to attempt to break the record that currently stands at 376.363 mph set by Rocky Robinson in 2010. One of Triumph’s specially designed bikes will compete in the Division C (streamlined motorcycle) category at the Bonneville Salt Flats in the USA between the 24th to 27th August 2015.

The motorbike in question is the 2015 Triumph Rocket Streamliner. It is constructed using carbon Kevlar monocoque. It is certainly a sizeable vehicle being 25.5 ft in length. It is powered by a couple of Triumph Rocket 111 turbocharged engines that use methanol fuel and are capable of collectively producing 1,000 bhp at 9,000 rpm.

They have enrolled the services of Guy Martin (33) to ride the bike who is an experienced racer of motorbikes having competed in events such as the Isle of Man TT and North West 200 races. He has also built up a reputation as a TV presenter having featured in a number of documentaries.

Triumph Motorcycles has been in existence in the UK since 1902 when it manufactured its first motorbike with a 2.2hp engine. By 1927, it was employing 3,000 staff and producing 30,000 motorcycles each year. It provided thousands of bikes to the military in both World Wars. Marlon Brando road one of its motorbikes in the film The Wild One in 1954 – a Thunderbird 6T with a 650cc engine.

It was some 45 years ago that the land speed record was last retained by the UK. In fact, Triumph held the “World’s Fastest Motorcycle” record between 1955 to 1970, apart from a period of 33 days. A number of bikes held the record with the Gyronaut X1 reaching 245.667 mph.

The last testing of this high-powered motorbike is to take place in the middle of this month. Let us hope that all goes well for those involved in this record breaking attempt over a measured mile and that the land speed record is brought back to the UK by Triumph Motorcycles and Guy Martin.

WHAT A STAR!!!

Tears were shed today at Airsports Insurance Bureau’s Eastleigh office as we said goodbye to our amazing temp George Diaper (pictured with his first ever payslip!).

In just two weeks George has become a legend within the insurance industry. His signature stamp has been his variety of tea which include Ghost tea (tea so white it’s basically warm milk), Toffee (Tea with a strong hint of coffee) and half cup (you would need a ladder to find the tea).

George has sent many letters and emails to our clients, dealt with a busy post room including his enigma ‘the franking machine’ and I’m sure we will be looking for files he has filed for many weeks to come. Whilst doing all this he has also managed to keep a constant eye on the Ashes cricket match being played highlighting his ability to multitask.

The lack of George’s presence is going to leave a huge hole in the AIB team but all joking aside, George has added great value, been a constant pleasure and his positive, can-do attitude will be missed.

Well done George, good luck and thank you for your hard work.

Why Are So Many Luxury Cars Abandoned In Dubai?

If you have visited the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates you will no doubt be aware that it has a reputation for having a lot of high net worth individuals residing their. Over the years, a considerable number of people from the UK have also gone to work there for an extended period of time on extremely lucrative contracts.

Many live in up-market accommodation and also drive around in hugely expensive super-cars. These vehicles are often purchased with the assistance of some form of finance package with the repayments being comfortably affordable due to the large salary packages many of these expatriates are on.

However, with falling oil prices and the rising cost of living, a number of people have been unable to maintain their car repayments. Unfortunately for them, under the legal system in the UAE, if you are unable to keep up your repayments on the likes of a car loan, pay the minimum monthly payment on your credit card or if a cheque is returned unpaid that you have written out and there was insufficient funds in your bank account to cover the payment you could actually end up in prison because you are committing a criminal offence.

Apparently, rather than be faced with potentially having to spend a period of time behind bars, some expats are booking a flight out of Dubai airport with a view to never returning to the country. Upon arriving at the airport in their luxury car they just leave it in the car park gathering dust. After fifteen days, the abandoned vehicle is impounded by the police and, if the owner does not appear to claim it back, the car is sold for a knockdown price.

It is estimated that there are anything up to 3,000 executive cars impounded each year in Dubai that have been left to build up a light coating of sand of which there is plenty in the UAE.

The sorts of vehicles include your usual BMWs, Mercedes Benz and Audis but also the likes of Lamborghini, Maserati and Porsche plus a Ferrari Enzo valued at around a £1 million. Sad as the above situation is, it certainly presents an opportunity for those doing well in Dubai to get a luxury car for a fraction of its true value

Introducing Murray Johnston – Our Newest Team Member & Pompey Supporter

Airsports Insurance Bureau would like to formally introduce Murray Johnston, our latest new recruit, to our valued clients and insurer partners. Murray, who resides in Stubbington, has gained considerable experience within the insurance profession having previously spent in excess of 8 years working for a variety of Hampshire’s insurance brokers.
At AIB we pride ourselves on the quality of our staff and the professional relationships we are able to build with all parties. We encourage our team to reach their full potential and give them the tools and resources for a rewarding career in a satisfying but demanding environment. A delighted Murray commented:” I am really pleased that I have been successful and given the chance to work for AIB Insurance and I look forward to an enjoyable, long term career.”

On a lighter note, having said all the above, we have to be honest and admit that we have identified a flaw in our recruitment process that has only become apparent following Murray’s appointment. Regrettably, he is a lifetime Portsmouth Football Club fan and now finds himself significantly outnumbered by the majority of our employees who are proud supporters of Southampton FC. Who knows, we may be able to persuade him to switch his allegiance but, if not, let us hope that this does not hold Murray back as he looks to progress within the company!

Seriously though, we wholeheartedly welcome Murray on board and wish him every success with us. In our opinion, he will add value to our rapidly expanding team in our Eastleigh office.

This Bentley Is A Rare Find

Imagine being told that a classic sports car that has spent the last thirty years locked away in a barn in Surrey, that you think may only be worth £30,000, may actually fetch ten times that figure (£300,000) at auction. Well, that is just what has happened with a Bentley 4 ½ that was manufactured in 1929.

It is a rare vehicle with only 665 models being built around that period and was bought by the grandfather of the present owner in 1935. It has remained in the same family for 80 years and the current owner of the vehicle, who does not want to be named, used the car for such things as taking the family on holiday including using it to tow a caravan.

The vintage Bentley 4 ½ is going to be auctioned by Bonhams later in the year. When they saw the highly desirable vehicle in the barn they compared it to finding a Rembrandt. It was renowned for its high speed and acceleration.

It does require some work doing to it but it is believed to be in good condition so it shouldn’t take that much effort to have it up and running. Things like the gearbox, engine and chassis numbers are all still in place and the original trim in green leather and bodywork by HJ Mulliner should be able to be retained. Back in 1928, a Bentley 4 ½ won the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans race.

An additional 55 of these cars were built but had supercharged engines in them and were called the Blower Bentley. They can fetch many millions of pounds

Although this Bentley 4 1/2 has been given an estimated value of between £150,000 to £250,000 it would not surprise Bonhams if it were to achieve a sale price at auction exceeding £300,000.

The Bonhams Collectors’ Motor Cars and Motorcycle auction is to take place on the 5th September 2015 in Beaulieu, Hampshire – not that many miles from the office of AIB Insurance. You may be interested to read that these are just the sort of cars that we love to arrange insurance on so if you would like a quote for your classic car why not get in touch with us on 02380 268 351.

Wartime Motorbike With Machine Gun Being Sold

Classic Matchless motorbikes often fetch a good price but the following one is expected to go for considerably more than normal when it comes up for auction at Bonhams on Saturday 20th June 2015. The vehicle in question was one of 250 that were built by Matchless way back in 1917 with the intention of being used by the Russian army in World War 1.

Matchless built these motorcycles with sidecars here in the UK with a view to them being transported overseas where they would be fitted out by the Russian army with a machine gun. The machine gun would be operated by the passenger in the sidecar and could be fired in a variety of directions as they would have been fitted with an anti-aircraft machine gun mount making them extremely versatile.

However, Lenin withdrew his country from the war, the motorbike order was cancelled and the vehicles never left our shores back then as they were no longer required by the Russians. Instead, they were auctioned off for £68 each in 1918 to private individuals obviously without any weaponry attached to them.

Apparently, the first owner of this bike lived in Dorchester but the next thing that was known about its history was that it was purchased by Chris Roberts in 1998 when it was in excellent condition. He is keen on things to do with the First World War and is a member of the Great War Society. Mr Roberts spent some time in restoring the motorbike and sidecar fitting it out with a Vickers machine gun.

This is an extremely rare combination as there are only believed to be three motorbikes/sidecars fitted with machine guns left in the UK. Two of them are in museums and the third one is this one owned by Mr Roberts. Furthermore, it is believed to be the only Matchless one left.

Anyway, Mr Roberts has decided to sell the motorbike/sidecar/machine gun. When it comes up for auction, it is expected to go for anything between £25,000 to £30,000.

The Most Expensive Motor Home In The World

Let us say at the outset that the “eleMMent palazzo Superior” is not the sort of motor home that you are likely to find parked for the night at your average campsite here in the UK. With a brand new one retailing at over $3 million that is hardly surprising.

Marchi Mobile, who has its head office in Austria, manufactures the above “palace on wheels” that is 45 feet in length. It is reputably the most luxurious and expensive motor home in the world.

So, what do you get for your hard earned money? Well, needless to say, it has a striking design that will certainly turn the heads of all that see it. Many design features of motorsport, yachting and aviation have been included to produce an iconic vehicle. With the Volvo, 6 cylinder in-line engine and a total weight of 28 tons you won’t be disappointed with the 68 sqm/ 732 sqf living space.

Its body construction has incorporated 60+ mm thick walls providing superior insulation capable of coping with the weather conditions encountered in extreme off-road terrain. Yacht windows are used that feature chrome trim as well as indirect lighting. Carbon fibre is used in the construction of the cab that is best described as looking space age. The cockpit is equipped like that of a private jet and feels as luxurious as the most executive of cars.

The lounge has a sofa that can be adjusted electronically and comes with a table and a bar including a wine cabinet to store the most expensive wines you can buy. There is even an exterior top deck called the Sky Lounge providing panoramic views and it comes with an automatic sun canopy and floor heating. There are top of the range multimedia/audio and lighting systems. The kitchen comes with the likes of fridge, hob, icemaker, sink and cupboards manufactured to the highest standards. The master bedroom has, what is claimed to be, the most comfortable king size bed in the world with dressing table and TV. The cloakroom has a toilet and basin and there is a spa area next to the bedroom that has an experience rain shower that incorporates a light therapy function.

The eleMMent Palazzo Superior will no doubt prove particularly popular with discerning wealthy purchasers in the likes of Dubai and other affluent countries around the world. However, if anyone here in the UK intends to buy one, do get in touch with us here at AIB Insurance and we will gladly do our best to help you arrange to insure it. The team can be contacted on 02380 268351.

AIB Attends Simply Porsche Beaulieu Event

AIB Insurance was kindly asked to attend the Simply Porsche event that took place at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in the New Forest on Sunday 7th June 2015 by our good friends at 911uk.com where we joined them on their stand. The event was organized in association with The Independent Porsche Enthusiasts Club (TIPEC)

What a wonderful day it turned out to be for all concerned, made all the more enjoyable by some glorious sunny weather. It is estimated that over 700 Porsche’s were on display in the delightful grounds of Beaulieu with people coming from all over the country, making it one of the biggest Porsche events ever to be held in the UK.

There was such a huge array of different Porsche models from classic to modern cars to look over – all lovingly cared for by their proud owners. A number of them were on display at the 911uk.com stand such as a 997 Turbo, 997 GT3, 996 GT3, 996 Turbo, 993 GT recreation, 964 and a 3.2 Carrera.

This was the third annual Simply Porsche event to take place and, in addition to being able to look at many Porsche’s, there were a variety of trade stands selling accessories and parts specifically for the Porsche enthusiast. The event opened at 9.30am and, for those arriving in their Porsche’s, they were able to gain entry for the reduced price of £10 per adult and £5 per child. For this, you not only were able to view as many Porsche as you could get around, but you also had access to the National Motor Museum, the Abbey, Palace House and the exquisite grounds.

Here at AIB Insurance, we have to say that we found it particularly pleasing to meet a number of clients that we have been able to arrange bespoke Porsche car insurance for as well as view the cars themselves. Over the many years that we have been established, we have built up a reputation for arranging specialist insurance for the discerning motorist whether it is to cover a classic vehicle or a new model. In this respect, why not give us a call on 02380 268 351 and speak with one of our experienced team who will gladly obtain a no-obligation quotation on your behalf.

We hope to be present at next year’s event and meeting even more Porsche owners and their cherished vehicles.

Substantial Increase In The Value Of Coastal Homes

Research by the Halifax has revealed some interesting statistics about the price of properties in coastal towns in various locations around the UK. In the last 10 years, there has been a huge jump in average house prices in coastal towns resulting in an average monthly increase of in the region of £410. The average value of a home in a seaside town now stands at £208, 729 – that is a rise of 31% in the past decade.

The most expensive coastal town in which to purchase a property is Salcombe in Devon at an average price of £672,874. In the last 10 years, it saw the biggest rise in property prices – an increase of 69%. In second place is Sandbanks in Dorset with prices averaging £614,726. In third place is Aldeburgh in Suffolk with an average price of £413,393 – that is a considerable drop in price to those in first and second place. Lymington, on the edge of the New Forest and a mere 21 miles from our office, is in fourth place with prices averaging £404,781.

Ignoring the south of England that has the 10 most expensive seaside towns in the UK, it is Scotland that has the costliest coastal towns in the UK with £294, 586 being the price of an average property in St Andrews.

Interestingly, at the other extreme, in the UK, the cheapest coastal town is Port Bannatyne that is located on the Isle of Bute in Scotland where the average price of a home is only £73,539. In fact, 8 out of the 10 cheapest seaside properties are in Scottish towns yet it is Scotland that has witnessed the largest increase in seaside property prices over the past 10 years with an increase of 109% being seen in Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire to £132,920. In England, it is Newbiggin-by-the-Sea that is situated in Northumberland that is the cheapest where the average price of a home is £81,339.

There is no doubt an appeal for living by the seaside with wonderful views of the coast and fresh air to be enjoyed. Also, the south of England seems to attract the better weather in the UK. Could it be that a delightful place like Salcombe attracts people with money from London looking for a second home to be enjoyed on occasional weekends?

You may be interested to read that we have arranged buildings and contents insurance on many, many coastal properties in the south of England and can also provide cover for those properties in a flood risk area. So, why not get in touch with an experienced member of the team here at AIB Insurance on 02380 268 351 to discuss your requirements and obtain a no-obligation quotation.

Auto Express Best Cars To Own “Driver Power” 2015 Survey – The Results!

Many of you will have heard of Auto Express that provides reviews of cars and keeps its readers up to date with news from within the car industry. In fact, its magazine sells more per week than any of its competitors – it has in excess of 30,000 weekly subscribers.

With so many makes and models of cars on the roads these days, we are sure that you will agree that it can be difficult to decide which one to buy. Of course, everyone has different requirements and opinions when it comes to cars. A family car may appeal to someone that has a spouse and three young children in view of its size. A two-seater sports car may appeal to the young single executive.

Well, Auto Express has received car ratings from more than 61,000 drivers here in the UK with a view to identifying the top 200 cars to own in 2015 in order to produce their “Driver Power” survey. We are sure you will agree that is an awful lot of people to have taken part so it provides a meaningful assessment.

The following categories were rated by motorists about their cars: –

• Reliability
• Running Costs
• Practicality
• Build Quality
• Performance
• Ride Quality
• Seat Comfort
• In-Car Tech
• Road Handling
• Ease of Driving

So, without any further ado, let us have a look at the top ten “Best cars to own in 2015” together with their % rating: –

1. Lexus IS Mk1I1 93.96% (pictured above)
2. Skoda Yeti MkI 93.92%
3. Hyundai i10 MkII 93.59%
4. SEAT Leon MkIII 92.89%
5. Renault ZOE MkI 92.87%
6. Lexus NX MkI 92.58%
7. Jaguar XJ MkIV 92.46%
8. Nissan LEAF MkI 92.45%
9. MINI Hatch MkIII 92.27%
10. MG MG3 MkI 91.96%

The winning car – the Lexus IS, a premium brand vehicle, scored very well in all categories with the exception of practicality. It did best of all in: ease of driving, ride quality, reliability and build quality. In fact, Lexus models featured on 5 occasions in the top 20. Congratulations to them. It will be interesting to see if there is an increase in the sale of their range of vehicles.

The cars were also placed in classes i.e. family, sports and executive and the average ratings for each class are given below: –

I. Executive 88.73%
II. Off Road/SUV 87.94%
III. Compact Family 87.55%
IV. Family Car 87.54%
V. Compact Executive 87.39%
VI. Supermini 86.97%
VII. Sports Car 86.66%
VIII. MPV 86.47%

We trust that you have found the above to be informative and you can obtain further information about the survey at the following website; –

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/best-cars/driver-power/91218/best-cars-to-own-in-2015