News Items
BLACKBURNS SUPPLY ALUMINIUM FOR CIRCUMNAVIGATION RECORD ATTEMPT
ALAN PRIDDY'S PROJECT STARTS HERE
Monday 4th April saw Alan Priddy and his team take the first steps towards the construction of a unique design of powerboat for their world circumnavigation record attempt. Incorporating several naval architectural technologies based on sail boats, wave piercing powerboats and rigid hull inflatable boats, the craft is designed to ‘smash’ beyond reach the current world record of 60 days 23 hrs to a sub 50 day circumnavigation record.
This unique craft is to be named ‘Good Heart’ at the request of a world recognised sponsor currently waiting in the wings. After the record attempt it will then go around the world once again, but at a more leisurely pace, delivering a heart saving message.
However there is a great amount of work to do before these plans can be realised. In the good old days trees were cut and keels laid. Now in the 21st century fast boats are built somewhat differently. So, the build start to the whole project commenced with the delivery of the first batch of marine grade aluminium sheets for the construction of the craft.
Experts in the supply of high quality marine grade Aluminium, Blackburns Metals has stepped in to help the team by providing the specialist materials for the construction. Karl Weston, the managing director of Blackburns Metals and a keen sailor himself, presented Alan with the delivery notes for the first batch of materials and signed the agreement for the continual supply during the construction phase.
Alan and the team acknowledged the help and support provided by Blackburns Metals and eagerly took delivery of the aluminium stock.
British RIB Club (BIBOA) member Andy Micklewright and his brother Stuart who own Micklewrights Structures are contracted to build ‘Good Heart’. The Micklewrights have extensive expertise in the design, manufacture and erection of all types of structural steel work and have completed several rigid hull inflatable boats in aluminium.
BLACKBURNS SUPPLY THE ALUMINIUM FOR THE WORLD'S FASTEST SUPERBOAT, WHICH IS TO BE BUILT IN THE WEST MIDLANDS
Back in the day, the ceremony was about laying the keel. In the 21st century it’s about collecting the aluminum! However, the moment is no less significant.
On Monday April 4th, Alan Priddy and the team he has selected for an attempt on the world circumnavigation record, will be taking the first steps in the build of their revolutionary new boat. Built entirely to Lloyds specifications, the design is 80’ long, 16’ wide, has an estimated top speed of over 45 knots and a range of 5000 nautical miles.
It’s not just the design that’s cutting edge but the build process will be breaking new boundaries as well. Forget welding pieces together to create the shape of the hull, this build will be about creating a frame and then shaping a single plate around it – minimising the build time, cutting down on welding and creating an incredibly strong and elegant design.
It does though require an enormous plate of aluminium and Blackburns Metals, one of Europe’s leading suppliers, have been selected to provide it. The morning will begin at their offices with a brief outline of the project and the design, followed by a short ceremony to sign the handover documents and load the plate onto the lorry for its 4 mile journey to where the boat is to be built.
The build team will consist of Alan Priddy and his team (including Jan Falkowski and Clive Tully from Alan's previous record-breaking trips and British Powerboat Champion, Shelley Jorey-Leigh) and Micklewrights Structures Ltd. Micklewrights may be best known as fabricators of metal buildings but this means their metal-working skills are second to none. They have been chosen to assist in the build because of their outstanding responses to any technical questions put to them.
The build process will be a collaborative one between the skilled metal workers at Micklewrights and the circumnavigation team who have a wealth of long-distance powerboating and yachting experience behind them. That experience has shown them exactly what works and what doesn’t and all that knowledge is being put into this build. Also supporting the project are a number of marine industry leading companies who will all be supplying their relevant expertise.
BLACKBURNS CELEBRATE 100 YEARS!
COIL AND PLATE EXPANDS
Coil and Plate business expands with move to 38,000 sq ft unit on the Pensnett Estate. The move will create 55 new manufacturing jobs at Kingswinford and give Blackburns the abilty to process aluminium, stainless steel and other metals under one roof.
Blackburns Coil Centre - Kingswinford location map
Blackburns Plate Centre - Kingswinford location map
BCP TRAFFIC HAS 12 YEAR GUARANTEE
Please email Guy Hammond for further information.
BCP TRAFFIC BECOMES THE FAVOURED ACM FOR ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS
BCP Traffic conforms to EN 12899-1:2001 Part 1 and 5, and has recently undergone accelerated salt tests, during which no de-lamination occurred confirming the products 12 year warranty.
BLACKBURNS LAUNCH EXPORT DEPT
With the growing demand from outside of the UK for marine and sign products, Blackburns have launched its Marketing and Export Department, please email Blackburns Export.
WIDER RANGE OF OFF THE SHELF 5083 CAST BLOCK THICKNESSES NOW AVAILABLE
Blackburns Metals is pleased to announce Cast 5083 Block is now being stocked at our plate centre in the following thicknesses:
30mm, 40mm, 50mm, 60mm, 70mm, 80mm, 100mm, 120mm, 130mm, 150mm, 180mm, 200mm, 230mm, 250mm, 300mm, 350mm and 400mm.
We also stock 6082 rolled commercial plate from 3mm to 304mm, 5083 commercial rolled plate from 3mm to 152.4mm and Alumec 79 and 89 Mould tool plate and Mic 6 cast machined tooling plate. Click Alumec 79, 89, Cast 5083 Thickness chart or 6082, Rolled 5083, Mic 6 Thickness chart for the full range of sizes available in each grade.
We offer a next day service on cut to size orders and can offer tight cutting tolerances of -0mm/+1mm on thicknesses up to 152.4mm.
If you have any requirements please contact me on one of the following:
t. 01384 282 360
f. 01384 298 227
e. Blackburns Plate Centre
BCP TRAFFIC ENDORSED BY ALL
BCP Traffic endorsed by all the major reflective sheeting manufacturers...
3M and Rennicks have both tested BCP Traffic and warrant the reflective sheeting adhered to BCP Traffic.
BLACKBURNS MARINE BROCHURE
Available NOW, please email to request a copy.
BLACKBURNS METALS CONTINUES TO EXPAND
Blackburns Metals, leading Aluminium and Stainless Steel stockholders are delighted to announce further expansion of their business with the relocation of their Central distribution, Sign manufacturing and Export operation to the Pensnett Estate at Kingswinford.
Managing Director Karl Weston said ‘the relocation to the Pensnett Estate gives us yet another platform for growth. We have relocated two other Blackburns Service Centres to the estate recently and both have been very successful. It is therefore a logical step to build on that success’.
The move will provide Blackburns Metals with room for expansion and new jobs will be created as they expand the product range.
BCP TRAFFIC CONTAINS MORE ALUMINIUM
BCP Traffic contains more aluminium per square metre than alternative ACMs targeted at the traffic market...
BCP traffic has been designed specifically for road traffic sign manufacture with 0.5mm aluminium skins as opposed to 0.3mm usually found in alternative ACMs, which provides greater rigidity, whilst retaining all of the advantages and weight savings of traditional composites
BLACKBURNS INTRODUCE CAST ACRYLIC SHEET
The current lifestyle fascination with high gloss is quite literally reflected in the wide range of Blackburns A-Cast® Acrylic colours and finishes available.
Blackburns A-Cast® Acrylic is the perfect material for designers looking to create a visual impact for a product, company or brand. Offering both form and function for applications across a number of sectors, and is a principal product for signage, point-of-sale and the shopfitting industries.
Blackburns A-Cast® Acrylic has been produced in over 3,000 colours and is available in a wide range of special finishes and effects. While clear, white and opals remain a staple across all sectors, continents and cultures.
For further details view the Blackburns A-Cast Acrylic PDF, or email signs@blackburnsmetals.com
HEALTH & SAFETY MANAGERS SON MAKES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011...
News from the 4x(fourcross) Qualifying Session in Champery...
Scott had a good practice hitting all his lines and was riding well but in the timed qualification race he hit a rock and went over his handlebars - finishing 3rd from last! - Not what we were hoping for at all.
What is 4x(fourcross)...
Heats are in knockout format - 4 riders start with the top 2 going through to the next round. The riders race each other down a track made of berms, jumps and rocks. Qualifying order is really important because it gives you gate choice for each heat.
Click here to visit the official website for the event...
BCP TRAFFIC EXCELS IN SALT EMERSION TESTS
Despite scurrilous claims by an alternative ACM manufacturer, BCP Traffic has surpassed the requirements of BS EN ISO 9227:2006 which is an accelerated salt emersion test. Full results can be obtained by emailing Blackburns Signs.
BLACKBURNS ACRYLIC SHEET AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER
Blackburns are launching a range of Acrylic sheet in September, click here to register interest....
BEN BARKER NEWS UPDATE - MAY 2011
The Season is now well underway and I am pleased to say that I am in really good form. The pre season was encouraging and I felt very fit and focused and had great expectations for the season. In addition I was pleased to welcome my new mechanic Rob Painter to the team. Rob has a wealth of experience working with Jason Crump and Nikki Pederson. So with a good team, good sponsors and partners and good equipment we had every right to feel confident. As you know I am riding in the UK for Plymouth in the premier league and Birmingham in the Sky Sports Elite league. I have also featured in a number of individual events at the start of the season. The specifics of my performance for the season to date are as follows:
Individual meetings - I finished 2nd to Hans Anderson in the traditional season opening meeting in support of the speedway riders benevolent fund. This provided a good platform for the season and I was especially please with a last lap pass on Chris Harris to finish on the podium. Most recently I also finished on the podium in 2nd place in the British championship semi final at Sheffield and now look forward to a place in the final on June 6th live on Sky.
Premier league meetings - I have started really well riding at number one for Plymouth Devils. The team are struggling in totality and we certainly need to improve, however the consolation is that I have been scoring heavily and out performing my starting average of 9.5 points. My lowest score in the premier league meetings to date is 10 points and I have surpassed this in every other meeting by scoring 12, 13, 15 and 17 point hauls. My first unbeaten maximum score came in the meeting against Workington on 20th May. In addition I have broken the track records this season at Glasgow and Plymouth.
Sky Sports Elite league meetings - The elite league is very strong this year with Grand Prix stars, Chris Harris, Kenneth Biere, Nikki Pederson, Emil Sayfutdinov and others featuring. I had a nervous start to the campaign with a poor score in the televised meeting against Poole Pirates, indeed crashing twice. Despite this I knew we were in good shape and encouragingly the bikes were very fast. However since then I have been in excellent form. I started the season on an average of just below 6 points. Listed below are the meeting and scores for all of the Elite league campaign to date.
| Opponents | Home/Away | Paid points |
| Poole | Home | 2 |
| Eastbourne | Away | 6 |
| Lakeside | Home | 9 |
| Coventry | Away | 9 |
| Swindon | Away | 10 |
| Swindon | Home | 8 |
| King Lynn | Home | 15 |
| Coventry | Home | 16 |
In addition I have been a regular in heat 15, the nominated riders race for Birmingham and an ever present in heat 15 for Plymouth.
Forthcoming events and meetings
Having finished second in the British Championship semi final I now look forward to the final on 6th June live on Sky Sports. A good showing here could result in a wild card entry for the British Grand Prix at the Millennium stadium in June in front of 50,000 fans.
I am delighted to confirm that I have been named in the British team for a international test series against the strong Australian team on June 1st, 2nd and 3rd. I hope a good showing in the test series will result in a place in the British speedway world cup team. Also as a result of my 3rd place in the 2010 British championship I have gained entry into this years Grand Prix qualification meetings. My first meeting is in Italy on 18th June. A top 8 finish in 2 initial qualifying rounds and a podium finish in the final will see me win a place in the prestigious 2012 FIM Grand Prix series. As you know I am very ambitious and my ultimate aim is to participate in the Grand Prix series and become world champion. This year may be a little early but you can be sure the team will be giving everything to the cause.
Other information
I had an accident in my third race at Swindon on 21st April. I sustained a broken hand. However needs must and I have been riding through the injury since with the support on the Birmingham team Physiotherapist and a great deal of bandaging and gritted teeth. Visit the Birmingham Brummies website to keep up to speed with our activity.
By navigating the website you will be able to see some great photographs and keep up to speed with our progress. In addition there is a link to the Birmingham Mail and there are some very good articles to read. I have included one such article from this publication.
Speedway: Birmingham 51 Coventry 39
By Nigel Pearson May 13 2011
BIRMINGHAM star Ben Barker came back to haunt his old club as the Brummies took the local derby honours at Perry Barr last night – and all three points from the meeting.
Barker, a Coventry man for the last three seasons, put in one of his best-ever Elite League displays and was instrumental in almost all that was good about this Birmingham performance.
With good support from guests Rory Schlein and Dennis Andersson in particular, it was a fine night for the home side and one which emphasized their growing confidence in the top flight.
A big crowd at Perry Barr enjoyed a highly competitive meeting, and it was the Brummies who took the early advantage with back-to-back 5-1s in Heats 2 and 3, both involving guest Andersson.
Barker was clearly out to impress against his parent club, and having partnered Andersson to maximum points in his first ride he superbly defeated Chris Harris in Heat 5.
At that point the home side led by eight points, but Coventry gradually found their set-ups and halved the gap in Heat 7 when Claus Vissing crashed, and Ryan Fisher and Kenni Larsen took maximum points in the re-run.
Bees skipper Edward Kennett won both Heats 8 and 9, although his late passing move on Barker in the latter didn’t exactly endear himself to the home fans, so with the gap down to two points the match seemed to be building up to a tense finale.
But Barker and Andersson took a grip of the closing stages, first by closing out Fisher in Heat 12 and then carding maximum points once again two races later ahead of Larsen.
That put them into an unassailable lead, because in the intervening race Schlein had come up with arguably the move of the night to get the better of Harris on the run to the line, after the Coventry man had gone from third to first earlier in the race.
BIRMINGHAM 51: Ben Barker 15+1, Rory Schlein 12+1, Dennis Andersson 10+2, Daniel Nermark 9, Ales Dryml 3+1, Claus Vissing 2+1, Daniel King r/r.
COVENTRY 39: Edward Kennett 10+1, Chris Harris 10, Kenni Larsen 9, Ryan Fisher 4+2, Richard Sweetman 4+1, Nick Morris 2, Przemyslaw Pawlicki r/r.
and finally...
Thank you for your continued support and feel free to call me at any time to keep up to speed or if you would like to attend any of my scheduled meetings as my guest. My telephone number remains 07545 005620. I will produce and circulate a further update in June.
Thank you
Ben
