What's the racing scene like

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 5:41 am

Pistol Pete at the Polini Cup 2009.

Tony Simoni crashing his P200:
<object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id= ... llscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id= ... llscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>

More race videos:
http://vimeo.com/user132437

As far as the scene, I really don't know much about it. I've seen both vintage and modern scoots being raced.

Here's the official page for the '09 Cup. As you see, the auto scooters raced are only up to 72cc!

http://www.polinitalkusa.com/poliniusacup.php

Many of the races are streamed on Moped TV. You can see some of the vids and get more race info here:
https://www.1977mopeds.com/blog/moped-racing/

cmac · Post by **cmac** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 5:47 am

Im no expert but from the looks of it the tire slid out from too much acceleration in the turn. Looked like he slowed down more than needed, hit the gas and the tire spun out while he was in the turn.

That thing looks pretty fast though. Lots a fun I bet!

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 6:10 am

Simoni is a pretty well known scooter tuner and rider. He's responsible for some crazy fast monster scooters, some of which have been featured in past issues of Scoot!

Check out: http://www.226vintage.com/index.php
One of his rides: http://www.226vintage.com/team.php?ride_id=6

I'd love to head up and check out the Cup next year! On my list of "scooter trips that probably aren;t going to happen in 2010."

Kaos · Post by **Kaos** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 2:42 pm

I've always wanted to go try that honestly. I race cars all the time, but have never gotten around to racing the scoot. I did get invited to go to the local Triumph club's track night next spring after I blew past a group of them on a local rural highway. They caught up to me, and have been inviting me to their events ever since

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:41 pm

Most track days are open, though they're expensive—over $100, I think at many.

Kaos · Post by **Kaos** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:47 pm

ericalm wrote:Most track days are open, though they're expensive—over $100, I think at many.

Wow, last I checked mine was only $50, with club affiliation discounts.

alienmeatsack · Post by **alienmeatsack** » Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:08 pm

Cost depends on the track and their fees, if you get a club discount, but there's also the wear and tear, gas and oil, tires, gear you will need. It adds up.

I used to open track my Honda at a local track many years ago and it was a blast. I was paying $55 + gas ($30ish) plus travel there and back, then the cost of my race tires. (I'd chew up a set in a few sessions)

At some point, when I have a nice project scoot, I'd love to track it too.

I assume that scooters have the same requirements as motorcycles at most tracks open tracking and assorted events, meaning you will need leathers with back bracing etc.

Here are my local tracks requirements for MC open tracking and racing events:

Motorcycle Requirements

Good Tires
No Fluid Leaks
Tape or Remove:
Turn Signals
Mirrors
Brake Light
Headlight
Rear Pegs

Rider's Gear

DOT approved helmet that is less than 5 years old and has not been crashed
Full leathers preferred
Two-piece leathers acceptable
Textile suit with armor acceptable
Back protector
Over-the-ankle boots
Gloves (that cover wrists)

It's about $100 a person, then $30 more if you are new for classroom instruction.

I'd assume bigger name tracks would be more.

bigbropgo · Post by **bigbropgo** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 1:24 am

http://www.scooter-racing.net/

Major Redneck · Post by **Major Redneck** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 2:34 am

after runin was done on my 50ccTGB MRP racer we wanted to take it to Charlotte Motor Speedway (soon to be former lowes motor sweedway) i live 5 miles from it,,, when i called they said they only had two days a year they let "anyone" ride the track $50 three (3) laps... i asked them about any scooter events and he said most events at the track cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to produce,,, but nothing he know of in the way of scooters and only a few big bike races a year...

Thanks for the heads up on the website http://www.scooter-racing.net/ is new being its still fall of 2009,,, its got to start somewere,,, i see that in the old world that scooter racing is very common and looks to be big buisness... im not so much into the drag racing part as the roadrace but would love to get into anything at this point...

bigbropgo · Post by **bigbropgo** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 4:14 am

Major Redneck wrote:after runin was done on my 50ccTGB MRP racer we wanted to take it to Charlotte Motor Speedway (soon to be former lowes motor sweedway) i live 5 miles from it,,, when i called they said they only had two days a year they let "anyone" ride the track $50 three (3) laps... i asked them about any scooter events and he said most events at the track cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to produce,,, but nothing he know of in the way of scooters and only a few big bike races a year...

Thanks for the heads up on the website http://www.scooter-racing.net/ is new being its still fall of 2009,,, its got to start somewere,,, i see that in the old world that scooter racing is very common and looks to be big buisness... im not so much into the drag racing part as the roadrace but would love to get into anything at this point...

i actually just registered today to check it out. if you have a minute check out any youtube vids from: streetbuzz, scooterattack or dssc. none in english but they have huge events. as much a rally as it is a race. they are kinda big into the drag racing though. seems all the track stuff is in asia. all looks like a ton of fun. in the uk at rallies they are about taking a piece of junk, putting a lot of time and money into it. they have very detailed paint and custom fabricated parts. and it created a story of who they are and where their love of riding started, all put into one show piece. the paint might be done by a shop but all the wrench time is at home. all ages participate, the old teach the new. in europe is seems to be the young pushing the market for racing. they buy a new scooter and gut the motor and drivetrain and do whatever it takes to produce every bit of power and tourque possible. nothing flashy in the way of paint in the race scene. they don't race the show scooters. asia doesn't seem to have a drag race circuit. all track over there. race scooters are lean and mean. the show scooters are huge flashy and ugly.

but all of this is about passion and way of life. the states want a scooter to be powerful, reliable and as cheap as dirt. if something breaks we don't want to know what is broken....just have the shop fix it. if you race a scooter i'm sure you have to tear it down after every race. we don't want to tune a 50cc. scooter we just start with a 150cc or bigger and complain about that. they have a whole culture and subculture i would love to experience someday.[/img]

Kaos · Post by **Kaos** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 3:24 pm

Yeah, I'm going to register over there when I get a sec.... I might actually have a valid excuse for all the modding I'm doing now

Now to get NASRA to run in Portland

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 2:23 am

http://pacificscooterracing.com/
Pacific North West Scooter Racing Association

Kaos · Post by **Kaos** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 4:37 am

ericalm wrote:http://pacificscooterracing.com/
Pacific North West Scooter Racing Association

How did I miss this?! This is in my home town!!!!

Wilson · Post by **Wilson** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 10:30 pm

Major Redneck!
Let me know when you wanna race on the Charlotte Track..

Here's a video I put together of a friend's charity ride.
Goto 1:15 for the track stuff...watch the Harley's go down low and get out of my way...yep, rockin the scoot into turn 4!

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9jcFq3o83S4&hl ... ram><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9jcFq3o83S4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:32 am

Kaos wrote:
ericalm wrote:http://pacificscooterracing.com/
Pacific North West Scooter Racing Association
How did I miss this?! This is in my home town!!!!

Kaos! You of all people didn't know about this??? Damn! Get out there and race man!!!! I figure finding out about this should be motivation enough for at least 3 or 4 new mods, right?

Kaos · Post by **Kaos** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 3:40 pm

Skootz Kabootz wrote:
Kaos wrote:
ericalm wrote:http://pacificscooterracing.com/
Pacific North West Scooter Racing Association
How did I miss this?! This is in my home town!!!!
Kaos! You of all people didn't know about this??? Damn! Get out there and race man!!!! I figure finding out about this should be motivation enough for at least 3 or 4 new mods, right?

Heck yeah, and worse still a local scooter shop owner races there and didn't TELL me about it! He knows I'm into that stuff!

scootergator · Post by **scootergator** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 3:41 am

I would love to see some scooter racing in the Gainesville area.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 11:47 pm

Kaos wrote:Heck yeah, and worse still a local scooter shop owner races there and didn't TELL me about it! He knows I'm into that stuff!

Exactly.

Post by **ericalm** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 12:19 am

I posted some Buddy and Blur racing pics in the Scooter Gallery section.

topic14326.html

Modern Buddy

What's the racing scene like

What's the racing scene like

North Florida