A PICTURE PART IN THE NETHERLANDS MOTORCYCLE SHOW

It’s great to know you can still be part of a community even when you're very far away--as is the case with this online image used on the website of the 2008 Dutch motorcycle show the “MotorBeurs”. This picture specifically assigned under their online "nieuwsbrief" (newsletter) sign up section. Yes it's an action shot taken of me on my Ten Kate Honda 600, on TT Circuit Assen (of course) when I first picked up the bike. I was testing it during a track day held by one of the Dutch magazines — a sponsor I believe of this very MotorBeurs. Hence the temporary race number over my "55" plate. Each year I looked forward to the Motorbeurs and enjoyed working with the organizers of the country’s largest show. The RaceGirl stand was a fun place for women to visit and hang out at; playing host to many visitors that to this day remain rider friends. I can’t help but feel “home sick” when remembering these great times and comradeship's -- and feel proud to still be a part of the MotorBeurs, even if only in a small photograph.

SCOOTERS TODAY ARE NOTHING TO LAUGH AT–SMILES GUARANTEED!

Each time I mention to riders or non riders that I have a scooter (KYMCO 150cc Bet & Win) people smile or chuckle aloud—as if to say “yeah right”. They’re thinking, how could this former European race competitor, track coaching instructor, 2stroke jump loving off road enthusiast ride a scooter? My goodness many are not well informed when it comes to the thrills of “scooter” riding. The scooter has come a long way since the first step through “Skootamoto” created in 1919, British engineer Granville Bradshaw (even though the very first motorcycle was a step through --“step through" a scooter defining characteristic). We live in an era where scooters are now high on performance, diverse in use, fun, affordable, “green” and easy to enjoy.

Scooter’s engine capacities range from 50cc to 500cc even 850cc—KYMCO’S new 500cc Xciting (appropriately named!) even has ABS. Apparently latest terminology states anything above a 250cc is a “maxi-scooter”--not certain I agree because my KYMCO 150cc will do 120km/h—more than maxi-mum speed limit in most North American cities. There are scooters for touring, for the city, for performance and even for racing—view the YouTube videos I’ve linked here below showing scooter racing—you’ll love em!

A world that daily bestows upon us breakthroughs in technology-- scooters have not been overlooked continuing to make leaps and bounds into our motorcycling cultures. Oh --- what’s that you say? They're not potent (macho) enough? Not cool enough? I suppose there’s that too--the stigma or better yet perception of being less of a rider if on a scooter—well, another old fashioned measure. And consider if you are in Italy or Paris--you'll be considered the hippest of hip on your scooter. Got a scooter, you got "in”. And you should see how the likes of Valentino Rossi handles his scooter or Giancarlo Falappa who rode me all through one British Brands Hatch World Superbike (WSBK) paddock/pits (he’s aggressive!) parking outside Ducati Italy hospitality to enjoy lunch. Super fun!

Personally, my scooter is a most pleasurable add-on to my motorcycling wardrobe —my sportbike for the street or track, my off road bike for the dirt/trails, my KYMCO for urban riding or when on some racetrack for track side transport.

Perhaps we can liken this to our [vast] variety of shoes--runners for fitness, hiking boots for the outback, strappy sandals for the yacht, knee-high boot with a skirt, stilettos for the nightclub and so on.

Motorcycling comes in so many pleasurable variations and a scooter (scoot: "to go suddenly and speedily; hurry) is an extended, must have (must do) form of this activity--motorcycling.

Riding a scooter doesn't mean replacing a [typical] motorcycle and for millions it's all they ever want.

View the scooter race Video one /Video two

COLOURS OF THE NIGHT--GP RACING IN QATAR

Very special weekend this one not only because it’s race one of the exciting MOTOGP season (!!) – it’s the first ever night race, a Grand Prix historic happening making this performance the first of its kind.

This history making illumination is powered by over 5 million watts of electricity representing the largest permanent sports lighting system in the world!
Qatar’s 5.380 km (3.343) mile circuit has been lighting the laps of the past two nights testing and yesterday's first qualification practices.

The race on Sunday will be exciting to watch no doubt.

The lights have presented new challenges to the riders, the teams and of course television crews and photographers—at least the atrocious heat of the desert won’t be a challenging factor this time for both rider and tire wear.
Enjoy the photos that were sent by Dutch Molenaar Racing / De Graaf Racing Team press release. Owner Arie Molenaar, a terrific fellow--I've had the chance to know him and better yet observe his team in action within the paddock/pits especially when MOTOGP was in town for its Assen venue and during Sachsenring MotoGP's. Molenaar was the same team Katja Poensgen raced on before retiring from racing.
The shots are of two of their three team riders 125cc riders Hugo van den Berg (NL) and Steve Bonsey (USA).

Cool like a fridge—wouldn't you say? Ah, the colours of the night!
**It seems Casey Stoner is back in the lead setting best lap times during practices!