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

World Superbike Assen Memories

This weekend Dutch TT Circuit Assen plays host to 2007 race 5 of the World Superbike series. Normally, usually, I'm witnessing the phenomenon personally, live from the pit lane, or the starting grid mingling amidst the worlds best Superbike riders. In fact when I attended in 1999, I was a guest of then Ducati Press Officer Michele Morisetti (who photographed me that year during Int. Ducati Club races, for limited edition Ducati book via Italy!) in the pit box of 'King' Carl Fogerty and Troy Corser, yes I go back that far! In years to follow, I achieved my own status and ability through my company RaceGirl Motorsport where I had access to the press rooms, corporate hospitality VIP rooms (Honda, Ducati) pit lane and press office immediate following the race. It was so special and always exciting. Hanging out with the worlds best sports writers in the press room was equally exciting--these people knew how to watch motorcycle racing, what to look for and shared their years and years of knowledge/statistics on each rider, team and manufacturer. I always learned far more than any book could divulge and in less time.

Now, in Canada, I watch the race 24 to 48 hours later from an unrealistic distance. As I observe a melancholy mood overtakes me because there is nothing comparable to being there especially when you HAVE been and in the fortunate capacity I was. By this time and date I would have already enjoyed a couple lunches in Ducati's hospitality tent and several personal paddock tours (usually on his paddock scooter) with Giancarlo Falappa "The Lion", Ducati's honorary and renowned racer. We were introduced in 1999 and every WSB from then on, he would send me SMS messages about one week prior to check on my avail and confirm my attendance. I'll never forget the time he wanted to arrive early in Amsterdam and park his RV in my very narrow Dutch parking lot--funny! Even when I was in Brands Hatch and Sachsenring, we' d meet up--wonderful times.

When I partnered with Ten Kate, I also had opportunities to hang out and observe data logging techniques with the team, chat with Karl Muggeridge and enjoy Honda hospitality with the friendly Honda Europe team--yes I know, wonderful.

The first time I experienced the official World Superbike starting grid, actually being on it, was back in 2000 when invited to assist former Dutch GP500 racer Maarten Duyzers as he competed in WSB upon winning a WILDCARD. I had no idea at that time who was who other than Foggy and Corser really. I'd never payed any attention to motorcycle racing until I started to do it myself. Walking next to Frankie Chile, Bayliss meant very little to me. Thank goodness my buddy Dave Goebertus produced a memoir photo book for us -- it was special. It did rain, it most always rains in Assen. Here two pics above on race day from the grid, the back of start/finish. Maarten did a great job and qualified which is what most Wild Card riders can but hope to do. Consider then Maarten was +/-46 years of age, a wonderful achievement when you consider the other contenders were half his age.

Now, this weekend, 2007, my very dear friend young 24 years of age Ghisbert van Ginhoven is racing on his well deserved Supersport WILD CARD -- on his Ducati 749. This is a Ducati family. His father, Ab van Ginhoven has also lived a life amidst motorcycling--my dearest of dear friends, has been sending me progress SMS messages since practise started on Thursday. He has qualified and is doing great. I know Ghis well and I know he'll save his best performance for tomorrow -- just like Rossi does.
Here's a pic of the WILD CARD riders which include Dutch Barry Veneman en Arie Vos and red arrow pointing out Ghis.

I can't find any WSB on the Canadian Speed channel, so might have to miss it all together -- bit pathetic motorcycle racing here in Canada. So tomorrow Sunday, my spirit will be in Assen. I 'll imagine the many motorcycling, manufacturer, racer, rider friends, hanging out talking racing, viewing racing -- the Assen sounds, the excitement of race finishes. Me, I'll be heading out for a ride on my Ducati 1098S and celebrate Superbikes the best way I can, from this side of the globe -- riding one.
**Special acknowledgements and thanks to Willem Lute, Press Officer TT Circuit Assen for promoting and supporting RaceGirl ensuring/assisting accreditation.