Under our Helmet

Motor-Scooter International Land-Speed Federation

Scooterists get serious about speed

Everyone knows scooters don’t go nearly as fast as motorcycles, and they knew they couldn't compete against these records.

The Southern California Timing Association, which hosts events at Bonneville and other venues, precludes two-wheelers with less than 15" wheels from participating. With no recognized sanctioning organization willing to accept motor-scooters into the fold, they decided to create their own organization, appoint their selves as the sanctioning organization of motor-scooter land-speed records, and get about the business of hosting the First Annual Motor-scooter Land-Speed Record Trials.

“Scooters and the people who ride them don't always get a lot of respect from the motorcycling community, but you'd better believe they're taking themselves more and more seriously. When in 2007 a group interested in setting up land speed record classes for scooters was rebuffed by the folks who run motorcycle speed-racing at the Bonneville Salt Flats each year, known as "Speed Week," they decided to do it themselves." ~Ken Bingenheimer

The event took place on the Historic Route 66 in Devore, California and was a complete success! The 13 featured classes ranged from 50cc to 650cc as well as 3 sidecar classes. Four engine classes were permitted: 2- and 4-stroke aspirated and 2- and 4-stroke turbo. In their release about the event, the MSILSF says, "We kept our first annual event extremely simple. We’re essentially running a 'run what you brung’ speed trial for scooters only. Scooters have two small wheels! We’re self-proclaiming this to be the First Annual Motor Scooter World Land Speed Trials, so if you set the highest speed in a particular class you will hold the 'Motor Scooter World Land Speed Record' for that class."

Nevertheless, organizers are still working with the powers-that-be for Speed Week and still have hopes of becoming part of that event. "We are now working with Dennis Manning of BUB Racing to integrate motor-scooters into the AMA/BUB 2011 Bonneville program," says the organization. But for now, the Second Annual Motor Scooter World Land Speed Trials is in the works riding on the triumphant success and participation from the first event.

For more info and events go to www.motorscooterlandspeedfederation.org

 Photo credit: Allen Spears Photo © 2010

Stefy Bau's new 211 International MX School, coming soon to a track near you!

 
Stefy Bau, 2 time former American and Women Motocross World Champion, along with Julie Keates present to you 211 MX School; empowering women in sports!

Their international motocross camps target every rider that wants to became a better athlete, with an emphasis on women racers. Classes are held world wide at different locations and they are offered in a variety of styles such as group camps, semi-private and private lessons. In all the camps, they give special attention and tips on how to lower our carbon emission while training so to make the motocross community more green friendly. At 211 MX school they believe that we all have to do our part on helping the planet!

The Camps are always full of fun and learning experiences, making each class a lifetime of memories while creating everlasting friendship. We work with professional athletes but every professional rider was once an amateur so we enjoy taking on ambitious people.

The next 2-day camp is on November 20-21^st with a space limit of 10 riders (women only) at Oak Hill MX in Texas. The students will learn the correct body position, how to save energy when riding, the correct preparation for training and racing, and some tips on the necessary safety equipments. As well as, one on one training with Stefy to acquire skill, technique, mental training, knowledge in the health of an extreme sport athlete, etc. There are a few goodies involved at the end of this camp for the participating riders.

And as special guest participant, Noora Naraghi, Iran's first woman motorcross champion, who has come to the US to train with Stefy to hone her skills in the art of motocross so she may go back and teach MX to other women in Iran. This is very empowering for women in Iran as well as around the world. CNN felt the same and covered the story.

For more information and/or to book this camp, or for general inquiries, please go to www.211mxschool.com or email: [email protected]