Classic scooter racing in France

After the four previous editions held respectively in Mirecourt (two times), in Joigny, in Magny-Cours, the “Challenge Scootentole” recently go back to Mirecourt, near Epinal, east of France. Saturday, may 15th the go kart track was invaded – for the third time – by old scooters.

Despite a cold weather, about 80 drivers (18 from Germany, warm up for ESC drivers) were on grid. Competitors race over three rounds and accumulate points - this favors the regularity of the driver and reliability of the mechanic. As usual in France the participants were grouped into 4 classes. The 'Roulage Tourisme', where you could gather first racing experience without any pressure. A street class (C2), that allowed daily drivers to compete on the circuit (run what you brung) and two proper racing classes : one for large (C4)- and one for smallframes (C3). In Mirecourt, it was old scooter day, enthusiasts find this kind of atmosphere they like, with smell of ricin oil and friendly discussions.

20 drivers on grid for the “street” class. After three rounds and incessant fighting, southerner François di Palma (PX 172 Quattrini/PM Tuning exhaust) wins against Benjamin Lauby (Cosa 177 Pinasco /Taffspeed exhaust). Deutsch Tony Fattorusso (doped PK125ETS), winner of the first Mirecourt, fought this time with frenchies Benjamin Arneguy (PX 177 Polini/RS Performance) and Aurélien Grosmaire (T5 172 Malossi) to get the third place. Just behind, big fight between Benjamin Robillard (V5A 133 Polini), Philippe Boyer (PK 133 Polini), and Jean-Luc Nobleaux (PX 213 Pinasco) riding their daily scooters.

In C3, the bodybuilded smallframes, 36 drivers compete. The Deutsch Rob Leibfarth and his powerfull Falc racing PK had to contain some supercharged german drivers : Veit Nubel and Christian Kachel (using Quattrini). Poleman Maik Persch (133 Polini) lost the race in the first round, due to mechanical problems. First froggy is Eric Bazard 4e (Parmakit 70’s Scooters Pièces) ahead Maik Persch, Xavier Labarrere (Authentik64) and Dutch John Friedrich, winner of last Magny-Cours.

In C4, class of the “doped” largeframes, 19 drivers at the start. Riding a powerfull naked Lambretta TS1/Worb5 Lutz Hoppner win the three rows. Beautiful fight for second place between Philip Menz (PX Malossi proto) and local frenchy Lucien Jules (PX 210 Malossi from 70's Scooter team). Stephane Azcue and Mathieu Sylvain (210 Malossi) the two Authentik64 drivers finished 4e and 5e ahead of deutsch Marc Jordan, Eric Daca and Stephane Quentin (just comin’ from street class).

Before the organized diner meal, the awards ceremony was another very good time. Number of competitors walked away with lots (parts, tires, advertising items, etc..), all generously offered by the Challenge Scootentole partners : Scooter Center Koln (D), Sip Scootershop (D), Grand Sport (D), Quattrini Competizione (Ita), DRT Denis Racing Team (Ita), Legend’s Bike (Belgium), Stockel Sports (B), Scooter Passion (B), 70’s Scooter Pièces (F), Authentik Scooter 64 (F), Patrick Pons Paris (F), My Scooterama (F), Burzock development, Abus antivols, Racer moto...

See ya in Magny-Cours, september 18th next for 6th Scootentole Challenge !

Mirecourt 15 mai 2010, 5e Challenge Scootentole / results
C4 ranking (tuned large frames) : 1.Lutz Hoppner (D), 2.Philip Menz (D), 3.Lucien Jules (F), 4.Stéphane Azcue (F), 5.Mathieu Sylvain (F), 6.Marc Jordan (D), 7.Eric Daca (F), 8.Stéphane Quentin (F), 9.Jérôme Bradier (F), 10.Jean-Luc Nobleaux (F), 11.Holger Klein (D), 12.Angelo Fattorusso (D), 13.David Grand (F), 14.Patrick Vengeon (F), 15.Eric Lauzet (F), 16.Richard Beaudet (F), 17.Romain Gerbier (F), 18.Nicolas di Palma (F) NP, 19.Angelo Scalzo (F), NP. Pole position : Lutz Hoppner (1.12.151) – Best lap : Lutz Hoppner (1.12.505).

C3 ranking (tuned small frames) : 1.Robert Leibfarth (A), 2.Nubel Veit (D), 3.Christian Kachel (D), 4.Eric Bazard (F), 5.Maik Persch (D), 6.Xavier Labarrère (F), 7.John Friedrich (NL), 8.Michael Betz (D), 9.Michaël Saetzler (D), 10.Lucien Jules (F), 11.Antoine Fleury (F), 12.Maxime di Palma (F), 13.Luc Penfold (F), 14.Stephan Werniche (D), 15.Patrick Vengeon (F), 16.Felice La Rizza (B), 17.Michael Berndt (D), 18.Stephan Ludt (D), 19.Tim Grobekhatofer (D), 20.Thomas Bumen (D), 21.Ottmar Hornung (D), 22.Jean-Yves Lestrat (F), 23.Merijn van Raaphorts (D), 24.François-Xavier Bres (F), 25.Julien Desnuelle (F), 26.Volker Kramer (D), 27.Kathrin Seebold (D), 28.Andre Langner (D), 29.Olivier Muscat (B), 30.Stéphane Azcue (F), 31.Jens Fischer (D), 32.Antoine Jalabert (F) 33.Vincent Combes (F), 34.Peter Mostbauer (D), 35.Michael Dorner (D), 36.Stéphane Garcia (F).
Pole position : Maik Persch (1.11.155) – Best lap : Robert Leibfarth (1.10.725).

C2 ranking (« daily » scooters) : 1.François di Palma (F), 2.Benjamin Lauby (F), 3.Angelo Fattorusso (D), 4.Benjamin Arneguy (F), 5.Benjamin Robillard (F), 6.Adrien Grosmaire (F), 7.Philippe Boyer (F), 8.Jean-Luc Nobleaux (F), 9.Steffen Doring (D), 10.Grégoire Fallay (F), 11.Volker Kramer (D), 12.Alain Jules (F), 13.Gilles Fraval (F) HC, 14.Carlos Sanchez (F), 15.Jean-Michel Excoffier (F), 16.Laurent Schektman (F), 17.Sébastien Watzl (D), 18.Xavier Layder (F), 19.Clémence Desmercières (F), 20.Frédérique Desmercières (F).
Pole position : François di Palma (1.21.518) – Best lap : Benjamin Lauby (1.19.238)

Next meeting ?
September 18th in Magny-Cours (France, Nièvre) 6th Scootentole Challenge

In the same technology park which runs F1 and “Bol d’Or”, but on its international 1200m go kart track with first choice racing infrastructures.
Three classes : daily scooters (C2), tuned small frames (C3), tuned big frames (C4) and C1-Tourisme Class (all kind of stuff, relax riders, no rankings for this class). Each rider must wear a minimum of appropriate safety clothing. Camping, bar, food/beers/music on saturday evening. Campsite with free access to scooters parts dealers, swap-meet, scooters clubs, etc.
Racing/fee : about 69 € / for saturday races (3 sessions on the morning, 3 rows on the afternoon), campsite and breakfasts included. Training possible on Friday 17th (to confirm).
Contact : Luccio Tél. 06 7072 8999 (France) ou Antoine Tél. 0043 676 8205 6225 (english speaking) challenge@scootentole.org
The Challenge Scootentole website : http://challenge.scootentole.org