Classic Scene-Blog Vespa & Lambretta

Delhi - the Vespa Ashram

2011-11-16T10:23:00Z

As soon as you leave the plane in Delhi, you instantly notice that there is smog everywhere. And the infernal traffic noise keeps beating on you with full force. In India, all drivers seem to apply for the title ‘gentleman of the road’: People honk as loud as they can, to let all the others know that they are on the road, too. You’ll find ‘Please honk’ written in large colorful letters on the back of every bus and rickshaw. So people honk, squeak and whistle. Many drivers remove their rear view mirror, because there is no need to see the traffic behind you, as long as you can hear it so well.

Alongside China, India might well be the world’s largest market for motorcycles. About one billion people are living on the subcontinent and the majority of them is still moving by bicycles. The streets are filled with vintage bikes with many passengers and goods on them. But the Indian economy and society are in the middle of a stunning development process and a new social layer emerges: By now, there are many people who cannot yet afford a car, but a scooter or a moped. The statistics on that are breathtaking: Each month, 1 million scooters and mopeds are sold in India! At the moment, India has the world’s second largest bicycle production.
Automobile Products of India (API) started with the production of scooters already back in the 50ies. Enfield manufactured motorcycles. In 1948 Bajaj started to import Vespas and Apes. In 1960 Bajaj built a factory to produce scooters in collaboration with Piaggio. This joint venture ended in 1971.

In the 50ies, also API built (Lambretta) scooters under license. This went on until 1972, when Ferdinando Innocenti was forced to declare bankruptcy in Milan. The Indian government purchased the entire operation through the "Scooter India Ltd." (SIL) and continued to build scooters for the Indian market. By now, this production is expired and SIL only produce Vikram 3-wheelers. SIL also tried a modern kind of Lambretta, without much hope for success. By now, LML is the only company left on the "classic scooter market". Back in the 90ies, they bought one of Piaggio’s production lines for Vespa PX in Pontedera and are now quite successfully producing and selling their ‘Star’ (except for the engine largely identical to the Vespa) in India and Europe. The LML Star’s success might be one of the reasons, why Piaggio launched the production of a new version of the Vespa PX. LML is currently producing a new "Vespa PK", which will be available in 2012.
But also in India, it’s mainly the modern automatic scooters that are responsible for the high production numbers. Honda is the market leader with the "Pleasure" model – as it can’t be its look, it must be the scooter’s price that gives the customers a sense of pleasure. Each month, 30.000 are sold! Piaggio Italy plans to re-enter the Indian market, too. The LX 125 will be available there in 2013.

Personally, I find it fascinating that, despite the huge production flood, the Indian streetscape is still dominated by vintage Bajaj, LML and Lambretta scooters and 3-wheelers. Complete families are transported on them by the proud dad. It is really unbelievable. You’ll find one of those ‘Vespas’ on every corner in Delhi. No illusions: Most of these scooters are only used, because their riders cannot afford a better vehicle. You’ll look in vain for a scooter club in India. No Indian would ever consider a 1960 Bajaj in original paint a rare vintage vehicle. Spare parts need to be cheap. Repairs are only made if absolutely necessary. People rather weld their exhaust for the 100th time at the side of the road, before buying a new ECO exhaust for only a few rupees. Most Indians live on a few dollars a day, so there is no ‘premium’ in their lives. The workshops are usually outdoors, and the mechanics work miracles and construct bikes out of nothing. Thus, one soon becomes a notion why Indian spare parts are the way they are and why it might take years to ensure a high-quality production.

If you are in India, make sure to borrow a Vespa or another scooter. Although this honking chaos seems extremely dangerous (avoiding bored sacred cows in the middle of a downtown intersection is actually quite tricky) this particular perspective will definitely leave an impression. So does the Indians’ calm and friendly manner that they show in every life situation

Check out the pix of my Delhi adventure:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sipscootershop/sets/72157628133087132/

The forgotten end of the Hoffmann factory 1954

2011-10-31T10:19:00Z

The forgotten end of the Hoffmann factory 1954 (A report by Mika Hahn)

In the 50s, the small, previously unknown factory of war profiteer James Oswald Hoffmann stormed the peak of the German economic miracle. In Lintorf, near Düsseldorf, the ‘Hoffmann-Werke’ built more than 100,000 motorcycles, small cars and above all the German Vespa. In addition to that they built 150.000 bicycles, which made them the largest German bicycle exporter of the time. But in 1954 the "most modern German motorcycle factory" (according to the press) surprised the public with going bankrupt. In a Spiegel article (January 1955), the Director of the Rheinisch Westfälische Bank Walter Karklinat called the event “the biggest and ugliest collapse of the last 20 years." Hoffman was mainly accused of a wrong financial policy. Only a few months earlier he had been internationally celebrated, now the only thing that remained was nationwide ridicule. The public of Germany's economic miracle didn’t show an interest in a more detailed analysis. Rumor had it that the bankruptcy was directed from above, agreed by major German corporations and banks in order to protect established companies that had not yet recovered from the aftermath of war.

Solinger Fahrrad Fabrik Until his rapid rise, Hoffmann was a white sheet of the German car industry. Nobody really knew where he came from or who he actually was. In 1938, the Düsseldorf confectioner's son first participated as a general partner of the Solinger Fahrrad Fabrik, founded in 1934 by Franz Schaaf, in 1943 Hoffmann took over the 400-person business. The war tripled Hoffmann workforce, with "free" laborers. Then followed the rise of a Nazi model factory: 1942 involvement in the development of armory, 1943 Hoffman officially received a decoration from Hitler. 1944, the Hoffmann headquarters were bombed out, but Hoffmann had already started to draw the main capital from rented additional workshops 20 km distant in Gräfrath. The forced laborers’ living conditions there had repeatedly been criticized by the Police Authority of Solingen. Hoffmann procured an access ban for his "war-related operations," and the production of armor for the "final victory" continued until 8 May 1945. This needs to be mentioned at this point because after the war, Hoffmann showed a decidedly Christian approach and he was even said to be related to Cardinal Frings.

Moving to Lintorf 1945, just a few weeks after the war, Hoffman moved his "Solinger Fahrrad Fabrik" to Lintorf, where he bought an area of Mannesmann Tube works. The population soon called it "factory of the officers”, because many high-ranking military officials were hiding there under false names. While the established firms of the pre-war time were still in ruins, Hoffmann already supplied the German people with civilian goods: cooking pots, oil presses, drills, of course, bicycles and from 1948 on also motorcycles. All that was needed and could make money.

"On the 9th of August 1949 the real rise of the company began with the signing of the Vespa manufacturing license." A month later, the company was renamed "Hoffmann-Werke".

The birth of the Vespa in Germany On the 9th of August 1949 the real rise of the company began when James Oswald Hoffman and Enrico Piaggio were signing the Vespa manufacturing license. Hoffmann was the first licensee of the Vespa that by now has been produced about 15million times. On the 9th of September 1949, the company was renamed "Hoffman-Werke". Until then only a few people had known the Vespa in Germany. While it was initially smiled upon as a ladies’ vehicle, the scooter quickly developed to a masculine status symbol. A gold mine for Hoffmann: Even before the workshop was completed, the annual production of 1950 was completely sold-out! The medium-sized bicycle manufacturer Hoffmann now gained nationwide popularity. Celebrities suddenly found themselves in the middle of idyllic Lintorf: Stars and starlets, ministers, journalists and racers streamed there. Even a film with John Heesters and Co. was shot.

Recovery made by Vespa A nationwide Vespa dealer network was created in a very short time, of which the entire Hoffmann-2wheeler segment gained profit: While in 1949 only 4815 motorbikes were produced, the production numbers increased to 9024 in 1950. In the 125cc motorcycles class, the Hoffman-Werke were Germany's third largest provider.
Buoyed by the success of the Vespa, Hoffmann started the costly development of engine and chassis designs. The success seemed assured, the excitement knew no boundaries ... We cannot tell the entire Hoffmann-story here for reasons of space. Only this: The Vespa did write an economic success story, an almost unimaginable cult grew around this motorized piece of tin. Also in 1951 the whole production of 8343 Vespas was sold out, 1952 the Lintorf factory built 11.801 scooters. In addition, also the sales figures of motorbikes saw a rise. And the peak was not reached: In 1953 Hoffmann produced 15.295 Vespa scooters. But unfortunately "produce" does not mean "sell". Although in 1953, sales increased by 11 million to 36 million DM in comparison to the previous year, more and more problems came up: A new generation of scooters with more power and bigger wheels, such as the Zündapp Bella or Glass Goggo, started to drive the Vespa out of the market.

Autumn 1953 Vespa Königin and Hoffmann Gouverneur In the fall of 1953 Hoffmann tried to react and launched the Vespa Special Model "Königin" with plenty of chrome and other colors. Also the "Hoffmann Gouverneur" the world's first motorcycle with a 250cc boxer engine and shaft drive. After many years of expensive development Hoffman hoped for black numbers again. Yet these two constructions were the very beginning of the end... but by then nobody could tell that in Lintorf. In May 1954 the American LIFE-magazine even published a special issue of the magazine titled: "Germany - A Giant Awakened." In this issue, Hoffman was found in a row with Jost Henkel and Alfred Krupp. Hoffmann is characterized as a "new capitalist". The initial staff of 63 in 1945 had seen a rise to 950 by 1954. This also made the land of infinite opportunity marvel. Hoffmann’s designs were internationally acclaimed, France ordered 300 Gouverneur motorcycles for the police. Everybody squinted hopefully towards French follow-up orders. Also Indonesia and Taiwan provided a market for the Gouverneur.

Jubilation in Lintorf Presentation of the Hoffmann cabin car Yet 1954 proved to be the fateful year for the Hoffmann factory: The Gouverneur did not bring the desired success in the German market. It turned out that the bike was too expensive, relatively inefficient and also prone to technical defects. But Hoffman had an ace up his sleeve: an improved Gouverneur engine was supposed to be installed in the Hoffmann-compact car "Autokabine 250". First prototypes had received international recognition at the Paris Salon in 1954, which encouraged Hoffmann to produce a small series. A total of 800 orders from the federal territory were received by Hoffmann for the small car.

"Piaggio suddenly considered the license agreements violated by the special model “Königin”. Piaggio's main argument was Hoffmann's modified engine that delivered 5 instead of 4.5hp.”

Tristesse in Lintorf: But amid the general optimism came the first bad news: Piaggio announced the end of the Hoffmann’s Vespa manufacturing license, running until 1960. Ten months after the “Königin”'s presentation at the 1953 IFMA, Piaggio considered the license agreements violated by the special model. Piaggio's main argument was Hoffmann's engine modification, the "increase" of 4.5 hp to 5 hp. Hoffmann confronted Piaggio with the fact that they quoted 5hp in the description of the Italian "model 53". In a written reply, the Italians declared that the "rounding up" of power was their own right and of no concern to Hoffmann. "If the Vespa no longer corresponds to the license, then I will pay no more fees ..." said Hoffmann to his house lawyer Hassel and handed over the Piaggio letter to Düsseldorf’s Regional Court.

"1954 was the fateful year for the Hoffmann factory. The efforts concerning the governor didn’t lead to the desired success." It turned out that the bike was expensive, relatively inefficient and prone to technical defects.

Messerschmitt and BMW - the ailing giants It is surprising that the termination of the Vespa license happened at the same time as Hoffman announced the production of the cabin car, because ironically, the Vespa license was taken over by the Messerschmitt company, a former airplane manufacturer like Piaggio. The Augsburg-based company was not allowed to produce airplanes after the war, and produced the "bubble car" instead, which occupied the same segment of the market as Hoffmann's small cars. Messerschmitt himself had to cope with a five million DM debt. The production of the small car devoured 150000-200000DM every month, sales stagnated in 1954. This endangered the whole enterprise.

Accused: Hoffmann against BMW The events in Lintorf were racing in November 1954. Hoffmann had been accused by BMW and the Milanese Iso-works that the cabin car was a slavish imitation of the Isetta 250. At this point, the Isetta was not yet built by BMW and Hoffman enjoyed a head start. Hoffman reacted to the accusation of plagiarism with a negative declaratory relief and felt confident of victory. That, however, was too optimistic, because the car cabin was in fact very similar to the Isetta. Hoffmann himself went on the offensive and called the Isetta "the cabin car’s bambino" in the press. Which meant that the Isetta was the actual plagiarism. "The Vespa also has been copied," Hoffmann said to his chief developer Röger, who had warned him of possible consequences. It's worth noting that other small car manufacturers were not sued. The Heinkel Cabin also showed visual similarities with the Isetta. The economic situation was very tense for BMW and Messerschmitt alike. BMW also had to contend with the difficult consequences of the Second World War. The automotive manufacturing in Eisenach was lost, so were the aircraft engine works Brandenburg and Eisenach. 95% of the production in 1943 consisted of engines for the German airforce, the revenue (1943: 653 million RM) was gigantic. After the war, BMW produced one-and two-cylinder motorcycles based on pre-war designs and luxury limousines which had enormously high production costs. The Isetta lured by high profits and a turnaround for BMW.

Working class thriller Before anything could be clarified, there came the final blow for Hoffmann: The Rheinisch-Westfälische Bank, Hoffmann's main bank, refused a (previously granted) loan of 500.000 DM. On the25th of November 1954 the Lintorf factory announced its bankruptcy to save the company by means of a collecting society. Instead of their weekly wage, workers found only 20 DM, fathers of children 25 DM in their pay packet. Which is why on the 12th of Dezember 1954, 358 workers occupied the factory: "We are hungry" and "We will not leave the factory until our wages are paid" was written on the posters that the workers had placed on the walls of the. The now 82-year-old Franz Kunert, then grinder, remembers that day: "In the winter of 1954 only so-called "butter donations" coming from the surrounding communities were able to secure the survival of some families. The old Hoffman had always been like a rich uncle from America with plenty of money. And there came this proud man, stood before us, said nothing and just arched his empty pants pockets inside out. That was a clear sign. On this day to protest turned into resignation. The workers occupied the factory for two weeks, trying to save it. The workers offered pay cuts, but even that could not help. To alleviate the first emergency Jacob Oswald Hoffmann, was said to have traded in rugs and pictures from his villa for a song to a pawnbroker. The situation outside of the work was also bad for many merchants and craftsmen, who had, in good faith, believed the positive messages until it was too late. Some had been in debt with bills. A merchant in Hamburg who had speculated with the cabin and already paid for 120 vehicles, as well as a wholesaler in Karlsruhe, committed suicide. These news did not appeared in any paper.

Rheinisch-Westfälische Bank: Connections to BMW and Messerschmitt What role did the bank play? "Hoffmann is the pawn sacrifice to save BMW and Messerschmitt," many people said back then. Hoffmann’s money donor, the Rheinisch-Westfälische Bank AG, was a successor to the Deutsche Bank. Decentralized by the Allies and neutralized again in 1957. It was a bit of a tricky situation because not only did the competitors BMW and Messerschmitt share the same house bank, but the companies had also been closely linked in the period before 1945. In the Nazi era Hans Rummel was at the same time manager of the Deutsche Bank and chairman of BMW. Victor von Rintelen (head of the Munich branch DB) and Max H. Schmidt were part of the 10-member supervisory board together with other members of the Deutsche Bank’s staff. There were also connections in the opposite direction: Franz Popp, a former board member of BMW, was part of the Deutsche Bank of Bavaria’s advisory board. Due to their customers’ powers of attorney, the German bank had about 50% of the voting shares of BMW. The German bank had granted Messerschmitt and its many subsidiaries million loans, which brought in good returns in the course of the war production. In 1945 Messerschmitt employed over 45.000 workers, the Regensburg factory alone achieved a turnover of 87 million RM. There were numerous connections between the Bavarian company BMW and Messerschmitt. The ME 262 for instance was equipped with two BMW 003 turbine engines for testing purposes in 1941. People knew each other in Augsburg and Munich.

"Hoffmann is a pawn sacrifice to save BMW and Messerschmitt," many people said back then.

...really surprised? The Rheinisch-Westfälische Bank (RWB) made known via the press, that they were totally surprised by the termination of the Vespa license. "If we had known that," Bank Director Karklinat complained in an interview with Spiegel magazine, "Hoffman would not have gotten a penny from us..." James Oswald Hoffmann refused to admit that he had kept facts from the bank. Quite on the contrary: The RWB had kept it a secret to the public that the current production had been transferred to it in March 1953! The bank by then had all the power and made use of it. The production was confiscated, its delivery was prohibited. Particularly controversial: All vehicles had already been sold by means of prolongation bills! The whole of Germany now complained about Hoffmann. The bank knew that Hoffman would return the Vespa license as soon as the development of a scooter of his own was completed. In November 1953, Hoffmann engineer Kirchdörfer had reported to Düsseldorf RWB’s director Dr. Hoffmann Dicke about Vespa sales problems and presented him a potential successor. The fullbody motorcycle "comet" with a Vespa legshield was shown on exhibitions in 1953 and leaflets of a slimmed down version ("Meteor") were distributed to dealers in 1954. The Hoffmann-cabin could have been the big prize. The RWB let the famous French designer IA Gregoire write a report, and he prophesied the Hoffmann small car a good sale. Over 16 million dollars would have obtained from the delivery of the 800 small car sales orders.

DDR press The East German press reported in much greater detail about the possible reasons behind the Hoffmann-collapse. There, the focus was primarily on the Messerschmitt involvement: Ernst Wilhelm Schmidt (1892-1958), board member and former head of economic department of the Deutsche Bank in Berlin, was a defense industry leader. He gave lectures on the German War leadership and advocated large exposures for the heavy industry. After the war he served in the same position at the Rheinisch-Westfälische Bank in Düsseldorf and, as a friend of Messerschmitt, was said to have made use of his influence.

"The press spoke of ten million DM in debt. A total of 570 creditors however presented a total of 12.869.604 DM receivables"
"Maybe the Hoffmann cabin would have hit the jackpot. Over 16 million dollars would have obtained from the delivery of the 800 small car sales orders."

Secret help from East German When the capitalists in the West let Hoffman down, unexpected help came from the East. A delegation from Chemnitz (Karl-Marx-Stadt) appeared unannounced, delivered DM 200 and promised more: Accountant Scherfenkemp traveled to East Germany, and was received by the "Committee for Workers Solidarity' in Berlin. There he received a suitcase full of money and an escort of state security brought him back to Lintorf. The money was not enough to completely pay the workers, but their campaign was supported. The east had hoped for an incredible workers' strike and wanted to be present, when the "liberation of the workers" was to take place. In return for the donations, the Stasi thus moved in with Hoffmann employees. In the Western press, the Eastern aids remained unmentioned.

The end and the new beginning Eventually, not the monthly salaries of the workers were the major problem, but Hoffmann's total debt. While the press spoke of a ten million DM debt, a total of 570 creditors presented a total of 12.869.604 DM receivables. These comprised the development and production costs for the Gouverneur-bike, the new Königin Vespa, the comet scooter and the cabin car. On the 4th of May in 1956 the Hoffmann works had managed to lower the debt ratio by about five million to a total of 7,835,675 DM through the sale of already produced motorcycles and scooters, as well as bicycle exports to America and Turkey. Without the lucrative sale of the cabin and only 778 produced Vespas in 1955. Also without the comet-scooter, that made everyone expect big sales. A totally unprofitable company would not have been able to lower the debt so quickly.

Agreement with BMW The bankruptcy proceedings took more than 2 1/2 years. The actually ruined Hoffmann was able to save his factory. BMW and Hoffmann signed an agreement on the cabin car’s future production: Proudly, Hoffmann let BMW chauffeur him around in their latest luxury cars, while the creditors were compensated with only 35%. Hoffmann had already transferred his villa to the Catholic Church ("Pope Pius personally"), with a life-long residency for the factory owner. The State of NRW took over 3.5 million DM of Hoffmann’s debts, because it had been calculated that an even larger damage would occur, if the Hoffmann-works were closed down or sold. The Hoffmann factory was thus allowed to return. Although no longer producing vehicles, but all kinds of metal items.

"1973 James Oswald Hoffmann died childless. Without much media attention the gates of the Lintorf factory were closed for good by the end of the year 1991."

Armor - Hoffmann's crisis-proof business The men from the Nazi era, who had returned to their positions within the Federal Armed Forces had not completely forgotten their old friend Hoffmann. Hoffman was among the first to be allowed to produce armor material. In 1973 Jakob Oswald Hoffmann died childless. Without much media attention the factory gates in Lintorf closed for good by the end of the year 1991. Today the 150 year-old ruins house an entire commercial park.
What if? What would have happened to Hoffman, if the factory had been allowed to actually bring the developed vehicles on the market? The BMW Isetta sold 160.000 times. Some say the Isetta has saved BMW. Maybe Hoffman would still build cars today? It is hard to tell, because even larger vehicle companies auch as Bogward have gone down. But this is a "completely different" story...

If you'd like to see the original PDF with pictures etc, you can can download the German document here.

Biography Mika Hahn, Mika Hahn was born in 1976 and studied history, media sciences and philosophy in Düsseldorf. He mainly deals with "forgotten" layers of mobility history. He is the editor of the Rheinische Motorjournal and author of the books Carrera Panamericana 1953, Kölsche Zweiradgeschichten, Outstanding Woman – Frauen ihrer Zeit voraus. In 2004 Mika Hahn published a book on the works of Hoffmann.

SIP/Stoffi's Racing Team wins Fallrace and Long Distance Cup 2011

2011-10-11T12:51:00Z

On the 1st of October, the finale of the Long Distance Cup (organised by the VC Köflach and the Hot Chili Racing Team) took place in Lebring/Austria. With one victory at the Springrace and a 2nd place in Hungary, the Stoffi’s-SIP Scootershop Racing Team was the hot favourite for winning the cup, closely followed by Bertmann and GOA Racing.

Fallrace 2011 - that means 45 teams, a 1400m track and 11hours of tough racing action. The race started Le Mans style at 7am, which means the riders had to run to their scooters, parked at the other side of the track. Legandary. Although the Stoffi’s-SIP Scootershop Racing Team was drawn to start from the 27th position, it took them only a couple of laps to be in the lead. But being a long distance race, the Fallrace is not decided in a couple of laps. During the race escpecially the teams around Undi, DSE, GOA, Jockey or GSF-RWRT fought hard to get in the lead. They only succeeded once, though, when Stoffi and 4 other teams were forced to stop and insulate their way too loud exhaust systems. Back on the track they were quick to overtake the meanwhile leading Undi's Team and extend their lead until the end of the race. Which means that not only the Fallrace trophy, but also the Long Distance Cup is not officially in the hands of the Stoffi’s-SIP Scootershop Racing Team!

Congratulations to Stoffi, Markus and Michael on their great performance!

Check out the official website for more pictures:

http://www.fallrace.at/fotos.html?g2_itemId=4439

6º RALLY SCOOTERISTA de VALENCIA 2011

2011-10-10T07:20:00Z

On Thursday (and as always, with the premise of an early bed) we went to the clubhouse to take the first birrillas. Y'know, if you go to the headquarter of the organization, it will just suck you in and make you part of the whole thing; jajajaj, the night lastet until 1:30 if I remember right, and at 7:30 I had to take the kids to school. If you are a parent you'll understand the problem.

After the last bits of organizing were done, we went to CALYPSO Friday - the first of the Allnighters. Approximately a total of 60 entries (including officers and extreme officials) met in the Pergola as every year. After refreshments sponsored by the Sports Centre Burjassot, we went to Roca Cuper friends where we invited everybody to a beer.

We also went to Puzol, to the beach, where we expected to get plenty of delicious paella (although I thought it was an arroz a banda). It started rainig and we were forced to take refuge inside the premises and continue inside with 'awards and gifts'...

Afterward the second Allnighter took place. Thanks to the DJ's (Miguel Patilla, JosepA, Pascual, Alberto) for their very impressive sets! See you at the rallies... And many thanks to everyone for taking the time to come to the rally... without you this would not be possible!

VALENCIA SCOOTER CLUB

For more pictures, check out: https://picasaweb.google.com/jojalma/VIRallyVSC#

Positive balance of the ESC season 2011

2011-09-29T10:40:00Z

The racing summer is finished and the ESC can look back an a successful season 2011. For the first time in a direct cooperation with the Challenge Scootentole, with a fulminant start incl. a record attendance at the France GP in Mirecourt, with an additional 6th race, with many new faces in all classes. With plenty of new lap-time-records, and sadly with more injuries than ever before...

The SIP Team was not only there to report for you (ESC/SIP Media partnership) with Pictures, Blogs and Videos, our Racing Team was also successfully participating in several classes. Our congratulations go to Stoffi on the championship (Standard class), to Michi (Largeframe class) and Robert (GP open) on their vice-championship, to Mike of the SIP/GSF Racing Team on a successful season in K1, and to our Youngster Markus on his great debut and 3rd place in class 2.

Congrats to the champions and the runners-up of the other classes:

Check out the Eurochallenge's website for the new rules (Reglement 2012), dates&events, lap times and results.

3 of the 5 races that are scheduled for the upcoming season are already fixed:

10. Run & Race, Liedolsheim (D): 08.- 10.June 2012
http://www.runandrace.de

Kurvenlage, Wackersdorf (D): 06.-08. July 2012
http://www.kurvenlage.ws

Blechkampf, Belleben (D): 17.-19. August 2012
http://www.blechkampf.com

We are already looking forward to seeing you on and around the track in 2012!

Red Bull Lingotto Special 2011 Vespa & Lambretta

2011-09-26T11:03:00Z

When it comes to organizing action sports events, Red Bull has managed to become the state of the art name in the business. The manufacturer of sweet fizzy drinks from Salzburg/Austria has recently become of Vespa as yet another action sport vehicle and thus advertised a brilliant competition: 200 Vespisti were able to register for this competition which was staged on the roof of the old FIAT factory located in the Torino district called Lingotto. This building is one huge industrial complex built in the 1920s which ranked among the most modern buildings in the world at that point. A massive ramp leads all the way up to the factory roof, consisting of 6 rounds and a length of approx 600m. The test and race track includes 2 parabolic curves and has an overall length of about 1km. Moreover, there is a conference room inside a huge glass dome as well as a heliport. The setting offers unequalled opportunities and was definitely worth of a James Bond movie. Moritz and Ralf from the SIP Scootershop Team already signed in for this event some weeks ago and were among the lucky ones to actually receive 2 of the coveted 200 participants’ tickets.

Michael and Hans from Copenhagen Scooter Club joined the parade as they happened to be on a visit in Landsberg at the right time. Lukas from the SIP TV Youtube Channel completed the group. After an extended tour of the local Torino Vespa and workshop scene on Saturday, time was up on Sunday morning: we were off to Lingotto! A ragtag crowd had already gathered there and there was the typical 2-stroke noise to be heard all around. Red Bull had decorated the premises nicely with tents, funny vehicles and beautiful promo girls. All participants had to pass 4 tests. The first test was the search for the most creative costume, the motto of this party was “Italian Style”. The jury had a good look at each scooter before casting their vote. The jury consisted of the winner of Italian Big Brother version Grande Fratello and other b-list celebrities that were unknown to us. We were already able to get an impression of the quality level of Italian television Friday night when we were sitting in the hotel bar. During prime time, some guys dressed up as Teletubbies dished out jokes. Well, at least our waiter seemed to enjoy the show…
After the costume show it was time for the second test: every participant had to dis- and reassemble the front wheel as quickly as possible. If you stayed below the time limit, you got bonus points, otherwise penalty points. Finally the tests got more suspenseful: we had to ride the 600m long ramp to the roof of the Lingotto in exactly 90 seconds. We have seen a couple of interesting special constructions of stop watches which were meant to help to reach this timeframe as closely as possible. However, most riders simply enjoyed the unique ride to the top as well as the approach to the race track on the roof – breathtaking! Once the rider had arrived there, Red Bull offered a tasty “Pranzo” including, of course, the sweet fizzy drink that lent its name to this event. All riders thus entered the last test well-prepared. Meanwhile, wheelie king Nicola Campobasso performed an awesome show which entralled the crowd. It is always incredible to see Nicola outsmart gravity to show astonishing acrobatics on a Vespa – bravissimo! The last test was passed by riding two laps on the race track in the same time or as closely as possible. If you did not take it too seriously, you could just enjoy the centrifugal forces at work during the parabolic curves, awesome.

All in all, it was really a great event of a different kind, organized by a brand that seem to be successful with all of their current projects, just take a look at the current standings in the Formula 1 world championships. We really hope that this was not a one-off event by Red Bull! We brought lots of pictures for you:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sipscootershop/sets/72157627631428061

and

http://www.video.mediaset.it/video/sportmediaset/altrisport/249408/xxl-vespa-in-raduno.html

Rassemblement Vespa Top 2011

2011-09-07T09:38:00Z

Le 10e rassemblement Vespa Top s’est passe pres d’Annecy dans l‘unique department francais de Haute Savoie de vendredi 2 septembre 2011 jusqu’a dimanche 4 septembre 2011. Nous jalousons vraiement Jean-Michel Excoffier et les 80 filles et garcons du Vespa Club des Savoie car ils habitent dans une region dont d’autres gens peuvent que rever dans leurs vacances. Annecy se situe au milieu d’Alpes francaises. Les 50,000 habitants ont beaucoup d’options d’activites de loisir grace a un environment des hautes Alpes et le lac d’Annecy.

Les 110 participants du rassemblement Vespa le plus haut en Europe sont partis de Quintal vers le Mont Semnoz samedi matin. A une hauteur de 1’700 m au-dessus du niveau de la mer, on s’est rencontré à l’hôtel Les Rochers Blancs et il y avait tout un programme avec des stands, balades, un show burlesque, un diner commun et plein de Pastis (et autres liqueurs de sapin façon maison et du genépi). D’autres points du programme comme un gymkhana et le feu d’artifice pour la fin ont été empêchés par la pluie qui a commencé dès samedi après-midi. Au moins le Run to the Hills (le pikes peak de la vespa) de Quintal (743m) au Mont Semnoz (1,700m) du samedi matin s’est passé en plein soleil, nous avons donc pu admirer un paysage magnifique et vérifier nos capacités à rouler groupé en course de côte.

Ce qui fait plaisir par monts ne peut pas être ennuyant par vaux. Grâce au Scooter Club de Sud-Est qui est venu de la Provence nous savons maintenant qu’on est pas obligé de laisser les mains sur le guidon ou le derrière sur la selle, même en descendant une route de col… Chapeau pour une telle habileté artistique ! Big up aussi aux participants de la Vespa Top 2011 qui malgré le tour pluvieux de samedi, montaient encore sur leurs Vespa le dimanche matin pour découvrir les derniers mystères et routes tortueuses du Mont Semnoz, Respect à eux ! A ce moment là, il nous fallait déjà partir car le retour n’était pas exactement court. Ici, nous voudrions encore remercier Jean-Michel et toute l’équipe organisatrice de la Vespa Top pour ce rassemblement vraiment abouti en espérant qu’il y aura en 2012 un nouveau meeting.

Vous trouvez les autres tofs ici:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sipscootershop/sets/72157627605884748/

Döntő oooh oooh - Holiday in Hungary 2011

2011-09-07T09:05:00Z

Just like last year, the 'Austrian' ESC race took place at the Pannonia-Ring in Hungary. The ring's big GP track offers a great infrastructure, which the ESC could also benefit from. Some of the pilots had taken the name of the race literally and had already arrived a week befor the race in order to train.

Competition was tough, which is why on saturday everybody was quickly off the mark and got right to the point. In the end, a couple of riders managed to score big time and draw a line under the 2011 season. Although Gunda won the Hungarian K7 race, Stephanie was able to win the championship. While Bene managed to defend his K1 title, team Undi won the K2 in the lead of Rob (after a crash in the 1st race now vice-champion), Markus and Miki Hilton. Chapeau for the crazy guys of the GP open and limited: That was a truly great season, with lots of fun and excitement for you as well as your audience.

Sunday offered another highlight: The second race (6hrs) of the new long-distance-cup (together with the spring- and the upcoming fallrace). Despite the heterogeneous starter field (20s/lap difference between the fastest and the slowest riders) the race went quite well. Some of the teams hat to fix their scooters during the race and it was very impressive to see that the other teams were all very helpful and ready to assist them. Some teams also used the opportunity to push their limits for the last time (second to last time for those who'll drive the fallrace) this summer. Especially the 3 winning teams (K1, Stoffi & Goa) delivered an impressingly professional and fair race performance.

We'd like to say thanks (köszönöm) to Stoffi and his crew, who organised us a really great holiday in hungary! To all those who fell and hurt (contemptuous words of 2011: clavicular fracture) Get well soon!

Check out Flickr for the rest of the pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sipscootershop/sets/72157627606440040/

SIP TV Video:

ESC Finale Hungary pannonia ring 6h Rennen from sip-scootershop.com on Vimeo.

Results ESC Holiday in Hungary:

Results 6h-Race:

A big THANK YOU to all those who organised the races, to those who watched and cheered and to all who helped to make this great season happen. Congrats to the champions 2011 (K1: Bene, K2: Rapf, K3a: Putzi, K3b: Lulu, K4: Lutz, K5a: Stoffi, K5b: V.Abbate, K7: Stephanie). We are already looking forward to the season 2012...

Red Bull Vespa & Lambretta Race Lingotto Special

2011-08-31T12:10:00Z

Lingotto is a district of Turin, characterised by the FIAT factory that was built there in 1923. The production site was one of the biggest and most progressive of its time and even has its own 1km test circuit on the rooftop. That allowed FIAT to testdrive the new vehicles right after their production. Red Bull - well known for creative/crazy sport events - recognised the potential and launched the "Lingotto Special"! Limited to 200 Classic Vespa pilots.

The world's most beautiful, fastest and most extravagant Vespas and Lambrettas compete there in various disciplines. Today the SIP Scootershop Team got their official invitation to join the fun and will be in Turin on the 25th September to hear the command: "Gentlemen, start your engines!"

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Of course the SIP TV team will be there too and provide you with a nice video clip shortly after the race. We already feel our wings growing...

For more info go to: www.redbull.it/lingottospecial

Blechkampf - 2nd to last ESC race 2011 in Belleben

2011-08-25T09:48:00Z

One might get the impression that we like the Salzlandkreis so much, that we laughingly leave behind the southern summer, in order to go east (this time overcast and even wilder) once again.

This time we were definitely ready for battle, because the decicive points for the overall standings were at stake - not only for us.

SIP pilot Robert was the unlucky fellow of the day, because his PK quit the service already during the first trainig on friday. Although the guys did their best to fix it (in the rain. in the dark) neither a new clutch, nor a new cluster could help to revive the patient. In the end his teammate Mike Betz was kind enough to lend him his K1 scooter, so he could drive the next day.

Also Häcker and Rapf used the friday track time not only for training but also for crashing quite spectacularly. But in the end noone got hurt during the whole Blechkampf. What a nice change!

There was hardly anyone this summer, who drove quite as sovereignly, as Stoffi did. Which made him this season's uncatchable champion already after the first race. he couldn't have started in the second race anyway, due to a busted crankshaft. T.Schott seized the opportunity and became the winner of the day in K5. Chapeau Stoffi and our congrats on this great season.

While Lutz won the championship early in the open LF class, Andal is very happy about his first championship title, too. The audience might wonder, if Putzi (who always seems a little like he was driving overland, whisteling some happy tune) even realizes that there is a proper war going on right behind him. Especially Mizi, Disco Lenki and Butsch are fighting fiercely. In the end, Andi was able to finish the day on the second place (Mizi dropped out), Lenki on the 3rd. We say: Fancy leathers - great performance. Congrats, Andal!

K7 remains exciting (Gunda picks up 2x16 points and is suddenly in the race for the title), so do the two SF classes GP open and limited. Especially in the K1 the deck is currently being reshuffled. As Maik Persch probably won't be able to drive any more races this season, Bene, Karoo and Mike are now fighting with the gloves on. Karoo managed to save this weekend's race in the lead of Neuberger and Betz, but so far nothing is decided yet.

Also the K2 remains thrilling until the bitter end. Undi pilot Rapf is able to secure two souvereign race-wins this weekend, behind him Rob is duelling with his team mate Markus for the podium places. In the end, Robert is second in the day's total. But that's not yet enough for the championship. So everyone's looking forward to hungary, where the last race of this ESC season will take place and where the drivers will fight for the last ponits.

Of course we'll be there, too. For now, we'd like to thank the Scooteria Coburg (especially the Kleist siblings) for their perfect organisation and race management in Belleben.

Check out Flickr for the rest of our pix:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sipscootershop/sets/72157627321208253/

SIP TV Video following shortly!

Here are the official results:

Joyride: Vespa-Tour in Bavaria

2011-08-19T12:42:00Z

Once a year, the so-called ‘Joyride’ takes place in Landsberg. The name of the rideout says it all: A cheerful bunch of scooterists meet up for a nice ride together.
Saturday morning, 8 am, the alarm clock rings. I cheerfully look out of the window – it’s raining! Damn, how can that be? The weather forecast had not predicted rain. So, I check the weather-app and the rain radar… all clear. It’s going to be alright in a minute. And really, only a shower later, the sun in smiling down from a white and blue sky. Yay! At 10:30 a crowd begins to gather on the SIP parking lot and half an hour later the corso starts through the historic part of Landsberg city. Scooterists had come from Kempten, Mindelheim, Buchloe, Augsburg, Munic and even from as far as Ingolstadt. 1st stop: Achselschwang, where a couple of 50ccs and Ammersee scooterists joined us. In Herrsching we stopped at the Seefest and Klaus of the Coffee bar K68 couldn’t believe his eyes: We counted more than 120 scooters! After tanning a little in the sun and enjoying some of Klaus’s delicacies, we went on to Andi’s wonderful Rialto Garage in Diessen. Hotdogs and drinks were already waiting for us and the scooterists had the chance to chat a little. The last stage of the trip led us to Fischer’s Strandbar in Stegen (via Utting and Schondorf), where we could enjoy the breathtaking view of the lake and the mountains.
Leo Ernst put on a couple of Soul highlights and we raffled off some presents of local sponsors. The afternoon died away with a beer or cocktail in our hand and our feet in the sand. Many thanks to all who joined and supported the joyride, especially to Klaus of K68 for the great shirts, to Andi of the Rialto Garage for his hospitality, and to the generous sponsors of the raffle prices.

All pictures are here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sipscootershop/sets/72157627300051993/

Like the video? Subscribe to our Youtube Channel.

Rumor has it that a new Vespa PX 4-stroke is on the way!

2011-07-29T11:51:00Z

The gossip factory is working! Only one year after the 'world premier' of PIAGGIO's Vespa PX 125 and 150, there are signs that the Pontedera classic's future continuity is secured. The current 2-stroke models need a reducing exhaust gas recirculation system to meet the consumption data, demanded by the EU. The next Euro standard would definitely have killed the Vespa PX. We received information from reliable sources that PIAGGIO will introduce a new Vespa PX with a 4-stroke engine at the EICMA Milan in November 2011. Once again, there will be a 125cc and a 150cc model. There's no information about the scooters' performance available so far. No matter what's your take on 4-stroke engines... The good news is that the classic Vespa PX will stay alive. We'll keep you up to date.

ESC the 4th - Harz GP 2011

2011-07-20T06:46:00Z

The SIP Team is back from the wild wild East, where Marco (of LTH) and the WOTOX SC had joined forces this weekend to organize the 'Harz GP' (the 4th race of this ESC summer) in Aschersleben.

Some of the drivers found it a little difficult to come to terms with the curvy and challenging track and were very happy about the possibility to drive there on friday. The saturday training was rearranged, too. As there were relatively few drivers, some classes could be sent out on the track together, which extended the stints to 25minutes and made some drivers wish, they had worked out a little more in advance ;-)

Crashes, dropouts and technical defects reshuffeled the deck in many classes this weekend, too. For instance in K2, where the two favourites Rapf and Leibfarth each had a very bad second race. While Rob suffered from a busted reed valve, Christian crashed (in the lead) and couldn't finish the race.

Markus, Bene and Maik Persch on the other hand were obviously pleased to score in the top class. It will definitly continue to be exciting... While Bene Neuberger and Maik Persch were also far ahead in K1 (GP limited), Mike Betz did not only win the second K1 race, but also the 'Best of all'. Stoffi once again won the SF standard class ahead of Schott and Raube.

A rather unusual scenery in the largeframe section this time: Lutz had not come to Aschersleben, which would have guaranteed a start-finish-victory to Uwe Seipelt. But he crashed quite badly in the training on friday and thus couldn't start on saturday. Markus Angleitner stepped in an rode the Lambretta skillfully around the circuit. Andal was able to extend his lead in the overall (Vespa) standings ahead of Disco Lenki, Mizi and Marco Abbate.

Unfortunately another trend continued as well: Quite a number of people fell and hurt more or less severely. We wish them all a quick recovery...

Amusing not only for the audience... the riders swapped their scooters on a large scale this time and you got the chance to see Mr. Putz on a K2 Smallframe, Stoffi on one of Undi's Falcs and Rob as well as Markus on the LTH Lambretta. One of the WOTOX ladies was also spontaneously recruited and even managed to take a trophy back home. If that isn't motivating for the future, then what is?

We'd like to thank the WOTOX SC and Marco Büttner for an impressively well organized event and race. You couldn't possibly do it any better. We're looking forward to seeing you again at the Blechkampf in Belleben on Aug 13.

As always you'll find more pix on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sipscootershop/sets/72157627222002686/

SIP TV Video following shortly!

Results:

K1:
1st race: 1.Bene, 2.Karoo,3.Persch
2nd race: 1.Maniac, 2.Persch, 3.Bene

K2:
1st race: 1.Rapf, 2.Persch, 3.Rob
2nd race: 1.Angleitner, 2.Persch, 3.Bene

K4:
Angleitner

K3:
1st race: 1.Putzi, 2.Disco Lenki, 3.Mizi
2nd race: 1.Putzi, 2.Lenki, 3.Abbate

K5:
1st race: 1.Stoffi, 2.Schott, 3.Wertz
2nd race: 1.Stoffi, 2.Schott, 3.Raube

K5b:
1st race: 1.Dorner
2nd race:1.Niemetz, 2.Dorner

K6:
Zimbo

K7:
1st race: 1.Steffi, 2.Gunda, 3.Sylvie
2nd race: 1.Steffi, 2.Gunda, 3.Miriam

Best of all:
1.Maniac, 2.Rob, 3.Marten

Best lap:
M Dot Angleitner

3rd ESC Race 2011 - Kurvenlage Wackersdorf

2011-07-05T07:03:00Z

D - I/E - S - C - O! Once again, the Pacemakers SC organized the Kurvenlage on the ProKart track in Wackersdorf. The 3rd race of the ESC season 2011 offered many highlights in the classes 1-8. While the weather was rather bad on friday/saturday morning and turned the circuit into a rink after every shower, the drivers were lucky and could eventually race on a dry track.

The trend that started to form in the two previous races, seems to be continuing in all classes. The top group of the - supposedly most exciting class for the audience at the moment - K1 (Mike, Karoo, Maniac und Bene) fought to the finish for the decisive hundreths. Compared to that, the K2 seemed rather relaxed. Rob Leibfarth was able to credit two souereign start/finish victories (followed by Rapf and Angleitner) to his championship account. While Andal, Mizi and Disco Lenki set the tone in the LF standard class, Stoffi once again lead the field of standard smallframes. With Lutz winning (after Marco's Lamy racer dropped out early), we saw a well known picture in the open LF class, too. Although there were only few ladies racing this time, Steffi Kleist can rightfully be happy about her K7 victory.

Noticable performance in the bar class (after-race beach party @MusikPark Wackersdorf) this time: Eyewittnesses claim that some drivers were actually drinking even faster than they were driving. Of course one might have wished for some more participants and sunshine... nevertheless, the organizing team can look back on a successful racing weekend. Andi and Anita (who each had an accident on friday, but seem to be quite okay again): get well soon! We'd like to thank everyone for their sportsmanlike cooperation.

Here are the pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sipscootershop/sets/72157627112986092/

And here's the video:

9th Run&Race (Liedolsheim) - 2nd ESC race 2011

2011-06-27T13:00:00Z

This weekend we went to Liedolsheim, where the 2nd ESC race of the season took place. Once again the guys of the Stoneheads SC did a great job, organizing their 9th Run&Race. A very special event which combines a race and a rally. Great for the visitors of the rally who can watch an exciting race on saturday and also great for the drivers who couldn't possibly wish for a better side event. Fungames, customshow, SCK's dyno and 2 proper nighters. Something to every taste.

Big show this time in the open lf class. Uwe Seipelt (on Marco's race Lambretta) raised the bar high enough to make his competitor Lutz Höppner for once need his 43hp. In the German Scooter Forum somebody put it this way: 'thanks Lutz and Uwe for really avid lambretta moments. Nobody could beat the top performance that you guys showed. Sensation'. We fully support this. Congrats to Lutz, who eventually won the race, as well as to Pesi (Stoffi/SIP Racing Team) and Thomas Holzer (2nd and 3rd place).

Also very exciting: class 1, where you could witness a thrilling fight for the pole position. In the end, Christian Kachel (Stoneheads SC) deservedly won the race, closely followed by Mike Persch and Bene Neuberger (Team Stoffi). Stoffi himself drove his standard class scooter to a respectable 6th position in K1 and confidently won the standard class in front of Tobi Schott and MRP's Stephan. Of course the ESC was especially happy to have some international startes, such as Lucien (Lulu) Jules (Team Avgas, FR) and Miki Hilton (Falc Racing, IT), who both started in the top tier K2.

Just as expected, it got to the point right away in K2 and the audience was captivatedly watching the battle for the lead. When Hilton dropped out in the second race, Rob Leibfarth (Jesco Motors/SIP Racing Team) seized the chance to turn his position at the head of the peloton into the day's victory. Christian Rapf (Undis Racing Team) came in 2nd, followed by Stoneheads SC's Karoo. Mike Betz (GSF/SIP Racing Team), who had also delivered a respectable performance in K2 earlier that day, eventually won the Best-of-all.

Unfortunately this weekend saw two major accidents. We wish Isa and Daniel (both still in hospital) a quick recovery. After the bad crash in France Wolf/Häcker and these unpleasant incidents, we have already seen enough blue light for this young season. Let's hope, we won't need the paramedics in Wackersdorf.

Although there were many delays due to the accidents and a rather unsteady weather, the ESC can look back on a successful second racing weekend. We would like to say thank you to the Stoneheads SC, the race control, the marshals, the riders and visitors who kept their spirits up all day long. We're looking forward to seeing you all next weekend!

Check out Flickr for more pix:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sipscootershop/sets/72157626933248541/

And here... ta taaaa... is the video. Big up for the guys of SIP TV!