JANUARY
2005
24/01/05 :
I'd just like to say thanks to everyone who attended the X-Race / BSSO Awards at the weekend, particularly those of you
who had to travel from further afield to come to the event. The evening went quite smoothly and everyone seemed to have a good time, only a few people
were unable to attend, so the majority of X-Race 2004 winners got their prizes and trophies. A big thanks go out to the sponsors;
PM Tuning and VE (UK) for their generosity and support. And thanks to the folks at the BSSO for their hospitality. Plans are already underway for the next awards bash. I'll keep you all posted with any developments
later on in the year.
21/01/05 :
The X-Race scooter drag racing series is back! The dates for the 2005 season have now been finalised:
Round 1: 27 March - Elvington, North Yorkshire
Round 2: 3 April - Shakespeare County Raceway
Round 3: 22 May - Santa Pod Raceway, Bedfordshire
Round 4: 26 June - East Kirkby, Lincolnshire
Round 5: 13 August - Santa Pod (Scooter Hijack)
Round 6: 9 October - Elvington
The 2005 series will see the action spread out over six rounds at various drag strips across the country,
with five rounds of the rider's choice counting towards the actual championship. The previous class system
has now been dropped in favour of a new class system similar to bracket racing. So this year all scooters,
both geared and automatic, road-going or sprint will be entered into classes according to their performance.
This will even out the competition and means that newcomers can be just as competitive in the series as the more
experienced riders.
Put simply, the new class system is based on each rider's quarter mile performance. There are various
classes ranging from 11.5 seconds all the way down to 20.5 seconds. Similar to how the Straightliners
series is run, the new class system involves what's known as the 'breakout rule'. For example, if you were
racing in the 15.5 class and you managed to do a quarter mile time of 15.2, you would breakout of the 15.5
class and move up into the 14.5 class. So the quicker you go, the harder it becomes as you'll now be competing
against faster opponents.
So how much does it cost to race and what are the requirements?
The cost of entry is approximately £30 to race per round and you don't even have to pre-book, just turn
up on the day with your scooter and pay the entry fee. It couldn't be simpler. A full driving licence
is required to race at Santa Pod and Avon Park. Full leathers are highly recommended. A good quality
crash helmet bearing an ACU gold sticker is compulsory. If you don't have any full leathers, please bring
a suitable jacket and gloves. Boots with ankle protection are also recommended.
Scooter drag racing is arguably one of the cheapest and safest forms of motorsport in the country. But we warned,
it can get addictive!
• For more information about the X-Race UK 2005 Series and the venues, take a look at the official website at:
www.x-race-uk.info
• If you've got any questions or queries about the 2005 Series, feel free to send an email to:
info@x-race-uk.info Or, you can write to this address:
X-Race UK, Longlands House, Wakefield Road, Ossett, West Yorkshire. WF5 0PU
Other news... Issue 36 of Twist & Go is finally out, in it you will find:
X-Race X-Files: X-Race Sprinter • Brit Pack: The Doctor • Brit Pack: Rizla • Piaggio NRG Preview Test • Racer Profile: John Uffindell • Customising: Chrome Engraving •
Polish Scooter Racing • Retro: Sinclair C5 • Product news and more...
20/01/05 :
Just a quick note to those of you who are planning on entering your scooter into the custom show at the Whitby Pavilion Complex - VFM Whitby Pre-Season Rally (Saturday
5th March). The closing date for entries is 11th February, so any entries received after this date may not be processed. It would be great to see
a good turn-out of auto's at this show, so if you are thinking about it, download and print out an entry form below or email it
to Iggy at: whitbyshow@yahoo.co.uk. If there are enough auto's, then rumour has it that there
may even be an Italjet Dragster.com section. So come on guys, get your act together!
Download an entry form here.
04/01/05 :
Happy New Year to one and all. So, we're now into 2005 and already there are a fair few things on the cards... One new and potentially major development, is the
creation of a National Scooter Club dedicated to auto scooterists. Over the christmas break I met up with Mau Spencer (the editor
of Twist & Go magazine) along with a few other individuals who were invited to discuss the formation of such a club. It's early days
at the moment, but we want to get the ball rolling as quickly as possible, if you would like to get involved in any way, then feel
free to send me an email. The creation of the club is currently being discussed on the
Message Board here at Italjet Dragster.com so feel free to take a look when you have a few spare
moments.
Coming up very soon is the X-Race Awards Bash on the 22nd January. I still have some tickets left for this event, so if you'd like to attend
then please get in touch ASAP. Remember that this event is also open to Italjet Dragster.com members. So if you'd
like to get together for a booze up, meet other Drag.com members, talk to BSSO and X-Racers then why not join us?
Plans are currently underway for the 2005 X-Race Series, more news and dates to come shortly...
Also, don't forget it's the National Motorcycle Show at the Manchester G-MEX this weekend. Rumour has it there will be an X-Race display there again this year
at the Straightliners stand. A couple of people have dropped out however, so if there are any X-Racers out there who wish to exhibit their scooter at the show, send me an email.
