Sprinting Review

Over the years sprinting has always had periods where there are either a large number of entries or virtually none. Even when there has been a much larger grid it doesn’t mean to say it’s been an exciting season. However, 2016 saw some great battles, big

Stu Owen takes a look at last season’s top contenders and gives us an insight into what we can expect for 2017.

Quarter mile

While the grid was fairly full in 2016 there were mixed feelings as to how it should be run in 2017. The main entry looks likely to be in the Straightliners series which runs bracket racing whereas the NSA has a smaller entry and runs purely against the clock. For those that don’t understand bracket racing, you run as close as you can to the time in your class.

For example the 13.1 class means you want to get a time as close as possible to 13.10 seconds over the quarter mile distance. If you go faster then you break out and go in the 12.1 class. While the bracket racing can be close and competitive, the rider isn’t necessarily going as fast as they can. Racing against the clock is simple; you are trying to go the distance in the shortest time possible.

Some riders have found bracket racing rather frustrating – not being able to go as quick as they possibly can – with some opting to break out of their class just to see what times they are actually capable of achieving. The knock on effect of this has meant sacrificing any chances of winning a championship.

It also has to be noted that bracket racing can stifle the development of a machine. After all, why search for more power if you aren’t going to use it? On the other hand, bracket racing is great for those who are just getting into the sport and allows riders to compete on a more level field.

Having spoken to most of the entrants there does seem to be a 50-50 split as to which way things should be run in 2017. As Straightliners is the main series, maybe they could keep the bracket racing but introduce a class for those who would prefer to just to do the quarter mile against the clock. This could keep the entry level high and still encourage new comers while at the same time allow those that want to develop their machine and go as fast as possible happy as well.

Of course all this would need to be discussed and voted on through the correct channels, even if it couldn’t be implemented until 2018. Hopefully some sort of proposal can be drawn up between the riders to keep up the momentum the sport is currently enjoying.

Top speed

This looks like being one of the best years in decades for anyone who is entering this discipline. Last year saw some remarkable speeds, not only on full blown sprint machines but also on full-bodied road legal ones as these types of meetings become ever more popular. Straightliners did a great job of putting on several speed weekends while running a British records event in between. With both Pendine Sands in Wales and Elvington in Yorkshire used as the tracks there was plenty of time to prepare for each event. Both venues have been confirmed for 2017 so anyone thinking of entering had better get a move on as the competition heats up.

In June there will be a two day combined top speed and quarter mile event at RAF Woodbridge in Suffolk. For those that don’t know this venue it has a two mile runway that has one of the best surfaces in the country and has previously seen Lambrettas run up to 120mph there. The venue had not been available for over a decade and has only recently been confirmed but is not one to be missed if you are serious about this sport.

Sprinting and top speed events are open to anyone to enter. If it’s legal, it doesn’t matter what make of scooter it is.

How to join in

Every year newcomers always ask about how to enter, race dates, regulations, licence requirements etc. The sport in the main is run by the Straightliners and all the information you need to get started is available online on their website www.straightlinersonline.co.uk or alternatively you can sprint with the NSA, information how to enter is found here: www.nationalsprintassociation.org.

The date for the two-day event at RAF Woodbridge has now been confirmed and will be held on the weekend of June 24/25, 2017. Full details of how to enter are not available at the time of going to press but will be updated on the 100mph Lambretta Club Facebook page in due course: www.facebook.com/100-MPHLambretta-CLUB-297903866942163

Will you be there?

Sprinting and top speed events are open to anyone to enter. It doesn’t matter what make of scooter it is as long as it’s legal to race. Though the sport is Lambretta dominated at the moment but it would be great to see other makes of scooter competing. Hopefully with all the latest kits available for the small frame Vespa we may see a few more of them on the grid this year.

Remember everyone has to start at the beginning and it can be daunting the first time you go out on the strip. You don’t have to build the most powerful engine or the most radical chassis to get started. Just take your road going scooter along and join in. Who knows, you may become a championship winner or record holder but you will never know if you don’t try. There is a good camaraderie between the scooter riders in the paddock and they will make any new comers more than welcome. So you can either spend your summer weekend blasting down the race strip at full throttle while inhaling all the exotic two-stroke fumes or stay at home cutting the lawn. I know which one I would rather be doing. Words: Stu Owen Photographs: Duncan Rose