WE SPOKE TO: RELEASE THE BEAST

At the Cleethorpes Rally the campsite is the hub of the event. Not only is there a non-stop disco provided by the infamous Mad Dog, but there is plenty to keep punters occupied and amused! Now I have always been obsessed with scooter trickery and the need for speed, so my interest was sparked when I heard the grunty roar of a very interesting machine enter the site and make its way over to the mobile dyno. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it was Jon Patterson on his alien-faced X9 hybrid. So, while his machine was put through its paces I took the opportunity to get a bit of info on the ‘scooter’ and the owner’s thoughts on this event.

Owner: Jon Patterson Hometown: Birmingham, West Bromwich Scooter Club: Solo - but ride out with F5, City Slickers SC and EBSA Scooter Name: The Beast The Build – how did it come about: I was looking for a faster more powerful scooter that was unusual and a bit different! Built by Adam Tassoman in Edinburgh Paint: Colour is Maserati gun metal Fabrication: Done by Steve Hackett at Pitbull Motorcycles, I had to get the rear suspension raised by four inches and upgraded because of the speed bumps around Birmingham! Engine: ‘Tweaked’ X9 500 Do you own any other scooters: I've also got a LML 200 fitted with a 221 Polini kit done by Readspeed at Stourport. It's a pretty fast scooter but nothing like The Beast! This event – getting here, your thoughts: Cleethorpes is about 150 miles each way for me almost all on motorways, so The Beast can excel. It's a great rally and with this weather you can’t go wrong.