ON THE ROAD

Recently ratified by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), September 2020 saw Southend-resident Keith Terry, 69, notch up an incredible 110mph on his 1980s Lambretta scooter, breaking four different world records.

Terry spent three years modifying and improving his scooter, adding more than 75% to the engine’s original capabilities. All his work turned a 200cc full-bodied Lambretta GP into his beloved “Orient Express,” officially the world’s fastest full-bodied Lambretta. The four new FIM World Speed Records are: the quickest standing start mile at 110mph, the “flying kilometer” at 107mph, the fastest standing start quarter mile at 14 seconds and the quickest flying quarter mile at 8.5 seconds.

The challenge took place on September 26th and 27th at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire, United Kingdom. Terry’s run on the runway was “done blind” to help streamline the scooter as he crossed the finish line. Moreover, he also had to battle against a crosswind to achieve top speed. “There was just another guy on the day, we had a right battle the whole day,” Terry said. “I tuck my head right down into the dashboard, I’m riding it blind at the end, but I wouldn’t recommend doing that!”

Terry commented: “It took a lot of work to get to this point, so I’m really pleased with the outcome. I’ve been eyeing up the opportunity for more than two years. It’s taken a lot of modifying and changing it around. There was also a lot of red tape to get through before I could enter. I even had to ask [FIM] to change the rules to allow me to take part.”

“I also had to pay for private healthcare to make sure I was healthy. I had an ECG and a heart scan before I traveled up there.”