Vespa Celebrates 75 Years of Building Scooters

The 19 millionth Vespa unit was an anniversary edition GTS 300.

The 19 millionth Vespa unit was an anniversary edition GTS 300. (Piaggio Group/)

Vespa hit its 75th anniversary earlier this year and also celebrates 19 million scooters produced with a special 75th series that includes limited-edition versions of the Primavera and GTS. The actual 19 millionth unit was a GTS 300 produced at the brand’s Pontedera plant, where the whole story started back in 1946.

Vespa is using a special Giallo 75th colorway on its line of 75th series machines, drawing inspiration for the color from design aesthetics popular in the 1940s. In total there will be five anniversary editions available in 2021: 50cc, 125cc, and 150cc size Primaveras along with 125cc and 300cc editions of the GTS.

The brand that’s become synonymous with scooters around the world.

The brand that’s become synonymous with scooters around the world. (Piaggio Group/)

Riders in the States will be able to choose from the Primavera S 50 ($4,499), the Primavera S 150cc ($5,849), or the GTS Super Tech 300 ($7,949) with units arriving this May.

The brand has established itself as the paradigm of scooters around the world and its designs have become synonymous with the word “scooter” for countless individuals. The company started just after World War II with a patent for “a motorcycle featuring a rational elemental and organic complex combined with frame and fenders and an engine hood covering all mechanical parts.” Two years later the Vespa 125cc was debuted and by 1949 there were enough Vespa enthusiasts to hold the first Unione Italiana Vespa Riders convention with 30 different clubs in attendance.

The Primavera and GTS anniversary editions will come with special badging to mark the occasion.

The Primavera and GTS anniversary editions will come with special badging to mark the occasion. (Piaggio Group/)

Over the following years Vespa gained a foothold in the popular culture of the mid-20th century thanks to movies like Roman Holiday and ever broadening availability throughout Europe and beyond.

Vespa has entered units in the Paris-Dakar rally, has seen its scooters successfully make the trip from Rome to Saigon and Alaska to Tierra del Fuego; it has set scooter speed records and pushed scooter technology forward again and again.

Vespa developed a special colorway to honor the aesthetic popular in the 1940s.

Vespa developed a special colorway to honor the aesthetic popular in the 1940s. (Piaggio Group/)

Recent years have been a boom for Vespa as well, with almost 2 million of its total 19 million units being produced in the last 10 years alone.

And with its step into the electric market with the Vespa Elettrica, the Italian brand appears poised to carry forward well into the future.

Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com

Wayne Burgess to Become New Head of Design for Ola Electric

India is gunning to be a leading force in the e-scooter market. On May 3rd, Ola Electric presented the news of electric scooters on a global scale by 2022 and made headlines with the commitment to build a Hypercharger Network consisting of over 100,000 charging points across 400 cities of India.

According to a report from RideApart, Ola Electric also announced Wayne Burgess as the new Head of Vehicle Design.  The announcement couldn’t have come at a better time, or be more strategically placed, seeing as this news came the day after the company revealed its goal to provide the Hypercharger Network.

India Hypercharger Network

Wayne Burgess comes with an impressive pedigree, having played a hand in the design of the Bentley Arnage, as well as the Aston Martin Vantage and DB9. In the 20 years at Jaguar Land Rover, Burgess also played a part in the design of several Jaguar models, including the XF, XE, F-Type, and F-Pace models.

In a statement released by Burgess, “I am looking forward to my work at Ola Electric and to the opportunity to lead a team that will work on designing cutting-edge electric vehicles for the world. I am thrilled to be part of Ola as it accelerates on its path to becoming a leader in global EV solutions,”

“Wayne is a fantastic addition to our leadership team and will bring global appeal and design aesthetic to our industry-changing electric vehicles,” Bhavish Aggarwal, Chairman, and CEO of Ola said in a statement.  

“As the world moves to EVs, the vehicle form factors will be fundamentally reimagined.  Wayne’s expertise in designing some of the most legendary vehicles will also be helpful in bringing these new form factors to consumers. I look forward to collaborating with him to build the most iconic range of EVs in the world,” said Bhavish Aggarwal. 

Twisted Road Website

Ola Scooter

Ola isn’t playing games when it comes to the company goals. On top of basing their first scooter prototype on the highly popular and efficient Etergo AppScooter, there are also plans circulating that hint at designs for four-wheeled electrics. Based on the major moves the company has made, it’s more than apparent that they plan on taking the EV world by storm. 

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Mir: At the start of the season, “we have to survive”

That’s 38 points more than Mir had at this stage last season. After four rounds in 2020, the Spaniard was 14th in the overall classification on 11 points, 48 adrift of leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). In 2021, he’s just 17 points behind Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team). And if it wasn’t for the Ducatis of Bagnaia and Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) being absolute missiles down the Losail International Circuit home straight, Mir probably would have a P2 to his name this year too. However, that’s not how motorcycle racing works. Ducati have their strengths, Suzuki have theirs. And unfortunately for Mir at the Qatar GP, Ducati were able to unleash theirs at the wrong time for the number 36.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

What new parts were Honda testing at the Jerez Test?

Firstly, though, let’s quickly touch on the new parts HRC brought that we might see in action at a Grand Prix weekend very soon, mainly a new aerodynamic package. Five different packages were seen out on track during the day, as the factory look to find some immediate improvements. As you can see from the images below, Honda were seen, of course, working on their current aero package, they were testing an aero package first introduced at the Qatar Test earlier this year, two variations on the ‘moustache’ aero, which was first rolled out at the Misano Test last year, and also, quite remarkably, Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) was seen running the aero package that Honda used back in 2018.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Dorna restructures to create new Global Commercial Area

Pau Serracanta: “My passion has always been the sports sector and the fact that I have been able to dedicate a good part of my professional career to Dorna Sports, I can affirm that it has been a great privilege and that I am very grateful to have worked with a team of excellent professionals. Dorna Sports is like a big family, under the leadership of Carmelo Ezpeleta, a great mentor and whom I consider almost like a father on the professional side. With all the support and knowledge that he has given me, he has meant that these more than two decades will pass at the same speed as the bikes of our fantastic championships. My future plans continue around innovation, technology and sustainability projects.”

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

100 bikes race at Historic Winton

One hundred motorcycle and sidecar racers will be on show at the annual Historic Winton event on 22-23 May, 2021, at Winton Motor Raceway in Victoria.

The event was canceled last year because of the pandemic and this year it has caused the organisers to cancel official vehicle displays.

However, organisers say spectators are welcome to arrive on their historic motorcycles and will be parked together.

“We’ve had about 10 weeks to organise the event instead of 10 months,” a spokesperson says.

“It’s amazing what a great team can do – all volunteers too.”

There will be a total of 300 competitors in 48 races, once again after the COVID-caused hiatus in 2020.

Ticket sales have opened with a bang, according to event secretary, Peta Lee.

“We had no idea what to expect but the event is so loved by its fans that plenty are keen for another dose of historic motorsport action,” she said.

“The support from spectators is amazing with people keen to get into the outdoors around the Winton racetrack to see the historic cars, motorcycles and sidecars tough it out,” Peta said.

“Surprisingly, we have quite a number of first-time or new competitors from around Victoria which we are thrilled about.”Historic Winton

Tickets are available online only to meet COVID contact tracing requirements in advance of getting to the gate.  They will be on sale until 4pm, Sunday 23 May.

Peta said that purchasing and registering in advance will mean that ticket holders will flow quite quickly into the grounds of Winton Motor Raceway.

Tickets are reduced this year as there are less displays, so a daily ticket is $30 per adult, children 17 and under are free but must be registered online to get entry.

Camping is also available at $50 for the weekend per person through the ticket link.

“There’ll be plenty of room for everyone to social distance and we ask attendees to be COVID safe at all time,” she said.

A limited number of programs will be available for purchase onsite.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Valencia to host scintillating action as round two beckons

Moving on to the Moto2™ ECh, and it is the battle of the Boscoscuros as Moto2™ rookie sensation Fermin Aldeguer (Boscoscuro Talent Team – Ciatti) stormed to a double victory at Estoril, following a titanic scrap between himself and fellow rookie teammate Alonso Lopez. The Spaniards fought hard in the opening round and it could be a repeat performance in Valencia, with both having fond memories – Aldeguer took the STK600 title there last year, whilst Lopez was on the podium in 2017 in the FIM Moto3™ JWCh. Third in the standings is Malaysia’s Adam Norrodin (Liqui Moly Intact SIC Racing Team), who took a first podium at Estoril, whilst Thailand’s Keminth Kubo (VR46 Master Camp Team) is fourth. First pole-sitter of 2021, Lukas Tulovic (Liqui Moly Intact SIC Racing Team), aims for his first ever back-to-back podiums in the Moto2™ ECh, and is currently seventh in the standings.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Britten V1000 Images Feature

Britten V1000

With Phil Aynsley


There have been many, many words written (and at least one film produced), about John Britten and his wonderful creations. I’ll let the images do the talking here and just note that this is one of the early (1992) bikes and originally had the 003 engine number. Those crankcases were later fitted to another bike and cases stamped 002 were then fitted to this bike (before the present owner obtained it in 1997).

Andrew Stroud’s Britten V1000

The achievements of this bike include:

Andrew Stroud’s Britten V1000

1993 – Four first places in NZ, first in the Bathurst BEARS race and second in the Formula 1 race.

Andrew Stroud’s Britten V1000

1994 – 119 mph lap at the IOM, first in the BOTT at Daytona (with the highest top speed recorded there of 189 mph/304 km/h).

Andrew Stroud’s Britten V1000

1995 – First in the inaugural BEARS World Championship with five wins.

Andrew Stroud’s Britten V1000

The bike makes 166 hp at 11,800 rpm (12,500 rpm safe maximum) and weighs in at 138 kg. Top speed is 304 km/h.

Andrew Stroud’s Britten V1000

It was truly a privilege to be allowed to spend a day photographing it! And moving it around by myself is one of the most terrifying things I have ever done!!

Source: MCNews.com.au