The Whilton 8: BSEC Scooter Endurance Racing | FEATURE

On Friday, we arrived at Whilton Mill go-karting circuit around midday.  We had a beautiful drive down accompanied with glorious weather.

After arriving, we got set up and quickly got all the gear sorted out. Mikey Bonnet checked over the scooter, which passed with flying colours, and away we went.

Early issues

From earlier discussions with the team manager/mechanic, Stuart Gentry from SG Engineering, we worked out that my father, Robert Fielder, should take the first stint of practice. Sending him out for 30 minutes. Around the 25th minute, the scooter had some issues with the ignition, making him come back in for us to check it out.

Stuart got straight to work, and he worked out that we had spun a woodruff key on the flywheel side of the crank. A lengthy fix in the short practice session. This led to Ben Readings only getting 15 minutes of track time. Time flew by after that, catching up with a few friends and my mum arriving, but shortly I was off to bed for a good night’s sleep.

Qualyfying

The next morning, we got ready and Stuart did his pre-race checks, ready for the timed qualifying/practice, this would determine where we were on the grid for the start. I did the first part of practice, setting the standard with a few 1:10s – 1:09s to set the pace for the rest of the team after me. A quick changeover and fuel level check by Stuart allowed Dave Cann to get on the scooter for his stint before the eight-hour race. Dave did amazingly; although I’m not completely sure of his times, he got back in and provided some feedback on the scooter for us.

Adjustment on the clutch, Dave seemed it was a bit weak and not tightened to the full potential, which was brilliant to have our first bit of feedback for Stuart to improve the scooter.

Le Mans start

It was now time for the race, with me taking the Le Mans-style start. It was nerve-racking as I lined up next to a bunch of people all running to get to their scooters and out in front.

Ben Readings was standing with our pink scooter, making sure it didn’t stall. With a quick sprint, I managed to beat a few people and get out ahead, not first, but not last. I took a steady stint, battling my way through the field with lots of overtaking, especially in that heavy traffic, which I’m not usually prepared for in the BSSO.

Apart from that, it was amazing. I had time to really get to grips with the scooter and I learnt a lot. I took one corner too fast at one point, which led to me going onto the grass. After slowly regaining, I steadily put the last couple of laps in, and then I saw the team flagging me in.

Rider change

Into the pits for a refuel and rider change. Chief mechanic, Stuart, was recording the data and keeping an eye on how much fuel we were using compared to some other teams. We were only using a fraction of what others were in total on the stint. He quickly filled the scooter up and Ben went out.

During the long wait till my next stint, I was able to watch my dad back in action after a lengthy disappearance from the BSSO. I must give it to him. He did very well, especially given that he hadn’t even had a scooter on the road for the past couple of years, as he’d been focusing on his scooter shop (TeamGeorge Scooters), which I work at part-time now.

On the pace

After Ben’s stint, my father’s and Dave’s, it was finally my turn to get back out, and this time I was gonna give it a lot more gas and show a little bit more aggression to try and build up the pace.

Adie Horrocks aboard the Hornet Racing ‘Smooth frame’

When I jumped on the scooter, we were in 10th place overall, diving in and out of traffic, trying to keep up with legendary teams like SRP with their Targa Twin, or even Hornet Racing with their full carbon fibre ‘smooth frame.’

Flying Italians

I’d love to say that I was keeping up with team Dexter, but damn, those Italians are fast!

Following around a few of my scootering idols, I was thoroughly enjoying it and picked up the pace, after about 20 minutes, I started to feel the heat, and Jesus, it was hot! A steady pace of 1:05 around the Wilton Mill race circuit, bear in mind it was my first time there. I was happy now.

Ice bath

At the 35-minute mark, it was my time to come in. A quick dismount, and I passed it on to Ben. We were sure getting the routine aced. Talking to Mark Shirley as we both got off at the same time, explaining to each other how bloody knackering it was! But beautifully, Keith Terry and Mikey Bonnet from the British Scooter Endurance Club supplied all the riders with a freshwater bath, bathed in ice as they returned to the paddock area!

Woodruff key

Whilst I was in chill mode, someone mentioned that Ben had come to a stop on the track. Concerned for not only Ben himself but the scooter as well, we all panicked and looked around the track to find Ben pushing it off to the side. In full rush mode, we put the scooter on the stand and fixed the issue in a whopping 25 minutes. It was a woodruff key failure!

Then we quickly sent my father out for his stint, he only got about three or so laps in before the woodruff key went again, indicating there was a deeper problem. We rushed to prep the spare machine, Ben Reading’s Proddy Lambretta. We got it out as soon as we could, leading to our laps being cut short by 70.

Different scooters require different riding styles

Hard work

My first thoughts on the Lambretta was that it was certainly harder. You have to take corners wider, brake later, and it was a goddamn lot of hard work finding my way round the track, abusing Ben’s Lammy. It was rather fun scraping the exhaust, though, but a very scary feeling. I didn’t really get to grips with it as much as the Vespa, but certainly enjoyed it. My stint came to an end, and I had to give it to Dave Cann.

No takers

It turned out that no one else wanted a stint on the Lambretta, as it was such hard work in the heat. I thought it was good fun in the end though.

When I received the Lambretta again at the changeover, I hurried and brought it straight to Stuart. He fuelled it up and I got out on track. After three or so laps, I realised there were zero and I mean ZERO brakes. Ben’s scooter has really good engine braking though, so I could keep up with some of the competitors with that. It wasn’t as efficient as having a front brake, though, especially coming down the fast bit of Wilton Mill and down the back straight. I decided to use the rear brake.

Calmly nursing the bike round to the finish, each minute and every lap felt like an hour. I really enjoyed it, though, and soon Keith Terry was waving the flag to tell us that our time was over…

What a great weekend. I came back in and celebrated with the team; we had photos, then it was time to pack up. I must say the British Scooter Endurance Club was amazing, they’re all very nice people, and it’s a very cheap and easy way to get into scooter racing.

Big thanks to Stuart Gentry at SG Engineering for being the chief mechanic of Team George Scooter Racing, also accompanied by my mother, who was the cook, and all the riders, Rob Fielder, Ben Readings, and last but not least, Dave Cann.

Words: George Fielder

Images: Lee Hollick

**Lee is raising money for charity this year by selling his race images. You can check out his fundraiser here.**