Pirelli recently teamed up with Moto Club Benelli at the famous Bonneville Salt Flats, and have set six new scooter world speed records as a result.
The Benelli model 491 scooter with custom graphics by Aldo Drudi, was prepared by Bologna-based performance company, Malossi, using their 50, 85 and 100cc RC-one engine configurations, further enhanced by Jörg Möller. The machine used Pirelli’s latest Diablo Rosso scooter tyres.
Fabio Fazi rode the Malossi-powered Benelli to the first two records on Sunday, 27 August in the 50cc category. Fazi, who is an FIM Bureaux Technical Commission member and an affiliate of the Moto Club Benelli, reached a top speed of 114.823 km/h (71.347 mph) across 1km and 71.294 mph (114.737 km/h) across 1 mile, both speeds representing an average of two runs in both directions.
“I had been to Bonneville just as a spectator, but as a participant you learn how to know the hardships,” said Fabio Fazi. “I am very happy to have personally achieved the record in the 50cc category. The scooter performed great and now, after the victory, we only look forward to returning with the same machine to beat our own record.”
The next four world records were set a few days later on 30th August by former World and Italian Superbike rider Mauro Sanchini. Sanchini flew to the USA from the commentary box at Silverstone’s British Grand Prix while Malossi technicians prepared the 85 and 100cc engines for his arrival. Sanchini, who started his career racing scooters for Malossi in the 1990s, achieved a speed of 133.002 km/h (82.643 mph) across 1 kilometre and 82.436 mph (132.668 km/h) across 1 mile for the 85cc and 142.088 km/h (88.289 mph) and 88.181 mph (141.914 km/h) respectively for the 100cc.
After setting the new benchmark Sanchini commented:
“I am delighted for the great results we have achieved. It has been a great experience in a place that every biker must experience at least once in life. Thanks to Pirelli, Malossi and Benelli and all the guys of the team for their efforts in making all the necessary changes for this strange track. When you ride on salt you really understand the challenge, which adds even more value to the records we’ve reached. Now the challenge is to improve the result!”
For Pirelli the event was an ideal opportunity to show off the sporting credentials of its Diablo Rosso range for scooters, which performed consistently at high speeds across the long, flat dried salt lake in the US state of Utah.
Testing department director of Pirelli Moto, Salvo Pennisi, who had accepted the original challenge from Moto Club Benelli, stated:
“Chasing World Records is not new to Pirelli. Since 2000 we have achieved 21 World Records and with these six records we will enrich our haul! We were requested to participate in this adventure and immediately agreed. The timing was perfect considering the fact that this year we introduced the new Diablo Rosso scooter tyres and we were confident that their performance could play a vital role in achieving this challenging and passionate goal.”
Check out the Pirelli scooter range here.
