Video: Watch two mechanics race into the record books on a mobility scooter
By Rachel Swatman
Mechanics David Anderson and Mathew Hine (both Isle of Man) spent six months building the Fastest mobility scooter in the world – a vehicle that usually crawls at less than 10 mph – and raced into the record books at a blinding speed of 173.16 km/h (107.6 mph).
With Mathew in the driver's seat, the challenge took place at the Jurby Motodrome in Isle of Man, and the speed was measured as an average over 1/4 of a mile.
The determined pair decided to attempt the title after hearing about Colin Furze's 115.21 km/h (71.59 mph) supercharged scooter on television.
However, the speed they had to beat was 133.04 km/h (82.67 mph), achieved by Klaus Nissen Petersen (Denmark) in 2012.
For this record Guinness World Records guidelines state that the scooter has to be based on an existing, commercially available mobility aid. The engine may be modified or replaced in a way that seems suitable to gain a higher speed - but from the outside the vehicle must appear like a traditional motorscooter.
The original mobility scooter before it was modified
David built the body of the vehicle and explained to Guinness World Records: "We took a 'Days Strider' mobility scooter and a racing go-kart chassis and re-designed the chassis to fit the dimensions of the scooter and the engine … Wheels and tyres were taken from the go-kart as the original scooter wheels were only rated for 8 mph. The engine was taken from a Suzuki 600cc Bandit."
Unfortunately, the duo is unable to register the scooter for road-use because it doesn't have any front brakes.