Stars turn out for scooterthon

This year’s Insure My Ride Le Minz 24 Hour Scooterthon looks set to benefit from some sideways-sliding action, with a packed field including the likes of former superbike world champion Troy Bayliss (pictured), former speedway world champion Jason Crump, and former 500 GP ace Garry McCoy.

Presented by TGB Scooters and to be held at the Gold Coast’s Parklands Showgrounds over December 8-9, the gruelling scooter race – billed by its organiser as “The world’s toughest scooter event” – will attract several other racing greats, including two-time U21 world speedway champion Darcy Ward, along with AFL legend Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt. Scooter endurance rider (and Guinness World Record holder) Mark ‘Brownie’ Brown will also face up to the challenge.

The stars will contribute to a packed field comprising 25 teams, all campaigning diminutive 50cc scooters in this, the eighth year of the Le Minz race. Bayliss said he was looking forward to competing in the unique event.

“I can’t wait for next week; it’s going to be a lot of fun riding with Crumpy and Brownie and these little scooters are great on this track,” he said. “I hope everyone comes down to support it – it’s only a gold-coin donation to get in and it all goes to charity."

Bayliss’s helmet and riding gear will be auctioned at the event, the proceeds going to the ‘4 ASD KIDS’ children’s charity, which is headed up by former international rugby league star Matt Rogers and his wife, Chloe. A major fund-raising raffle will also be held, with the first prize being a new TGB scooter.

The 2012 Insure My Ride Le Minz 24-Hour Scooterthon will be held from midday on December 8 until midday on December 9. For more information visit www.facebook.com/leminzscooterthon.