The Skinny
What better way to give you an idea of what the Mad Bastard Scooter Rally is actually about than to watch a five minute video of the highlights from the 2011 rally? Shot by the lovely and talented Sarah Moffat and edited by the amazing Jo Boxwell, this should give you a good idea of what to expect when you decide to join in with a group of Mad Bastards.
The Mad Bastard Scooter Rally is an 800 km (or so) scooter ride through some great Canadian scenery all the while collecting as many "mad" points that you can along the way, with the winner getting a brand new scooter to go home with! The location of the rally varies every time, but it has always been based in Ontario, Canada (save for 2007 when it was just across the border in Quebec).
There are various classes to match with the size of the scooter (see below), with each class also determining the amount of time you have to complete the rally (if you get back later than your allotted time then you are classed as a DNF - Did Not Finish).
As you may have noticed, the rally only occurs every second year (the odd ones of course!). If you'd like more information or would simply like to join our emailing list, please go to the Contact Us page.
Classes
Team Go Bananas ready for the off.In order to keep the rally open to all scooters but also to keep a level playing field, we've set up a series of classes by engine capacity. The smaller the scoot, the longer the allotted time to complete the course and more mad points you'll get, but then it's a lot harder to boot!
BTW, cc is defined as to what is printed on the registration papers unless you've modified it in which case we're relying on your honesty to say so (though we also have the right to physically check the bike if we get suspicious). Here are the classes (please note, allowed times are subject to change):
Straitjacket (24 hours) - All scooters (& motorcycles) up to 50 cc in capacity.
Heavily Medicated (20 hours) - All scooters (& motorcycles) greater than 50 cc but no greater than 110 cc.
Therapy Required (18 hours) - Scooters greater than 110 cc but no greater than 200 cc.
Day Release (16 hours) - Scooters greater than 200cc.
Mad Points
Mad Kitty got enough points to win the 2009 event.The Mad Bastard Rally is not just about completing the route within your allotted class time. Oh no, if you want to have a good crack at winning the main prize then you're going to have to collect as many "mad" points along the way as you can.
These points are awarded for various acts of madness, both set by us and created by yourself for being an imaginative (mad) bastard.
For example, in 2005 we awarded points for "getting naked on the ferry". The results ranged from a picture of someone holding up a picture from a skin mag, to some participants getting totally naked themselves. We also awarded points for costume worn, the best of the 2007 event being a viking outfit!
In 2009 and 2011 there was a greater emphasis of points based on class as we wanted to make sure that to have the best chance to win the rally then you really need to be on a 50. You could still win on a bigger scoot but it would require extreme acts of madness to do so!
Prizes
Ben Yu Schott aka Mad Kitty (2009 winner) with his new KYMCO Super 8 scooter (back right).
Grand Prize – is a brand new scooter from KYMCO, but we also try and get some other smaller prizes for some of the other categories (team, media, etc).
Other prizes – On the Friday night we draw a raffle for various other prizes that we have acquired with any money raised going to the event charity.
What to Bring
We have a list of suggested stuff, however, we do require that you also have a digital camera with you as some of the possible mad points will require photographic proof and your ride will need to have an odometer to ensure you did the route. Don't have one? Then you'll also have to get hold of a GPS which can track distances.
