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GÜNTER SCHACHERMAYR:
VESPA RECORD MAN

THE FREESTYLE RIDING STAR, A THIRTY-YEAR-OLD AUSTRIAN ENGINEER KNOWN AS “LUMPI”, HAS MADE HIS NAME AS A SCOOTER STUNTMAN, ATHLETE AND PERFORMER, WITH DISPLAYS ALL OVER THE WORLD. HIS FEATS ARE BREATH-TAKING… BUT DON’T TRY THEM AT HOME!

Günter Schachermayr Wiener Riesenrad

His spectacularly crazy exploits depend on detailed technical, athletic and organisational preparation. Beginning more than ten years ago, Austrian engineer Günter Schachermayr has transformed his passion for the Vespa into an original parallel “profession”, setting countless records. He “rides” his scooter vertically, along a steel cable; he executes leaps and turns from the saddle, often on just one wheel and riding “no hands”; he juggles with coloured rings; with a Vespa converted into a sort of “submarine”, he has even completed a ride at a depth of 5 metres, in a diving suit and with an oxygen tank; he speed races against Ferraris and Jaguars; he has undertaken rides on the ice and steered his “flying” Vespa through blazing obstacles.

There are no limits to the imagination in the stunts and feats “Lumpi” performs with enthusiasm and expertise. The 30-year-old Austrian is married to Sabrina, who is a member of his freestyle riding show team; they have two sons: Nico and… Kevin Vespa! This is the name chosen for their younger son and officially shown on his birth certificate. Günter is an engineer by profession: he employs his skills in preparing the vehicles for his displays. He is also involved in charity work: he and his wife, both dressed as Father Xmas, ride a Vespa to take toys to needy children during the annual “charity toy run”.

In an exclusive interview with the British monthly magazine Scootering, “Lumpi” revealed that his passion for the Italian scooter dates way back: his parents were Vespa enthusiasts and always encouraged him; at 16 he acquired his first Vespa, a 50 Special, which he bought with his savings. His first rally was the Vienna Eurovespa, and his longest trip as a youngster was to Pontedera, in Tuscany, to visit the Piaggio factory where the Vespa scooters are made, and the company museum.

His private “collection” currently consists of four Vespa scooters: TS 200, PK 125, PK 112 and TS 125. For his displays, he uses two 50.4 Hp 2-stroke scooters (one powered by a nitrous oxide gas fuel blend), carefully prepared to achieve the right balance between performance and technical safety.

A star of the world stunt riding and freestyle riding championships, holder of several records, “Lumpi” is planning other spectacular feats. And of course he was there at Vespa World Days 2016 in Saint-Tropez, where he didn’t go unnoticed!

(The photos and the video clip for this article were taken from Günther Schachermayr’s official website).

INFO:
www.guenter-schachermayr.at