Polini Italian Cup 2017, off to a flying start!

Photo shoot: Francesca Carne

Polini Italian Cup 2017 – The calendar of the 12th edition of the Polini Italian Cup 2017 has been made official, where the 6 tests will be held, with the novelty of two races on prestigious racetracks such as Magione and Cervesina, where this year we took to the track to test the Vespa 171 of Polini.

The success of the Polini Italian Cup has always been based on a fairly simple and, therefore, effective formula, in which the desire to have fun prevails. Since all the participants are on the same technical level, in the Polini Italian Cup there is always a very familiar and relaxed atmosphere, despite the fact that it is one of the most followed trophies in Italy.

This year the big news was the new entry of the Vespa Polini 171cc 4T, which debuted in the Polini Italin Cup, giving life to a spectacular and interesting single-make series with battles right up to the last corner. We at Motorionline had the pleasure, thanks to Simon and Dennis Polini, of trying it at the last race on the prestigious and beautiful Tazio Nuvolari circuit (PV), 2.805 meters long.

Comfortable in everyday life, we took to the track to make the most of the Vespa Piaggio 171 4T, where the technological innovations from Polini showcased the sporting character of this vehicle: a real laboratory scooter. It was enough to get on the saddle to change my mind about the initial impact, which was not entirely exceptional. We approached the Vespa with the typical detachment of those who are unfamiliar, with the curiosity of those who want to discover something more about a vehicle with these technical characteristics, on which Polini Motori worked hard all last winter.

Once we got into the saddle, any doubts were dispelled by quickly finding answers to all those questions that arose from the initial evaluation. The riding position requires a minimum of learning and the riding style must be managed with the position of the legs in the saddle. I admit that I also had my foot resting in the middle and only after a few laps did I start riding on my toes. By placing your feet and supporting yourself with your legs, driving becomes enormously easier.

After a few laps I become familiar with the Polini Vespa 171 and the initial responses are positive; the chassis and suspension work well, at the entrance and in the center of the curve the stability of the ride gives precision and stability during the ride. Lap after lap the confidence increases and the limit gets closer.

If you adopt a light and not too nervous driving style, the Vespa 171 Polini transmits an excellent feeling that allows precise and clean cornering and you always have the feeling that you can do anything with it. On medium and short distance journeys, with the bike at a very steep angle it seems like entering a corner with the engine slightly accelerated, and this requires greater strength to hold the rope and it is better to load the front with all the weight possible to avoid losing the front .

The only negative note, if you can call it that, is the total weight of the Vespa which is not very light but in running order the weight is not felt, while to tell the truth during a first purely static approach, we expected something less.

And then there is the engine. The version that we used during our test had some advanced modifications, the engine is full-bodied and satisfying and it also recovers very well from “throttle all the way off”. The brakes are powerful and modulatable and what also positively impressed me was the front system, with a nice bite, aggressive and decisive, an opportunity for further fun for the more detached riders!

New in the Vespa 171 4T category for 2017

On the occasion of the Polini Italian Cup test we explored the topic in depth with the technical manager of the Bergamo company Denis Polini, who informed us that “for next year some technical changes will be revised in the Vespa 171 4T category, with an increase in displacement from 171 to 185 cc, racing profile camshaft, CNC throttle body from 26 to 30 and a new electronic control unit (ECU) which represents the brain of the engine control which will bring an increase in rpm from 9.200 to 10.000. Furthermore, new features will also be introduced in the clutch, bell housing, variator and belt areas".

2017 RACE CALENDAR
2 April – Magione (PG)
14 May – Latina
11 June – Castelletto di Branduzzo (PV)
9 July – Ottobiano (PV)
3 September – Pomposa (FE)
1 October – Cervesina (PV)

REGISTRATION PROMO
The registration fee for each individual test will be Euro 90,00. The Moto Club Bergamo offers some interesting promotions for pre-registration for the entire championship, which can be subscribed until 28 February 2017. The timing guarantees the delivery of the Speed-Polini leather suits on the occasion of the first scheduled test.

1 - COMPLETE PROMOTION – Total Euro 740,00 

– registration fees for 6 tests 

– POLINI SPEED leather suit cod. 098.2601
(for all categories) 2 Mitas rain tires 3,50 – 10” cod. 050.0434 

– (for the Vespa 171 4T category) Mitas slick 110-70-12 tires cod. 050.0445 and 120-70-12 cod. 050.0446 



2 - REGISTRATION PROMOTION – Total Euro 480,00 

– registration fees for all 6 races of the championship 

– (for all categories) 2 Mitas rain tires 3,50 – 10” cod. 050.0434
(for the Vespa 171 4T category) Mitas 110-70-12 tires cod. 050.0445 and 120-70-12 cod. 050.0446

We dressed:
Helmet: Caberg
Suit: Speed
Boots: Stylmartin
Gloves: OJ