We may have lost Eurovision... again, but we got a new Guinness World Record...

The first ever 24 Hour Mobility Scooter Endurance Challenge took place over the weekend on the tarmac cycle track at Fowlmead Country Park near Deal in Kent and a brand new Guinness World Record was set! The Red Wheelies have set a new world record for the longest distance travelled on a mobility scooter within a 24 hour period – covering a massive 154 miles (248km).

The previous world record was held by Haidar Talib from the United Arab Emirates, who travelled 88 miles (142km) from Masdar City to Sharjah Al Thiqa Club on November 11 last year.

This challenge was undertaken by The Red Wheelies Mobility Scooter Formation Display Team on a 20 strong fleet of 5 wheel Quingo’s, with Pit Lane Support being provided by Quingo’s specialist team of engineers and mechanics. All the Red Wheelies team members have Multiple Sclerosis and drove through most of the night but the 24 Hour Challenge was just another day for them.

Jackie Weeden, Red Wheelies leader, takes up the story: “We are utterly exhausted but totally ecstatic! Our aim was to have fun and raise awareness of Multiple Sclerosis in a more positive light and we hope we’ve done that.

By completing the Challenge successfully we have shown that if you are diagnosed with the condition you don’t have to stop living a full life. In fact, you can do things other people can’t!”

Quingo’s Mark Nicholls says the company was delighted to support The Red Wheelies, all money raised will go to new facilities at the Kent MS Therapy Centre in Canterbury where all the team are members.

“This really was the biggest challenge that The Red Wheelies have undertaken and while there were plenty of thrills there were no spills, thanks to Quingo’s 5 wheel agility, stability.”

Jackie Weeden from The Red Wheelies again: “While our legs may have let us down, the scooters give us back our independence. Our philosophy is that we might have to accept the odd limitation but we certainly aren’t going to give up.

Wheelies feel that with a positive attitude and a sense of humour we can achieve what might appear to be impossible. After all, not everyone can say they are a world record holder, can they?”

The Duchess of Cornwall who became an honorary member last year will be informed.

A World Record and everyone is invited...

Everyone is welcome down to Fowlmead Country Park in Kent over the weekend of 14th & 15th May to support the Red Wheelies record setting effort which runs from 1.00 p.m. on Saturday to 1.00 p.m. on Sunday. The FUNDAY has many additional attraction including a traditional funfair, classic car/bike show, hog roast, BBQ and Search and Rescue Dog display. The event is open from Saturday 11.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. and Sunday 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m and all proceeds go to the Kent MS Therapy Centre fund. Your support is greatly appreciated! For those with Sar Nav, the postcode is CT14 0BF.

Mark Nicholls explained “This really is the biggest challenge that The Red Wheelies have ever undertaken and we will be doing whatever we can to help them gain a coveted place in the Guinness Book of World Records.”

Good luck ladies!!!

For the latest information visit www.redwheelies.com

The first ever 'Red Wheelie' 24 hr Mobility Scooter Endurance Challenge

While things are stepping up in France in preparation for the Le Mans 24 hour endurance race in a corner of England similar preparations are underway for another 24 hr endurance challenge taking place 14/15 May 2011.

This is the first 24 hr mobility scooter endurance challenge and the chance of a Guinness World Record. 'The Greatest Distance covered in 24 hours on a mobility scooter'. The event is being organised by The Red Wheelie Mobility Scooter Formation Team.

Jackie Weeden, Red Wheelie leader explained "All the Red Wheelie team members have Multiple Sclerosis and our aims are to have fun, raise awareness of Multiple Sclerosis in a more positive light, try to show that if you are diagnosed with the condition you don't have to stop living and to show while our legs may let us down our scooters can give us back our independence. Our philosophy is that we might have to accept the odd limitation but we certainly aren't going to give up. Wheelies feel that with a positive attitude and a sense of humour you, yourself, can achieve what might appear to be impossible. We the Wheelies are determined to prove MS does not mean must stop."

Taking place at Fowlmead Country Park, Nr Deal, Kent on the tarmac cycle track the event is being organised by the team to raise funds for the rebuilding of the new Centre for the Kent MS Therapy Centre in Canterbury where all the team are members. A ‘wheelie’ fun weekend for all the family is envisaged with a traditional funfair, hog roast, bbq Search and Rescue dogs and lots lots more.

Jackie continued "This is not the first time we have undertaken feats on our scooters, previously we have ‘walked’ Hadrian’s Wall (in 2009) a distance of 84 miles and last year ‘walked’ from Winchester Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral via the St Swithun’s Way and the North Downs Way this time 150 miles. But we are perhaps best known for our mobility scooter formation routines. We decided to do something completely different this year!

If you would like to hear more about us and our story we have a website www.redwheelies.co.uk where more can be seen about us and our endeavours. We are only to happy to talk about us and our experiences and can be contacted either by email redwheelies@googlemail.com or by phone on 07801 383171."

Quingo are delighted to be part of the challenge and will be providing Pit Lane Support to their fleet of Quingo Vitess's throughout the weekend. Keep your diary free, everyone is invited!!!

How stable are the competition?

The results of the latest independent testing of the Quingo range against competitor products are in.

The report was carried out by a leading systems and engineering technology company Frazer-Nash Consultancy. The tests carried out stability analysis for three manoeuvres that are representative of day-to-day use and were selected as those most likely to induce a vehicle tip over.

Products on test were the 5 wheel Quingo Sport and the new Quingo Vitess while the competitor products were the Booster Trophy, the Handicare Winner and Merits S133, all of which are 3-wheeled vehicles. The test comprised of the following scenarios:

Scenario 1: Turning at full-lock on the flat (at a range of speeds) on a flat surface.
In this test both the Quingo Vitess and Sport were shown to be significantly more stable on the flat regardless of the speed.

Scenario 2: Turning at full-lock on an incline (at a range of speeds) on a 1:6 inclined surface. This test showed the same outcome with the Quingo’s by far the the most stable however the margin of advantage with 5 wheels widened further.

Scenario 3: Descending a kerb at an angle( at a range of kerb heights)
THis final test reveals that both the Quingo models are able to descend the highest kerbs without tipping while the 3-wheel models all tip at significantly lower heights .

In summary, this latest report further demonstrates the genuine benefits of the 5 wheel Quingo over traditional mobility scooters. To get a copy of the full report please contact us.

Quingo products achieve TUV approval

The all new Quingo Vitess and its larger brother the Quingo Sport have been single vehicle certificated for TUV approval at TUV Rhineland Cologne. TUV is recognised as the premier approval for safety and quality in over 50 countries world wide.

The TUV test encompasses the quality of build which includes the durability of components, welding quality, removal of sharp or dangerous edges, ergonomic design in terms of safety/operation and correct lighting and labelling. The vehicles must also conform to the Vehicle Licensing Order (FZV - German Specification).

Fred Brown of Advanced Vehicle Concepts commented "The team are delighted that these products are now approved, it means a lot of new opportunities and a great future for the Quingo. The Quingo range is truly the "Best in Class" in the world markets."

The all new 5 wheel Quingo Vitess

Advanced Vehicle Concepts are please to introduce the very latest in 5 wheel scooter development. As the world’s only manufacturers of 5 wheeled mobility scooters AVC are committed to maintaing their market leading products by consistently integrating customer feedback to fuel new designs.

The new Quingo Vitess has over 45 new features and benefits including an all new digital display with night illumination and easy to operate controls, improvements across steering, brakes and suspension, a new ergonomic seat, better access on and off the vehicle, brighter more efficient light kit, even a new 12V power socket to use with Sat Nav, iPod or any other standard 12V accessory and all encapsulated in an all new 'Fine line' body design.

Mark Nicholls, managing director for mobility scooter manufacturers Forever Active Ltd, said: “The Vitess, packed with a whole range of added benefits, ensures we continue our pioneering work within the mobility scooter market.”

The new model is one of five models within the range alongside the affordable Quingo Classic, high-performing Quingo Plus, high-powered Quingo Sport and transportable Quingo Air.

Mark added: “Users can also benefit from a range of accessories including heated hand grips, bags and covers and the soon to be released Quingo Arc which is an 'All-weather Removable Canopy offering the user the opportunity to travel come rain or shine.” If you would lik to know more about the Quingo Vitess or any other Quingo in the range please call 0800 085 8545.

We'd be happy to help.

Red Wheelies & Quingo hit the big stage

FSky1’s reality talent show Got To Dance was host the Red Wheelies latest delve onto British television when they were asked by the show to take part in auditions. The judges are Ashley Banjo, leader and choreographer of BGT winners Diversity, West End star Adam Garcia and Pussycat Doll Kimberley Wyatt.

Manoeuvring in such a small area would be a serious issue for traditional scooters but with their special fleet of 5 wheeled Quingos, the ladies performed superbly both for the live audience and the cameras. Well done ladies!!