Mike Siebert, a Portland resident and a scooterist for 10 years, owns a scooter he made for $250. His scooter is almost entirely built from free parts he picked up from friends' yards. Siebert, who brought his scooter to Salt Lake City in a truck, said he enjoys the minimalist part of riding a scooter.

Siebert said he pays just $6.50 a month to insure his scooter.

During Friday's activities at the Italian Center of Utah, Dr. Giovanni G. Maschero, Vice Consul of Italy, toasted the scooterists and the success of the rally.

"I had a Vespa when I was a teenager," Maschero said. "I was the leader of the Vespa clan. They are a big success in Italy and a big success in the United States, too."

Today, a Scoot Expo will be held at the Gallivan Center, 279 S. Main, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. A "Best of Show" competition will start at 10 a.m. on Gallivan Avenue and at 2 p.m., scooterists will compete in an obstacle course and a race. The expo is open free to the public. For more information, visit www.amerivespa.org.

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E-mail: astowell@desnews.com