I have been, as Casey Stoner said of Vale Rossi skittling him in the rain at Le Mans last year, a little bit over ambitious. One man and his fabulously helpful readers have finally got issue 9 ready for the printers, and the new super-size A4 (about 12"x 9") benzina should get posted out early next week. With the new format safely in the back-up hard-drive issue 10 should be a little easier.A multi-facet 10th edition of the Bikers’ Classics !
The workload meant missing this weekend's most excellentBikers Classic at Spa - really is one of the best biking events in the world, and this year the Tour de France rides by - more on what's on below. You can make it a perfect weekend by staying at Neil and Ann's B&B (Neil's a Nurburgring instructor too, and featured in this month's Bike magazine) which is stuffed full of sporting memorabilia and five minutes from Spa. It's where the journalists stay, so who knows who you might meet? Plus Neil shares my passion for Bianchi and might help you chance the Tour along if you need to burn off the fritte avec mayo.
Anyway, go if you can or miss this lot:
It has been ten years already since Christian Jupsin and the DG Sport team launched the Bikers’ Classics on the track of Spa-Francorchamps. In one decennium, this event has grown into the most important meeting for all fans of classic bikes. The presence of the many former world champions and the numerous exceptional bikes has turned this event into the most prestigious one in Europe in its kind, even the English specialists envy us for it !
To celebrate this tenth anniversary, we present a grand programme.
Parades of the GP1 & GP2 champions
Just like always, a lot of stars from the past return to the track in the Ardennes, not only to prove that they haven’t lost their talents yet but to meet with a large crowd of “connaisseurs” and specialists. We note among others Freddie Spencer, Raymond Roche, Phil Read, Steve Baker, Dieter Braun, Jim Redman, Luigi Taveri, Doug Polen, Richard Hubin, Stéphane Mertens, to name just the world champions.
Riders Series
As usual, may runs are reserved for amateurs, and all of those runs are sold out. The perfect occasion for about 500 collectors to go on track with their amazing machines, each and every one of them restored with lots of love and care into the original state.
Parade Superbike Revival
Each year, the organisers honour a road racing discipline. This year, the Superbikes are put into the spotlights. We are happy to welcome the many competitors from the past and look forward to seeing them back at work, like Freddie Spencer and Raymond Roche, who will once again take place on the bikes that led them to their victories.
Back to the old track
An exceptional gift, thanks to the willingness of the mayors of Stavelot and Malmedy, all riders participating at the Bikers’ Classics will be able to discover the 14km long old track on Saturday at 18h00.
The 4 Hours of Spa Classics
An endurance race just like in the good old days, meant only for motorcycles built before 1980. A true Le Mans style start on Saturday at 20h30 will ensure part of the spectacle. Just like the previous year the entry list has been sold out for many weeks already. This goes to show the interest for this race, which will be undecided until the chequered flag falls.
CSBK Masters Series
They come from Germany but they reflect the races as they used to take place in the United States in the beginning of the ’80. The CSBK Masters Series assure a spectacular race, starting on Saturday at 17h00, a race reserved only for machines derived from this series.
But the Bikers’ Classics are also :
• the Classic 21 Concert, music from The Who and The Rolling Stones on Saturday from 21h00 until the break of dawn;
• a Ducati Exhibition of the ten most beautiful victorious two-cylinders in 40 years, with a personalised welcome for all clubs of the brand during three days;
• the Diaporama « made in USA » by Krugger, the master artist when it comes to exceptional bikes ;
• dedication sessions, where riders and crowd meet;
• pit walks, discover the most beautiful machines up close, presented by the champions in person ;
• a commercial village, with an exchange fair, rare parts or to get one of those souvenir T-Shirts …
But this 10th anniversary is also:
• a rally and expo organised by the B.F.O.V. reserved for old vehicles ;
• a Safety Tour by Touring Assurance with test session on electric scooters ;
• the presentation of the newest book by Jan Kerkhofs covering the highlights in the racing careers of Auguste Goffin and the past-war Belgian riders …
Presale discounts until 27/06
Despite the vast programme and lots of animation, an entrance ticket remains cheap (15€ for the general entrance for an entire weekend, including the Ducati expo, tribunes, village, concert), especially in presale (Pass W.E : 30 € - Pass Sunday 20€ general entrance and paddock via www.sherpa.be), and for all those under 16 years old, accompanied by an adult, the entrance is free.
Information, full programme and participants lists : http://www.bikersclassics.be/
And this was 2009 (I think!)
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