DG SPORT - BIKERS'CLASSICS
10 reasons not to miss the 12 edition of the Bikers' Classics
PARTY IN FRANCORCHAMPS
The regular visitors of the Bikers' Classics have long known that the first weekend in July is always a party on the circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. This year, the 40th anniversary of the Suzuki RG500 is extra reason for a celebration from 4 to 6 July. This twelfth edition of the Bikers' Classics is by no means thirteen in the dozen. Because with an unprecedented lin-up in the Sidecar Parade and the 4 Hours of Spa Classic, there is so much more. Any questions?
YES, ONE PAIR. HOW MANY RG'S LAY THAT SMOKE CURTAIN?
That is currently unclear because thanks to the efforts of the enthusiastic 'connoisseurs' of the Amicale Spirit of Speed, names and machines are still being added to the participants. Count on it that there will be tens. The British Steve Wheatman has the largest private collection of Suzuki racers in the world and he will not be missing this year with a number of pearls from his collection for Mick Grant, Steve Parrish, Tepi Länsivuori and Wil Hartog, among others. And more. "Suzuki Steve" brings along 15 racers. Yes, fifteen!
FIFTEEN? HOWEVER, GET ONE TIME ...
A few, well ... Okay. The Suzuki XR14 with which Barry Sheene won the Dutch TT in 1975. It was the first Grand Prix victory over an RG. Historical! The XR27 with which Sheene competed in an unforgettable duel with Kenny Roberts in Silverstone in 1979… The XR34 with which Randy Mamola won the Grand Prix at Zolder in 1980… A rare XR86 from Daryl Beattie… The XR88 from Nobu Aoki… And what about the Lucky Strike-XR84 from 1994 by Kevin Schwantz! His former teammate Didier de Radiguès gets on the machine for the occasion. But there are more exotics. The machine with which Jack Middelburg was the last private driver to win a Grand Prix can also be seen and the exclusive HB Suzuki TGA1-500 from Roberto Gallina and Massimo Tamburini is coming to Francorchamps. That bike was not successful, but it is beautiful. What do you want, with Massimo Tamburini as designer ...
BUT NOT ONLY BUT SUZUKI'S?
No, it is not. The Team Classic Racing Motorcycles brings a pair of beautiful Yamaha YZR500s from 1986 and 1989 from France to Steve Baker and Christian Sarron. Hubert Rigal steps on his beautifully restored Yamaha 0W31. And fans of a real sound sensation must make sure that they come close to those very special Königs. So you can't miss that pitlane.
HOW DO I ENTER THAT PITLANE?
Very simple. No difficult hassle with passes and scans. The pitlane is not forbidden during the Bikers' Classics. A ticket gives you access to the paddock and the pit lane. The chance to come face to face with an old hero from the past and with legendary machines.
YOU SAID AN UNUSUAL LINE-UP AT THE SIDECARS. HOW SO?
Steve Webster. Alain Michel. Egbert Streuer. Rolf Steinhausen. Werner Schwärzel. Steve Abbott. Bruno Holzer. And: ... Rolf Biland and Kurt Waltisperg! To give just nine reasons to come to Francorchamps ... All former world champions coming! To drive! And the material that they bring is really good. Biland with an LCR Swiss car, Michel with a Krauser / Yamaha, Webster with a Windle / Yamaha, Steinhausen with a Busch / König ... An army of LCR / Yamaha's ... As usual, it is 'open house' with the Sidecar celebrities. There are more than 30 sidecars in the huge tent in the paddock. Oh, and if you see two men sweating and tinkering, chances are that they are Derek Jones and Brian Ayres ...
ON SATURDAY EVENING THE 4 HOURS OR SPA CLASSIC AGAIN?
Absolutely! That competition is part of the regular program of the Bikers' Classics. And every year the teams - with here and there former Grand Prix and WC Superbike drivers - and motorbikes seem to get better and stronger. The European Classic Series have now become a very serious but still fun game and the race in Francorchamps is the second in a series of four.
ARE MORE RACES DRIVEN?
Certainly. There are competitions for the Belgian Classic Bike championship for 350 and 500 cc engines from 1950 to 1972. The races also count towards the international IHRO championship. There is also the International Classic Grand Prix with two races on Sunday. The old 250 and 350 Kawasaki's, Yamaha's and Rotaxes are still being sent really hard. And now also a fixed item on the list: the CSBK Masters Series, a class with old - mainly - 'naked bikes'. A bit of a retro AMA Superbike style, so to speak. Tough bikes!
IS THE PARADE ABOUT THE OLD CIRCUIT STILL ON THE PROGRAM?
Extended due to success. So: yes, on Saturday evening, such an 750 classic racer will ride the 14 kilometer-long circuit. It sounds so simple. That is it, but also so special.
STILL EXTRACTS?
Again: yes. Are you driving a Suzuki? Then you are lucky. For 25 euros (instead of 40 euros plus reservation costs), Suzuki owners can spend an entire weekend strolling through the paddock while their motorbikes are parked in a special parking area. On Saturday evening they can participate in a special parade over the old circuit together with all Bikers' Classics participants. And of course there is also plenty to see for non-Suzuki owners. Of course there is the parts market again and on Saturday evening the already traditional concert.
WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION?
As usual on the site www.bikersclassics.be. There you will find the full program, the participant lists and also information about the prizes. I will also give it to you: On Friday you pay 15 euros for a ticket, on Saturday a ticket costs 25 euros and on Sunday 20 euros. An inexpensive weekend pass with access to the paddock and also to the main stand costs only 40 euros. By the way, did you know where the fastest Grand Prix, the fastest pole and the fastest racing lap ever took place? Indeed. In 1977 in Francorchamps. And all of that on a Suzuki RG500. Who rode that pole? Philippe Coulon. He rides a Suzuki again during the Bikers' Classics. That can not be a coincidence!
Photo: Jan & Hetty Burgers