Motorcycle canada

Scanning through the entry list of this years 2009 Western Australian Targa West tarmac rally, I was pleased to see no fewer than 5 Mk1 Ford Escorts entered in the classic competition category. Having owned and competed in this legendary marque, I cant help but admire the tenacity and dedication of the owners and drivers who continue to prepare and race these magnificent vehicles.

Since their release in 1968, the Mk1 escort has consistently featured in Rally competition around the globe. For almost 7 years after its release, the MK1 Escort dominated the international rally scene, finally passing on the mantle to its equally dominant Mk2 successor.

Even today the Mk1 Escort is a popular choice for young drivers entering Motorsport. Many famous rally legends have made their start in an Escort. The late Colin McRae campaigned escorts for many years, no doubt influenced by his Father, 5 times British Champion Jimmy who can still be found campaigning Escorts in the Historic competitions around Europe.

Another extremely talented McRae in the shape of Alister will be competing in this years Targa West in a Ralliart prepared Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 10 in the modern competition category. Alister dominated last years Classic category in a Porsche 911, Im predicting hell be extremely hard to beat.

Having competed for the last 2 years in this event, Ill welcome the opportunity to take a step back and soak in the spectacle from a spectators perspective. While enjoying the event from the confines of a TVR powered Triumph TR8, I always had one eye firmly fixed on the Mk1 Escort Mexicos and RS2000s in the stages & service parks.

Ill be watching Alisters performance at the pointy end of the field with interest, but my heart will be well and truly fixed back in the classic competition category, where the spine tingling throaty roar of twin weber adorned Mk1 Escorts in full cry will truly be a sight to behold.

Well thats a translated version from French, but what is evident is the spirit!
When such is the spirit, you just know that more than a race, the Bol DOr Classic is a get together of passionate bikers!
The Classic Bol dor is a side event for the annual Bol dor Race held in France. But this is where the fun is as you get to see a huge assemble of classic bikes with each owner trying to show-off his/her priced (usually) pristine possesion.

It happens annually on the second weekend (usally around 14th) of September at Magny Cours in central France. The race is run in two 120 minute stints, with each leg preceded by demonstration laps for bikes from the 60s to the 90s. It starts on the Saturday, late into dusk and again till Sunday late afternoon.

From Nortons to Moto Guzzis to BMWs to Ducatis to Bimotas to Laverdas and of course the Japs with Kawasakis, Hondas, Yamahas and Suzukis, you will find them all here. Not to mention, a fleet of Triumphs and BSAs, of couse no classic edition can be complete without the British entrants. Below are some classic "designer" bikes from the races over the years.

The track at Magny Cours

The Bol dor on the other hand, is a part of the Endurance World Championship motorcycle race, lasts for 24 hours and each motorcycle has a team of 3 riders taking turns. The 2007 edition was the 71st edition of the race.
All in all, in totality, it is a rally, a carnival, a show, and other related events, all thrown in one epic weekend.
The 2007 race saw Suzukis supremacy (with the Suzuki GSX-R1000) since 2001 coming to an end with the victory team Yamaha, courtesy the R1. Here are the results of the 71st edition held on 2007.
From 1998 to 2006, barring 2000, Suzuki won all the races making 6 in a row from 2001-06 on the Busa and Gixer until Yamaha last year broke the spell with the R1. In total, Suzuki has won the race on 9 occasions including their first win in 1993. Yamaha has won it thrice in 1994, 2000 and the 71st edition in 2007. Kawasaki won the race 4 times in 7 years between 1991 to 1997 (91, 92, 95, 97). Honda on the other hand won all the races from 1985 to 1990, after which they had managed only one win in 1996.

Visit the official Bol DOr Classic website here and for the endurance race, visit the Bol DOr official website.