Spa Francorchamps 2011

daveh · Jul 14, 2011

A few photos of the Spa Bikers Classic, held on 1-3 July. Spa Francorchamps is one of the great race tracks of the world, and very fast. It includes Eau Rouge, which is not unlike Bray Hill in the Isle of Man. Every year, the circuit is crammed with classic machines from all over Europe, many of which are participating in the three day track day, alongside stars from the 70s and 80s riding some tasty works machinery or replicas. There is also a 4 Hour Classic Endurance Race. Most of the photos are of British bikes, since I think that is what you guys are mostly interested in.

daveh · Jul 14, 2011

Some more...

This lovely Harley was part of the line up for the parade of GP riders and famous machines

Norton were there... and I hope they will be around to put up a stall next year...

A neat ABSAF G80/85CS Matchless replica

A Greeves Oulton, with crankcases stamped 001, the first of less than 30 of the rare 350s. The 250 Silverstone was more common

A pit garage stuffed with Laverdas, some of which were competing in the 4 hour endurance event. There were more Laverdas at Spa than you could shake a stick at

The V-6 Laverda factory endurance racer

GRM 450 · Jul 14, 2011

Thanks Dave,
That's the closest some of us will get to the wonderfull tracks in Europe.
What about the bikes you and your mates took and rode? Pictures?
Thanks
Graeme

rightshiftrick · Jul 14, 2011

Drool! Monocoque Norton. My favorite of the breed.

RSR

GRM 450 · Jul 14, 2011

Did the Laverda garage look like this after the event?

AussieCombat · Jul 14, 2011

He he he, unreal Graeme, you Australians are mad bastards. I am picturing the celebrations.
OH&S would get them for unsatisfactory foot wear. Not sure about the dress.
Great photos Dave, love those Villiers.

daveh · Jul 15, 2011

GRM 450 said:
Thanks Dave,
That's the closest some of us will get to the wonderfull tracks in Europe.
What about the bikes you and your mates took and rode? Pictures?
Thanks
Graeme

Graeme, we got some group shots which I don't have yet but hope to have soon.

GRM 450 said:
Did the Laverda garage look like this after the event?

Ha ha, good one!

GRM 450 · Jul 15, 2011

Sorry for going off track with the Hari's Dave, but when I was an apprentice catching the train to work in Sydney in the 70s the HARRYS were always at the station chanting and dancing around, giving flowers away and hassling for donations, or trying to get you to buy their crap book. I think I was scared for life and when I see more than one Lav together it all comes back! ,,,,,,, hari Krishna,Krishna Krishna, hari hari,,,,,

daveh · Jul 16, 2011

A group shot of the Irish contingent at Spa. There's one Belgian, but he's an honorary Irishman for this shot.

One of myself. I ordered some off the web but the photographer hasn't sent me the high res versions yet, hence the watermark.

Edit: finally got some pics without the watermark:

This video (in English and French) on the Spa website gives a good flavour of the event:

http://eng.bikersclassics.be/

And this is OZLaverda's take on it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4isAu3jf3Qc

GRM 450 · Jul 17, 2011

You have a good set up with the truck and bikes.
What are the bikes?
Is the truck a club truck?
I assume it would be an expensive trip, but well worth the cost.

Thanks for the pictures

Regards
Graeme

daveh · Jul 17, 2011

Graeme — the truck is owned by one of the riders, who generously lent it and decked it out for the trip. It cost less than the going rate to crate and ship a bike to and from this part of Europe. Certainly much less than a dedicated bike transportation firm and far less time and effort than crating and uncrating, etc.

The bikes are, from left to right: two Honda twins; Triumph T100; Rob North Trident 930; two Honda twins; and two Seeley G50 Matchlesses.

Yes, it is a bit expensive, but I would not do this every year, and for one of the best events at one of the best tracks in the world, it's worth it!

Dave

Paul · Jul 19, 2011

some more photos:

swooshdave · Jul 19, 2011

Stunning collection.

daveh · Jul 19, 2011

Paul — good pics of those Manx Nortons. I don't know how I missed seeing them, although I saw the Manx outfit.

Were you on the track, and is that you on the Commando?

Paul · Jul 20, 2011

daveh said:
Paul — good pics of those Manx Nortons. I don't know how I missed seeing them, although I saw the Manx outfit.

Were you on the track, and is that you on the Commando?

On the backside of the track, on top of the hill behind the grandstand, there's a big parking. That's where all those Nortons stood.
And no, it wasn't me on the Commando...