1984-1986 Moto Park Grand Prixs

By the late 70’s the Golden Years of Canadian Motocross had come to an end, as did the boom years of Motorcycle Sales in Canada. The last Motocross Grand Prix had been held at Mosport in 1979. During the mid 80’s thru the mid 90’s sales of Motorcycles plummeted from more than 100,000 units per year to as low as 20,000.

Carl Bastedo had been successful in promoting both a series of National Consumer Motorcycle Shows throughout Canada starting in 1977 as well as Supercross starting in 1980 at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto. Bringing a World Championship Motocross Grand Prix back to Canada was a natural evolution in his mind.

Any Motorsport event requires major sponsorship in order to be successful, this is the way it is all over the World. The Supercross events actually took in more in sponsorship than they did at the gate. The financial success of the Canadian Grand Prix was doomed from the beginning as Yamaha Canada was the only major company to sponsor the event.

In spite of this, a great event was put together in 1984 on an extended Motopark track. Hundreds of loads of dead sand carved out of a “honey hole” found on the property re-surfaced the entire track. Huge D8 bulldozers where brought in to reshape the woods at the south end of the property revealing huge hills and drop offs which where a part of any GP track of the era.

Hospitality wasn’t generally a part of the travelling GP Circus at the time and Motopark was one of the first to introduce a deck overlooking the track with décor and waiters serving up Steak dinners for the local and GP VIP’s in attendance. The Township Reeve and council members where in attendance and Ontario’s Solicitor General arrived for the opening ceremonies via Helicopter which landed in the front yard of Carl’s house.

More than 3,500 spectators paid to get in bringing total attendance close to 5,000. It was the most people seen at a Motocross race in Canada since the great 500cc GP at Copetown in 1975.

All the buzz in the pits was how Canada’s Ross Pederson would fare against the GP regulars, 13 of whom made the trip. Chuckles throughout the pits as the Euro’s looked over Ross’s RM500 “Motocross” bike. On the track it was a different story as Ross challenged many of them finishing top Canadian in 4th place while Glen Nicholson, also on the RM500, was next Canadian garnering 10th.

The podium at the 1984 Grand Prix of Canada was made up of Belgian riders. The victory went to Georges Jobe (Kawasaki) followed by Andre Malherbe (Honda) and Eric Geobers, also on a Honda.

In 1985 the FIM requested that Motopark run a non points paying 250 c.c. GP as the US GP at Unadilla was the following week and they felt the European riders would like to spend the week prior acclimatizing themselves to North America. Only 4 Euro’s made the trip led by Gert Jan Van Doorn who battled with Ross Pederson taking first in Moto 1. Van Doorn suffered a flat tire in Moto 2 allowing Pederson to take the win and become the first Canadian to win a Canadian Grand Prix. American Honda’s Darryl Shultz also showed up in 1985. Shultz finished with a DNF in moto one and 3rd behind Pederson and Doug Hoover in moto 2.

Financially, the Grand Prix’s proved to be to much of a drain and Motopark informed the CMA in the fall of 1985 that it would not run another 500 c.c. World Championship round in 1986. The CMA felt obligated to produce the event and took the production over with agreement that the event would be held at Motopark.

The last Motocross Grand Prix in Canada was held in sweltering heat. The event was well produced but poorly attended. On the Podium in 1986 were Belgians Andre Malherbe, and Eric Geobers while Great Britain’s David Thorpe rounded out the top 3. Top Canadian that year was Doug Hoover and Glen Nicholson in 9 and 10th. Ross Pederson was not entered, I suspect he was injured.

It was the end of an era and the entire World GP Circuit went into a slump during the late 80’s and 90’s as Motorcycle Sales World wide continued to plummet. Slow market growth in the late 90’s led to a revival of the GP scene in early 2000.

70,586 Responses

  9. What’s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It positively helpful and
    it has aided me out loads. I hope to give a contribution & help other customers like its helped me.
    Good job.

    Reply

  11. You’re so awesome! I do not think I’ve read through something like this before.
    So good to find another person with a few genuine thoughts on this subject matter.
    Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is
    required on the internet, someone with some originality!

    Reply

  13. This is the perfect website for anybody who wants to
    find out about this topic. You know a whole lot its almost tough
    to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa).

    You certainly put a fresh spin on a subject that’s
    been discussed for many years. Excellent stuff, just excellent!

    Reply

  15. Pretty component of contеnt. I јust stumbled ᥙpon your web site and іn accession capital t᧐
    say that I ցet in fact loved account yoᥙr weblog posts.
    Anywaｙ I willl be subscribing in youг augment or even I achievement уoᥙ
    access consistently fast.

    Feel free tօ visit mʏ blog :: tuition singapore

    Reply

  16. Pretty component of contеnt. I јust stumbled ᥙpon your web site and іn accession capital t᧐
    say that I ցet in fact loved account yoᥙr weblog posts.
    Anywaｙ I willl be subscribing in youг augment or even I achievement уoᥙ
    access consistently fast.

    Feel free tօ visit mʏ blog :: tuition singapore

    Reply

  19. What i don’t realize is in truth how you’re now not really much more neatly-favored than you may be right
    now. You’re so intelligent. You know thus significantly
    relating to this subject, produced me individually consider it from
    so many numerous angles. Its like women and men are not fascinated unless it’s one thing to
    accomplish with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs nice.

    Always care for it up!

    Reply

  22. Нарколог на дому в владимире — это незаменимая услуга для людей‚ испытывающих трудности с зависимостями. Профессиональная помощь‚ включая борьбу с зависимостями‚ становится доступной в уютной обстановке. Ресурс vivod-iz-zapoya-vladimir028.ru предоставляет профессиональные услуги нарколога в владимире‚ включая конфиденциальное лечение и реабилитацию. При вызове врача на дом‚ вы получаете комплексную помощь при зависимости‚ но и эмоциональную поддержку. Визит нарколога на дом поможет разработать индивидуальный план лечения. Домашний визит врача обеспечивает конфиденциальность и комфорт. Помните‚ что быстрое обращение к специалисту может изменить жизнь. Не ждите‚ когда станет слишком поздно — вызовите нарколога‚ если вы или ваши близкие нуждаетесь в помощи.

    Reply

  26. Hey I am so grateful I found your webpage, I really found
    you by mistake, while I was researching on Aol for something else,
    Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thanks for a tremendous post and a all round
    interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I
    don’t have time to read it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to
    read a great deal more, Please do keep up the fantastic work.

    Have a look at my site: real estate agent Cincinnati OH

    Reply

  27. Hey I am so grateful I found your webpage, I really found
    you by mistake, while I was researching on Aol for something else,
    Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thanks for a tremendous post and a all round
    interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I
    don’t have time to read it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to
    read a great deal more, Please do keep up the fantastic work.

    Have a look at my site: real estate agent Cincinnati OH

    Reply

  31. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for your
    blog. You have some really good posts and I think I would
    be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some articles for your blog in exchange for
    a link back to mine. Please shoot me an e-mail if
    interested. Kudos!

    Reply

  36. Appreciating the commitment you put into your website and in depth information you offer.

    It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed
    material. Fantastic read! I’ve bookmarked your
    site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.

    Reply

  37. I’ve been exploring for a little bit for any high quality articles or weblog posts in this kind of house .
    Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this site.
    Studying this info So i am glad to show that I’ve a very excellent uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed.

    I so much indubitably will make certain to do not omit this web
    site and provides it a glance regularly.

    Reply

  42. I am not sure where you are getting your information, but great topic.
    I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
    Thanks for great information I was looking for this info for my mission.

    Reply

  43. Definitely imagine that which you said. Your favourite justification appeared to be at the
    net the easiest factor to take into account of.
    I say to you, I certainly get irked at the same time as folks consider concerns that
    they just don’t recognise about. You managed to hit the nail upon the highest as well as outlined out the whole thing with no need side-effects , other
    folks could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more.
    Thank you

    Reply

Leave a Reply to goliath casino_laEl Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *