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.

86,956 Responses

  4. Do you have a spam issue on this blog; I also am
    a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have created some nice procedures and we are looking to exchange strategies with other folks, please shoot me an email if interested.

    Reply

  10. Having read this I believed iit was really enlightening.
    I appreciate yyou taking the time and energy too put this article together.
    I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and commenting.
    But so what, itt was still worthwhile!

    Feel free to viszit myy site bandar toto 4d

    Reply

  18. Дружище как все прошло?)) забрал своё??? А то написал неделю назад и тишина))) если забрал сколько шло по времени? напиши нам а то на последних страницах сдесь какой то кипишь нездоровый…( Купить кокаин, бошки, гашиш у меня такое было, позвонил в офис доставки так они меня там ошарашили что груз ушел но совсем в другую сторону от меня, я в шок че за на.. через 2часа звонок вам пакет, я аж от радости чуть не описался :voo-hoo: тут все на уровне. Не паникуйте раньше времени все решаемо. Всем добРАпробуй 4фа, 2-dpmp

    Reply

  25. Generally I don’t read post on blogs, however
    I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to
    try and do so! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thank
    you, very nice article.

    Reply

  30. Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to
    and you’re just too excellent. I really like what you have
    acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way
    in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it wise.
    I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is actually a terrific website.

    Reply

  34. I do consider all of the ideas you’ve offered in your post.
    They’re very convincing and will certainly work.
    Nonetheless, the posts are very short for starters. Could you please extend them a little from
    subsequent time? Thanks for the post.

    Reply

  39. First off I would like to say awesome blog! I had a quick
    question which I’d like to ask if you do not mind.
    I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your mind prior to writing.
    I have had a hard time clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out.
    I do take pleasure in writing however it just seems like the first
    10 to 15 minutes are generally wasted simply just trying to figure
    out how to begin. Any suggestions or hints? Cheers!

    Reply

  40. Thank you a lot for sharing this with all of us you really recognize what you are speaking
    approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly also discuss with my site =).
    We may have a hyperlink change agreement among us

    Reply

Leave a Reply to промокод на регистрацию 1xbet Cancel reply

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