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.

91,980 Responses

  1. действительно принимают? https://rc-realty.ru Бро, была абсолютно идиентичная ситуация у мну в декабре.Трек не бился пол недели, прошли выходные звоню в контору-курьерку, называю трек, говорят нет такого, я к тс так мол и так, тот грит все ровно, трек верный ожидай! Херакс и вечером курьер названивает, оказыва4тся они мне еще в субботу хотели вручить, но почему то не дозвонились))Все пучком, бро.Почта мало кому интересна в наши дни, на курьерки много сваливается, вот они 3ак могут разгребают…Все пришло довольно быстро.

    Reply

  14. Xakerforum.com — площадка для тех, кто интересуется кибербезопасностью и практическими навыками работы с технологиями: здесь удобно обсуждать софт, настройку систем, приватность, сетевые вопросы и обмениваться опытом в тематических ветках. Сообщество ценит внятные аргументы и рабочие решения, а структура форума помогает быстро находить ответы и продолжать дискуссии без хаоса. Узнать больше и присоединиться можно на https://xakerforum.com/threads/uslugi-xakera-vzlom-tajnaja-slezhka.282/page-6 — ресурс подходит как новичкам, так и тем, кто хочет держать руку на пульсе ИБ

    Reply

  17. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but
    I find this topic to be really something that I think I would never understand.

    It seems too complex and very broad for me. I am looking forward for
    your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

    Reply

  20. Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web
    site, how can i subscribe for a blog website? The account helped
    me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept

    Reply

  21. Сегодня погружаемся в мир величайших футбольных противостояний…

    Хочу выделить раздел про Хроники и тактика футбольных дерби.

    Вот, делюсь ссылкой:

    https://tottenham-army.ru

    В заключение хочется сказать, что дерби — это нечто большее, чем просто игра…

    Reply

  22. Hi, i think that i saw you visited my website so i came to “return the favor”.I’m trying to find things to improve my
    website!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

    Reply

  23. Футбольные дерби — это не просто игры, это настоящие сражения между…

    Особенно понравился материал про Хроники и тактика футбольных дерби.

    Вот, можете почитать:

    https://tottenham-army.ru

    Независимо от исхода, каждое дерби всегда становится…

    Reply

  26. บทความนี้ให้ความรู้เรื่อง รังนกเกรดพรีเมี่ยม ได้ละเอียดและเข้าใจง่ายมากครับ
    ผมเคยสงสัยว่าราคาที่แตกต่างกันของรังนกแต่ละประเภทมาจากอะไร จนมาอ่านแล้วถึงรู้ว่า แหล่งจำหน่ายรังนก มีผลต่อคุณภาพโดยตรง
    ยังชอบตรงที่แนะนำเคล็ดลับหลีกเลี่ยง รังนกปลอม
    ทำให้เลือกซื้อได้มั่นใจมากขึ้น
    ใครที่กำลังจะซื้อต้องอ่านเลยครับ มีประโยชน์มาก

    Reply

  27. Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more
    than just your articles? I mean, what you say is important and all.
    Nevertheless just imagine if you added some great photos or videos to give your
    posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and clips, this blog could
    definitely be one of the greatest in its field. Great blog!

    Reply

  31. My partner and I stumbled over here coming from a different web page and
    thought I should check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you.
    Look forward to exploring your web page yet again.

    Reply

  32. Great blog you have here but I was wanting to know if you
    knew of any message boards that cover the same topics talked about here?
    I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get responses from other knowledgeable people that share
    the same interest. If you have any recommendations,
    please let me know. Appreciate it!

    Reply

  35. Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed!

    Very helpful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for
    such information much. I was looking for this particular information for
    a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.

    Reply

  43. 김해출장마사지는 고객이 원하는 시간과 장소에
    전문 테라피스트가 직접 방문하여 체계적인 마사지 프로그램을 진행하는 출장형 전문 테라피 서비스입니다.

    Reply

  46. Хмм…странно всё это, но несмотря ни на что заказал норм партию Ам в этом магазе так как давно тут беру.Как придёт напишу норм репорт про Ам https://novonezhino-sp.ru Или вводит всех в заблуждение?!да работаем только по прайсу

    Reply

  48. I am no longer sure the place you are getting your info, but great topic.
    I needs to spend a while learning much more or
    working out more. Thank you for magnificent info I used to be looking for this
    information for my mission.

    Reply

  50. I was excited to find this page. I want to to thank you for your time just
    for this fantastic read!! I definitely really liked every little bit
    of it and i also have you book-marked to see new things
    on your web site.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Cazrhkz Cancel reply

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