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.

105,531 Responses

  2. What’s up everyone, it’s my first visit at this website,
    and post is really fruitful designed for me, keep up posting these types
    of articles or reviews.

    Reply

  3. Awesome things here. I’m very glad to look your article.
    Thank you a lot and I’m having a look ahead to contact you.
    Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?

    Reply

  9. I was curious if you ever thought of changing the structure of your site?

    Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so
    people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of
    text for only having 1 or two pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?

    Reply

  21. Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are
    just extremely wonderful. I really like what you have acquired here, really like what you are saying and the way in which you say it.
    You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it sensible.
    I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is actually a
    tremendous web site.

    Reply

  22. Для эффективного продвижения по карьере необходимо наличие официального диплома ВУЗа. Мы изготавливаем дипломы психологов, юристов, экономистов и любых других профессий по выгодным тарифам: krugozorov.ru/forum/user/11634

    Reply

  23. I’m not sure where you are getting your information, however good topic.
    I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
    Thank you for excellent information I used to be looking for this info for my mission.

    Reply

  24. Заказать диплом любого университета!
    Наши специалисты предлагаютвыгодно купить диплом, который выполнен на бланке ГОЗНАКа и заверен печатями, штампами, подписями должностных лиц. Документ пройдет лубую проверку, даже при использовании специального оборудования. Достигайте свои цели быстро и просто с нашей компанией- kalininabad.flyboard.ru/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=4144

    Reply

  27. Мы изготавливаем дипломы любых профессий по приятным тарифам. Стоимость будет зависеть от выбранной специальности, года получения и ВУЗа: [url=http://forum.resmihat.kz/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2514494/]forum.resmihat.kz/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2514494[/url]

    Reply

  28. Мы изготавливаем дипломы любых профессий по доступным тарифам. Стоимость может зависеть от выбранной специальности, года получения и образовательного учреждения: 47.92.159.28/donlmz25197046/2723700/-/issues/1

    Reply

  29. Hi there would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re using?
    I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different
    web browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most.
    Can you recommend a good web hosting provider at a reasonable price?
    Many thanks, I appreciate it!

    Reply

  30. Мы изготавливаем дипломы любой профессии по невысоким тарифам. Цена может зависеть от той или иной специальности, года получения и университета: djbanshi.net/weldonmendiola

    Reply

  31. Для удачного продвижения вверх по карьерной лестнице понадобится наличие официального диплома о высшем образовании. Мы изготавливаем дипломы любых профессий по невысоким ценам: social-lancer.com/profile/oliviabard3274

    Reply

  33. Для максимально быстрого продвижения по карьере понадобится наличие официального диплома института. Мы предлагаем дипломы любых профессий по приятным ценам: candidates.giftabled.org/employer/radiplomy

    Reply

  34. Заказать диплом о высшем образовании. Изготовление документа занимает гораздо меньше времени, а цена при этом невысокая. В итоге вы сможете сохранить бюджет и найти прекрасную работу вашей мечты. Заказать диплом возможно через официальный сайт компании. – uscgq.com/forum/posts.php?forum=general&id=517961

    Reply

  40. Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
    Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! However, how can we communicate?

    Reply

  41. Hmm it seems like your blog ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I
    had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying
    your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing.
    Do you have any suggestions for novice blog writers?
    I’d definitely appreciate it.

    Reply

  42. Купить диплом любого ВУЗа!
    Мы предлагаемвыгодно приобрести диплом, который выполняется на оригинальном бланке и заверен печатями, штампами, подписями официальных лиц. Документ пройдет любые проверки, даже с использованием профессионального оборудования. Решите свои задачи быстро и просто с нашими дипломами- koreagiftbox.com/2025/10/08/kupit-diplom-o-vysshem-obrazovanii-s-garantiej-97-2

    Reply

  44. Приобрести диплом о высшем образовании!
    Наши специалисты предлагаютбыстро и выгодно заказать диплом, который выполняется на оригинальном бланке и заверен мокрыми печатями, водяными знаками, подписями. Наш документ пройдет лубую проверку, даже при использовании специально предназначенного оборудования. Достигайте своих целей быстро и просто с нашим сервисом- successcircle.online/read-blog/7978_kupit-diplom-o-vysshem-obrazovanii.html

    Reply

  45. I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this
    post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about
    my difficulty. You are incredible! Thanks!

    Reply

Add a Comment

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