Francorchamps : back to the past.
Till 1990, the Grand Prix of Belgium pure speed on the track of Spa-Francorchamps, was one of the fixed meetings on the agenda of the world championships.
And although it’s not the case anymore today, the memory is being kept alive by the Bikers’Classics. Once again this year on the 19th , 20th and 21st of June.
60 years ago… 1949
Nineteen hundred forty nine was the beginning of the FIM world championships road race. Freddie Frith won the race in Francorchamps with his Velocette 350cc and became world champion. In the 500cc category, it was William Doran who took the victory on his AJS, although it was his fellow countryman who claimed the 500cc title that year. In the category of the sidecars, Eric Oliver and his Norton came out champions.
50 years ago… 1959
That year, Honda made their entry in the world of road race, participating at the mythical Tourist Trophy races on the Isle of Man. In the Belgian Grand Prix, MV Agusta claimed double victories, with the Italian Carlo Ubbiali in 125cc and John Surtess in the queen category. Walter Schneider was champion on three wheels with his BMW side car.
40 years ago… 1969
Giacomo Agostini set a spectacular result with his MV Agusta. Campionissimo became the first rider to set the average of 210 km/h on the 14 km long lap!
Of course Agostini won the race that day, as did Barry Smith with his Derbi in the 50cc category, Dave Simmonds with Kawasaki in the 125cc series and the Spaniard Santiago Herrero in the 250cc race with his Ossa single cylinder.
Helmuth Fath and his URS claimed victory in the sidecar category.
30 years ago… 1979
The new track was just finished, but its inauguration was not very cheerful. The asphalt didn’t absorb the water, and the rain made it so slippery up to a point that the top riders decided to boycott the race.
The Grand Prix of Belgium was held despite of their absence and allowed Henk van Kessel to claim victory in the 50cc category with his Sparta; Barry Smith to win the 125cc race on a Morbidelli; Edi Stöllinger to triumph in the 250cc series with his Kawasaki and Dennis Ireland and his Suzuki to impose in the 500cc category.
In the sidecar category, there were no absents and it was Rolf Steinhausen (Yamaha) who won the race.
